Close-Up Look at Universal Orlando’s Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure!

May 20, 2019

Posted by: Emma Pocock

Exclusives, News, Theme Park, WIzarding World of Harry Potter Orlando

For any Potter fan, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the pièce de résistance of the Universal Studios theme parks — and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will likely be the highlight of them all!

Universal Orlando is the dream destination for those hoping to step inside J.K. Rowling’s world, allowing you to walk through Hogsmeade, cry at the gates of Hogwarts, feel the thrill of seeing Diagon Alley for the first time, and – of course – drink pumpkin juice in The Leaky Cauldron.

The new “storycoaster” – the first of its kind – will open at Universal Orlando Resort’s Hogsmeade on June 13th, and is set to be like no experience yet. Replacing the Triwizard Tournament themed coaster, The Dragon Challenge, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the most ‘highly themed, immersive coaster experience yet’ at the parks, and we’re bringing some exclusive info on the experiences to come, with brand new photos!

As we know, the ride will see guests take off through the Forbidden Forest on one of Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures lessons — but as with all of his lessons, nothing goes quite to plan! Guests will ride in Hagrid (well, Sirius’s) motorbike and sidecar in all-new groundbreaking coaster technology to immerse riders in the thrills of the ride, and ‘feel the freedom of flight’ as they head off through the grounds of Hogwarts and beyond, soaring over an actual forest featuring 1,200 trees. In Universal Orlando Resort’s own words:

“They’ll ascend above the trees, rapidly accelerate through mysterious ruins, speed forward – and backward, and so much more as they search for the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.”

We already know a few of the creatures set to feature on the ride: along with an animatronic Hagrid, riders will encounter Centaurs, Devil’s Snare, Fluffy the three-headed dog, Cornish Pixies and a never-before-seen Blast-Ended Skrewt!

Along the way, riders will zoom around the longest roller coaster in Florida, measuring 5,053 feet (almost a mile!) in length. The ride will feature numerous breathtaking experiences, including:

  • ?  The most launches of any roller coaster in the world – with 7 total launches
  • ?  Unexpectedly dropping nearly 17 feet on the first coaster in the U.S. to feature a free-fall vertical drop
  • ?  Being catapulted 65 feet in the air at a more than 70 degree angle – and then immediately dropping backward in one movement

Take a look at some of the incredible detail on the ride below:

 

03_Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure_Queue Details 04_Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure_Queue Details

Grindylows and mermaids can be seen in this ruin — we wonder just how much of Hogwarts remains to be seen!

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This must be where Hagrid keeps his forbidden stash of magical creature eggs:08_Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure_Queue Details

A look at some of the ride mechanics:

942 Hagrids Magical Creatures and Motorbike Adventure 051019 Line Ride Vehicle Interiors Exteriors  Scope Shots

942 Hagrids Magical Creatures and Motorbike Adventure 051019 Line Ride Vehicle Interiors Exteriors  Scope Shots

Guests will encounter immersive experiences before the ride begins, too, getting to look through forgotten relics of Hogwarts – like this Manticore page in the Monster Book of Monsters!

942 Hagrids Magical Creatures and Motorbike Adventure 051019 Line Ride Vehicle Interiors Exteriors  Scope Shots

Universal Orlando also gave us an idea of the story of the coaster, which will take us through some of the unseen ruins of Hogwarts before taking off around the Forbidden Forest. The ruins themselves were imagined by Universal’s award-winning Creative team in collaboration with the Harry Potter films’ Production Designer, Stuart Craig, and Art Director, Alan Gilmore, and are placed behind Hagrid’s hut, used by the lovable half-giant for groundskeeping purposes:

“As they make their way to their enchanted motorbikes, guests will see materials from the class, including dragon eggs on the verge of hatching and a makeshift nursery where Hagrid kept his Blast-Ended Skrewts – the creatures that are being brought to life for the first time ever for this epic new adventure. Guests will encounter beloved characters from the Harry Potter films including Arthur Weasley, Hagrid, and his loyal dog, Fang, through a pre-show experience brought to life with digital projection and special effects. During this interaction, guests learn about their impending trip to the Forbidden Forest as part of their lesson for the day.”

Doesn’t it sound thrilling?!

If that’s not enough, take a look at a POV video from Universal Orlando below:

The new ride opens June 13th — we can’t wait to take you with us to see the ride for the first time! Enter below for the chance to win a trip to be one of the first to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure:

 

Thanks to Universal Orlando Resort for giving us a first-look at the ride, and for inviting us to preview the coaster! 

 





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.