Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Explore the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with your webcam and a copy of USA Today
In Spring, Universal Orlando Resort will open the doors to the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In the past couple of weeks, several images have been released, showing a little bit of what you can expect at this 20-acre themed environment.
Universal took things one step beyond boring images, and teamed up with USA Today to bring guests an augmented reality preview of the park.
Augmented reality is a technology that allows for images to appear on top of camera images. To enjoy the experience for yourself, you'll need a webcam and a USA Today (from today, Thursday January 28th) or you can cheat, and download a PDF version of the map from the USA Today web site.
Once you have the map, point your browser to harrypotter3d.com and follow the instructions. There are several hidden tricks on the site, including the ability to make banners wave faster when you blow into your microphone.
One of the upcoming attractions - Ollivanders Experience (Ollivanders is the Wand shop in Diagon Alley)
From the attraction description:
"When guests visit Ollivanders, they will instantly feel like they're in the shop from the films. It's an intimate, single-windowed building, with the same signs, colors and other details read about in the books and seen in the films," said Alan Gilmore, art director of the Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. "But more importantly, visitors to Ollivanders will experience for themselves the magical moment that forever changed Harry's life."
Inside Ollivanders, visitors will be surrounded by thousands of multi-colored dusty wand boxes stacked on shelves from floor to ceiling. They will be welcomed by an inquisitive Wandkeeper, who will guide them through an enchanting experience to find their very own wand. First the Wandkeeper will ask the guest a few special questions and then select the first wand for them to try. Just like Harry, the guest will be prompted by the Wandkeeper to give the wand a wave, and a series of magical mishaps will occur until the right fit is found.
Of course, no Harry Potter park could ever be complete without its own Hogwarts Castle!
In addition to the magic featured in Ollivanders, guests will experience many other magical happenings at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including a Howler featured in the Owl Post shop front window whose ranting can be heard by guests as they pass by; The Monster Book of Monsters in Dervish and Banges that will snarl and growl at anyone who tries to get too close, and the Hog's Head which can be seen puffing his jowls at visitors who visit the Hog's Head pub.
Filed under: North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Neko Jan 30th 2010 7:05PM
This is AWESOME!!!!! I can't wait to go there!!!!!!
linda caldwell Jan 30th 2010 8:20PM
"Be still my pounding heart!" I'm 53 yrs. old and CAN"T WAIT for the chance to get down there and pretend with the best of them!!!!!!!!! Oh man, you talk about having a BLAST! W.D.World, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!
Meaghan Jan 30th 2010 8:22PM
OMG I am sooooo Excited looks like my vacation is already planned! ! ! ! SWEETNESS! ! ! !
Shirley Jan 30th 2010 9:01PM
I can hardly wait to see it and I'm almost 68. It should be a blast!!!!!!!!!!
Heather Jan 30th 2010 9:05PM
This at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando not at Walt Disney World. I am super excited about it, too! I have been waiting since it was just rumors!
Katelyn Jan 31st 2010 6:36PM
It's Disney World for Harry Potter fans!!!! This is going to be awsome! I know where I'm going for summer vacation!
Kelly Jan 31st 2010 5:20AM
The Harry Potter movies and books are my favorites. I hope I get to visit this place some day.
Please help me so I can continue to help my friend Emily who has cancer. Visit my web site at www.beggingforyourhelp.webs.com. Thanks!