Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
equipped with chutes, tubes, and ball blasters. The playground is creatively designed
and a great place for kids to cut loose after being in tow all day.
Have the kids wear a bathing suit under their clothes so they can enjoy the
water features. Simpler still, let the 4-and-unders frolic in their underwear
(bring an extra pair).
THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER-DIAGON
ALLEY
WHEN UNIVERSAL OPENED
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adven-
ture, it created a paradigm shift in the Disney-Universal theme park rivalry. Not only
did Universal trot out some groundbreaking ride technology, but it also demonstrated
that it could trump Disney's most distinctive competence: the creation of infinitely
detailed and totally immersive themed areas. To say that The Wizarding World was a
game-changer is an understatement of the first order.
It was immediately obvious that Universal would build on its Potter franchise
success—but how and where? Universal's not sitting on 27,000-plus acres like Dis-
ney, so real estate was at a premium. If Potterville was going to grow, something else
had to go. Conventional wisdom suggested the Wizarding World expansion would
gobble up the Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure, and that may happen
yet. But looking at the ledger, it was clear that the older Universal Studios theme park
could use a boost. Concurring, we remember sitting at the foot of the escalators mon-
itoring traffic coming from the parking garages. For every guest who tacked right, to-
ward the Studios, 15 made a beeline for IOA and Harry Potter.
