Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter Preps for Summer Reveal (PICTURES)
by Shannon Keirnan"Harry Potter" fans... Are you ready?
After years of work and anticipation, Universal Studios in Florida is finally prepped to open its doors to its newest, literary-based theme park: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley.
Guests can visit The Leaky Cauldron pub, shop to their heart's content among infamous Diagon Alley, and take a roaring journey through Gringotts on a new roller-coaster ride charting the goblin-employing bank. Fans will recognize new names and places provided by author J.K. Rowling but not present in the series - Horizont Alley and Carkitt will sit beside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, for example.
So what can fans expect when they visit?
First, like the book, Diagon Alley will be concealed. Visitors can meander around "London" before they head into the hidden magical world. Universal is keeping mum on how visitors will make the transition from London waterfront to bustling magical marketplace... will it stay true to the book and involve a particular wall of bricks?
Gringotts is said to be the centerpiece of the park, where visitors can admire the gorgeous marble work before hopping on an exciting thrill-ride through the vaults... complete with a fire-breathing dragon.
At The Leaky Cauldron, settle in for some English pub fare... and Butterbeer, of course, and don't forgot to bring your spending money for shops like Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occassions, The Magical Menagerie, Quality Quidditch Supplies, and wand shop Ollivanders.
For a little extra money, park-hoppers can also visit Hogsmead on the Island of Adventure, via a train through a special-effects British countryside.