It is always clear for those of us who have studied wand law that the wand chooses the wizard, although it is not always clear why. Welcome to Ollivanders Wand Shop makers of fine wands since 382 B.C. As you make your way into the small dusty room known as Ollivander Wand Shophe will choose a witch or wizard out of the crowd to receive their first wand. You will … [Read more...]
Universal Orlando’s Dragon Challenge Will No Longer “Duel”
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park's Dragon Challenge roller coaster will no longer "duel" as it winds around it's course. For over a decade, the Dragon Challenge coaster (formerly known as "Dueling Dragons") has been known for it's three near-collisions, in which the attraction's two intertwined roller coasters, speeding along … [Read more...]
Lost Continent Tour
Right before you walk into the Wizarding World park, you meander through the Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure. It's a mystical island with shows that reference Greek mythology, Arabian story-telling, festival games, and more. It's home to one of the all-time best theme park restaurants, Mythos. A fountain in the middle of island will talk to you, squirt you with water, … [Read more...]
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Shuts Down Dueling Dragons
As of Monday, Universal Orlando has shut down the Dueling Dragons roller coaster to begin final preparations and theming for the Dragon Challenge in the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'm really sad to see this go. I was on the construction team for the original Dueling Dragons that you see, above. I was hoping to bring my kids one day to show them some of the stuff … [Read more...]
Harry Potter Park January Construction Update
In this month's Harry Potter park construction update, Hogwart's Castle exterior appears to be mostly done, this month. Most of Hogsmeade Village exterior also appears done. At this point, the crew is probably finishing up interiors and detail work. The Harry Potter park video starts with Hogwart's Castle as viewed from the entrance to Islands of Adventure. You can see a … [Read more...]