Harry Potter Theme Park from Universal

Why Harry Potter is Perfect for a Theme Park

The Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling is one of the most phenomenally successful children’s book series of all time, having been translated into 65 languages and sold more than 325 million copies worldwide. Children, teens, and adults alike enjoy the adventures of the boy wizard and his friends as they battle the dark forces of the magical world, and that broad appeal makes the Harry Potter franchise perfect for an interactive theme park. The Harry Potter movies are regular blockbusters, and the excitement over the latest book or movie release has not died down in the nearly ten years since the series first debuted; in fact, there are far more hopeful wizards and witches today than there were in 1998 when the first American printing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released.

The fantasy world of Harry Potter is perfect for a theme park, not only because it already has tremendous popular appeal, but also because of its very nature. A world of magic and adventure is exactly what every theme park seeks to offer its guests, and by offering them the experience of living inside favorite books and movies, the park can capture that magic and make it come to life for every fan, young and old. There are many unique aspects of the Harry Potter universe that can be recreated in a theme park setting, and guests are sure to enjoy the opportunity to live the fantasy they have read about in more than 3,000 pages.

About the Harry Potter Theme Park from Universal

Islands of Adventure

Few details have been made available about this upcoming theme park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an addition to the Islands of Adventure theme park, which has long been rumored to be smaller than it was initially planned. The Harry Potter themed area will spread over 20 acres and is tentatively scheduled to open in late 2009, just before the projected release date of the final movie in the seven part saga, which is slated to debut in 2010 (the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, debuted worldwide on July 21, 2007).

At this early stage, there are not many firm details about what the park will feature, but official press releases have described it as an interactive adventure that will highlight some of the most familiar locations within the books and movies, including the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, the dreaded Forbidden Forest, and of course, the iconic Hogwarts Castle. Shops and restaurants will feature wizarding fare and merchandise, letting guests take a bit of magic home with them even if they live far from the fabled Diagon Alley, Leaky Cauldron, or Ministry of Magic.

Making Magic Happen

Universal Orlando Resort – which includes the Islands of Adventure theme park as well as Universal Studios – has partnered with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. to ensure that the new theme park remains true to the vision fans are familiar with through J.K. Rowling’s books and the popular big screen blockbusters. Rowling herself has seen the plans for the park and expressed excitement for them, and Academy Award winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked on all the feature movies, is leading the creative team to bring the park to life. The Islands of Adventure theme park already has a superb reputation for outstanding themes and effects on its rides, including the intimidating Dueling Dragons roller coaster featuring Fire and Ice forces, the Hulk roller coaster and other superhero attractions, and the whimsical Seuss Landing children’s area of the park. With such an amazing design team focusing on the Harry Potter theme park from Universal, magic is sure to happen.

What Magic Will Guests Find?

While there is little factual information available about the upcoming park, speculation is rampant among Harry Potter fans about what the park may offer. Popular ideas include:

• Samples of wizard treats, including butterbeer, sugar quills, pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs, and other popular snacks.
• The chance to play quidditch or ride a broomstick, perhaps as a thrilling coaster or interactive attraction.
• Supply shops for wizarding supplies including wands, potions, robes, spellbooks, and other Hogwarts necessities.
• A visit to the Gryffindor common room, the Great Hall, and other popular areas of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• Meeting famous magical creatures, such as hippogriffs, unicorns, centaurs, and blast-ended screwts.
• Enjoying lunch in the Leaky Cauldron.
• Battling a dementor, boggart, Cornish pixie, Death Eater, and other unsavory characters – perhaps even Voldemort himself.

Whatever the Harry Potter theme park from Universal may offer, Harry Potter fans can be assured that the magic will exist for years, bringing the wizarding world in contact with the muggle world for wild theme park adventures.