Wizarding World of Harry Potter Park to be Built at Universal Studios Hollywood

It’s official. Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Universal Studios Orlando. The success of Wizarding World in Orlando has been beyond even the imagination of any theme park executive, so it is not surprising that they are aiming to replicate the success of the Florida park in Hollywood.

There is no such thing as a sure thing but it seems a safe bet that Wiazarding World in Los Angeles will be a huge commercial success. Universal Studios Orlando Resort reported that attendance at the parks leapt 41 percent from last June 2010 to June 2011.
The increase in visitors is exceptional with nearly 3.6 million people visiting Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in the second quarter of 2011. Wizarding World Orlando has welcomed more than 10 million visitors since it opened.

It seems that the $265 million spent on Wizarding World was a very wise investment. Universal’s president, Ron Meyer said his company would spend “several hundred million dollars” to create the Hollywood Wizarding World attraction. He also added that it would be built within the confines of the current park.

There is now of course speculation that existing rides will have to be demolished as there really isn’t that much room for expansion. But some have suggested that the Gibson Amphitheater will be demolished. Anything at the moment is just speculation but it does appear that although this amphitheater is still used it is under consideration for a possible site.

Other very welcome news is that around 1,000 jobs will be created as a result of the Wizarding project.

When will the new Wizarding World open in Los Angeles? It is likely that it will be around 2015.

What will the new Wizarding World theme park feature? Not many details have yet been revealed but it was confirmed that there will be a Hogwarts (couldn’t really be left out could it)?. Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey will be inside Hogwarts but it is not yet known if it will be a complete copy of the original.

No other attractions were specifically mentioned at the announcement. Learning from the experience in Orlando the new World should most definitely have more space in the shops. Whilst the shops in Orlando are authentically detailed they are incredibly small. It will be interesting to see how this design and function dilemma is solved – how do they make it seem like Hogsmead but make the attractions large enough to be able to deal with the crowds.

There was no official announcement on the cost of building Wizarding World but there are rumors that the budget is $200 million. Whilst this is of course a huge amount, it is considerably less than the $265 million cost of Wizarding World in Orlando. Does this mean that some attractions will be scaled down?

Another very exciting announcement made yesterday is that Wizarding World in Orlando is definitely going to expand. Really this is no surprise but it is very welcome news to Harry Potter fans visiting Orlando. The one down side of Wizarding World is the crowds and the lines. The expansion will hopefully bring even more magic to Harry Potter fans.

What do you want to see in Wizarding World Hollywood? Leave me a comment below.

The Three Broomsticks

 

No visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be complete without going inside The Three Broomsticks. The attention to detail is breathtaking – you really do feel as though you have stepped right in to the pub in Hogsmead when you walk through the door.

The Three Broomsticks is the only sit down eatery in Wizarding World. It is counter service style which means that you stand in line and order your food at the check out and then collect it from the food servers.

The decor is amazing. As soon as you enter you will start to notice the attention to detail. It looks like a movie set (and so it should as there was a huge amount of input from the designers and production crew who worked on the movies). When you walk through the door you are greeted by a Wizard who will direct you to turn left and enter the line.

 

When you reach the front of the line you will be directed by another Wizard as to which check out to go to. Usually this works well but it can still take some time to actually get to order. Guests often take a while deciding just how much butterbeer they want or how many souvenir cups to get.

Once you have ordered you are directed to the food pick up. Again another wait but it works pretty efficiently.

 

The Three Broomsticks has a great system for finding a table as there are plenty of Wizards to find one for you. This has a great advantage that you are not wandering around the restaurant with a full tray trying to find a place to sit. What this also means though is that there is no reserving tables ahead of time. You know that annoyed feeling you get when you have stood in line for ages, have your food, and you just look around to see tables for 6 with 1 person guarding it with their life? Glad to say that this just doesn’t happen at The Three Broomsticks. If you try and reserve a table you will be politely asked by one of the Wizards to move on.

There is indoor and outdoor seating. Personally I much prefer the indoor seating. Not only is it usually a change to get out of the heat into a nice air conditioned space, but also because you can sit and enjoy the music and the decor inside. There are lots of very solid wood tables, chairs and benches. One of the best spots is just by the fireplace to the left of the room. Or try and sit in the middle of the room as you get a great view of the effects on the walls. Always remember to take some time to look around you and upwards as there are some surprises. Is that Dobby you can see? An owl?

The Three Broomsticks is not just a great place to eat because of the atmosphere and decor. It also has pretty good food. For a counter service theme park venue it is positively excellent – certainly one of my favorites. The menu has a lot of British type dishes. Traditional Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips and Baked Potatoes.

If you are vegetarian (my children and I are, but not my husband) then when you first look at the menu you may think you have little choice. But the side dishes of baked potatoes and corn are really good. They cook the baked potatoes with just the right amount of salt, and have the sour cream and butter on the side so you can add as little or as much as you like.

The Shepherd’s Pie and the Fish and Chips are also great options for the none vegetarians.

Now of course most of the visitors to The Three Broomsticks will want to try the butterbeer. Most guests seem to prefer the frozen butterbeer. You can also buy butterbeer in a souvenir cup which is a great thing to take home with you. What does butterbeer taste like. It is very like cream soda with a very frothy and tasty top. Of course the ingredients of butterbeer are a very closely guarded secret.

If you are just looking to buy butterbeer it is better to get one from the stand outside The Three Broomsticks or the Hogshead Pub which is right next door. The lines are generally a lot shorter. As with all theme park restaurants if you want to avoid the lines then eat earlier than 11.30 or after 2pm.

The music is the finishing touch in creating the amazing atmosphere inside The Three Broomsticks.

So what is on the menu at The Three Broomsticks?

 

The Three Broomsticks Menu

Platter for Four

This platter is good value if you have a party of at least 4 guests. It includes fresh Garden Salad tossed with a special Signature Vinaigrette Dressing as an appetizer. The entree includes a combination of Rotisserie Smoked Chicken and Chargrilled Ribs, Roasted Corn on the Cob and Roasted Potatoes.

$49.99 for four $12.99 for each additional serving

Entrees

Shepherd’s Pie with Garden Salad

A traditional British favorite. Ground Beef and Vegetables with a Mashed Potato Topping. $9.99

Fish and Chips

Another very traditional British dish. Fresh North Atlantic Cod served with Chips (french fries) and Tartar Sauce. $11.99

Cornish Pasties with Garden Salad

Flaky Pastry Pies filled with Ground Beef, Vegetables and Potatoes. It is served with a Side Salad and a Choice of Dressing. $7.99

Rotisserie Smoked Chicken Platter

This Rotisserie Chicken is served with Roasted Corn and Roasted Potatoes. $9.99

Chargrilled Rib Platter

Served with Roasted Corn and Mashed Potatoes. $13.49

Chicken and Ribs Platter

A combination of Chicken and Ribs served with Roasted Corn and Roasted Potatoes. $13.49

Smoked Turkey Leg

A Smoked Turkey Leg served with Wedge Fries. $11.99

Salads

Soup and Salad Combo

You can choose from Potato and Leek or Split Pea and Ham Soup. Served with a Side Salad with a Choice of Dressing. $6.99

Rotisserie Smoked Chicken Salad

Rotisserie Chicken served with Fresh Greens and a Choice of Dressing. $8.99

Sides

Garlic Roasted Potatoes $2.89

Baked Potato

Served with Butter and Sour Cream in sachets. $2.89

Corn on the Cob $2.89

Served with a Butter sachet

Seasoned Wedge Fries $2.99

Fresh Garden Salad

Served with a choice of dressing. $3.49

Fruit Cup $2.99

Desserts

Ice Cream Cup

Choice of Strawberry and Peanut Butter, Chocolate or Vanilla. $3.99

Chocolate Trifle

A traditional British dessert of Layered Chocolate Cake with Fresh Berries and Cream. $3.49

Fresh Baked Apple Pie $3.49

Children’s Menu

This is for children aged 9 and under. All meals served with grapes and applesauce.

Fish and Chips $4.99

Chicken Fingers $4.99

Chicken Legs $4.99

Mac N Cheese $4.99

Drinks

Butterbeer $2.99

Frozen Butterbeer $3.99

Butterbeer in Souvenir Cup $10.99

You can use the souvenir cup for $0.89 refills in the park, but not in Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Butterbeer refills are $2.99 so no cost savings here.

Pumpkin Juice $2.99

Pumpkin Fizz $2.99

Lemonade $2.49

Sparkling Water $2.50

Natural Spring Water $2.75

Cider (non- alcoholic)

Apple or Pear $2.49

Iced Tea

Available Sweet, Unsweetened or Raspberry Flavor $2.49

Lemonade and Iced Tea Mix $2.49

Draught Beers

Hogs Head Brew $6.50

Domestic Beer $6.00

 

The Three Broomsticks is definitely a must see in Wizarding World. Even if you are not hungry if you arrive and the line isn’t long then think about going in and just having a butterbeer and relaxing for a while. It is truly a very magical place and for those of us who are devoted fans of Harry Potter this is a place where you can actually feel that you are very much a part of the Wizarding World.