General view of at Universal Orlando on January 31, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo : Getty Images/Aaron Davidson)
Universal Studios lit the Hogwarts Castle on Monday night at its entertainment complex in Universal City. It signals the opening of the "Inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter" attraction that the studio officially announced on Tuesday.
In a post on YouTube, Universal said the much-anticipated theme park would open on April 17, 2016. It is part of the $1.6-billion expansion of the studio's east San Fernando Valley property that counts on the eight "Harry Potter" films to draw in the crowds of wizardry fans, reports Daily News.
Universal also has "Harry Potter" attractions in Orlando, Florida, and Osaka, Japan.
"This is going to be the biggest thing that Universal Studios Hollywood has ever had. It's a huge (attendance) driver for the parks in Orlando and Osaka, and I expect that to happen in Universal City," says Robert Niles, founder and editor of Theme Park Insider, based in Pasadena.
He continues, "Potter has done so well driving traffic, it's really enabled them to improve the scale and quality at attractions they have been developing around the world since 2010."
It took Universal over five years to develop the "Harry Potter" attraction which were inspired by the best-selling novels of J.K. Rowling and movies made by Warner Bros.
Universal says the land is faithful to the visual landscape in the novels and movies, including the castle which is the focal point of the attraction. Guests would be transported by features of the attraction, such as the snow-capped roof, cobblestone streets and historic British sensibilities, to the places they read in the book and saw in the movies.
Other features include a 3D ride called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an outdoor family coaster called Flight of the Hippogriff, reports Associated Press.
