Written by Glen Ford
If you live in Los Angeles, or anywhere in California, you’ve likely heard the big West Coast theme park news – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is now open for business! Universal Studios partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures to introduce a new and highly anticipated themed land at Universal Studios Hollywood. The results are nothing short of magical.
For West Coast folks who might not know, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal’s Orlando resort nearly six years ago, in 2010. The initial success of the park allowed for a quick expansion, with Diagon Alley being added for fans to enjoy in 2014 as well as a number of other fun and quirky elements from the Wizarding World. While hardcore Potter fans on the opposite side of the country had the luxury of enjoying the theme world in Orlando, it wasn’t until this past week that the West Coast was hit with a bit more magic. Universal Hollywood opened their gates to a sea of fans waiting to experience the magic of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle right in the middle of Los Angeles. I have had the opportunity to experience the Orlando, Florida Park and was lucky enough to be at the opening of Los Angeles location. In both instances, when I took my first steps into the parks, my immediate reaction was nothing short of emotional.
My visit to the Harry Potter world in Los Angeles was in the evening, which no doubt added a bit more mysticism and adventure to the experience, just as one prefers to watch films in the dark. Looking back, I feel as though the night permitted me to somehow get lost in the world a bit more, so my first recommendation: go visit the park at twilight or at night.
So I got there, took my first steps into Hogsmeade, and immediately noticed detail upon detail. Light snow fell on the old store roofs. A whimsical score from one of the films played me in and welcomed those who entered. The iconic red steam train roared to my right. It was hard to recognize the simple fact that I was experiencing all of this in the heart Los Angeles, in large part due to all the fine details. Just as a good film takes its audience away, the park transported me to a far off land that felt nothing like LA.
The production design and aesthetic of the park was impressive to say the least. Assuming you’re a Harry Potter fan, you will likely experience one of two reactions when you first enter. The more adult of you will likely take note of the attention to detail the space features. You will smile, looking forward to shopping and experiencing each of the uniquely outfitted stores and restaurants in Hogsmeade.
The more youthful will find his/her way out before the adult you is able to. You may find a tear or two rushing into your eyes. Don’t be embarrassed if this happens! I experienced an overwhelming sense childlike joy that’s difficult to contextualize. As clichéd as it sounds, the experience allowed me to travel back to joyously precious and profound childhood moments.
But enough of the kiddy reactions. Let’s get to the pressing grown up question: is the park worth paying for?
After walking in and out of Hogsmeade shops and buying all sorts of magical swag, I wandered to the far end of the land where Hogwarts sits atop a large hill and overlooks the quaint little magical village/shopping district of Hogsmeade. I went on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a 3D story-filled ride inside the halls of Hogwarts. I was so excited to experience it and so thrilled with the set design while waiting to jump on the ride that waiting in line in the halls of Hogwarts felt like its own attraction.
There is a second ride, which I went on, that was far less exciting. It’s a small coaster and the experience was so anticlimactic I didn’t bother taking the name down. Other features and small bits of entertainment were walking around the park to greet Potter fans, like students who were performing as the Hogwarts Frog Choir. At one point, I saw students from other magical schools as well. There was a brief performance for the Triwizard Tournament involving these outside students.
So to answer my more adult question, was the experience worth paying for? It’s a simple answer and it is YES. For the Harry Potter fan it will be hard for themed land to disappoint. An additional recommendation – visit the land on a quiet weekday or wait and choose a time that allows the crowds to die down. The hype around this particular park is pretty crazy at the moment and it’s no doubt driving an immense amount of the park’s traffic to one small corner of the property. The other note is for those of you who have visited the Orlando version and wonder how it compares; the reality is that the other side of the country has it much better than we currently do.
Because of the space restraints, Universal Hollywood didn’t build a Diagon Alley, at least not at the opening. There are a number of other elements missing from this park that are featured in Orlando, but the Orlando space has been open a lot longer than the Hollywood one, so maybe they will add to Diagon Alley to Hollywood’s version in a few years. I have a tough time wrapping my head around how they could make such an addition due to spacing issues of the LA property, but nonetheless, snagging a ticket and visiting this magical place is no doubt justified.
As an LA native and Harry Potter fan, there is something remarkably special about seeing Harry Potter come to life in my hometown. The reward of knowing that I’m only a twenty-five minute drive away from stepping into the Wizarding World is a pretty priceless gift. For any Harry Potter fan reading this, trust me when I say that the amount of Gringotts gold you will spend on a Universal ticket to get into this part of the theme park will be well worth it when you’re walking through Hogsmeade with your wand in your left hand and your butterbeer in your right.
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