Movie

Universal Studios Hollywood is getting a major expansion culminating in the 2016 opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The movie-themed park announced this week not only the date for Potter land, but a significant expansion to The Simpsons area, a new Fast & Furious Supercharged ride on the studio tour, and more. Read the full press release for the Universal Studios Hollywood expansion and see tons of brand new concept art below.

Inside Universal and Inside the Magic both provided information on the Universal Studios Hollywood expansion. Here’s the big info.

Announced in 2011 and currently under construction, the second Wizarding World of Harry Potter is scheduled to open in Hollywood in 2016. “Similar to the dynamic Universal Orlando Resort themed land that opened in 2010, the Hollywood experience will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle that will serve as the iconic focal point of the impressively themed environment.”

In 2008, The Simpsons Ride opened at the theme park and, just early this year, brand new Simpsons themed games opened in the area. That expansion will continue in 2015 as full, functioning restaurants and bars like Krusty Burger, Luigi’s Pizza, Phineas Q. Butterfat’s 5600 Flavors Ice Cream Parlor, Moe’s Tavern and Duff’s Brewery will open creating a full Springfield. A similar area is now open in Universal Studios Orlando and you can look at photos here. For Hollywood, these are some early concept images.