With the Harry Potter world-based film breaking records around the world, the Eddie Redmayne flick is being celebrated by Universal theme park-goers as they scavenge the areas for magical creatures. Rumors of "Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them" park extensions have also begun circulating.
Since it premiered, the Warner Bros box office hit has gathered a five-day total of over $90 million. In addition to its substantial profit, the J.K Rowling prequel has consistently received outstanding critic reviews and positive fan feedback.
With the film's overwhelming success, the Harry Potter franchise has received an increased amount of demand, thus prompting Universal Studios amusement parks to consider expansion. The aptly named Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando, Japan, and Hollywood have all seen an increase in tourism since the movie's announcement earlier this year.
The magic-themed areas have even initiated scavenger hunts involving the array of magical creatures featured in the fantasy world of Harry Potter. In a hunt by Universal Orlando, participants are invited to find, photograph and share all ten of the listed creatures in exchange for a prize.
The three theme parks boast carefully crafted and heavily detailed life-size statues of the magical creatures, positioned in different locations throughout the so-called "Wizarding World" areas. Fans will enjoy running into everything from pixies, phoenixes, and elves, among other things.
Perhaps the grandest of all magical creatures featured by the Universal Studios parks is a huge fire-breathing dragon. As indicated by Travel Pulse, the giant Ukranian Iron Belly may be seen atop Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley and is known to breathe fire every ten to twenty minutes.
With "Fantastic Beasts" looking to follow in the Harry Potter franchise's success, the three theme parks may see additions, following the adventures of Newt Scamander. Rumors have spread that Universal Studios Orlando may shut down its Inverted Dragon Challenge to make space for a Harry Potter prequel-themed ride.
Following the trend of Hogsmeade's 2010 opening and Diagon Alley's opening in 2014, Theme Park Insider speculates that another themed attraction should be set to open sometime in 2018. With the second of the Fantastic Beasts movies set for release in that year, hopeful fans await the announcement of a related attraction opening.
