Travel

The new attraction at Three Quarters – don’t feature in it. But

what exists is pure magic.
Universal Studios At the entrance of Hogsmeade, a sign
requests visitors to ‘Please respect the
recreate, in detail, the spell limits.’ Beyond it, lay the most
magical world of a immersive theme park experience I had
ever encountered. It was like stepping
certain boy wizard into one of the books or into Rowling’s
brain. Snow melted on the rooftops of
by Anupama Chopra houses and shops that make up this per-
actors – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson
and Rupert Grint – especially for the
ride. For four thrilling minutes, I played
Quidditch with Harry, was spat on by
spiders and attacked not just by
Dementors but also by a dragon and the
Whomping Willow. I descended, breath-
less and excited. It was, undoubtedly, the
best theme park ride I had ever been on.
All I wanted to do was get back on again.

SIGN UP
At the entrance to Hogsmeade,
a sign requests visitors to
‘Please respect the spell limits’
TRAVEL INFO
OPEN SINCE: June 18,
2010
LOCATED IN: Universal’s Is-
lands of Adventure theme
park in Orlando, Florida.
OPERATING HOURS: The Is-
lands of Adventure theme
park operates 365 days
of the year. It opens at 9
am. Closing times vary
but the park can stay
open as late as 10 pm.
TICKET PRICES: Start at
$79 for an adult for one-
day access to one park.
For children 3-9, it’s $69.
There are several pack-
ages available depending
on how many theme
parks you want to go to,
how many days you want
to spend and whether
you want VIP tickets. For
more information, go to
www.universalorlando.
com
YOU CAN EAT AT: The Three
Broomsticks, a rustic tav-
ern that serves traditional
English food like Fish and
Chips, Shepherd’s Pie,
Cornish pastry and
ROWLING’S SIGNATURE
CREATION: Butterbeer. The
Three Broomsticks is
within the Harry Potter
park, but there are also a
variety of food options
located throughout
Islands of Adventure.
PHOTO COURTESY: 2010
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
I
fectly rendered English village. Which
AM NOT a theme park fan. was a bit surreal because the Florida EYES WIDE OPEN
Occasionally, I have marvelled sun was baking our bodies even as we But what made the Forbidden Journey
at the well-oiled entertainment took in the details of the icicles that dan- such a pleasurable experience was not
machinery of these spaces – the gled around us. The stone, wood, signs, just the ride but also the lead up to it.
way they artfully combine con- pillars, doors, walls had all been aged to One of the ugly truths of theme parks is
sumerism and fairy tale. I have delighted look thousands of years old. It was hard lines. The waiting time for a ride can
in the smiles of my children as they to imagine that the park opened as extend up to three hours. But the wait
encountered the various kingdoms come recently as June 18. The only shine was for the Forbidden Journey (no fast pass-
to life. But underneath the shiny surface, on the faces of the thousands of people – es work here) has been converted into a
theme parks seemed to me, noisy, everyone was eager, sweaty and dazzled. tour through Hogwarts. The line winds
oppressive, relentlessly plastic parties Our first priority was the park’s signa- through Albus Dumbledore’s office, past
brimming with bad food. ture ride – Harry Potter and the talking portraits of the founders, the
I am however, a Harry Potter fan. I Forbidden Journey. The ride is the pulse infamously capricious Fat Lady and even
bought the first book for my daughter of the park. It combines cutting-edge the Sorting Hat. The profusion of detail
and was instantly seduced. I eagerly robotic technology with simulation and leaping at you makes you forget that you
waited for each installment of JK film, which has been shot with the lead aren’t at your destination yet.
Rowling’s tale. I remember dancing on
PHOTOS COURTESY: 2010 UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
the bed with my children when The
Deathly Hallows arrived. My nine-year-
old daughter Zuni is a bigger fanatic.
Unlike me, she has re-read each book,
watched all the movies and knows the
minutiae of Hogwarts, including the fact
that in the early days of Quidditch, a
witch called Daisy Pennifold bewitched
the Quaffle so that it would sink slowly
rather than just drop so that the
Chasers could catch it. When The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
opened in Orlando, Florida, there was no
choice. We had to go.
ADVENTURE CENTRAL
The Wizarding World is located in
Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme
THIS WAS THE MOST
park – home to rides like the Jurassic IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Park River Adventure and the
Incredible Hulk roller coaster. I HAD EVER ENCOUNTERED
Wizarding World doesn’t require a sepa-
rate ticket. The park’s $79 ticket covers
entrance. Spread across 20 acres, the
world includes a re-creation of Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and
the village of Hogsmeade. The park is a
collaboration between Universal,
Rowling and the film’s set designers –
including Alan Gilmore, who is the art
director for the park. It took over four
years to create and, unconfirmed by
Universal reports state, cost $250 mil-
lion. Several staples of the Rowling uni-
verse – Diagon Alley, Platform 9 and

20 HINDUSTAN TIMES SUNDAY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

 ARCHTRI
The park
includes a re-creation
of Hogwarts and the
village of Hogsmeade
(right), including The
Three Broomsticks

Travel
The park has only two other rides – Thethen new takesattraction
the child through ata series what
Three
of Quarters
Beans. At – don’t feature
the Hog’s in it.we
Head, Butdrank actors – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson
both are conventional roller coasters, wands, all of which create mishaps, until exists is pure famous
Rowling’s magic. creation: butterbeer and Rupert Grint – especially for the
which were given a Potter makeover. Universal
the wand keeper Studios
hands over the right At the ($8.50entrance in aofsouvenir
Hogsmeade, mug).a It’s
signa deli- ride. For four thrilling minutes, I played
But that’s not a shortcoming because
thrill isn’t the main point. Once done recreate, en spotlightinreconfirms
detail, that thethe childrequests
one. Immediately a gush of air and gold- visitors
cious,
spell limits.’
time, Beyond
to ‘Please respect
butterscotch
we gotit,tolay the most
Zonko’s
the By theQuidditch with Harry, was spat on by
concoction.
Joke Shop, which spiders and attacked not just by
with the rides, we wandered through magical
has finally world of a fit. Zuni immersivesells
found the perfect theme parklike
artifacts experience
extendable I hadears, weDementors but also by a dragon and the
Hogsmeade, making our way to the sec- was lucky enough to be chosen from our ever encountered.
were broke It but
wasdeliriously
like stepping happy. Whomping Willow. I descended, breath-
ond-most popular destination: certain
group. She boy lookedwizard
like she was going intoto one of the books or into Rowling’s less and excited. COMING
It was,THROUGH
undoubtedly, the
Ollivanders, ‘makers of fine wands since faint with happiness when the wand brain. Snow MAGICAL
melted onMOMENTS
the rooftops of best themeSpread
park override20 acres,
I had everthebeen
park on.
382 BC.’ Ollivanders is a small shop withby Anupama keeper declared Chopra that he had found thehouses and Whichshops is that make
exactly how upthe
thiscreators
per- have All I wantedspares
to dono detail
was gettoback
makeon it aagain.

I
wands stacked from floor to ceiling. perfect one – like her it ‘was tiny but fectly rendered plannedEnglish
it. Thevillage.
park hints Which at a darker fun experience for fans of
What happens here is superbly orches- AM NOT
packed a theme park
a powerful fan.
punch.’ was a bitside
surreal because the
– Dementors Florida
lunging at you on the EYES WIDEtheOPEN Harry Potter series
trated theatre. As Potter readers know Occasionally,
Of course the I have
magicmarvelled
came to a quick sun was baking
Forbidden our Journey
bodies even are as
scarywe – but LordBut what made the Forbidden Journey
well: you don’t choose the wand, the at thewhen
halt well-oiled entertainment
we realised that we had to took
pay in the details of the
Voldemort, the villain
iciclesof that
thedan-
series, issuch a pleasurable experience was not
wand chooses you. SIGN UP machinery
$28.95 for the of these
wand.spacesBeyond– the gled around
the exqui- us. The
nowhere to stone,
be seen. wood, signs, DO’S AND
just the ride but also the lead up to it.
At the (a
An actor
was at the
entrance
a sign
prettytofine
job requests
Hogsmeade,
one
when wevisitors
visit-to
way
sumerismeven
they artfully combine
site workmanship
andowlfairy tale. Ibeneath
guano
con- (there
and detailing
have delighted
pillars,
is doors,
look thousands
the owls in the
wallsfive
Almost
park with
hadhours
of years
all been
head,old.eyes,
aged
later,
It and
was bellies
hard full. lines.
DON’TS
wetoleft the One of the ugly truths of theme parks is
But The waiting time for a ride can
‘Pleaseas respect the spell limits’ Think of this as an adventure
ed) dressed the wand in the smiles of mythe
rafters), children
Wizarding as they
World is, like to
allimagine that the
before park opened
departing, as amidst the
Zuni stood extend up sport
to three hours. But the wait
– you need planning, per-
keeper chooses one child encounteredtheme theparks,
various kingdoms
a steeply come
priced recently as
store. But June 18.and
landscape Therecited
only shine was
the Gayatri for the Forbidden Journey (no Visit
fast pass-
TRAVEL INFO
from each group to life. But underneath
like the hundreds the shiny surface,
who stood on the faces
in lines to Mantraof theasthousands
a way of givingof people – to God
thanks es work here)
severance and stamina.
hason
the park been converted
a weekday, off- into a
of people in the theme parksspend seemed
money, toweme,were
noisy,
powerless to everyonefor, was‘theeager,
most sweaty
magical andday dazzled.
in her life.’ tour
I through Hogwarts.
season The line winds
(school vacation
OPEN SINCE: June 18,
store (by 10 am, oppressive, relentlessly
resist. plastic
At the candy parties
store Honeydukes, Our first priority
wonder was thewith
if Rowling park’shersigna-
prodigious through Albusmonths Dumbledore’s
June-September office,
and past
2010
the line was brimmingwe with bad food.
bought chocolate frogs at $9.95 each ture rideimagination
– Harry Potter couldandhavethe imagined that.talking portraitsDecember of are
thebusy).
founders, the
LOCATED
150- IN: Universal’s Is- I am however, a Harry Potter fan. IEvery Flavor
Forbidden Journey. The ride is the pulse infamouslyAnother
capricious
already
lands of Adventure theme
and picked up Bertie Bott’s brunchletters@hindustantimes.com way toFat
beatLady
the and even
strong). He bought the first book for my daughter of the park. It combines cutting-edge the Sortingcrowds
Hat. Theis to profusion
stay on one ofofthe
detail
park in Orlando, Florida. CANDY STORE
and was instantly seduced. I eagerly robotic technology with simulation and leaping at you
threemakes
hotels onyou the forget
Universalthat you
PICTURE
OPERATING HOURS: The Is- waited for each installment of JK Honeydukes
film, which has beenstocksshot with the lead aren’t at your destination yet.
property. We were at the
lands of Adventure theme
PERFECT Rowling’s tale. I remember dancing on Bertie Bott’s Every
PHOTOS COURTESY: 2010 Loews Portofino,
UNIVERSAL ORLANDOwhich has a
RESORT
park is
Hogsmeade operates 365 days the bed with my children when The Flavor Beans (left) lovely pool and great food. Ho-
of the year. It opens at 9
a perfect Deathly Hallows arrived. My nine-year- tel residents are allowed entry
renderingam. of Closing
an times vary
old daughter Zuni is a bigger fanatic. into the park at 8 am, one hour
Englishbut the park can stay
village Unlike me, she has re-read each book, before it opens to the public.
(belowopen
left) as late as 10 pm. watched all the movies and knows the It’s still crowded but less than
TICKET
and features thePRICES: Start at when general access is open –
minutiae of Hogwarts, including the fact
$79 for an adult for one-
Hogwarts on the day we visited, entry
that in the early days of Quidditch, a
Expressday access to one park.
(left) into Wizarding World was
For children 3-9, it’s $69.
witch called Daisy Pennifold bewitched
the Quaffle so that it would sink slowly blocked by 11.30 am because
There are several pack- there were too many people.
ages available depending rather than just drop so that the
Chasers could catch it. When The Most importantly, stay
on how many theme
Wizarding World of Harry Potter hydrated and make peace with
parks you want to go to,
opened in Orlando, Florida, there was no the crowd and the heat. It’s all
how many days you want
choice. We had to go. part of the Wizarding World
to spend and whether
experience.
you want VIP tickets. For
more information, go to ADVENTURE CENTRAL
www.universalorlando.
com
The Wizarding World is located in
Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme
THIS WAS THE MOST
YOU CAN EAT AT: The Three park – home to rides like the Jurassic IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Broomsticks, a rustic tav- Park River Adventure and the
ern that serves traditional Incredible Hulk roller coaster. I HAD EVER ENCOUNTERED
English food like Fish and Wizarding World doesn’t require a sepa-
Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, rate ticket. The park’s $79 ticket covers
Cornish pastry and entrance. Spread across 20 acres, the
ROWLING’S SIGNATURE world includes a re-creation of Hogwarts
CREATION: Butterbeer. The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and
Three Broomsticks is the village of Hogsmeade. The park is a
within the Harry Potter collaboration between Universal,
park, but there are also a Rowling and the film’s set designers –
variety of food options CASTLE AHOY
including Alan Gilmore, who is the art Vistors have to walk through Hogwarts
located throughout director for the park. It took over four
Islands of Adventure. castle (below) to get in line for the park’s
years to create and, unconfirmed by signature ride – The Forbidden Journey
WANDERING AROUND
Universal reports state, cost $250 mil- PHOTO COURTESY:
The Ollivanders shop features
PHOTO COURTESY: 2010 lion. Several staples of the Rowling uni- 2010 UNIVERSAL ORLANDO an actor who chooses one child
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT verse – Diagon Alley, Platform 9 and RESORT and helps them find a wand

20 HINDUSTAN
HINDUSTAN TIMES
TIMES SUNDAY
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 11, 2010
11, 2010 21