Are you planning to visit the Harry Potter Orlando theme park? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a new theme park at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Universal Orlando officially opened the Harry Potter theme park on Friday,June 18, 2010.http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/06/gallery-harry-potter-opening/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher "Muggles" who purchased a special Harry Potter travel package were actually allowed early access to the park beginning on May 28, 2010.http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-wizarding-world-opening-and-dark-ride-20100324,0,205532.story http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/01/1910266/magical-experience-awaits-fans.html Promotion for the park began months in advance: In February 2010, Universal launched the official Wizarding World of Harry Potter website. The site features a "Flying Tour" overview of the theme park, information about rides and shopping and details on how to get tickets to visit the park.http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

A massive national advertising campaign for the Harry Potter theme park launched with the airing of a commercial during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010. The Harry Potter Super Bowl commercial, which features two children flying on brooms past Hogwarts Castle and other Harry Potter-related sets, aired during the first half of the game.http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2010/1/29/official-word-on-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-theme-park-advertisement-high-res-screen-grab

Since the first announcement of plans for Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2007, Universal had been tight-lipped about details. In September of 2009, Universal Orlando officials revealed more about plans for the 20-acre theme park. It features recreations of some of the Harry Potter hangouts, including Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade Station, the Gryffindor common room, the Three Broomsticks and the Dervish and Banges store.http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/orl-bk-harry-potter-universal-091509,0,637238.story http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/business/media/16harry.html The park features three different theme rides, including the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride which takes visitors into Hogwarts Castle and eventually has them playing Quidditch, battling dragons and narrowly escaping the clutches of the Whomping Willow.http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Sidebar/2010/3/25/about_harry_potter_and_the_forbidden_journey.html

Months before the gates to Wizarding World opened in June 2010, reports surfaced with some details about the park, including photos. In mid-January 2010, the Orlando Sentinel published photos of the ongoing construction at Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Photos showed the construction of Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry and various other coming attractions. The park is located between Universal's Jurassic Park and Lost Continent attractions.http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2010/01/islands-of-adventure-fresh-pictures-of-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-construction.html