Wizarding World of Harry Potter Coming to Universal Studios Japan - Opening in 2014

Just like if Disney didn't had enough problems with the competition created by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando - and in 2016 in L.A - one day after the Avengers ride announcement by Bob Iger Universal strikes back overseas and announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will come to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka in 2014!

From the L.A Times: "Universal Studios Japan on Thursday will unveil plans to build the first international version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the blockbuster attraction that has drawn millions of fans to Universal’s Orlando resort and is coming to Los Angeles.

The Osaka destination - expected to begin construction in the next few weeks with a planned opening in late 2014 and an expected cost of about $500 million - brings Hogwarts Castle and rides including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey to the boy wizard’s biggest market outside of the United States".

At Oriental Land - the company ruling Tokyo Disney Resort - they must be in "red alert mode" by now...That said, all this probably will end with everybody being happy. Universal Studios Japan of course, but also WDI as you can be sure that the smart guys of Oriental Land will understand instantly the danger. Even if Universal Studios Japan are in Osaka at hundred miles from Tokyo they are only at two and a half hours with the Shinkansen, Japan bullet train and TDL will probably plan a counter attack to be ready with major ride(s) for 2014. And all this at the end will make the happiness of TDL and japanese theme park fans! Okay, Oriental Land probably would have preferred to avoid this "counter attack" investment but i'm sure that with the help of WDI Imagineers they will find brilliant rides ideas to avoid the Potter curse.

May be that 2014 will be the perfect year to introduce some Marvel rides at Tokyo Disney Resort... Good news, since yesterday we know that WDI will have at least a major one available for TDL.

Picture: copyright Warner - Universal Studios

Universal Studios Orlando : Farewell to Jaws!, Hello Harry Potter Phase Two!

I know it's sad to say, but the Jaws attraction at Universal Orlando has closed forever yesterday and for those of you who, just like me, will miss the ride or those who never had the chance to ride the attraction, here is a great video filmed December 17. Abord are those who were the former "skippers" from the early years of Universal Studios Florida's JAWS! attraction and who take one last trip on Captain Jake's Amity Boat Tours. This skippers reunion was organized by ex-skipper Tom Croom and as you will see the farewell voyage was pretty hysterical, in the good meaning of the word (if there is one!).




I also include below two 1990's artwork for the ride.





As you can see on the aerial shot below the Jaws land was pretty big and now that the Jaws ride is closed what will take its place? Well, as i told you last month in a previous article the expansion of the Harry Potter land is expected to be build at Universal Orlando and not at IOA. And guess what? I think we can say this is now confirmed, although not officially, since last saturday and the great post on Theme Park Insider who had access to Universal secret plans and revealed virtually almost everything of this Potter expansion.



And when i mean everything it's really everything as TPI details scene by scene what will be the big E-Ticket , i.e the Gringotts coaster ride which according to TPI will not be a traditional coaster but "appears to be a hybrid roller coaster and motion-base ride, a la Spider-Man and Transformers with 3D projection screens throughout the ride, embedded in the rockwork of the tunnel walls, creating an illusion of open space, within which we'll watch battles taking place".

He has also posted two CGI artwork showing the Victorian design of the coaster train, that you can see below, slightly enhanced here.





So, jump to the Theme Park Insider article as you better don't miss this fantastic description of the Harry Potter expansion!

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios