It hasn’t been too long since we got our first look at concept art, ride vehicle design and, of course, the name and opening date of Universal Orlando Resort’s latest Harry Potter attraction.
However, in a quick spot on NBC’s Today Show on March 12, further details on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the new themed coaster coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, were presented by Potter alum Tom Felton.
Felton, who played antagonist Draco Malfoy in all eight of Warner Bros. Potter films, narrated the previously known facts about the new coaster over beautiful, never-before-seen concept art and design models before introducing us to Alan Gilmore.
Gilmore, who worked in art direction on three of the Potter movies as well as on all of Universal’s Potter attractions, shared new details about the upcoming coaster. More than 1,000 live trees have been planted to create the Forbidden Forest, and riders will experience speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
Gilmore also referred to the creatures which will be seen in this attraction as some of the “rarest” in the Wizarding World. Centaurs were featured prominently in the announcement video, and YouTuber Tim Tracker along with other members of the theme park Twitterati spotted a glimpse of a unicorn at the end of the spot. Hopefully, centaurs and unicorns will be among those “rarest” creatures guests will experience when the ride opens on June 13.
Check out more of Boardwalk Times coverage on the Hagrid coaster here, and the newly unveiled Dark Arts castle projection show also coming soon to Hogsmeade here.
Austin Vaughn is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times
