Harry Potter World Opens in Hollywood

After more than five years in the making, Universal Studios Hollywood has officially opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the public today.

April 6, 2018

Warner Bros.’ new Harry Potter world at Universal Studios debuts with John Williams concert.

To celebrate the opening, Universal Studios hosted an event, April 5, featuring Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Grammy award-winning composer John Williams conducting the L.A. Philharmonic synchronized to a choreographed, three dimensional digital lighting project on the Hogwarts castle. A fireworks display followed the performance.

The celebration also hosted

Harry Potter

cast members including Tom Felton, Evanna Lynch, James and Oliver Phelps, as well as celebrities such as Mindy Kaling, Vanessa Hudgens, Billy Bob Thornton and many more.

"Today is a very exciting and historically significant day for us," says Larry Kurzweil, president, Universal Studios Hollywood. "This incredible event to celebrate the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter marks the pinnacle of years of hard work and the beginning of a new generation of Universal

Studios Hollywood. With more than 75 percent completely re-imagined, Universal Studios Hollywood is an entirely new theme park destination and we look forward to sharing everything that the Entertainment Capital of L.A. has to offer with visitors from around the world."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will feature re-created locations from the films such as Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Zonko’s Joke Shop and many more. The new attraction will also host several rides such as “Flight of the Hippogriff” and “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” which is making its U.S. debut.