Wands at the ready: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is opening at Universal Studios Hollywood in spring 2016.
The centerpiece of the themed land is Hogwarts Castle, home to the attraction "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" and the collegiate dreams of real-life Muggles everywhere. If its predecessor in Orlando is any indication, this intensely immersive experience could easily become Southern California's must-visit thrill ride. And unlike its Floridian counterpart, this one will be in 3-D; hopefully the in-your-face animatronics are coming along for the ride as well.
Rounding out the land is "Flight of the Hippogriff," a mild family roller coaster (the first such outdoor ride at Universal Hollywood), as well as a whole slew of shops and restaurants in Hogsmeade. This is what it looked like last month when we visited the park for the opening of Springfield:
Photograph: Michael Juliano
Now we know what'll be housed underneath all of those crooked chimneys: Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head Pub—home of that sweet, sweet, no seriously it's very sweet, Butterbeer. They'll be joining eight retail shops, including Honeydukes, Ollivanders and Zonko's Joke Shop.
Universal is unlocking—alohomora—more info here at 10am today; we'll keep you updated if a specific opening date slips out.