Latest news with #HarryPotter™
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida man sues Universal over alleged malfunction of 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' ride
The Brief A Florida man alleges Universal Orlando's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride left him stranded midair, causing lasting injuries. The lawsuit claims the park ignored prior warnings and failed to act. Universal has not yet responded to the $50,000-plus complaint. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50,000 in damages against Universal Orlando Resort, alleging he was injured during a ride malfunction. What we know A St. Johns County man has filed a lawsuit against Universal Orlando Resort, seeking more than $50,000 in damages. The suit stems from a July 2, 2023, incident involving the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride. The plaintiff claims the ride came to a sudden halt, leaving him stranded in a tilted cart for approximately an hour before being repositioned. He alleges the malfunction resulted in injuries and emotional distress. What we don't know Universal Orlando has not yet issued a public response or comment on the allegations. It is unclear whether the park has conducted an internal investigation or made technical changes to the ride following the incident. There is also no information available about whether similar lawsuits have been filed or whether regulatory authorities were involved. The backstory According to the complaint, the ride was operating as intended when it unexpectedly stopped. The plaintiff argues that the ride has a history of issues and that Universal continued to run it despite known risks. The lawsuit alleges a failure to repair or warn about the potential for power-related stoppages, which the plaintiff claims were foreseeable and avoidable. Dig deeper Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an indoor thrill ride at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park and part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The attraction includes robotic arm technology, motion simulation and 3D/4D imagery. Guests ride in secure seats attached to the robotic arm which pivots, drops, spins, and twists above its track. "Enter through the towering castle gates and make your way down the familiar passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on a thrilling adventure," Universal explains. "Groundbreaking, state-of-the-art technology (and a little magic) creates a one-of-a-kind ride." Universal has an identical ride at its parks in California, Japan, and China. Timeline The incident occurred on July 2, 2023. The plaintiff was allegedly stuck in the ride for nearly an hour that day. The legal complaint was filed in Orange County, Florida, on May 28, 2025. What they're saying The suit includes two counts: premises liability and general negligence. It argues that Universal breached its duty of care by failing to implement proper safety protocols, conduct timely inspections, maintain backup systems, and communicate warnings about ongoing risks — including rolling power outages. The plaintiff argues that this created "unreasonable risk of harm." Universal was "aware that the rollercoaster had similar problems in the past and failed to take adequate or reasonable steps to remedy this known problem," the complaint alleges. It further claims the theme park acted "with wanton, willful, and reckless disregard for the safety and health of the plaintiff," citing a profit motive for continuing to operate the ride despite the risks. As a result, the plaintiff claims he suffered "bodily injury, resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, scarring, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money, damage to property, inconvenience, and aggravation of a previously existing condition. Such losses are either permanent or continuing in nature." As of Monday, June 2, 2025, Universal had not responded publicly. Read The Lawsuit Below is the full text of the lawsuit, which you can also find at this link (PDF). Click to open this PDF in a new window. What's next The complaint demands a jury trial and seeks damages, court costs, and additional relief as allowed by law. The plaintiff is represented by Rob Cook, Attorney at Law, P.A., based in St. Augustine. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information from documents filed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Orange County.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Human foot found in shoe along Fish Lake shoreline may belong to man missing since 1997
SEVIER COUNTY, Utah () — On Friday, May 16, a man and his dog were walking along the shore of Fish Lake in Sevier County. The dog picked up a shoe it found on the shore — and officials believe it may be connected to the case of a man who went missing in 1997. According to Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis, the owner of the dog noticed what 'appeared to be a bone in the shoe.' 'Detectives responded and found the remains of what appeared to be the remains of a human foot inside the shoe,' Curtis told This Utah woman was last seen in 1978. Nearly 50 years later, police are still searching for answers The Utah Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the shoe contained a human foot. The morning after the shoe was found, crews returned to the lake to search the shoreline and water near where it was discovered. 'No other evidence was found to indicate where the foot came from,' the sheriff's office said. After the discovery, detectives with the Sevier County Sheriff's Office began looking into a missing persons case from 1997. Curtis said detectives found a child of that missing man and have sent in a DNA sample to compare with the foot. There is no further information at this time. Human foot found in shoe along Fish Lake shoreline may belong to man missing since 1997 Utah Department of Wildlife Resources inspects 11K boats for invasive species over Memorial Day weekend Experience the magic of your favorite Harry Potter™ movies up close at Harry Potter: The Exhibition RGS Exteriors is your one stop shop for home exterior upgrades and repairs See how Duct Brothers seals the costly leaks in your air duct system Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Utah Department of Wildlife Resources inspects 11K boats for invasive species over Memorial Day weekend
SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said it inspected about 11,000 boats for an invasive species this Memorial Day weekend. DWR said it was looking for quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Quagga mussels can destroy fisheries, damage boats, and even pollute shorelines, DWR reported. Officers say they found about 140 boats with the invasive mollusk. Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive plant that has made its way through Utah. It blocks out sunlight, killing native plants and hurting fish. According to DWR, bringing even one piece of watermilfoil to a body of water can start a new population. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said invasive species like mussels and watermilfoil impact everyone in Utah. 'We have pictures that show PVC pipes that are being completely closed off with these growing mussels within a year's time we can completely close off a 2-inch waterline. So, those costs go to even non-boaters,' Bruce Johnson, Lieutenant of AIS Operations at DNR, told in an interview. Sandy mom of six survives 15 years of blood cancer, helps other patients fight Johnson said that the solution is simple: When you leave the water, clean, drain, and dry your boat. 'Clean, drain, and dry. That program, that concept works for everything,' Johnson stated. 'As soon as a boater pulls out of any water body, pull all the drain plugs, let all the water drain out, let your boat air dry out, and that will prevent so many problems down the line.' However, it is important to drain and dry a boat at the body of water. Draining into a gutter or a storm drain is 'the worst thing you can do,' Johnson said. That can contaminate other bodies of water that the DNR may not be able to track, causing problems and clogging pipes. According to DWR and DNR, in order to keep Utah's water bodies healthy, boaters also must stop at an inspection station before going in the water. Inspection stations are found throughout the state. An inspection technician will help you and give you a receipt. 'It is mandatory that while we are open at any of these locations, those boaters are required to pull in and get that inspection,' Johnson told 'and it's a good thing for them, […] if they are carrying water, we're preventing that water from being transported from that infested water body and being deposited in a clean water body up here.' Carly Wasserlein and Nick Butts contributed to this story. Human foot found in shoe along Fish Lake shoreline may belong to man missing since 1997 Utah Department of Wildlife Resources inspects 11K boats for invasive species over Memorial Day weekend Experience the magic of your favorite Harry Potter™ movies up close at Harry Potter: The Exhibition RGS Exteriors is your one stop shop for home exterior upgrades and repairs See how Duct Brothers seals the costly leaks in your air duct system Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Experience the Magic of Hogwarts with New Harry Potter™ House Robes from JAKKS Pacific – Exclusively at Walmart!
Show your Hogwarts house pride with these officially licensed house robes, available now! New Harry Potter ™ House Robes – Exclusively at Walmart! SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ:JAKK) in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, is excited to announce a brand new line of Harry Potter House Robes now available only at Walmart for $39.97. Get ready to celebrate the spellbinding world of Harry Potter with the launch of the JAKKS Pacific Harry Potter Hogwarts House Robes, available exclusively at Walmart! Whether you've been proudly Sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Ravenclaw, these premium, officially licensed robes will make you feel like you have been transported straight to the legendary halls of Hogwarts in magical style. Designed for authenticity and comfort, these robes are perfect for reenacting your favorite wizarding moments, showcasing your house pride, or simply feeling like a student of Hogwarts. Each robe features meticulously embroidered house crests, luxuriously colored lining representing your house, and even a hidden wand pocket. Complete with a hood and functional pockets, these robes blend practicality with pure wizarding enchantment. "Every young witch and wizard dreams of donning their house colors and stepping into the magical world of Harry Potter," says Debbie Haag, SVP of Marketing at JAKKS Pacific. "With these high-quality robes, fans of all ages can truly celebrate themselves in the adventure—whether they're casting spells, attending a themed event, or simply showing off their house pride." These must-have Hogwarts robes are the ultimate addition to any Harry Potter fan's collection, perfect for cosplay, themed parties, or simply adding a little magic to everyday life. It is the perfect gift all year round. Don't miss your chance to grab these exclusive robes, available only at Walmart. For more information, visit or follow us on social media for the latest updates on new Harry Potter products and releases. About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.:JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. JAKKS Pacific's popular proprietary brands include: AirTitans®, Disguise®, Fly Wheels®, JAKKS Wild Games®, Moose Mountain®, Maui®, Perfectly Cute®, ReDo® Skateboard Co., Sky Ball®, SportsZone™, Xtreme Power Dozer®, WeeeDo®, and Wild Manes™ as well as a wide range of entertainment-inspired products featuring premier licensed properties. Through our products and our charitable donations, JAKKS is helping to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Visit us at and follow us on Instagram (@ Twitter (@jakkstoys) and Facebook (@ ©2025 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved ABOUT THE HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE From the moment eleven-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the Harry Potter phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history. J.K. Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe which is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerizes on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences - including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the world. This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as the Platform 9 3⁄4 retail shops and iconic flagship store - Harry Potter New York. Wizards, Witches and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter. With a new HBO Original TV series based on the Harry Potter books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves. For the latest Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts news and features, visit All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s25) Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery's Revenue & Strategy division, extends the company's powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home décor and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros.' film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Contacts JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Whitney Hatfield | PR@ Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products Lindsay Kiesel |
