Universal Orlando welcomes newest roller coaster with fanfare

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Studios Orlando threw a party for its new ride on Tuesday night in a way only Universal Studios can.

Hundreds attended an invitation-only event inside Islands of Adventure, complete with some members of the motion picture cast, to welcome the theme park's newest attraction, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

The roller coaster is billed as a "story coaster," and it is set in a forest on the other side of the gates of Hogwarts School, made famous in the "Harry Potter" movies and books.

The nearly mile-long track takes park guests on a fast-accelerating ride through the forest with many surprises along the way. No spoilers here.

"Wow.  Yeah," said Elaine Hinds.
 

Hinds is the executive producer of Universal Creative, and she's part of the group of people who conceived and created Hagrid's ride.

"What I think is going to happen is you and your family are going to ride, and you’re going to jump off, and you’re going to run back around and get back in line again," she said. "You can change up seats."

The roller coaster cars resemble Hagrid's motorcycle from the motion pictures, with a sidecar.  One passenger rides on the motorcycle, and one passenger rides in the sidecar.

"You walk off, and you have no words," said News 6 producer Landon McReynolds.  "I’m like, I have to go to that again."

McReynolds and News 6 reporter Erik Sandoval got the chance to ride Hagrid's adventure before it opened to the public.

McReynolds agreed that it lived up to the hype.

"If you’re a big fan of Harry Potter, do it. I mean, it has everything you want. I think it blows every other ride here away," he said.

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens to the public on Thursday, and the online reservation system designed for the ride debuts on Friday.