A few weeks ago, we revealed that the new ride coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the beloved themed experience at Universal Orlando Resort, is all about Hagrid, his motorbike, and his magical creatures. But how exactly does it work?
Well, to help you visualise it a little better, here’s a video from Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy, who had a few run-ins with Hagrid in his day...) and Art Director from the Harry Potter films, Alan Gilmore, to tell you all about it.
JUST ANNOUNCED: New details revealed for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at #WizardingWorldOrlando.
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) March 12, 2019
See the full video featuring @TomFelton at https://t.co/CdvQUcAlAZ. pic.twitter.com/t6w3OQsGNp
For more from Tom and Alan, take a look here.
So, as you can see, the ride is certainly no ordinary one, and will merge innovative coaster technology with a new level of immersive storytelling. So, a bit more complex than just strapping yourself into a rollercoaster...
Instead, you’ll get to join a real-life Care of Magical Creatures class and board a version of Hagrid’s beloved motorbike (a gift from Sirius Black), while another will sit in the sidecar, like Harry once did. From there, you’ll be whisked off on an adventure through – where else? – the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid’s favourite.
The forest isn’t just an illusion either, but an actual, specially created forest, made-up of 1,200 live trees. Expect to meet many of Hagrid’s beastly friends on your trip, such as Cornish Pixies, the welcome return of Fluffy the three-headed dog, and a new beast, never-seen-before in the films. Ooh, fingers crossed for Flobberworms!
Of course, with Hagrid being Hagrid, this ride was hardly going to be a slick, easy experience with no hitches. The flight will go through many twists and turns, rushing forwards and backwards, running at about 50 miles per hour. They’ll be obstacles too, such as a little run-in with some Devil’s Snare, to contend with – so keep your wits about you.
Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed the gamekeeper across the Harry Potter films, said of the ride, ‘It’s hugely cool. I was thinking about it today, and I was just thinking – “Hagrid would have really loved it.”’
Robbie also praised the design of the ride and the addition of the Forbidden Forest (‘Hagrid knew how to play the spiders!’) and teased that the ride will be full of rocky surprises.
‘There’s an element of things going wrong, which is hilarious. It’s so funny, it’s so clever, and how they do the engineering – I simply don’t know.’
‘I think it’s a wonderful idea,’ the actor added. ‘It’s very cleverly written – because it sort of lets them know what to expect, but it also lets them know not to expect anything. And of course, kids love that. “Is it going to be scary, is it going to be scary?” “...it might be...” Keep the mystery going, that’s what I say.’
Alright, Robbie. We will. And all will be revealed this summer...
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will be joining The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando this summer, 13 June, 2019. For ticket details, simply pop by the official website.
