Unique luxury hotels, fashionable travel and much more

We’re used to seeing height restrictions on theme park rides, but Universal Studios ran into a new problem at its recently opened Harry Potter attraction in Orlando, Florida – visitors were too fat to ride.

On the rollercoaster-style Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, the safety bar has to click three times as it’s pulled down, but larger riders could not achieve the necessary three clicks and were turned away.

Now, Universal has modified some seats in order to accommodate larger frames. Overweight visitors can now sit in a pair of ‘test seats’ outside the ride – if they fail to fit, they’re directed to a special line where they can access one of the modified seats.

“We always want to accommodate as many guests as possible on our attractions,” said Universal spokesman, Tom Schroder. “After watching Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey operate for several months, we made some adjustments to the ride’s overhead restraints that would allow more people to ride. We’re thrilled to be able to give more people the opportunity to experience this attraction.”

by Andy Moreton

If you’re planning a wizard trip to Florida, check out Luxique’s favourite luxury hotel in Orlando, the spectacular Westin Grand Bohemian.

It’s just days away now – the opening of Orlando’s ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ which is set to bewitch and enchant Potter fans from around the world.

This new 20-acre section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure park features a replica Hogwarts Castle, as well as themed attractions called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.

“Guests will experience first-hand a completely new adventure featuring the iconic characters, amazing creatures and recognisable locations they’ve only read in the books or seen in the films,” said the creative director, Thierry Coup. It would, he said, take the theme park experience to a new level.

Not everyone, however, is eagerly looking forward to the grand opening on Friday. Step forward the ubiquitous Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

In his column in the Daily Telegraph, he writes: “I know that Thierry and everyone at Warner Brothers and Universal will do a magnificent job of making it look and feel authentic and faithful to the stories.”

“But I know somewhere that’s even better than Orlando at looking like London – and that is London. I want to know why this Kingdom of Potter is not being built in the UK.”

Johnson says that, in general, he adores America. “But I deeply and bitterly resent that Orlando is about to become the official pilgrimage for every Harry Potter fan on earth.”

by Andy Moreton

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Orlando, try the Westin Grand Bohemian, bookable through Luxique.

Harry Potter fans – and there are quite a few of them – are eagerly awaiting the opening of a dedicated theme park at Universal Orlando Resort in spring next year.

‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ will feature a high-tech ride, The Forbidden Journey (named by author J.K. Rowling). It will take guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster movies inside a richly detailed remake of Hogwarts Castle, designed to look 700 feet tall.

Other rides include the Dragon Challenge, a twin high-speed rollercoaster themed after the Triwizard Tournament, and the family rollercoaster Flight of the Hippogriff, named after a creature with an eagle’s head and a horse’s body.

“Along those journeys people are going to be swept up into the greatest parts of the movies and books,” said Paul Daurio, producer of the Potter area at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. “We’ve pushed every technology available to us to give guests a theme park experience unlike any they’ve had before.”

Art and set directors from the films have been hired to translate the movie magic into a theme park. J.K. Rowling, who’s known for carefully guarding the Potter franchise, hasn’t yet travelled to Orlando, but the design team have made several trips to London for consultations with her.

by Andy Moreton

If you’re planning a wizard trip to Florida, check out Luxique’s favourite luxury hotel in Orlando, the spectacular Westin Grand Bohemian.