by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Tue December 8, 2015
Photo via YouTube
The upcoming debut of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood has fans buzzing, and an official opening has been set.
According to a video released by Universal Studios on YouTube, the Harry Potter inspired portion of the theme park will open on April 7, 2016.
One of the key minds behind the new facility is Stuart Craig. The movie-industry veteran has been the production designer for every Harry Potter film thus far, and held the same role for each of the other "Wizarding World" locations in Orlando and Japan.
Craig is also the man in charge of production design for the Los Angeles attraction, and he told Bryan Alexander of the USA Today:
"Opening in Hollywood will be the Wizarding World's ultimate test. Hollywood is the home of movie magic. Hollywood understands what this takes and will be our most informed critic…Film sets are very temporary, especially in the European climate. There is no requirement for permanence. This is as permanent as it gets for a plywood (film) architect. It's very gratifying."
Alexander was granted a tour of the ongoing construction project, highlighting the village of Hogsmeade and its realistic homes and storefront shops. The facility is a near complete reconstruction of the settings found in the Harry Potter books and movies, including the fake snow sure to thrill California visitors.
The stores in the village are also straight out of the Harry Potter series. Guests at the park will be able to visit shops such as Honeydukes, Ollivanders Wand Shop, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, Gladrags Wizardwear and many more.
The LA "Wizarding World" will also be the home of the first outdoor roller coaster at Universal Studios, dubbed the Flight of the Hippogriff, as well as Hogwarts castle and the 3D-HD "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride.
Harry Potter series supervising art director Alan Gilmore told Alexander, "With the Los Angeles people especially, it's important to make this the perfect rendition of Harry Potter, a facsimile of the story and films. So when people are within the park, they will be immersed in the story."
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