Harry Potter stars descended upon Orlando this week as Travel Weekly joined the celebrations for the official opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s new Potter attraction.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Michael Gambon visited the park as Universal unveiled the attraction’s centrepiece, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Passengers enter the ride in a car shaped like Hagrid’s hand and find themselves in a dome, where they are surrounded by images which take them into Harry’s world.
They rollercoaster through Hogwarts on a broomstick, play Quidditch, dodge dragons and the branches of the “whomping willow” and finally battle the evil Dementors.
Simon Presswell, UK managing director for Universal Orlando Resort, said he was putting the finishing touches to a programme of fam trips. The first will be for Virgin Holidays, followed by Thomas Cook, Tui and trips for independent agents.
Alison Montague, general manager for Virgin Holidays, the official tour operator for Universal Orlando Resort, said she expected interest to peak as the stars descended on Orlando.
“We have prepared our sales centres and trade partners for a surge in demand,” she said.