The wizards at Universal Parks know a good thing when they've got it. And The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been a very good thing. So it should come as no surprise that they would want to replicate the success they've had in Orlando at Universal Studios Hollywood. According to reports in the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times, that's exactly what they have planned.
Sources say that Potter overseers Warner Bros. and Universal have all but crossed the t's and dotted the i's on a deal to build a West Coast version of the Wizarding land, and that it should welcome muggles sometime after 2015. Space at the cramped SoCal movie studio/theme park, however, is at a premium. Existing attractions would likely have to be razed to make room for Harry and the gang.
While I would imagine that a Hollywood version of Hogwarts castle and a ride similar, if not identical, to (the wonderful) Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey would be a given, it's not as clear whether Florida's other two attractions, the Flight of the Hippogriff and the Dragon Challenge coasters, would make their way across the country. Both of those rides were already at Florida's Islands of Adventure park and were retrofitted for the Potter land. The dual-track Dragon Challenge, which was designed as a dueling coaster, no longer operates with two trains hurtling towards each other after passengers allegedly suffered injuries. The thrill ride would also require a huge tract of the Hollywood park's limited land.
Universal has been on a tear lately. In addition to Potter's huge popularity, Universal Studios Hollywood opened a well-received King Kong attraction in 2010 and will debut a highly anticipated Transformers E-Ticket ride in 2012.
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Photo: � Arthur Levine, 2010. Licensed to About.com.
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