Witches and wizards on the West Coast should break out the butterbeer in celebration. Their collective accio spell has finally worked as the massively popular ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ from Universal Studios Islands of Adventure is finally making it’s way to California.
According to Deadline, there was a unanimous vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors earlier this week ending the seven-year long public hearing and environmental approval process necessary to bring Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to LA. The young wizard is a part of a $500 million expansion plan for Universal Studios that includes more backlot office space, production facilities, and more.
First announced in late 2011, the Hollywood version of theme park land will replicate Orlando’s Hogwarts Castle and the ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’ ride that it holds inside on the spot where the Gibson Ampitheater once stood. It’s unclear what other parts will make the trip over from Orlando, but I’d imagine that at least Ollivander’s Wand Shop is a certainty considering how popular that experience is.
No date has been announced for the grand opening of the new addition to Universal Studios Hollywood, but construction on the overall 25 –year “Evolution Plan” for the lot will begin this summer and it’s estimated that the Harry Potter park will open around 2016 or so.
In addition to the Hollywood expansion, ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ will also be apparating in Asia as they’ll be bringing the attraction to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka as well.
How stoked are you for ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ to come to California? Are you making travel plans for Hollywood already? Let us know in the comments below.
