theme park

Theme park

After the success of the films and books, Universal and Warner Brothers announced they would create "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" theme park at Universal Orlando in Florida. A soft opening was held at the end of March 2010, with the park opening again on 16 June 2010 for reserved guests. The park was officially opened to the public on 18 June 2010.

The entrance is through a recreated version of the Hogsmeade station, leading into the village of Hogsmeade, with Hogwarts castle at the very end of the park. Rides include a twin high-speed rollercoaster named the Dragon Challenge and a family roller coaster called Flight of the Hippogriff. The park's main attraction is The Forbidden Journey, a dark ride that takes passengers through many realistic scenes influenced by the movies and books, including travelling by Floo Network, soaring over Hogwarts, narrowly escaping a dragon attack, having a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, and getting pulled into a Quidditch match. Every shop and restaurant is themed – Honeydukes sell sweets, such as chocolate frogs and 'Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans', Ollivanders offer magic wands, Zonko's joke shop sell various items including Sneakoscopes and the Three Broomsticks serves food and drink, most notably Butterbeer.