Harry Potter theme park to open in 2009

Harry Potter fans, rejoice! You now have a reason to keep on living even after you’ve finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this July. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a “theme park within a theme park,” is in development with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort, and is set to open in 2009. The park will be part of Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will bring the books to life, featuring Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest, among other landmarks. According to Universal Orlando’s press release, visitors will experience “immersive rides and interactive attractions,” and the park promises to bring the “magic, characters, and stories of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never before experienced.”

Though it has the potential to be cheesy, J.K. Rowling herself says, “The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed.”

I, for one, can’t wait for the new Harry Potter movie and book. And though I’m not an Orlando type of gal, I expect to apparate there myself in a few years to reconnect with Harry and the gang.