"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is a new theme park opening in Spring 2010 at Universal Orlando Resort, and will probably be the closest we'll ever come to Hogwarts. Featured ride "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" (named by J.K Rowling herself) will take patrons through scenes and rooms made to look like Hogwarts Castle. The entrance to the park will look like a station archway named for Hogsmeade, and a whistle and plume of steam will indicate the arrival of Hogwarts Express.
Other rides modeled after parts of the books will include the roller coasters "Dragon Challenge" and "Flight of the Hippogriff." There will also be Potter-themed shops such as Honeydukes, Ollivander's, and Zonko's which will all sell items from the stories such as chocolate frogs, magic wands, and Sneakoscopes. Dervish and Banges will sell instruments and Quidditch equipment, and guests can send letters at the Owl Post. The Three Broomsticks will even serve Butterbeer.
The design team for the park has made several trips to London to consult with author J.K Rowling, and art and set directors from the films were hired to translate the movies into the park. There could even be new footage of Potter stars shot on actual sets from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
