Previous Universal Harry Potter attractions A
Harry Potter themed attraction at a Universal Studios park or a
Disney park was rumored in 2003. However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by
Warner Bros., which denied all rumors. In January 2007,
About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the
Universal Islands of Adventure park's
Lost Continent area at
Universal Orlando Resort was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises". Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve
Harry Potter. On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure. After a -year construction period, the area officially opened to the public on June 18, 2010. This resulted in attendance at the park jumping approximately 50% in its first year of operation. On July 8, 2014, Universal opened an expansion to the Wizarding World at
Universal Studios Florida, Diagon Alley, which was placed in the former
Amity Island area of the park. This expansion also included the new ride experience:
The Hogwarts Express, in which a train travels between the two Universal Florida Parks, from the Hogsmeade area to Kings Cross Station (right outside of the entrance to Diagon Alley). A week later, on July 15, 2014, Universal opened
the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan.
Rumors and official announcement On December 1, 2011, the
Wall Street Journal reported a rumor from "people familiar with the matter" that
Universal Studios Hollywood was going to add its version of Islands of Adventure's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The report also detailed the possibility that
Universal Parks & Resorts would open additional Harry Potter-themed areas at
Universal Studios Singapore and
Universal Studios Japan as well as a location in Spain. On December 6, 2011, Universal Studios Hollywood announced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal Parks & Resorts executives Tom Williams and Ron Meyer were accompanied by
Warner Bros. executives, the
Governor of California Jerry Brown as well as
James and Oliver Phelps who played the
Weasley twins in the films. The announcement came with very few details of what would be built, however, it did confirm that the
Gibson Amphitheatre would be demolished and a re-creation of
Hogwarts and
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey would be constructed. The last show at the Gibson Amphitheatre was held on September 6, 2013, prior to its closure and subsequent demolition. On April 23, 2013,
NBCUniversal made the final step by receiving a unanimous vote in approval of the 25-year expansion by the county Board of Supervisors. This $1.6 billion expansion is expected to greatly boost tourism and the local entertainment industry. It will also create 30,000 jobs during the time of construction. On December 8, 2015, it was announced that the park will open on April 7, 2016. The announcement featured actress
Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the
Harry Potter films. However, the soft opening was on March 31, 2016. ==Attractions==