Universal Announces Harry Potter’s Opening Day

Universal Studios Hollywood announced Tuesday that its attraction “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will open on April 7. To promote its opening date, the Universal City theme park released a short YouTube video featuring actress Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the blockbuster film series, as well as art director Alan Gilmore, who worked on “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” The original Wizarding World opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Fla. in 2010. It has proven to be a cash cow for the movie studio. Universal Studios Hollywood’s attraction will share some similarities with its Florida counterpart, including the signature Hogwart’s Castle, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride and Flight of the Hippogriff, which will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster. The Harry Potter movie franchise, produced by Warner Bros., generated $7.7 billion at the global box office.