All those still waiting for their acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – rejoice! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the newest addition to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park, and is sure to bring a magical world to life. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was announced in 2007, and Universal has gone to great lengths to really make the new “Island” at Island of Adventure at Universal Escape Orlando an immersive experience. There will be several new rides and stores, while other attractions are completely revamped to match the new, unbelievable experience:
Hogsmeade, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s central area, which has the same spellbinding spirit as the Hogsmeade straight out of the Harry Potter books and movies; the entrance is designed to emulate the Hogwarts Express entering Hogsmeade station
Zonko’s, a fantastic joke shop
Honeydukes, a sweets store with delicious chocolates and candy straight from the Harry Potter universe
The Three Broomsticks, where visitors can stop and get a delightfully British bite to eat, or some Butterbeer if they’re thirsty
The Owlery, an actual US post office that postmarks letters as sent from Hogsmeade
Ollivanders, where kids and adults alike can choose their very own wands – or, rather, be chosen by their own wands. “The wand chooses the wizard,” after all
Dervish and Banges, a magical equipment shop, where anything needed for a day in a magical world can be found
Dragon Challenge, an intense two-track roller coaster that lets visitors experience the dragon challenge from the Triwizard Tournament (Previously “Dueling Dragons”)
Flight of the Hippogriff, a smaller-scale roller coaster that isn’t quite as intense as the Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff takes passengers through Hogwarts (Previously “The Flying Unicorn“)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an attraction that takes visitors through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, sure to impress even the Freds and Georges who have “seen it all”
Hogwarts Castle, a replica of the world famous school itself
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is scheduled to open Spring 2010.
This new “Island” on Islands of Adventure at Universal Escape Orlando will surely be the most popular of all and hotels near Universal Escape Orlando are already filling up for the grand opening (and remember: once availability runs low, prices go up), so take advantage of our still low prices while they last.
A regular admission to Islands of Adventure (Universal 1 day base ticket) is all that is needed to visit the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter.