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Mark Woodbury
Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride may conjure a new path for theme park rides
The opening of Universal Studios' new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood brings to the West Coast what many consider the grandest theme park attraction in North America.
A mix of fully realized sets — including a steamy, fire-breathing dragon — as well as screens interspersed with actors from the "Harry Potter" films, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a highly kinetic motion simulator that aims to re-create the sense of flying. Guests sit on what appears to be a bench, pull down an over-the-shoulder harness and are soon whisked into the air, gliding in and out of filmed moments and elaborately constructed scenes.
A dragon, captured in a...
Related "Mark Woodbury" Articles
Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride may conjure a new path for theme park rides
The opening of Universal Studios' new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood brings to the West Coast what many consider the grandest theme park attraction in North America.
A mix of fully realized sets — including a steamy, fire-breathing dragon — as...
As it turns 25, Universal exploding with growth
Universal Studios' Orlando debut was not exactly a show stopper. Attendance fell short of projections even as the theme park gave out free tickets for months to make up for chronically malfunctioning rides.
A quarter-century later, Universal's story...
Universal's Diagon Alley: Answers to your burning questions
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley has 10 days of operation under its belt at Universal Studios. Reviews generally have ranged from positive to glowing to rapturous to "this will change Orlando [dramatic pause] forever."
It's...
Universal's new Harry Potter ride will have big cars, Gringotts Bank story
The signature ride at Universal Orlando's new Diagon Alley will have big vehicles that can whisk 12 people through a Harry Potter story featuring villains, dragons and goblins, a Universal executive said Monday.
One goal for the new Harry Potter and...
Universal Studios Hollywood to add 'Fast and Furious' attraction
Universal Studios Hollywood is putting the pedal to the metal on a new attraction based on the popular "Fast and Furious" movie series.
The theme park announced Tuesday plans to add a high-definition, 3-D feature to the park's long-running...
Could there be a Wizarding World 3 at Universal Orlando?
The second phase of Wizarding World of Harry Potter has yet to open, and already there are questions about making it a trilogy. Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury wouldn't imagine aloud in front of reporters last week, but the three...
A peek behind wall at Harry Potter's Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando
We still can't see a whole lot of what's going up at Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. That construction wall is maddening to anxious Potterheads, who must wait until summer for unveiling and exploration.
Park officials...
Universal CityWalk's new tenants include Cowfish, Hot Dog Hall of Fame
Eight eateries — including one that touts sushi and beef — will be introduced or revamped at Universal CityWalk by June, officials said Thursday.
"The basic idea was simple; hard to execute but simple: Create the best-in-category of everything you...
Potterwatch: Leaky Cauldron restaurant, round trips on Hogwarts Express, loads of not-shared details coming to Universal
Universal Orlando unveiled details on a handful of restaurants planned for CityWalk on Thursday -- plus confirmed, it confirmed an expected one for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion set for Universal Studios theme park.
Yes, as many have...
Universal Studios Orlando set to open Transformers ride next summer
Autobots and Decepticons will square off in the middle of Universal Studios when Transformers: The Ride — 3D opens there next summer, Universal Orlando officials confirmed Thursday night. The multimillion-dollar attraction will be a near-clone of...
Details distinguish Universal Studios' Despicable Me ride
Universal Studios' newest attraction is very yellow — but not very mellow. The theme park's Despicable Me Minion Mayhem teems with the busy, little, goggled, banana-hued workers and creative details from the 2010 animated movie "Despicable Me."...
Islands of Adventure: Last day of 'old' Spider-Man ride is Feb. 7
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride at Universal's Islands of Adventure will temporarily close to prepare for its new high-def version that is scheduled to be ready for theme-park guests in March.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, will be last day to experience the...