I’m on my way to Universal today, to check up on some rumors I’ve heard about the parks.  In the in-between, I’ll leave you with a piece about the biggest rumor of them all. *J

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My name is Jeremy, and I am addicted to Harry Potter.

So pardon my excitement when I heard plans to expand The Wizarding World at Universal Studios.  The Islands of Adventure expansion has been known for some time.  The mystery was how large the expansion would actually be.  You can see how my joy gained +10 nerd points when somebody close to the company let leak some conceptual plans for HP-2.0, or project ‘722‘ as Universal is calling it.

I thought we could take a wee detour from Disney World, find a port key and  explore another magical land.

By the looks of the concept, the addition is slated to take shape between the Disaster! attraction and Fear Factor Live theatre.  For Universal regulars, you will know this is the area presently hosting Amityville and Jaws.

• Platform 9 3/4…

It would seem the idea is to link the two lands via the Hogwarts Express.  The train appears to run in a back-stage track behind the Sinbad show.  This would be an epic undertaking involving the re-contruction and reworking of a number of facilities on the  route between two parks. It is, however, a straight line between Jaws and the existing Wizarding World, so the train connection is not entirely unlikely.

• Tap the brick three up, and two across…

On the plans, a single guest entrance point marks the entrance to the new HP, indicating this could be the gateway to Diagon Alley.  Inside, there are a few main focal points.  First, a large themed restaurant – perhaps the Leaky Caldron?.

• Yeh’d be mad to try and rob it….

The main focal point of 722 is Gringott’s Bank which will host a dark ride.

While there were some details available about the ride, I want to be surprised.  So I didn’t read them.   But you can find them on a few sites out there.

• Page 722…

So why is it called project 722?  Universal is known for given projects names with significance.  While in planning and building stages, The Forbidden Journey was known as Project Strongarm.  An obvious reference to the the KUKA robot arms that control the ride.

So flip to page 722 in your copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Dumbledore smiled at Harry.

“We are in King’s Cross Station, you say? I think that if you decided not to go back, you would be able to … let’s say … board a train”

Our Owls are always ready to deliver more magical news, just as soon as we hear it!

*Jeremy