1 Oct – Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, U.S.A. together with Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new theme park based on the hugely popular boy wizard, is set to open in spring 2010. The expectations of Harry Potter fans are high and Universal Orlando Resort is collaborating closely with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team to ensure that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an experience of a lifetime. The park recreates the fabled Hogwarts school for wizards, that Potter and his friends attend, as well as the surrounding village of Hogsmeade. Guests will be able to sip Butterbeer in Three Broomsticks, buy Extendable Ears at Zonko's, send letters at The Owl Post, buy Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans at Honeydukes, interact with the wands in Olivander's wand shop and even purchase Quidditch equipments at Dervish and Banges.
It will also feature theme rides such as the "Flight of the Hippogriff," a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle and "Dragon Challenge," a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament. Located in Hogwarts castle, "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" is a thrilling attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced. Get a first look of the theme park HERE. "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows," the first of a two-part film adaptation of the seventh book in the series, is scheduled to be released in 2010, followed by the final movie in 2011. Meanwhile, Universal is also planning a theme park for Dubai in 2012.