More murmurs of ‘Wizarding World’ at Universal Orlando expansion from producer David Heyman

By Andrew Sims (@Sims) at 11:38 am, November 19, 2011

Harry Potter producer David Heyman didn’t keep mum on the Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration red carpet at Universal Orlando last weekend.

He told one fansite that plans for a Wizarding World expansion and new Potter parks were in “early days,” and as it turns out he had a bit more to confirm to a major news outlet.

From the Toronto Sun:

Heyman confirmed with Sun Media that details are being planned, including new Potter-themed thrill rides. Heyman himself has been thrilled with the response. “This is the first time we’ve been here with this crowd,” he said of “real fans” of the Harry Potter universe. “You realize it does live on and it lives on in so many ways.”

So now we know that thrill rides are part of the expansion plan. I’m personally still holding out for a Gringotts ride to take over the existing Poseidon’s Fury area at Universal Orlando.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on any expansion and new park news as it becomes available!

Be sure to check out our list of 8 things we want to see in a new Potter park.

View the latest articles in: Harry Potter

RussTurner

I think if anything goes it will be the Jurassic Park.. that place seemed so old. Also, the younger generation was not brought up to Jurassic Park like I was. That’s my bet on what will leave.
- Fravit
  
  I wouldn’t bet on Jurassic Park leaving, its too big a property. I’d look to the Sindbad/Arabian Nights area and then Poseidons Fury areas next.
  - AWitch4Harry
    
    I have a sibling who works at Universal and has hinted that they are looking at replacing Sinbad and Posiden’s Fury (pretty much everything past Dr. Seuss Land) to expand the HP park which would be great because I think that both the Sindbad and Posiden attractions are pretty lame IMHO.
- http://twitter.com/taylie27 taylore thompson
  
  It’s not Jurassic Park when I went to the theme park I heard it’s going to be the rest of The Lost Continent, after all they took half that section to make WWOHP, might as well take the rest. That was the section I was least impressed with in the park
AvisWizard178

personally, i would love it if they made a theme park in england, where it should be. no offence to americans, but england is the home to potter. but florida is still a gr8 place for wwohp. i hope they put one in china or japan too, cos it will be reqally worldwide.
- SlythVx13
  
  But you guys have the actual filming studio (and now tour), the actual 4 privet drive, Kings Cross, all the stuff we don’t have here. I’ll never get to go on that tour or see those things even though I would like to. However, I do think they should put amusements parks wherever there will be a large crowd of fans to enjoy it.
  - http://twitter.com/DumbledorkAdams Niall Adams
    
    To be fair Privet Drive isn’t actually a real place and Kings Cross is a massive disappointment anyway. I went in the Summer expecting it to be a proper stone built platform like in the books and films but it’s just a bit of plastic in a side part of the station. Hopefully the tour will be good but I’m still holding out for a theme park in England.
    - SlythVx13
      
      Privet Drive doesn’t actually exist? I know it wouldn’t look the same and be the same house obviously, but I thought that address had to exist somewhere in Surrey. Oh well, it won’t be a disappointment when I never get to see it anyway.
      - Westie420uk
        
        Cant remember the name of the street the house they use for Privet Drive is on, but it is a real house. Though they use a lot of blue screen to block out the surroundings. you can see it on one of the extras DVD’s from one of he films.
  - Weirdnerd1
    
    well, I’m in New Zealand, and I have nothing.
  - Al
    
    Well. I’m in Southeastern Europe. And I have nothing, so you guys should stop complaining.
    - SlythVx13
      
      I’m not complaining but standing up for the fact that the theme park was built here. If there’s ever others built or another hp attraction made, I hope you’ll get to go to it.
- Fravit
  
  I hear this complaint a lot, but the reality of the matter was that this was NEVER going to be built in the UK. No one who planned this did this for the fans, nor did they think about where it would best be “right”. All decisions made in the planning were financial. Orlando is a well established family vacation destination known for theme parks, and Unviersal has the most at stake there. It was always going to end up in Orlando. Fans need to look at this from a theme park industry standpoint, rather than a Harry Potter standpoint. Perhaps they will expand their presence to the UK next, but I wouldn’t count on it. (In fact, if I had to bet, I’d say So-Cal or possibly Tokyo would be next, just based on the market.)
- starquill
  
  A lot of people say this, but I think it’s a bit of ridiculous argument. The UK gets the studio tour, America gets the theme park. I think arguing about it is a bit like children fighting over toys. “It’s not fair, it’s not fair!” I mean, if you really want to go to the theme park, start saving up, and if you can’t do that, then tough luck. I probably will never be able to go the studio tour, you don’t see me complaining. Oh, and just to make things clear, this rant certainly isn’t directed toward you (AvisWizard), just the general argument.
SlythVx13

The only thing I really want them to change is the food in the Three Broomsticks. We got huge servings, which was awesome, but it all tasted a little bland. I want them to improve on that before anything else. Other than that, I think everyone wants a Gringotts ride!
- Anonymous
  
  I’ve gotta agree. The butterbeer was fantastic but I believe I got the shepards pie jut because nothing else sounded good and it still didn’t taste too great. That seems to be something easily fixable, especially If they bring over that chef from poseidons or whatever the really good restaraunt is right next to wwohp.
  - Lrs0415
    
    I don’t think they would close Mythos–it’s won “Best Theme Park Restaurant” upwards of 5 years in a row. Not to mention the food is delicious; it would be a crime if they closed it or re-themed it to feature Harry Potter-inspired food.
    
    I do agree that WWoHP needs to have more attractions, though. It could really use more than one ride designed specifically for it. Repurposing half of fantasy-land, or whatever the original “island” was just didn’t cut it.
    - http://twitter.com/taylie27 taylore thompson
      
      They could easily change Mythos into the Leaky Cauldron if that’s where they expand
  - SlythVx13
    
    I had the chicken and corn, and while the corn was good (I don’t know if you can really screw that up), the chicken was the blandest thing I’ve ever had and it was ginormous. I didn’t want to waste so I ate it all, despite the taste. Same with my friend’s fish and chips. The regular icecream was even bland. Well, except for the strawberry peanut butter icecream!! I do agree, the butterbeer was fantastic and on point! I did tell my friend after we ate “They put so many wonderful details into everything, but it’s like they’re just whipping up food ’cause they have to.”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745581155 Kallah Jean Turner

I went to Universal this Tuesday and the area right behind the Wizarding World seemed pretty cleared out like they were getting ready to expand. I would presume that they are going to expand it quiet a bit. The only good rides at Universal were the Harry Potter ones. I’m excited to see what they do.
- Fravit
  
  Spiderman? Jurassic Park? Simpsons? Revenge of the Mummy? Bilge Rat Barges? Rip Saw Falls? None of those struck you as “good”? I loved Forbidden Journey, but I think it’s the only “good” ride that Wizarding World has, as Hippogriff and Dragons are basically dressed up rollercoasters. They have less theming that most other rides at Universal.
Bernardotriana

When i went to the Harry Potter park in Florida I asked someone who works that he confirmed that they will take out some of the other rides in the park and expand harry potter world! he said they will be making gringotts!!!!
Tomas

NOT in the US
goldensnidget

I hope we get confirmation on dates and stuff for this soon, or (even better) confirmation that they’ll be building one in England, because I need to start saving money now if I’m going to go (which I fully intend to), but I don’t want to spend all that money only for it to be developed a couple of months later.
Amall

Doesn’t matter because I still can’t afford it. DAMMIT.
http://twitter.com/taylie27 taylore thompson

Still want to see a wand shooting game if they expand it. How cool would that be, to shoot down death eaters in the Ministry :)
leviosaaax3

I guess I’ll be going back :D! SO EXCITED!
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More murmurs of ‘Wizarding World’ at Universal Orlando expansion from producer David Heyman

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