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ORLANDO, Fla (May 31, 2007) -
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal
Orlando Resort are partnering to create the
world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed
environment based on the bestselling books by J.K.
Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner
Bros. Envisioned as a “theme park within a theme
park” and titled “The Wizarding World of Harry
Potter,” the new environment will become part of
the experience within Universal’s Islands of
Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando
Resort.
“Over the years we’ve
received thousands of letters from fans around the
world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the
wonderful locations described in each of J.K.
Rowling’s beloved stories,” said Barry Meyer,
chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Entertainment.
“Working with Universal Orlando Resort, we are
confident that we’ll be able to provide Harry
Potter fans with an incredible experience that
upholds the richness of J.K. Rowling’s books and
delivers on the authentic detail portrayed in our
films.”
“We will rely on our company’s
rich movie heritage and expertise in transforming
film concepts into theme park entertainment
experiences,” said Ron Meyer, president and COO,
Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are
among the most compelling of our time. The
millions of people who have read the books and
seen the movies will now be able to experience the
world of Harry Potter in person.”
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s
compelling stories and characters – and faithful
to the visual landscapes of the films – “The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will provide a
one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the
magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully
immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit
some of the most iconic locations found in the
books and the films including the village of
Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and
even Hogwarts castle itself. "The plans I've seen
look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans
of the books or films will be disappointed," said
J.K. Rowling.
“We have a profound sense of
responsibility for the Harry Potter franchise at
Warner Bros. Bringing the magic of J.K. Rowling’s
written word to the motion picture screen was the
first step in expanding this amazing and
imaginative world. Working with Universal Orlando
Resort to bring it to life in a physical
environment that you can walk through, relax in
and ride on is the natural next step for fans to
experience and enjoy,” said Alan Horn, president
and COO, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Expected to open in late
2009, the new environment will feature immersive
rides and interactive attractions, as well as
experiential shops and restaurants that will
enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding
world’s best known establishments. Also debuting
will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will
bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry
Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have
never before experienced.
“We are going to devote more time,
more money, more expertise and more executive
talent from throughout our entire organization and
creative team – as well as from Warner Bros., our
partners – to ensure that
this entire environment is second-to-none,” said
Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks
and Resorts.
Brad Globe, president of Warner
Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products, added: “In
Universal, we found the right partner whose
unparalleled commitment will ensure that this is a
world class destination. Their track record of
success and the consistently high level of
entertainment at all of their parks gave us the
confidence to know that they will meet—or exceed—
the extremely high expectations we all have for
this project.”
The Academy Award-winning
production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked
to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in all
of the feature films to date, leads the creative
design for the area to ensure it remains faithful
to the look and feel of the films.
“Our primary goal is to make sure
this experience is an authentic extension of Harry
Potter’s world as it is portrayed in the books and
films,” said Craig. “I am very excited to be
working closely with the Universal Orlando team to
bring the area to life.” |
