Muggles Get Sneak Peek At Universal’s Potter Theme Park

By spring, Harry Potter fans will be able to visit a replica of Hogwarts Castle, sip on pumpkin juice at the Hog’s Head Pub and munch on Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans at a candy shop – all within the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction in the Universal Orlando Resort.

Theme park officials announced Tuesday that the new attraction in Universal’s Islands of Adventure will open in spring 2010.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s best-selling books and the series of popular films, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will provide visitors with “a one-of-a-kind experience complete with rollercoaster rides, wizardly attractions, shops and a signature eating establishment,“ says Mark Woodberry, president of Universal Creative.

Woodbury offered the media a sneak preview of the 20-acre attraction Tuesday. Currently under construction, Wizarding World is a $265 million project five years in the making.

“Everybody that has read the book or seen the movie has an image in their mind and we want to make it real,“ says Woodberry, who calls it a theme park within a theme park.

Helping unveil the sneak preview was actor Tom Felton, who plays Harry’s nemesis Draco Malfoy. He says that from what he has seen it will be “a mind blowing” experience.

“We always say on set, ‘If this place was real, it would be absolutely fantastic’ and to be able to touch it and taste it and smell it is going to be fantastic,“ he said.

Visitors will enter the village of Hogsmeade where the centerpiece will be Hogwarts Castle, a replica of the school that Harry Potter and his friends attend. It will house the “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” ride.

Without giving away exactly what the journey involves, Universal Creative Art Director Alan Gilmore says it will be a new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology “to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced.“

In addition to the castle, there will be a thrill ride, Dragon Challenge, featuring a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament.

Another ride is a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts Castle.

Visitors will enter the village of Hogsmeade though an ached gate. Nearby will be a replica of the Hogwarts Express train and Hogsmeade station.

In the village is Zonko’s, a joke shop with items such as Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes. A Honeydukes shop will carry sweets, such as Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

The Three Broomsticks restaurant and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will feature traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

Nearby is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery, and The Owl Post that sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Woodbury says the Ollivanders wand shop is something that Rowling is personally excited about because she loves the moment in the book and movie when Harry gets his first wand.

Also in Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

Woodbury says there will be Potter memorabilia that can only be purchased at the attraction. For example, the shop, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, will carry Ministry of Magic merchandise such as Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches.