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Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Coordinates: 28°28′23″N 81°28′23″W / 28.473°N 81.473°W / 28.473; -81.473
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Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Entrance to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Universal Islands of Adventure
LocationUniversal Islands of Adventure
Park sectionThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade
Coordinates28°28′23″N 81°28′23″W / 28.473°N 81.473°W / 28.473; -81.473
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateJune 11, 2019 (2019-06-11)
Opening dateJune 13, 2019 (2019-06-13)
Cost$300 million[1]
ReplacedDragon Challenge
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerUniversal Creative
ModelMotorbike roller coaster
Lift/launch systemLinear synchronous motor
Height65 ft (20 m)
Drop17 ft (5.2 m)
Length5,053 ft (1,540 m)
Speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions0
Max vertical angle70°
Capacity1,200-1500 riders per hour
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains10 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 14 riders per train.
ThemeForbidden Forest (Harry Potter)
Pre-show hostsRubeus Hagrid
Arthur Weasley
Ride hostRubeus Hagrid
Launches
  • 1st: 0–20 mph in 1.2 secs
  • 2nd: 22–30 mph in 1.5 secs
  • 3rd: 0–32 mph in 3.5 secs
  • 4th: 27–35 mph in 2.3 secs
  • 5th: 21–41 mph in 2.5 secs
  • 6th: 37–44 mph in 1.7 secs
  • 7th: 0–50 mph in 4 secs
Single rider line available
Must transfer from wheelchair
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at RCDB

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a multiple-launch steel roller coaster located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade section of Universal Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando. Manufactured by Intamin, the attraction opened to the public on June 13, 2019. The partially-enclosed motorbike coaster operates both indoor and outdoor, and it is the sixth Harry Potter-themed attraction created for the resort. Universal marketed the ride as "a highly-themed roller coaster" that focuses on "a different corner of the wizarding world".[2]

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure replaced Dragon Challenge, a pair of intertwined inverted roller coasters that closed on September 4, 2017.[3][4] It debuted with a record-breaking seven launches and reaches a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

History

[edit]

Construction for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure began early January 2018, after land clearing was completed on the site that Dragon Challenge occupied previously.[5] According to Alan Gilmore, art director of the Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, over a thousand trees were planted to create the woodland that would set the theme of the Forbidden Forest.[6]

The vertical spike began to rise in May 2018 and was completed a few weeks later.[7] By August 2018, the castle structure was being built, while portions of the track were covered in white plastic wrap.[8] In October 2018, the structure for Hagrid's Hut was being swiftly constructed, several trees were then planted in the surrounding area and later on, the track layout was completed.[9] On December 17, 2018, the first 7-car train, which was completely covered, was installed on the track in anticipation of the testing phase.[10]

On February 21, 2019, Universal Orlando announced more details about the coaster, including the name, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the ride vehicle design and an opening date for June 13, 2019.[11] Ride testing began shortly after, on February 26, 2019.[12] The Fluffy animatronic was completed early April 2019, around the same time final touches were made to the ride.[13] It was confirmed that over twenty 13-inch cornish pixies would be found throughout the experience.[14] Then, the unicorn animatronics were installed the following month.[15] The attraction cost an estimated $300 million to construct[1] and is one of the only coasters in the United States to feature a free-fall vertical drop.[16]

Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films and theme park attractions, reprised the role again for the roller coaster's pre-show and ride experience. Filming took place at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in 2018 with Coltrane and Mark Williams, who reprised the role of Arthur Weasley for the pre-show, as well. Due to declining health, Coltrane's performance was filmed face-and-head only, while British actor Greg Draven was used as a body double for Hagrid;[17] it was Robbie Coltrane's final performance as Hagrid before his death in 2022. The grand opening ceremony took place on June 11, 2019 with actors Evanna Lynch, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint and James and Oliver Phelps in attendance. Robbie Coltrane was unable to attend due to his health, however, he recorded video messages for the occasion.[18]

Just a day after opening, a reserved virtual line system was implemented for the attraction, through Universal Orlando's mobile application,[19] which was later phased out in favor of standby and single rider queues. Unlike most Universal Orlando attractions, the roller coaster does not offer an Express queue. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and its spread to Florida, the single rider line was made unavailable upon the resort's June 2020 reopening, but was reopened on June 15, 2021.

Characteristics

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Described as a "story coaster" by Universal,[20] the attraction takes Muggles on a journey through the Forbidden Forest, coming face to face with magical creatures of the Wizarding World on Rubeus Hagrid's motorcycle[21][22] such as Fluffy the three-headed dog, Cornish Pixies, Devil's Snare, a Centaur and a Blast-Ended Skrewt, a creature that was never featured in any of the Harry Potter films.[23]

The attraction's vehicle is modeled after Hagrid's motorcycle, originally owned by Sirius Black in the book series, which appeared in the first and seventh films. There are seven rows on each train. Each row seats two passengers, one on the motorcycle itself and one in the sidecar.[24] Each motorbike has speakers that provide theming to the attraction, similar to The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, with a score inspired by the compositions of the Harry Potter films, especially those of John Williams.

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure features seven launches – the most of any roller coaster in the world at the time of opening – and reaches a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).[16] It also features a unique free-fall vertical drop element,[25] in which the track disconnects and drops with the train 17 feet (5.2 m), where it reconnects with another track below.[26] The ride reaches its peak height when the train is catapulted 65 feet (20 m) into the air at a 70-degree angle.[16]

Ride experience

[edit]

Queue

[edit]

The exterior queue remains the same as Dragon Challenge, with the exception of the removal of the pennants in support of the Triwizard Tournament champions, and the broken-down Ford Anglia, which was incorporated to the ride. Muggles enter the queue by passing under the archway entrance, where they encounter signs along the way. A ring shaped path leads to a bridge over the exit pathway. Heading towards Flight of the Hippogriff, there is a flying horse made out of wood. Approaching a long switchback section, Muggles see huts, pumpkin patches and farming equipment. After passing a rose garden, Muggles cross the bridge and access a castle. Straight ahead, there is a vertical sculpture with a mermaid from the Black Lake surrounded by a couple of Grindylows. To the left of the sculpture is the castle entrance. Muggles enter a room with cages and several murals, such as Buckbeak and Ravenclaw. While walking down the hallway, there is a Dueling Club mural with ice and fire dragons, which pays tribute to Dragon Challenge. After this, Muggles head into a switchback room with a fireplace, pieces of wood, kitchenware and salamander footprints. This is followed by another storage room containing dragon eggs and more murals. After exiting the pre-show, Muggles pass along a study area with hourglasses, books, scales and other items. They can find several cards with creatures, including unicorns, cornish pixies, manticores and nifflers, as well as the Book of Monsters.[27] Then, Muggles follow some dark hallways. Getting closer, they spot a test seat and a screen that shows safety instructions. After another switchback area, Muggles enter the station, where they stand on a moving conveyor belt and climb into the ride vehicles.[28]

Pre-show

[edit]

Rubeus Hagrid (portrayed by Robbie Coltrane) will take Muggles on a very special Care of Magical Creatures class and has acquired the help of Arthur Weasley (portrayed by Mark Williams) to tinker with Hagrid's motorbike, whose original owner is mentioned to be Sirius Black, in an attempt to duplicate it in order to take Muggles to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. After Arthur successfully duplicates the motorbike, Fang, Hagrid's pet boarhound, releases Cornish Pixies that were covered in their cage and start to wreak havoc by taking Arthur's wand, burning the duplicate motorbike and then blowing it up. Arthur then casts Aguamenti to put down the flames and sprays Muggles with water before Hagrid departs to wait for them. Arthur then tells Muggles that he will try to duplicate the motorbike again at the stables, where there is plenty of space to do so and departs with the original motorbike following him before casting Reparo on it.

The pre-show is sometimes preempted during longer-than-usual wait times and, instead, Fang is seen walking around.

Layout

[edit]
Several people riding the Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike ride, as seen from the queue
View of the attraction's vehicle trains and the track from the exterior exit queue.

The ride begins by turning right out of the loading station. Afterwards, the vehicles hit the first launch which accelerates from 0 to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) in 1.2 seconds. It moves through an s-curve slope and makes a right turn and hit the second launch, accelerating from 22 miles per hour (35 km/h) to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) in 1.5 seconds. Hagrid says he will meet up with the Muggles at an abandoned hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Once the bikes reach Hagrid's hut, a Blast-Ended Skrewt sprays smoke at the riders as the giant himself tells them they'll pick up the rest of the lesson later. The vehicles exit the hut by turning right, which leads into the third launch from 0 to 32 miles per hour (51 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. The vehicles head up an airtime hill, passing by the abandoned castle and making a left-handed dive into a tunnel. Following a series of turns, the vehicles approach the fourth launch, accelerating from 27 miles per hour (43 km/h) to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) in 2.3 seconds. While going through a double right turn, Hagrid warns that the bikes are out of his control and are flying into the Forbidden Forest. The vehicles then make a right turn and slow down on the mid-course brake run. Fluffy, the three-headed dog can be found on the left side. The vehicle turns left past a switchtrack and accelerate from 21 miles per hour (34 km/h) to 41 miles per hour (66 km/h) in 2.1 seconds. They speed into a tunnel with a group of Cornish Pixies that have taken over Arthur Weasley's broken-down flying Ford Anglia on top. After the tunnel, they rise up a 65-foot (20 m) tall 70-degree vertical spike before losing power and dropping backwards. Now accelerating from 37 miles per hour (60 km/h) to 44 miles per hour (71 km/h) in 1.7 seconds, It speeds through another tunnel and a helix. The vehicles slow down into the darkest part of the Forbidden Forest as the Muggles pass a centaur, stopping in the tentacles of Devil's Snare. Hagrid encourages Muggles to say the incantation "Lumos Solem" and then free-fall 17 feet (5.2 m) into a cave filled with glowing Blast-Ended Skrewts around riders, which Hagrid congratulates for finding them. The vehicles exit the building and approach the final launch, accelerating from 0 to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) in 4 seconds. During this launch, Muggles are told to push the button in front of them to expel dragon fire-breath. Fog effects begin to appear in a straight line near the tracks. The vehicles hit a left banked turn and pass the on-ride camera, which takes photos of the guests. After this, the vehicles make a right turn before stopping at the abandoned castle, where a unicorn and her foal are spotted, thus ending the ride. As the vehicles slow down into the unloading area, Hagrid thanks and asks them not to tell anyone at Hogwarts about the experience.[29]

Reception

[edit]

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was positively received by guests on opening day.[30] It was awarded the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Attraction Installation by Amusement Today in 2019 and was awarded second place for Best New Roller Coaster.[31]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 2021 2022 2023 2024
Ranking 33 (tie)[32] 24[33] 19[34] 22 (tie)[35]
Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Attraction Installation of 2019
Ranking 1[36]
Golden Ticket Awards: Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster of 2019
Ranking 2[36]

Incidents

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On October 2, 2019, the roller coaster was temporarily shut down after a swarm of honey bees surrounded the attraction.[37] A small fire broke out in the backstage area of the attraction on August 11, 2020, prompting a full evacuation without injuries. The fire was extinguished but the attraction remained closed a couple of days later.[38]

Technical difficulties

[edit]

The attraction "has been plagued by downtime problems from day one"[39][40] and has been cited as "one of the most unreliable in the entire theme park industry". During some months, the ride was unavailable about half of the time the park was open and Universal has not publicly stated what the problems are and if/when they can be resolved.[41]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Joyce, Kathleen (June 13, 2019). "Universal Orlando's much anticipated $300M'Harry Potter' roller coaster is now open". Fox Business. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  2. ^ John (July 24, 2017). "Dragon Challenge Closing at Islands of Adventure". Coaster101. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  3. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 25, 2017). "Dragon Challenge is Closing Forever at Universal. Here's What is Replacing It". Theme Park Tourist. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  4. ^ Marden, Duane. "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (Orlando, Florida, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Bilbao, Richard (August 29, 2017). "Universal begins work on Harry Potter rides, holiday show". Orlando Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  6. ^ "New Details Revealed for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure". Universal Orlando. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "Brown Track Spotted at Harry Potter Coaster for Universal Studios". Amusement Insider.
  8. ^ "Harry Potter Coaster Construction Update at Islands of Adventure - Castle Structure Appears". Orlando ParkStop. September 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "Harry Potter Coaster Construction Update at Islands of Adventure – Forbidden Forest Grows and Hut Appears". Orlando ParkStop. October 13, 2018.
  10. ^ "Coaster Trains Spotted on Track for New Harry Potter Coaster at Universal Orlando". Orlando ParkStop. December 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "Universal Orlando announces Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will open June 13". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  12. ^ "Exclusive Testing Footage: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure". Midway Mayhem. February 26, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Amazing Photos Reveal New Details for Hagrid's Motorbike Coaster". Orlando ParkStop. April 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "Cornish pixies will make mischief on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure". Inside the Magic. April 16, 2019.
  15. ^ "Unicorns Spotted at Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure". MuggleNet. May 10, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c Fitch, Hailey (May 20, 2019). "7 Thrilling Details About Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure". Universal Orlando Up Close. Universal Orlando. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  17. ^ O'Shea, Lucy (March 24, 2020). "Geminio: Greg Draven on Being Hagrid's Body Double". MuggleNet. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  18. ^ Schmidt, Jennifer; Abell, Bailee (June 11, 2019). "Live stream celebration of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure". Inside the Magic. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  19. ^ "Hagrid coaster opening without Universal Express pass". Theme Park Tribune. June 10, 2019.
  20. ^ Keyes, Rob (June 14, 2019). "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is Orlando's New Best Coaster". Screen Rant. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  21. ^ Baumgaertner, Melissa (February 21, 2019). "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, An All-New Experience In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, Opens June 13". Universal Orlando. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  22. ^ "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Pottermore. February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  23. ^ "Join Hagrid™ and Fly into the Forbidden Forest". Universal Orlando. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  24. ^ Kubersky, Seth (February 21, 2019). "Universal Orlando announces 'Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure' will open June 13". Orlando Weekly. Euclid Media Group. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  25. ^ Wynne, Sharon Kennedy (June 12, 2019). "We rode the new Hagrid roller coaster at Universal's Harry Potter world". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  26. ^ Rdzanek, Austin (June 18, 2019). "The Best Ride in the World? Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Roller Coaster". Amusement Insider. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  27. ^ "Everything you need to know about Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure at Universal Studios". Entertainment Weekly.
  28. ^ "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure queue walkthrough". Theme Park Insider. YouTube. June 11, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  29. ^ "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Frontseat On-Ride POV Islands Of Adventure". Coaster Thrills. YouTube. September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  30. ^ "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Opens to Long Lines and Rave Reviews". June 13, 2019.
  31. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (September 19, 2019). "Hagrid ride, Horror Nights, SeaWorld, Millennium Falcon are Golden Ticket Award winners". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  32. ^ "2021 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  33. ^ "2022 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "2023 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Amusement Today. 27 (6.2): 66–70. September 2023. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  35. ^ "2024 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2024. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Amusement Today 2019 Golden Ticket Awards". Amusement Today. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  37. ^ Carter, Ashley (October 2, 2019). "Bees Force Closure of Universal Orlando's Hagrid Coaster". MyNews13.com. News 13. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  38. ^ Carter, Ashley (August 12, 2020). "Universal's Hagrid Coaster Closes After Small Backstage Fire". MyNews13.com. News 13. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  39. ^ Whitten, Sarah (June 13, 2019). "10-hour wait: New $300 million Harry Potter coaster opens at Universal in Orlando to massive crowds". CNBC. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  40. ^ Sundt, Hal (February 20, 2020). "The Amusement Park Revolution Has Come to Disney World". The Ringer.
  41. ^ Gregory, John (December 12, 2019). "Theme park data: How often has Universal's Hagrid ride been closed?". Orlando Rising. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
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