ORLANDO, Fla. — Muggles and wizards from around the globe swarmed Universal's Islands of Adventure Thursday for the opening of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. 🧙♂️
Lines on Friday continued to wrap around the park after the ride's opening was delayed for the day.
Channel 9 learned that at about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, the line was at an unbelievable eight-hour wait, and by 9:40 a.m., the wait time increased to 10 hours, then later went back to eight. The wait time fluctuated throughout the day.
"I mean it's the opening of a new ride and there's been a precedent for long wait lines for Harry Potter experiences, so I wasn't too shocked," Shelley Caran with ICFLorida.com said.
However, it’s wasn't only the crowds that are slowing the lines. The weather also affected the flow because lightning briefly caused the ride to shut down.
The virtual line app was not available Thursday, but is scheduled to be available Friday.
Virtual line app: Step-by-step instructions | Download app
Universal Orlando officials are calling the ride the world's first "story coaster."
The one-of-a-kind coaster moves forward and backward through the Forbidden Forest in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which is in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Universal Studios officials said they planted 1,200 trees to create the forest that surrounds the longest coaster in Florida, measuring almost a mile.
"Everyone is intrigued, and they should be. It's very unique," Universal representative Elaine Hinds said.
The ride has seven launches and a 17-foot drop. Riders will have their choice to sit on Hagrid's motorcycle or in the sidecar as Harry Potter did in the blockbuster movies.
The more than 3-minute ride has thrill seekers weaving in and out of mysterious ruins.
While waiting in line, guests will see materials from the class, including dragon eggs on the verge of hatching and a makeshift nursery.
Guests will encounter beloved characters, including Arthur Weasley, Hagrid and his loyal dog, Fang, through a pre-show experience brought to life with digital projection and special effects.
During the interaction, guests learn about their impending trip to the Forbidden Forest as part of their lesson for the day.
Today at Noon: Look at all these people waiting in line...some for 8 hours for the new ride at Universal! #WFTV #WFTVAtNoon pic.twitter.com/Hv3fbbswkq
— Vanessa Echols (@VEcholsWFTV) June 13, 2019
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