Harry Potter theme park..I'm goin'!

artist's portrayal of Hogsmeade








I hate theme parks..I hate the crowdedness and the hours long wait etc.. BUT..who can pass up on the Harry Potter theme park?? Years after the books were released AND having had them in the house as my husband had bought them for me but I was not in the mood to read them..I finally started reading them two years ago. Of course, I could read one after the other as we had all five of them (or was it six?).
Anyhoo.. I loved them and liked them a whole lot better than the movies (naturally)and my kids and I are definite candidates for the wizarding world (ahem..)

So imagine my happy surprise when I saw this this morning:

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort plan to open The Wizarding World of Harry Potter within Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park in 2009, Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, announced Thursday on TODAY. The “theme park within a theme park” is the first fully immersive Harry Potter-themed environment based on the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster feature films.
"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," Rowling said in a press release. Williams said Rowling has been collaborating on the park from the beginning and will continue to do so through the opening.

'Authentic world'
Visitors can stroll about Hogsmeade, discover the mysteries of the Forbidden Forest and explore Hogwarts castle.
"(Visitors will) be able to sense the sights, the sound, the touch and the feel, the smells and really immerse themselves in this authentic world," Williams said.

Stuart Craig, the Academy-Award winning production designer who has worked on the Harry Potter movies, is leading the creative design on the park to ensure it remains true to the look and feel of the films.

Now close your eyes and imagine yourself..a wizard.. or in my case, a WITCH! hmmmmmm, move over Hermione!