The 25-Year History of Universal Islands of Adventure

A Magical Change

Universal was exploring possibilities for the undeveloped expansion plots in Islands of Adventure. One considered concept was a revolutionary dark ride using a KUKA arm ride system. The proposed ride would be themed to the Van Helsing reboot, but the idea was eventually shelved.

Van Helsing may not have been the right fit for Islands of Adventure, but Universal had its eyes on a massive franchise yet to be seen in a theme park. The Harry Potter book and film series was sweeping pop culture in the 2000s. The franchise was wildly successful with an imaginative world perfect for a theme park—not to mention, a second chance with Warner Bros.

The franchise’s creator, J.K. Rowling, was reluctant to the idea, similar to Audrey Geisel all those years earlier.

The question wasn’t if Harry Potter would show up in a theme park: The question was when, and who would get the privilege.

Disney proposed a humble concept to fit Harry Potter into Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. The two parties were ready to move forward as Disney and Rowling reportedly reached a letter of intent. However, Rowling supposedly wasn’t too excited about Harry Potter being in the direct shadow of Mickey Mouse. At Magic Kingdom, Hogwarts Castle would always be secondary to Cinderella’s Castle. Rowling wanted Harry Potter to receive top billing in whatever theme park it ended up in. She also reportedly wanted heavy creative influence.

Thus, Disney and Rowling couldn’t come to terms.

The struggling Universal Orlando, however, was more than willing to accommodate her requests. Landing Harry Potter meant everything to Universal, and its Creative team didn’t hold back. Universal presented Rowling with concepts of a fully immersive land with a technologically groundbreaking attraction unlike anything parkgoers have seen before. The concept matched the magic of Harry Potter. Rowling initially was reluctant, but Audrey Geisel, who had been in her shoes before, helped sway her. Rowling was sold.

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Announcing the Wizarding World

In 2007, Universal announced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter coming to Islands of Adventure—the park’s first extensive expansion since opening. The massive $250 million investment would revolutionize themed entertainment.

During development, no detail would be too small. Rowling was very hands-on in ensuring the land was as accurate as possible. Rowling made requests that would make this among the most authentically immersive experiences ever—requests like hiring the films’ production designer, Stuart Craig, as well as insisting no Cola-Cola products were present in the land as to not break the magic.

To make room for the Wizarding World, the Merlinwood section of The Lost Continent was to be removed and adapted. This included the addition of a bypass bridge that went around the former Merlinwood section. Merlinwood’s cornerstone roller coasters, Dueling Dragons, still operated at this time, with a temporary entrance in Jurassic Park. These were the attraction’s final years before being converted to a Harry Potter theme.

Construction on the Wizarding World continued into the late 2000s.