Following Daniel Radcliffe's confession to shedding a few tears as he completed his final scenes on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2, members of the cast moved on to Orlando for the celebrity commemorative launch of the Harry Potter theme park, which opens to the public tomorrow, 18 June 2010.
Harry Potter creator, J.K. Rowling, whose stamp of approval had to be given to the park's design, also attended. Emma Watson, actress who plays Hermione Granger, currently a student at Brown University, was absent, but the other Hogwarts students and their on-screen headmaster, Michael Gambon, reportedly changed their schedules to be there.
Harry Potter Pictures Featured in the Rides
The well known geography of the Harry Potter world, Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade village (snow covered of course!), the Quiddich pitch and Dumbledore's office all feature. The talking pictures are set to entertain as visitors queue for the three new rides, but which of the films are favoured in those rides?
It seems that Harry Potter 4 and 5, Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix gain most favour although the Hippogriff family roller coaster ride reaches back to number 3, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Dragon Challenge is a high speed coaster ride on the theme of the Triwizard Tournament, but the high-tech ride is said to be Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Here visitors will journey through several of the most iconic scenes from the movies, passing through Dumbledore's office to get there and then travelling through the wonderful Room of Requirement, the Forbidden Forest and a Quidditch game.
Florida's Tourism Future Riding on Harry Potter as Oil Spill Hits
Part of the Islands of Adventure complex at Universal Orlando Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the biggest new Florida theme park in over a decade. As the recession hit, Islands of Adventure made an estimated loss of 13.8% last year, reports Lorna Blount in 'Florida Hopes Harry Potter Boosts Tourism' (Sky News UK online 17 June 2010), and now Florida's economy is threatened by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. After an investment estimated at well over $200 million, a Harry Potter boost to the local economy is hoped for this summer.
Florida's AirTran Airline unveiled its customised Harry Potter Boeing 717 plane today and looks set to do good business as the attraction takes off, in spite of the midsummer heat and humidity.
Confirmed launch dates for the last two Harry Potter pictures are Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, due out on 19 November 2010, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 due to open on 15 July 2011.
Valerie Williamson - Dr. Val Williamson is a freelance journalist and academic specialising in historical and popular culture topics.
