World of Harry Potter opens in Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a mini-park inside Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, opens later this week, on June 18.

Almost 13 years after the first of a seven book series began chronicling the boy wizard's adventures, imagination has finally become reality at Universal Orlando Park. Once through the grand stone archway and the steam-belching Hogwarts Express, the fictitious city of Hogsmeade unfolds amid snowcapped, dingy rooftops and storefronts with shops straight from the books and movies.

The shopping opportunities are very extensive, one can buy anything from broomsticks to magic wands and Gryffindor scarves. At the Owl Post, guests can stamp mail with a genuine Hogsmeade postmark, or try chocolate frogs from Honeydukes Confectionary. Towering over it all is a perfect reproduction of the imposing, many-spired castle of Hogwarts, where Harry and his friends went to school.

There are only three rides at the park. Two roller coasters, and the biggest ride, Forbidden Journey. It combines the sensation of flight with tactile experiences like drops of water and smoke as it takes guests through encounters in Potter's chaotic life, from the Quidditch field to the mouths of giant spiders and dragons.

There's no additional admission for Wizarding World once you pay to enter the Islands of Adventure.

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