Millions of people around the world hoped for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Adults and children alike fell for J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series about an orphaned boy who discovers he’s really a wizard.
With more than 300 million books sold and $5 billion in box office revenue through six films, the Harry Potter franchise took the next step with Friday’s grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
At Universal Orlando Resort’s Islands of Adventure, the park within a park immerses visitors into Harry Potter’s world of Hogwarts and the neighboring village of Hogsmeade.
There is butterbeer in frozen and liquid form sold at both the Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head as well as chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans at Honeydukes.
Through an interactive experience, guests can have a wand choose them at Ollivander’s shop. An owlery allows fans of the series to send postcards from Hogsmeade to envious friends and relatives. Zonko’s provides the jokester with inflatable tongues and screaming yo-yos.
But the main attraction is the revolutionary ride in Hogwarts castle.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey blends 3D technology with a robotic arm, spitting spiders, soul-sucking dementors and the characters themselves.
The line, something usually tedious at amusement parks, weaves through some of the most popular scenes of the books and movies- Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room, the Herbology greenhouses and the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Two other rides, which already existed as part of the Lost Continent but changed themes to fit the Wizarding World, include Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.
Flight of the Hippogriff, previously Flight of the Unicorn, involves a third-year lesson in flying the magical creature. Complete with Hagrid’s hut and Buckbeack, this kiddie rollercoaster offers a family ride.
Dragon Challenge, formerly known as Dueling Dragons, remains the same except for its queue. Riders have the chance to choose a Chinese Fireball (fire) or Hungarian Horntail (ice) to race in the Triwizard Tournament. Complete with inversions and near collisions, it’s the best thrill ride.
What makes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter work, however, is the atmosphere itself.
Taking a cue from nearby Walt Disney World, “actors” pretend to be Hogwarts students and Hogwarts Express conductors.
Pumpkin juice and shepherd’s pie are sold, but not Zephyrhills water or churros.
The illusion is breathtaking, but the lines can be tedious with narrow walkways and stores true to the canon.
If there’s a day to spend in Orlando over the next year or so, spend it at Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s a rare case of a fandom getting to see its favorite world come to life and experience it.