[Travelandtourism] Harry Potter film cast previews Universal Orlando attraction

[cheryl echevarria]

Harry Potter film cast previews Universal Orlando attraction
By: Kenneth Kiesnoski
June 17, 2010
ORLANDO - Universal Orlando Resort rolled out the red carpet for stars of 
the Harry Potter film franchise one
day before the official June 18 opening of the theme park's much-anticipated 
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
attraction.

Actors Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Michael 
Gambon (Albus Dumbledore) and
Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) joined fellow film cast and crew members, as well 
as Universal Studios Theme Parks
executives and designers, in previewing the new 20-acre attraction (located 
within the Islands of Adventure
theme park) for global media outlets and select Universal Orlando Resort 
hotel guests.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling made a surprise appearance at the park's 
official grand opening celebration,
 held the evening of June 16.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, built at an estimated cost of $265 
million, features shops, restaurants,
 interactive experiences and three thrill rides: Flight of the Hippogriff, 
Dragon Challenge and the signature
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

The former two were existing roller coasters that were repurposed and 
re-themed for integration into the
 Harry Potter "theme park within a theme park." The latter, housed in a 
towering recreation of the
 Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is a new, state-of-the-art 
attraction that recreates scenes
and experiences from the books and films.

According to Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, ride designers 
really wanted to capture and
recreate the most dynamic parts of the Harry Potter books and films in the 
Forbidden Journey attraction.

"What makes for a great attraction is the same thing that makes for a great 
movie: wonderful characters,
magical places and really spellbinding action," he said. "So, flying was 
really critical,
going into the Forbidden Forest was great, coming face to face with a 
Dementor was something,
 and everyone would want to take part in a Quidditch match - and doing that 
while you were able to
come up close and personal to the characters."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opens to the public at 9 a.m. 
on June 18.Cheryl Echevarria
Independent Travel Consultant
C10-10646

http://Echevarriatravel.com
1-866-580-5574

http://blog.echevarriatravel.com
Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel CST-1018299-10