The Harry Potter Compendium
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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter promotional image

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

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area that replaced the Merlin Woods portion of the Lost Continent region of Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, part of the Universal Orlando Resort. The 20-acre area includes attractions, restaurants, and shops themed around a recreation of Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village.

The Wizarding World includes attractions pertaining to adventures in the film and book series, and shops where "wizard lore" is sold including a replication of Ollivander's wand shop. Since its opening on June 18th, 2010, the area has proved very popular with guests, increasing park attendance by over 50%. It was announced that a Harry Potter themed land would be built and opened by 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood.[1]

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The official map for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Gambon, Radcliffe and the Phelps twins lead the first group into the park

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A bottle of Pumpkin Juice sold in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Hogwarts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Hogsmeade in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Storefronts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Background[]

  • On May 30th, 2007, the plans for the Harry Potter-themed area were announced during a joint press conference with Warner Bros. and Universal.[2]
  • On September 15th, 2009, during a press conference featuring Tom Felton, Universal revealed the official names of the three main park rides.[3]
  • On March 25th, 2010, the grand opening date was announced.
  • On May 20th, 2010, Matthew Lewis, Emma Watson, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, and Robbie Coltrane had a tour of the area.
  • On May 28th, 2010, Universal began letting park guests preview the area.
  • On June 16th, 2010, a celebration was held with the Orlando Philharmonic performing music from the Harry Potter series led by composer John Williams. The Frog Choir sang Double Trouble conducted by Warwick Davis. Actors Bonnie Wright, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps arrived on the Knight Bus. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint arrived in the Flying Ford Anglia.
  • On June 18th, 2010, Daniel Radcliffe and the cast in attendance officially welcomed the first group of guests into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
  • In December 2011 it was briefly stated that the Wizarding World in Florida would be expanded.[4] This expansion is rumoured to be Diagon Alley-themed and include a ride based off the carts at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Rumours have also stated that Harry Potter cast members such as Rupert Grint and Helena Bonham Carter have been filming new material for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, presumably connected with this planned expansion.[5]
  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been estimated to cost at least $265 million.
  • Over 600 items have been created to be sold in the Wizarding World based on products from the Harry Potter series. [6]
  • Foods and drinks that appeared in the books and films (like Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice) are also available.
  • The House Points hourglasses are also featured at the entrance in the Hogwarts castle in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They show that Gryffindor is in the lead, Slytherin second, Hufflepuff third, and Ravenclaw last in achieving house points. Ironically, Ravenclaw students are famous because of their wisdom, creativity, and intelligence, some of the factors that apply to achieve house points.

Attractions[]

Restaurants[]

Shops[]

  • Dervish and Banges - Sells Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.
    File:Ollivanders Wand Shop.jpg

    Promotial Sketch Image Of The Inside Of Ollivanders' Wand Shop

  • Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods - Sells Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches.
  • Honeydukes - A recreation of the Hogsmeade sweetshop selling notable treats such as Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
  • The Owl Post - Send letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark.
  • Zonko's Joke Shop - A joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes.
  • Ollivander's Wand Shop - Sells wands originated from the Harry Potter film and also sells different designs of wands. The original wands sold are those that belong to the film characters, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, Sirius Black, Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, and Neville Longbottom.

Other items of interest[]

Store-fronts[]

Window displays throughout Hogsmeade featuring stores and items from the Harry Potter Series.

External links[]

Notes and references[]


The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Concept photo of The Hogwarts Castle (Exterior)
Attractions:

Dragon ChallengeFlight of the HippogriffHarry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyHogsmeade StationOllivander's Wand Shop

Shops:

Dervish and BangesFilch's Emporium of Confiscated GoodsHoneydukesOwl PostZonko's Joke Shop

Restaurants:

Hog's HeadThree Broomsticks Inn

J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series
Sorcerer's Stone novel film game film soundtrack game soundtrack
Chamber of Secrets novel film game film soundtrack game soundtrack
Prisoner of Azkaban novel film game film soundtrack game soundtrack
Goblet of Fire novel film game film soundtrack game soundtrack
Order of the Phoenix novel film game film soundtrack game soundtrack
Half-Blood Prince novel film game film soundtrack game soundtrack
Deathly Hallows novel film 1 game 1 film soundtrack 1 game soundtrack 1
film 2 game 2 film soundtrack 2 game soundtrack 2
Other written works Other games
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Harry Potter: Trading Card Game
Quidditch Through the Ages LEGO Creator: Harry Potter/Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The Tales of Beedle the Bard Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Harry Potter Prequel Harry Potter: Find Scabbers
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book Harry Potter DVD Game: Hogwarts Challenge/Wizarding World
Harry Potter Film Wizardry Harry Potter: Spells
Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4/Years 5-7
LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World Motorbike Escape
LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World Harry Potter: The Quest
Encyclopaedia of Potterworld (potentially cancelled) Harry Potter for Kinect
Other canon Other films/documentaries/soundtracks
J.K.Rowling Official Site Harry Potter and Me
Pottermore The Queen's Handbag
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life
Harry Potter: The Exhibition Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (video game soundtrack)
The Making of Harry Potter Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story
Wonderbook: Book of Spells Harry Potter: Beyond the Page
Wonderbook: Book of Potions The Tale of the Three Brothers
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
IndividualsPlacesTranslations
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