Universal Orlando Resort Releases Photos of Newest Harry Potter Attraction
Harry Potter fans are eagerly awaiting the opening of the newest attraction in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley this summer, and although we still don’t have opening dates for that, we do now have incredible new pictures of one of its attractions, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
Just the carts for the ride give me goosebumps!!
My kids, especially my oldest, adore the Harry Potter series and even learned to read as we poured through the pages of each and every novel. The younger children remember me reading them at bed every night. Harry Potter is near and dear to our hearts. So, the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter portion of Universal is special to us. From the taste of the butter beer to the snow on top of the school, we feel like we’ve stepped into Harry’s world when we’re there.
We cannot wait until Diagon Alley opens, but seeing pictures of this particular ride, where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts Bank (one of the most guarded places in the wizarding world), to retrieve a magical object that will help defeat ‘He who must not be named’ (you all know exactly who I’m talking about), well–we can’t wait to be part of that fun.
The publicity crew tells us that during the ride, you will:
- Marvel at the 60-foot, fire-breathing Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon atop Gringotts Wizarding Bank
- Tour Gringotts bank and pass through the marble hall where youll see goblins hard at work
- Race through a labyrinth of underground Gringotts vaults
- Encounter the villainous Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, as she attempts to send you to your doom
- Come face to face with He Who Must Not Be Named
- Experience even more mind-blowing moments
The ride is said to revolutionize theme park entertainment. In the press release, we’re told it “seamlessly integrates a compilation of the most innovative technology ever created, 360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems and live special effects with beloved characters and breathtaking moments from the Harry Potter books and films.”
“Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts will change the way you think about theme park attractions,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “We’ve created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before, and guests will remember it long after their visit to Diagon Alley.”
The rest of Diagon Alley will bring other parts of Harry Potter’s world to life.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. “The new area will double the size of the sweeping land already found at Universal Orlando, expanding the spectacularly themed environment across both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Inside the land, guests will enjoy themed shops, dining experiences and the groundbreaking thrill ride – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.”
Now, all we need is to know when it opens. Then, you can bet this muggle family will be booking a trip!
You can hear more about the ride in a video seen here.
