As if I needed more reasons to visit Universal Studios Islands of Adventure! On my last trip down there, the islands hadn’t opened yet and I was disappointed that all I got was a sneak peek. But I haven’t been down in about a decade, so it might be time to start planning my 2010 trip.
Universal Studios and Warner Brothers made a joint announcement this evening from Leavesden Studios on the set of Dumbledore’s Office to reveal that a Harry Potter theme park is currently in development.
In a rather cute way to end the announcement, the Universal representative asks Stuart Craig, “Now where’s Dumbledore?” Stuart paused for a moment, looked around the office, and replied, “He was just here.”
I think this is an incredible idea. Nothing could be more exciting than walking through the locations you have seen in your head, which eventually get re-evaluated when the movie comes out, only to have them confirmed by your empty pockets.
You can visit the resort website here and see the announcement video here.
I am actually excited about this, and frankly its not like Rowling needs more money, but this is seriously cool. I think the books and subsequently the movies have moved Harry Potter into legendary icon status. Like it or not.
To make a resort dedicated to this theme is going to draw fans in droves, myself included. And with two more movies planned to be out around the same time, the Potter Franchise may be “over” (George Lucas said 3 movies was enough – who knows?) the mythos of these characters and places will be forever rooted in the pop culture of this day.
My mom had Elvis, hula hoops and a pet rock. I had Star Wars and Pac-Mania. My kids get Harry Potter.
Now if they made a Star Wars resort….. geekgasm.
