What they saw: the high level of detail throughout the area, inside and out, which is designed to reflect the vision of the Harry Potter filmmakers. What they didnt see: the mobile portion of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the new dark ride still shrouded in a bit of secrecy. Folks did get a gander at the extensive queue of Forbidden Journey, which is housed in the signature piece of WWHP architecture, Hogwarts castle.
And they were able to swig butterbeer, pumpkin juice or Hogs Head Brew, all made especially for Universal Orlando.
More new details of the attraction were on display. Visitors could explore Ollivanders and purchase a wand or buy candy from Honeydukes or any number of souvenirs from the Potterverse. (Im told that 700 items have been licensed for Wizarding World.)
New observations to share:
+ Its tight quarters inside Ollivanders. We had 25 adults in our grouping; I would not have wanted to be in there with 30 grown-ups. We experienced some special effects that demonstrated how a wand chooses its master, including magically rattling drawers. Its part one-person show, part retail opportunity. Guests will exit through Owl Post, where more wands are for sale.
+ I was pleasantly surprised by the pricing on the items. It was in the usual theme park range. Sure, you could beat it at a retail outlet, but youre not going to see this merch at your local Target. Youll be able to pick up a Golden Snitch for $14.95, a Ravenclaw (baseball) hat for $21.95, striped school ties for $9.95, a Hedwig plush/puppet for $28.95 and a nice selection of Potter-based trading pins for between $9.95 and $12.99. Wands were marked as $24.95 but I heard there were some that are more expensive. The biggest ticket I noticed were Hogwarts robes for $99.95.
+ If the menu board at Three Broomsticks is to be believed, the pleasant pricing extends to butterbeer, available for $2.99 ($3.99 for frozen version). Remember, a Coke runs $2.75 at Universal although there are no sodas sold in Wizarding World.
+ The revamped versions of Flying Unicorn and Dueling Dragons coasters to be called Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge once Harry moves in were up and running with new queues. Hippogriffs refurb is a bit more dramatic with a nice view of Hagrids Hut in the queue. The trains are now wicker-fronted and riders are told to bow before the Hippogriff, which is cleverly hidden from the queue but impressively obvious once the ride begins. Dragon Challenge sports theming from the Triwizard Tournament, including the Triwizard Cup. Most of the Dueling Dragons look is gone inside. Its a little lighter and even less curvy than before. The loading area is more open as well. Outside is one of the flying cars actually used in the Potter films.
+ We experienced a few animatronic moments, including a croaking chocolate frog in the window of Honeydukes (oversized, of course. No little ones were in stock), the grunting hogs head in the Hogs Head Tavern and a monsters book (caged) in Dervish & Banges.
+ No photos were allowed during the event. One man near me, listening to the Frog Choir, tried to take a shot of Hogsmeade Village with his iPhone and was politely asked to stop by security.
+ The view of Hogwarts was very striking during twilight, but then Im a sucker for theme parks at night. Plus the evening had a bonus of no strollers, or at least very few. I worry about congestion when the crowds come, but that will be a good thing, right?
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