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Universal Studios Orlando – Harry Potter Theme Park [Pictures]
Travel / USA

Universal Studios Orlando – Harry Potter Theme Park [Pictures]

By Veron Ang

Is this the set of a Harry Potter movie?

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Portrait Gallery

Potter fans would immediately recognise this as the portrait gallery that features several times in the movies. As a huge Harry Potter fan myself, I just have to talk about the new Harry Potter theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort. How exciting! Muggles rejoice!

Set designers from the Potter movies were brought in to design The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so most of it would look authentic. For example, the portraits lining the walls of Hogwarts castle actually move and talk to guests, just like in the movies!

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Hogsmeade Village

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Hogsmeade Village

Muggles are very much welcome at the aforementioned Hogwarts castle! Expect long queues though.

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Hogwarts castle

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Hogwarts castle

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Flying Ford Anglia

Is this the Flying Ford Anglia, where Ron and Harry made their escape from Aragog the giant spider?

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park
Credit

Here’s the story:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry’s life. As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice, you travel by Floo powder, and begin the adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Dumbledore's office

Dumbledore’s office is an exact replica of the one from the movies.

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Room of Requirement

In the Room of Requirement, hundreds of candles appear to float near the ceiling. Notice the use of cleverly placed mirrors. It looks unreal!

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Hagrid's Hut

Hagrid’s Hut. Would Buckbeak make an appearance?

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park - Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express locomotive spews a plume of steam and smoke.

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park
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Apart from these locations, you will visit the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor common room, the Ollivander’s Wand Shop of Diagon Alley where “you don’t choose the wand, the wand chooses you”. The Sorting Hat also makes an appearance! Utterly unreal!

This Harry Potter theme park is in Universal Studios Orlando. Who else wants to fly there? Now, if only we have an actual magical broomstick.

Universal Studios Orlando: Harry Potter theme park
Credit

Have Your Say!

What TV / movie sets would you just LOVE to visit?

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Amongst all the hit movies and television series, Harry Potter is top on our list of sets we would love to visit! What about you?

What movie set would you most want to see in the world? Is it the Jurassic Park, Wisteria Lane or The Kingdom of Far Far Away? Share with us in the comments!

Veron Ang
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About the Editor
Veron Ang

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

  1. AlvinTwitter
    4 comments
     

    Yes! You must definitely visit the Universal Studios in Orlando! It’s a very nice place with exciting night life, not to mention the good food!

    Reply
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 9:38 am

    • VeronTwitter
      3439 comments
       

      Yes, Florida sounds fun! It’s been years since I last visited the US. I think just Universal Studios alone would be worth the trip.

      Reply
      Posted April 1, 2010 at 10:01 am

      • AlvinTwitter
        4 comments
         

        But it’s going to cost a bomb! Haha. Give me a shout should you ever decide to visit the states again!

        Reply
        Posted April 1, 2010 at 10:43 am

  2. chup
    15 comments
     

    fly? just teleport =]

    Reply
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 9:52 am

    • VeronTwitter
      3439 comments
       

      Broomstick or carpet looks more fun ;)

      Reply
      Posted April 1, 2010 at 10:02 am

    • Daphne MaiaTwitter
      9 comments
       

      I think you mean… APPARATE. :P

      Reply
      Posted April 1, 2010 at 4:47 pm

  3. chun siong
    5 comments
     

    looks damn nice!!
    i still remember riding the incredible hulk roller coaster in universal studios orlando when i was doing work and travel @ seaworld orlando in ’07.
    After leaving the platform the whole train climbs up slope. then you would expect a usual roller coaster to slowly clank up to the top of the slope and drop down but this one will just suddenly shoot you off!!

    Reply
    Posted April 2, 2010 at 2:18 am

    • VeronTwitter
      3439 comments
       

      Just visualising that alone gives me a little adrenaline rush! I love thrill rides but the ones I’ve taken always make a slow upward climb, never speedy. Whoa, that must have been super thrilling!

      Reply
      Posted April 2, 2010 at 1:09 pm

      • chun siong
        5 comments
         

        yep universal studios is quite fun. so is disney world and busch gardens in tampa bay http://www.buschgardens.com/Bgt/Explore/Rides.aspx?id=597 its quite thrilling when the ride tilts u face down and holds you there for a few secs and u can feel your whole weight pressing down on the chest harness.
        during the summer peak period they usually have fireworks every night and bcos i was working at the kraken roller coaster at seaworld, sometimes near the closing time when there wasn’t much people left, i could get on the ride just in time while they were shooting off the fireworks. watching fireworks in a roller coaster 200ft in the sky is quite something lol

        Reply
        Posted April 2, 2010 at 5:57 pm

  4. SparkletteTwitter
    195 tweets
     

    Added: Picture of Hagrid’s Hut to our feature on the new Harry Potter theme Park in Orlando http://sparklette.net/travel/usa/univers...

    Reply
    Tweeted April 3, 2010 at 6:58 am

  5. Jens P. BergetTwitter
    1 comment
     

    Wow. This looks amazing.

    I’d love to take my kids there. I live in Norway, it will be rather expensive. On the other hand, my kids are too young to even know who Harry Potter is. So we won’t be visiting this summer :)

    Reply
    Posted April 3, 2010 at 2:52 pm

  6. Crystal
    20 comments
     

    Can this be true? I can actually go to Hogwarts Castle???

    For fans all over the world, this is a dream come true! Kudos to Universal Studios for making this happen.

    Reply
    Posted April 3, 2010 at 4:15 pm

  7. Shawn
    10 comments
     

    Amazing pix!
    That’s great, a new Harry Potter Theme Park at the Universal Orlando Resort.
    I just love the Harry Potter movies.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    Posted April 14, 2010 at 6:37 pm

  8. SparkletteTwitter
    195 tweets
     

    Added more pictures on the Harry Potter theme park in Universal Orlando http://sparklette.net/travel/usa/univers...

    Reply
    Tweeted April 28, 2010 at 6:07 am

    • Mike_Anderson1Twitter
      1 tweet
       

      RT @Sparklette: Added more pictures on the Harry Potter theme park in Universal Orlando http://sparklette.net/travel/usa/univers...

      Reply
      Tweeted April 28, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    • SLResortOrlandoTwitter
      2 tweets
       

      @sparklette the photos look great!!

      Reply
      Tweeted April 29, 2010 at 6:32 pm

      • SparkletteTwitter
        195 tweets
         

        @SLResortOrlando The Harry Potter theme park? I wish I could be in Orlando when it opens this June!

        Reply
        Tweeted April 29, 2010 at 6:41 pm

        • SLResortOrlandoTwitter
          2 tweets
           

          @Sparklette correct! Our packages are good for anytime you want to travel though! If you book before tommrow there’s add’l $50 OFF!

          Reply
          Tweeted April 29, 2010 at 6:43 pm

  9. anggaTwitter
    1 comment
     

    wwwoooowww i wanna go to harry potter theme park in june

    Reply
    Posted May 17, 2010 at 9:03 pm

  10. Dario GutierrezTwitter
    1 comment
     

    Excellent news, I am a fan of harry potter, the hogwarts castle it looks incredible. Great post.

    Reply
    Posted June 1, 2010 at 4:15 am

  11. Sol Altamirano (@sholshitow)
    1 comment
     

    quiero ir!!!.Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal Studios Orlando [Pictures] http://t.co/iYjiJqqI vía @Sparklette

    Reply
    Posted January 8, 2012 at 2:26 am
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