Harry Potter Theme Park to Open  5/31/07

A theme park dedicated to Harry Potter has been given the go-ahead in Orlando, Florida.

Warner Brothers and Universal Studios will create a 787-acre park dedicated to the fictional boy wizard, with a life-size Hogwarts castle, the village of Hogsmeade and a fully-functional Hogwarts Express among the key fixtures at the new attraction.

Construction on the park is expected to begin next month (Jun07) - and author J.K. Rowling has signed up to endorse the real-life incarnation of the fictional world she created.

She says, "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."

Scott Trowbridge of Universal insists the experience will be "an entire world (of Potter). A place where magic happens," and will delight fans.

Stuart Craig, who was responsible for the set production on several of the Harry Potter films and who will work on the park's design, ensures the attraction will stay true to the books' world.

He explains, "Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films.

"Visitors will feel what it's like to be in the midst of that world, in the midst of those adventures."