Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood Opens at Universal Studios April 7, 2016

Orlando, Florida; Osaka, Japan; and now Hollywood, California all contain versions of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Today, Universal Studios announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood will open in Spring 2016.  We’ve known Hogwarts was coming to Hollywood as far back as December, 2011, but waited while Universal Studios Hollywood worked out the details for their plan.  The addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood culminates a massive park transformation in conjunction with Universal Studios Hollywood’s 50th Anniversary.  Continue reading for more details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood from Universal Studios’ press release, and we will continue to update as more information becomes available.

Update February 19, 2016

Traditional British fare will be served at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter similar to the English and Scottish cuisine found at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World(s) of Harry Potter.

Shepherds Pie at Three Broomsticks - WWoHP at USH

Shepherd’s Pie with Garden Salad served at Three Broomsticks in “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood, photo by Gary Moss, courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood

 

A foray through Hogsmeade village at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood will please the palate with an enticing array of savory fare and beverages, served up at the land’s Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head pub as featured in the Harry Potter books and films, and where guests from around the world can dine on traditional British dishes and sample Butterbeer.

Carefully prepared by Universal Studios Hollywood’s executive chef and culinary team, the eclectic British menu will invite guests to step into Three Broomsticks, an aged rustic tavern, where they can enjoy authentic meals while seated at custom-made wooden tables, chairs and benches, in a warm and inviting atmosphere taken straight from the wizarding world.
Sample menu items include Bangers & Mash (savory grilled English sausages with creamy mashed potatoes and minted peas), Shepherd’s Pie (ground beef and vegetables, crowned with potatoes), Beef Sunday Roast (prime rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding and gravy), Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew and Fish & Chips. Rounding out the hearty fare are decadent treats such as Butterbeer potted cream and sticky toffee pudding.

Bangers-Mash at Three Broomsticks - WWoHP at USH

Bangers & Mash served at Three Broomsticks in “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood, photo by Gary Moss, courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood

 

Gathering inspiration from historic British taverns, the adjoining Hog’s Head pub features original draught beers and spirits created exclusively for the land, including Hog’s Head Brew, Dragon’s Scale, Wizard’s Brew and Fire Whisky.

Three Broomsticks also features a selection of scrumptious traditional English breakfast items, welcoming guests to start their day at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” Tempting menu choices include the Eggy Bread breakfast (French baguette, cut on the bias and served with bacon and Vermont maple syrup), as well as traditional English breakfast (fresh scrambled eggs, sausage links, bacon, black pudding, baked beans, baked tomato, sautéed mushrooms and potatoes) and traditional American breakfast (eggs, sausages, bacon and toast).

Butterbeer, served traditionally and frozen as well as pumpkin juice, pumpkin fizz and Gilly Water are Hogsmeade beverage staples.

Update December 8, 2015

It’s official! Today, Universal Studios announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood will open on April 7, 2016!  Watch as actress Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood, shares the news.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Hollywood HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s15) ©2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Update December 3, 2015

Want to know when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open at Universal Studios Hollywood?  All will be revealed on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7 am PT/10 am ET on the Universal Studios Hollywood YouTube Channel.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood

Update November 19, 2015

Check in on Universal Studios Hollywood’s progress on “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” scheduled to open in Spring 2016.  First up, an insider’s tour of Hogsmeade with the conductor of the Hogwarts Express.

Update October 27, 2015

Universal Studios Hollywood launches an interactive website and invites visitors around the world to take a virtual tour of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” - currently scheduled to open in spring 2016.  Click here for your first glimpse of Hollywood’s Wizarding World.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

Update September 18, 2015

First look at the key artwork released for Universal Studios Hollywood’s version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  I’m imagining we’ll be seeing a lot more of this artwork as the days countdown to the opening of the new land.  Click on the image below for a larger version, and it looks just about the right dimensions for your phone wallpaper or lock screen.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal Studios Hollywood

Original post follows below…

From Universal Studios Hollywood

The countdown to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter begins today as Universal Studios Hollywood announces the Spring 2016 arrival of the West Coast’s most anticipated entertainment experience and the introduction of the land’s signature attraction, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” in hyper-realistic 3D-HD.

More than five years in the making, and inspired by J. K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters and the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood will bring guests the same authenticity and storytelling found at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan and is expected to attract Harry Potter fans and visitors from all over the globe for decades to come.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood

Visitors will be swept into a fully immersive themed land that brings the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and precision. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.

“Harry Potter is an exhilarating multi-generational global phenomenon that has captivated the world’s attention across every one of its mediums, from books and movies to exhilarating theme park adventures,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood.  “With its imminent arrival to The Entertainment Capital of L.A., Universal Studios Hollywood is thrilled to bring our guests a new, compelling experience of ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ as we embark on this next chapter in our storied history.”

“The momentum behind J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is as strong as ever and we are incredibly excited to bring Hogwarts to Hollywood,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Fans around the world have experienced the magic at ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ in Orlando and Osaka and we look forward to continued success with our partners at Universal Studios Hollywood as we offer more fans a chance to step into this immersive environment.”

Like its counterparts, Hogwarts castle will sit at the heart of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” where the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will take guests on a journey into many memorable scenes alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione. Traveling by Floo powder, guests will soar high above Hogwarts, partake in a Quidditch match, narrowly escape a dragon attack and have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow.

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 

“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is an achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology featuring a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects.  Sporting Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles, guests will venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut as a dynamic 3D-HD adventure designed to further immerse guests in an already captivating storyline.

Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff will debut as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor coaster.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s epicurean world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including: Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head pub, as well the Magic Neep and Butterbeer carts.

A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail shops and locations, including Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Owl Post, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.

As excitement builds for the Spring 2016 arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” in-park guests at Universal Studios Hollywood are able to experience and purchase authentic merchandise, including wands, robes and other collectibles from “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” available within the Features Presentation shop, located just inside Universal Studios Hollywood’s main entry.

Editor’s Note: Watch the video below for a highlight tour of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure.

The eight Harry Potter movies are among the highest grossing film properties of all time, and new “Harry Potter” spin-off films based on J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them are scheduled to arrive in theaters starting November, 2016.  The future of Harry Potter is certainly strong.  For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on Twitter and “like” our Facebook page, too.

About Dave Parfitt

Married, father of two girls, and living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. I'm a runner with a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for travel.