By Pedro Martins, in collaboration with Marina Anderi, from Orlando*
The Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, USA, got some special visitors on Tuesday, June 11th. ex-Hogwarts Alumni, Rupert Grint (Ron), Tom Felton (Draco), Evanna Lynch (Luna), Oliver and James Phelps (Weasley Twins) met with professor Flitwick (Warwick Davis) to check out the park’s new roller coaster, which will open to the public on the 13th of June.
Whilst Evanna and Warwick went to the stage with no specific acts, the other actors surprised the public with themed entries: Rupert and Tom arrived driving the Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia and the Phelps Twins rode Hagrid’s flying motorcycle, which is part of the roller coaster. Right after, the cast got together to cast a spell and reveal the roller coaster’s entry. Watch the video and see the pictures:
Hagrid’s roller coaster
The new attraction, named Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, is a ride through the Forbidden Forest, guided by Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts. The ride is located at Hogsmeade, which is part of the park Islands of Adventure.
It is the biggest roller coaster in Florida, as well as the first one in the USA to have a free fall. During the ride, which gets up to 49 mph, visitors will meet many magical creatures, such as Blast-Ended Skrewts – a creature whose tail releases sparks. The creature was never shown in the movies but was mentioned in The Goblet of Fire during the classes of Care of Magical Creatures.
Even the cast, who grew up watching the Harry Potter magic come to life on the screen, was surprised by the roller coaster. Warwick Davis, professor Flitwick, said the feeling of visiting the park is completely different than being in a film set.
“Their [the park’s creators] biggest worry is to make everything seem real. They want the visitor to think all the elements are real, independently from the angle. In a film set, [things seem real] only [if you look] in specific angles where the camera needs to film”, said Davis to POTTERISH and the other media vehicles present at the press conference.
*The reporter traveled to the United States invited by Universal Orlando Resort
Read more news about the Harry Potter theme parks on POTTERISH
Translated into English by Nuara Costa
Edited by Aline Michel
