INTRODUCTION

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a series of themed areas at Universal Parks &
Resorts based on the Harry Potter media franchise and incorporating elements from the
Warner Bros. film series and J.K. Rowling's original novels. Area designed by Universal
Creative under exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.

BACKGROUND
A Harry Potter-themed attraction at either a Disney or Universal park was rumored in
2003.However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros.,
who denied all rumors. Both Disney and Universal entered bidding negotiations with Warner
Bros. and Rowling for the theme park rights to Harry Potter. In 2004, Rowling signed a
letter-of-intent with Disney, with the company intending to develop a Harry Potter section
within an area of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. In January
2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Islands of
Adventure park's Lost Continent area was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters
of one of the most popular children's franchises". Other sources followed up in the next few
days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve Harry Potter. On May 31,
2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced the Wizarding World
of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

Both theme parks at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida – Islands Of
Adventure and Universal Studios Florida – have Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed
environments. Both parks include Hogwarts Express stations allowing passengers to reach
both theme parks aboard the full-scale replica of the train that appears in the film series.
At the Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, the Wizarding World of Harry
Potter opened on June 18, 2010. It includes re-creation of Hogsmeade and three rides. The
flagship attraction is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which exists within a re-
creation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A new roller coaster, Hagrid's
Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which replaced the Dragon Challenge, opened on
June 13, 2019. Other rides include Flight of the Hippogriff, a family roller coaster, and the
Hogwarts Express. Other attractions include Ollivanders Wand Shop, the Triwizard Spirit
Rally, and the Frog Choir. Hogsmeade contains many gift shops and restaurants from the
book series including Dervish and Banges, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, the Three Broomsticks,
and the Hog's Head.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

At the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka, Japan, the Wizarding World of
Harry Potter opened on July 15, 2014. It includes the village of Hogsmeade, Harry Potter and
the Forbidden Journey ride, and Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster. Two features in the
Japanese park not found in Orlando or Hollywood are Hogwarts' Black Lake and live owls.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios Hollywood on
April 7, 2016, Replacing The Adventures of Curious George which closed on September 6,
2013. The flagship attraction is the flight-simulating ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden
Journey, similar to the Orlando one. Visitors once wore Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles
throughout the ride for an enhanced ride experience, but the 3D visuals have recently been
replaced by 2D.