Harry Potter in Orlando
The Boy Wizard Moves in Next to Walt Disney World
Universal has announced plans for their upcoming "Wizarding World of Harry Potter." However, Universal is keeping a tight lid on any information to come out of Hogwarts.
In late 2009, Harry Potter fans will have the opportunity to do something they've always wanted to do: go to Hogwarts. However, if you're expecting Hogwarts to be found in rainy England, you might want to rethink the jacket and umbrellas. Instead, you might want to fill your trunk with swim trunks and a really strong sunblock.
Universal Studios announced earlier this year that they had partnered with J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers to bring Harry Potter to life at Universal Studios Orlando. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coined by Universal as being a "theme park within a theme park" and will lie within Universal's Islands of Adventure. Said to be comparable in size to Islands of Adventures other "islands" which include Universal's Jurassic Park and Marvel Island, the "Wizarding World" will more than likely become a destination for Potter fans for years to come.
Though very little has been revealed about the project's details and attractions, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will include Hogwarts Castle itself as well as the Village of Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest. Universal is also keeping mum about one major attraction within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that they are currently only referring to as a "state of the art attraction." Along with attractions that are said to enable fans to immerse themselves within Harry Potter's world will be restaurants and shops. No doubt, we can expect to see at least one wizarding joke shop and somewhere to rest and take in a Butterbeer. Conceptual art for the Harry Potter island features glimpses of comfortably dressed visitors strolling through the snow drenched streets of Hogsmeade.
While Universal's attendance has fallen short as of late, many fans and analysts agree that securing the rights to the Harry Potter brand was a feat that was both admirable and will bring them a considerable amount of business from Universal's neighboring Walt Disney World Resort. This is good news for Universal as more and more fans making Orlando their destination have begun staying on Disney property and rarely, if ever, venturing from the Mouse kingdom.
Universal has yet to specify a specific date for the opening of the Harry Potter mecca, but is quick to assure fans that it will be all that they've dreamt of and more. With reassurances that Rowling herself has pre-approved all the plans in place for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fans can only assume that Hogwarts Orlando will give them the chance to live out a childhood fantasy.
