Hogwarts Herald

Did you ever imagine yourself walking down the streets of Hogsmeade? Maybe having lunch at the Three Broomsticks, and a nice mug of Butterbeer? Or traversing the halls of Hogwarts itself? It seems that in December 2009 those fantasies can come to life. Universal Studios Orlando is opening a Harry Potter themed park called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The park will be located within the Islands of Adventure Theme Park, and is scheduled to include the castle and grounds, Forbidden Forest, and Hogsmeade. One can only hope that sometime in the future Diagon Alley will be incorporated. Each of the areas is supposed to include “immersive rides and interactive attractions” as well as “experiential shops and restaurants” where you can sample the fare of the Wizarding World. I imagine along with any regular dishes, you will probably be able to find pumpkin pasties, butterbeer, and other foods seemingly unique to JK Rowling’s world. I would be so much fun to have lunch at the Three Broomsticks, and maybe dinner (and drinks?) at the Hogs Head in the evening. Maybe even step onto the Hogwarts Express, and take a look around.

In the Castle itself, well my mind is just racing the the possibilities. Sit in on a Charms Class. Ride the circular escalator into Dumbledore’s office and see the moving portraits. Walk through the greenhouses and see the mandrakes. Get to the Chamber of Secrets through Moaning Myrtles Bathroom. So many possibilities!!! Also, rumor has it that the main attraction is going to be a ride in the Flying Ford Anglia! I think that would be awesome. I have been on Universal Studios rides of E.T. and Back to the Future, and both of them were absolutely amazing. The Back to the Future was like any other motion ride, but you were actually in the DeLorean with only 2 or 4 people. I can’t remember, but I think it was 2. I was a bit more fond of the E.T ride where you were sitting on a replica of a bicycle, actually flying through the “air”. I think that this partucular ride is going to have better technology than either of those two, and I, for one can’t wait to ride it.

Here are some artist depictions of the different sections of the park, from the Universal Studios website.

This is what they call the “Owls Eye View” Depicting what the entire park should look like from above.

Above is what the Hogwarts Castle is going to look like, complete with guests wandering through it.

And here, the quaint village of Hogsmeade, complete with snow on the rooftops. Take notice of the Hogwarts Express steaming away in the corner!!!

OOOOH, I’m so darn excited, I just can’t wait!!!!