Universal Orlando Resort has a new Hagrid ride on the way, and we’ve got the first look at his three-headed dog, Fluffy. The ride, called Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, will join many other attractions at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts. This particular ride will be located in Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, though guests can take the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida as well.
News first broke about Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure back in February, when it was revealed that the new attraction would allow visitors to choose from riding in Hagrid’s motorbike or sidecar, and would feature some of the most famous creatures from the Potter series. Since then, we’ve learned that riders will also see more than 1,200 live trees on the ride, as well as a new creature that wasn’t featured in the movies. There will also be obstacles that guests encounter, including Devil’s Snare, which Hermione helps Ron and Harry escape from in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
If that wasn’t enough to get fans excited, here’s the official first look at Fluffy, as he'll be seen inside the new Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure ride. Appearing only in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Fluffy nonetheless plays an important role in the Potter books and movies, as he’s one of the first creatures Harry and his friends tackle on their own.
Universal Orlando also revealed today that riders will encounter Fluffy “deep in the Forbidden Forest” and that he weighs 8,000 lbs, which is “roughly as big as two standard Muggle cars.” They also teased Cornish Pixies as the next character from the ride to be revealed, calling them “a swarm of mischief-makers who love their tricks.” Previously, Universal confirmed that the new attraction will also feature a Centaur, though we’ll have to wait and see if it’s a specific character, such as Firenze.
Fluffy is chosen by Hagrid to guard the Sorcerer's Stone after Dumbledore asks for his help with protecting it. Fluffy looks ferocious, but as Harry and his friends soon learn, he’s easily lured to sleep with a bit of music. Fluffy is one of Hagrid’s most-prized magical creatures, so it makes sense that he’s featured in the new ride. This version of Fluffy looks similar to the one in the first Harry Potter movie, with the same yellow eyes and large fangs. However, it'll definitely be a scarier experience to see him up close instead of onscreen, especially weighing in at 8,000 lbs. The background behind him is different, probably because he shows up in the Forbidden Forest rather than the castle like he does in the books. Either way, Harry Potter fans will no doubt be delighted to meet him.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens June 13 at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Source: Universal Orlando