Get ready for the world’s first ever Harry Potter theme park, based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films.

Envisioned as a "theme park within a theme park" and titled "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," the new themed area will become part of the experience within Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.

"Over the years we've received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling's beloved stories," said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "The Harry Potter stories are among the most compelling of our time. The millions of people who have read the books and seen the movies will now be able to experience the world of Harry Potter in person."

Meyer added that the company will transform film concepts into theme park entertainment, providing Harry Potter fans with an incredible experience that upholds the richness of J.K. Rowling's books and delivers on the authentic detail portrayed in the films.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters — and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films — "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" will provide an opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself.

"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," said J.K. Rowling.

Expected to open in late 2009, the new theme park will feature rides and interactive attractions, as well as shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding world's best known establishments. Also debuting will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never before experienced.

The Academy Award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in all of the feature films to date, leads the creative design for the area to ensure it remains faithful to the look and feel of the films.

"Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films," said Craig. "I am very excited to be working closely with the Universal Orlando team to bring the area to life."

Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. The series of books by author J.K. Rowling has been translated into 65 languages with more than 325 million copies sold in over 200 territories around the world. The films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $3.5 billion at the box office worldwide. Each of the four Harry Potter films produced to date has the distinction of making it into the all time top 20 grossing films worldwide. The fifth film in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will be released in theatres on July 11, 2007.

This is not the first theme park to be based on a famous literary world. Dickens World opened in our very own Kent in April. To read more, Click Here.

 

 

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