Harry Potter Gets a Theme Park

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series may be over, but the author's magical world certainly lives on. The past few years have brought movies, merchandise, museum exhibits and now a theme park dedicated to the captivating books. (And we are SO excited!)

Universal Orlando Resort recently unveiled plans today for the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter," set to open in the spring of 2010. The new area will be part of Universal's "Island's of Adventure" theme park. From the sound of it, HP fans will certainly get their galleons' worth.

From an article in today's Washington Post: "Guests will enter the 'Wizarding World' through a station archway named for Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts. A plume of steam and a train whistle will sound the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The goal is to make the experience immersive, so nothing outside is visible after guests pass the Hogsmeade station archway."

The park's main attraction is the ride "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey," named by Rowling herself. The ride takes guests through a Hogwarts Castle replica, traversing through scenes and rooms from the Harry Potter movies. Fans can also look forward to buying treats from Honeydukes, wands at Ollivander's, Quidditch gear from Dervish and Banges and even sample a butterbeer at Three Broomsticks.

We're so filled with excitement, we wish we could apparate or Floo Powder our way over to the park right now! But alas, we'll have to wait til spring of 2010 with the rest of the Muggles.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.