Us muggles can expect the world to become significantly more magical in about 18 days, when the latest Harry Potter theme park throws its enchanted doors open in Hollywood.
And friends, it looks fucking legit.
The Times report the park’s rendition of Ollivander’s infamous wand shop has been upsized from the charmingly claustrophobic offerings in London, Osaka, and Orlando. While that’s a shift away from J.K. Rowling’s canonical vision, it also means would-be wand-wielders won’t have to wait hours to get inside.
The wands themselves are pretty bloody speccy too. Special versions of the magical sticks are available for purchase, and they’ll actually interact with 11 different parts of the Wizarding World. Read: it’s not technology, it’s actual magic, and you’re in complete control of it. Obviously.
(Also worth noting: this version has taken cues on what not to do from its Floridian counterpart, which was essentially a wondrous British vom-fest.)
Of course, the new park will share the gastronomical delights of its counterparts, including the infamous Butterbeer. The Times make a special point not to skol too much before heading up to the broom ride – as if you wouldn’t be nauseous with excitement regardless.
It’s reported the addition to Universal Studio’s roster will result in an immediate 20% increase in attendance. In all honesty, that’ll probably just be us going, again and again, in an effort to avoid the brutal, no-maj realities of life.
