Harry Potter Film Stars Celebrate The Opening Of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure At Universal Orlando

Harry Potter film stars Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Warwick Davis (Professor Filius Flitwick), James Phelps (Fred Weasley) and Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) brought a little magic to Universal Orlando Resort for the opening celebration of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The beloved Harry Potter film stars reunited and led special guests in a spellbinding moment to celebrate the epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Stars from the film used their swish and flick techniques to help open the gates for guests to experience the new coaster.

The ride, which is located right next to Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park, is the world’s first story coaster. From rich sets and an actual forest with 1,200 trees to ground-breaking coaster technology and a captivating storyline, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the most highly-themed, immersive coaster experience yet!

Photo: Tim Shortt

Epic Thrills Await Within the Forbidden Forest…

Get ready to soar into one of the most mysterious places in the Wizarding World – the Forbidden Forest. Aboard magical motorbikes, guests will actually feel the freedom of flight as they journey to the edge of the forest – regardless of if they’re on the motorcycle or in the adjacent sidecar. They’ll ascend above the trees, rapidly accelerate through mysterious ruins, speed forward – and backward, and so much more as they search for the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.

The “story coaster” features innovative technology that is integrated so seamlessly into the surrounding environments, guests won’t know what to expect next. Along the way, they’ll experience thrills they’ve never felt on a coaster before, including:

• The most launches of any roller coaster in the world – with 7 total launches
• Unexpectedly dropping nearly 17 feet on the first coaster in the U.S. to feature a free-fall vertical drop
• Being catapulted 65 feet in the air at a more than 70 degree angle – and then immediately dropping backward in one movement
• The longest roller coaster in Florida, measuring nearly a mile in length (5,053 feet)

Your Adventure Begins When You Enter the Ruins…

Before taking off on an exciting journey through the Forbidden Forest, guests will enter ruins which appear to have been abandoned for centuries behind Hagrid’s hut. The ruins were imagined and brought to life by Universal’s award-winning Creative team in collaboration with the Harry Potter films’ Production Designer, Stuart Craig, and Art Director, Alan Gilmore. Hagrid now uses the ruins for groundskeeping at Hogwarts. And this is where guests’ Care of Magical Creatures class will begin.

As they make their way to their enchanted motorbikes, guests will see materials from the class, including dragon eggs on the verge of hatching and a makeshift nursery where Hagrid kept his Blast-Ended Skrewts – the creatures that are being brought to life for the first time ever for this epic new adventure. Guests will encounter beloved characters from the Harry Potter films including Arthur Weasley, Hagrid, and his loyal dog, Fang, through a pre-show experience brought to life with digital projection and special effects. During this interaction, guests learn about their impending trip to the Forbidden Forest as part of their lesson for the day.

Actor, Warwick Davis snapped this selfie just after the festivities concluded.

Opening Day Tips!

There’s tremendous excitement and anticipation surrounding the opening of this new adventure. Everyone should download the Official Universal Orlando Resort App in advance and then access the Virtual Line system once on-site in the parks.

• If You Plan to ride on Opening Day, June 13: Arrive early, Universal’s Islands of Adventure opens at 9:00am, but it may open earlier than scheduled so that you can begin queueing for the new experience. Dedicated team members will be stationed throughout the line to assist you and answer any questions you have.

And be sure to have your camera ready! You never know who you might see…

• Virtual Line: Beginning June 14, there may be times when team members ask you to join the Virtual Line on The Official Universal Orlando Resort App to experience Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. This will allow you to enjoy other attractions in the park until it’s your time to join the queue. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Prior to your arrival, download The Official Universal Orlando Resort App

Step 2: Once you’re in Islands of Adventure, open the app and tap the icon for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. From there, select how many people are in your party, and then select a return time to join the queue. **You have to be in the park in order to secure a return time.**

Step 3: Enjoy the other amazing experiences across Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios until your return time arrives.

Step 4: Upon your return time, head to the designated attraction entrance, where you will wait for your ride. The remainder of your wait time will be posted at the entrance when you arrive. All you have to do is scan your Virtual Line pass on your mobile device, and then you’re ready to join the queue.

Remember, Universal Express passes are not valid for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

The new attraction fills the space previously occupied by the popular Dragon Challenge coaster. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure officially opens at Universal Orlando on June 13, 2019.  For tickets and more information, visit the official Universal Orlando website here.

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