Coming soon: Harry Potter theme park

London, Sep 16 (ANI): Harry Potter fans can soon experience the thrills of the adventures of the hugely popular boy wizard, for a new theme park based on the hit franchise is set to open next year.

The theme park, called ‘The Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter’, is set to open in spring 2010 at Universal Studios, the Orlando resort has announced.he park is being developed in coordination with J.K. Rowling, the author of the immensely successful books, which have been adapted into films.

Recreating the fabled Hogwarts school that Potter and his friends attend, as well as the nearby village of Hogsmeade, the theme park promises a “completely immersive environment” for visitors.

“All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort,” the Telegraph quoted Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, as saying.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth,” he added.

In fact, visitors at a replica of the Three Broomsticks, one of Hogsmeade’s popular pubs, will be treated to traditional British fare and have the chance to sip on Butterbeer – Potter’s tipple of choice.

The park will also feature theme rides, including the ‘Flight of the Hippogriff’, which will simulate a training flight on the magical, quick-to-offend creature.

Those who lobed the fast-paced wizard sport Quidditch, will also have a chance to participate in a simulated Triwizard Tournament, as well as examine Quidditch equipment and even the elusive Golden Snitch at several Hogsmeade shops.

“Harry Potter continues to spark the imaginations of fans of all ages and we really have seen the anticipation continue to build for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” said Brad Globe, president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. (ANI)

New flick may make ‘Harry Potter’ one of the most successful franchises

London, July 8 (ANI): The latest instalment in the Harry Potter film could help make the franchise as one of the most successful franchises of all time, owing to the huge merchandising that comes with it.

The first five Harry Potter movies have been a massive source of revenue and profit for Warner Bros.

The franchise has earned a whopping 4.5 billion dollars, an average of 897 million dollars, at the box office alone, making it the most successful film franchise of all time, behind James Bond

And it is believed that the release of the new film, ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’, could push the Bond franchise back into second place.

In addition, it has earned 2.7 billion dollars from DVD sales, which makes for 211 million units, reports the Telegraph.

Video games have sold 1 billion dollars, more than 40 million units, while Warner Bros also makes hundreds of millions of dollars from merchandise and other sales such as downloads on iTunes.

After the DVD released of the ‘Half-Blood Prince’ later this year, a Lego video game based on Harry, Ron and Hermione’s first four years at Hogwarts, is due in 2010.

A theme park ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ is due to open in Orlando, Florida in spring 2010.

There is also the inevitable toy and clothing ranges which produce products such as interactive wands, Harry Potter-style glasses, Gryffindor scarves and a raft of action figures.

Mattel are set to release a new version of their popular ‘Scene It?’ interactive boardgames.

Harry Potter lovers can also expect top trumps, sticker albums and costumes. (ANI)