The regular make-overs have kept folks flocking to the park. Universal, Orlando has developed more in another thrill-providing surge. [More]
J.K. Rowling’s magical world of Harry Potter, started in 1990 while she was on a four-hour-delayed train from Manchester to London. According to Rowling’s the idea for the legendary story came fully formed in her mind, “I really don’t know where the idea came from. It started with Harry, then all these characters and situations came flooding into my head.” A marvelous story that started on a commute in Great Britain has traveled across the globe from Japan to California. From print to the movie screens, and now real life, the story of Harry Potter continues to captivate the world. Rowling completed the Harry Potter series, which consists of seven books, in 2007. However the popular series gained film attention in late 1990’s. With over a decade of Harry Potter phenomenon in books and movies, the pandemonium continues with the Warner Brothers Studio Tour “The Making of Harry Potter” and the much anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With one taking place in a studio outside of London, and another recreating the magic in the heart of Florida, these exhibits are just the beginning of keeping the magic alive. Harry Potter fans thought they saw the end on July 15th, 2011 when the final Harry Potter movie was released. Although it was the end of Harry’s story in both print and on screen, what they did not know was that the best was yet to come. It was on May 31st, 2007 that Universal Parks and Resorts’ of Islands of Adventure theme park officially announced the creation of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Even though the announcement came in 2007, after large speculation and a two-and-a-half year construction period, the park was official open to the public on June 18th, 2010. With much anticipation and excitement, the park has lived up to Harry Potter fans expectations. With rides like the Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbinnen Journey, to shops like Honeydukes Sweetshop and Ollivanders Wand Shop, this magical attraction brings the story of Harry Potter to life. Just across the pond is another magical Harry Potter exhibit, The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Brothers Studios, Leavesden. The studio tour, which opened to the public on March 31, 2012, is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month. The tour which includes the real sets of the Great Hall, Gryffindor common room, Dumbledor’s office, the Ministry of Magic and much more is breathtaking to Harry Potter book and film fans. The tour, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, is giving back to its fans by revealing a whole chamber of secrets. Unlike the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this tour may come to an end sooner than we think, so hop on your Nimbus 2000 and explore the Making of Harry Potter. Whether it’s the shops in Hogsmeade or the set of Privet Drive, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Making of Harry Potter are bringing the world of Harry Potter to life. Some may argue that it’s seeing how the movies are made that keeps the magic alive. And other will argue that experiencing the wizarding world is what keeps the magic alive. Finding out what attraction is most magical, is up to you to find out. P.S. If London and Orlando are far destinations from your staircase bedroom, not to worry, rumor has it new Harry Potter attractions will be arriving soon in California and Japan. But shhh, we do not want “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” to find out.