This past weekend, I was able to attend a special VIP tour at Universal Studios Orlando, which included a behind the scenes look at the new Happy Potter expansion along with this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.
The day was filled with an in depth look at the extra amount of detail that went into the design of Diagon Alley, the newest addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, along with a chance to meet with Charles Gray, the director of houses for Halloween Horror Nights. The event was a chance to get a closer look at the amount of fan service paid to fans of both J.K. Rowling’s classic creations and the horror genre itself.
Beginning our tour, we were taken into Universal Studios, starting our journey at the newest expansion to the park, London, which was not only built to as a part of the Harry Potter expansion, but also designed to serve as a working set, if necessary. The little details which fill this new area are what truly set it apart from the first phase of the Wizarding World in Islands of Adventure. Within the London area, there is a sign for the Leaky Cauldron, which can only be read if you stand at a certain spot, further emphasizing the idea that muggles would not find places like these–even in the real world.
When you first enter Diagon Alley, a sound effect of bricks shifting position can be heard. It’s a small detail, but one that really brings an added amount of realism to the replication.
One of the most astounding achievements of the expansion, however, is once inside, Diagon Alley looks impossible to contain yet outside the streets of London and it’s impossible to imagine anything magical occurring in the background. Universal did a wonderful job of containing such an elaborate addition, and fans of the book have no reason to be disappointed. Inside there are special plaques on the ground, where you can use an interactive wand, purchased at Ollivander’s Wand Shop, of course, to cast your own spells and further interact with the world.
One of the most interesting facts I learned on the tour, was regarding the maps that come with the purchase of an interactive wand. If you read the map in Knockturn Alley, blacklights activate unreadable portions of the map. Whether you come for all this nifty little features, or the delicious assortment of new ice cream flavors, Diagon Alley is an incredible achievement and something you won’t want to miss.
If you feel the sudden urge to head over to Hogsmeade, the original area of Harry Potter found in Islands of Adventures, you can take a train between parks and even get the chance to witness how Universal has managed to replicate Platform Nine and Three-Quarters’ elusive entrance. Just remember, that you will need a 2-park pass to experience all the Wizarding World has to offer.
Later in the day, our tour concluded with a Q & A sessions with Charles Gray, the House Director of Halloween Horror Nights who filled us in on what new scares are featured in this year’s annual event.
Eight haunted houses comprise the main draw. The houses based on already established intellectual properties include Halloween, based on the 1978 John Carpenter classic, Alien vs. Predator, From Dusk ‘til Dawn, inspired by the television series, The Walking Dead, returning once again, and Dracula Untold. Dracula Untold, is based on the film to release later this month, but what is unique about this house, compared to the others, is they started designs, back when the received an early copy of the script for the film. This means there are certain elements of the house that will be absent from the final film, giving it a truly special spin.
The original houses, this year, are Giggles & Gore, a clown themed house, along with Dollhouse of the Damned, which features some of the best makeup of the entire event, and Roanoke, a sure fire treat for any history buff. If you only have time to see a few of the houses, make sure you don’t miss Halloween, Dollhouse of the Damned, or Alien vs. Predator. They each offer something different and filled me with true dread, even after experiencing them multiple times.
For those who are looking for something a bit less terrifying, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure is a humorous look back on pop culture throughout the year whereas fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show can watch an abbreviated version of the cult film brought to life.
Don’t expect the scares to stop for even a second, as the streets will be filled with different scarezones. Each zone is unique from the others and includes one based off of The Purge: Anarchy, another filled with some of the best makeup you’ll ever seen, Face Off – In the Flesh, as well as another themed around a haunted masquerade and one more coined the Bayou of Blood.
Whether you’re there for the scares, or to be transported into one of your favorite books, Universal Studios Orlando has plenty to offer. This year has been one of the monumental they have had in recent memory, and is an awesome way to spend your time, and Halloween, in the Sunshine State.
