3D Map of Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Thursday Issue of USA Today; Video Tutorial and Article Online (Updated)

Update: We now have for you the USA Today map and video gallery version of the ‘How-To’ video available.
As readers will recall, USA Today will be including a 3D “augmented-reality” map of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as part of their January 28th issue. There is now a video online from the newspaper which shows how the 3D map is used and the different features included as part of this special feature. Additionally, USA Today has published an article which speaks more to the developments at the park, as well as Universal Orlando Resort’s aims for the attraction. Relating that the Harry Potter attraction will be “taking the theme-park experience to the next level,” Thierry Coup, Universal’s vice president for creative development, goes on to say, “We’re taking the most iconic and powerful moments of the stories in the books and putting it in an immersive environment.” The preview continues:

The centerpiece is Hogwarts castle, rising more than 150 feet and visible from beyond park boundaries. It houses Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a “dark ride” that uses robotic arms to move passengers in various ways as they pass through scenes from the movies, says Robert Niles of industry tracker ThemeParkInsider.com. Two other rides, Dragon Challenge, a twin high-speed roller coaster, and Flight of the Hippogriff, a tamer coaster, use the core of existing attractions that have been re-themed.

The majority of Harry’s world consists of venues in which to eat, drink and shop.

But Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury assures that those outlets will be about more than mere consumption. Dining will be an “experience,” and shopping will be “retail theater,” he says.

At Ollivander’s, for instance, a costumed “wandkeeper,” with the aid of some questions and special effects, will help shoppers find which of the 10,000 wands in stock is destined for them.

“Everything is about immersing you into … the stories of Harry Potter,” Woodbury says. “It would be a real letdown to me if people just came and bought something.”

That said, there will be plenty of Harry-themed merchandise to peruse, from Quidditch equipment to Spectrespecs. Ditto for distinctive food and drink. The fare at the Three Broomsticks and the Hog’s Head pub will include the first J.K. Rowling-approved recipe for Butterbeer.

Thanks to UHP!