Potter fans the wait is over. Thanks to an official webcast by the Universal Studios Orlando execs we now know the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will officially open in the spring of 2010. Universal recently held a webcast that featured the art directors and designers of the newest part of Islands of Adventure revealing exclusive information and never before seen images regarding the Harry Potter island. This is definitely going to bring Universal head to head with Walt Disney World as both Disney and Harry Potter have millions of fans across the globe. But the important thing to remember is that this incredible park will be an experience everyone will be able to enjoy—even those that haven’t read the books.

If you’ve seen the movies, be prepared to be blown away by the incredible attention to detail. Actor Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the movies, was on hand for the webcast and couldn’t contain his excitement regarding the project. The actor was truly impressed and surprised at how closely the parts of the new island he had seen resembled the movie set he grew up on. OrlandoFunTickets.com has the scoop on what to expect when the new attraction opens next year.

You will enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter through Hogsmeade Train Station, right where Harry starts off his journey in the movies. A number of shops will surround you including Zonko’s where you can buy jokes and gags as well as Honeydukes were you can buy chocolate frogs and other sweets. You will then continue on to one of the coolest and most unique parts of the Wizarding World: the Owlery. Tons of beautiful owls will be nesting overhead in this relaxing pavilion that lets you take a break from the sometimes chaotic theme park surroundings. Next to the Owlery will lie the Owl Post. You can send letters to fellow Potter fans marked with the Hogsmeade emblem just like they do in the movie.

Of course, you can’t have magic spells without the wands, so you will be able to check out Olivanders, where a magic wand will choose you like Harry’s chose him in the film. Dervish and Banges will sell Quidditch equipment and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods will contain Ministry of Magic merchandise. As for the rides, this island will have three.

The main ride is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which will be contained in the centerpiece of the island: Hogwart’s Castle. This dark ride will be similar to Spiderman in build but unlike any other ride you’ve been on. Dueling Dragons has been re-themed as Dragon Challenge and the Flying Unicorn is now Flight of the Hippogriff. The Three Broomsticks, a restaurant serving British fare, will also be part of this fantastic addition to Islands of Adventure. Are you ready, Potter fans?

Movies have the Oscars and music has the Grammys, but for theme parks, their equivalent is the Golden Ticket award from Amusement Today. Well the 2009 Golden Ticket Awards were just handed out and Orlando theme parks made their mark on the amusement world once more as they took home six awards in some of the biggest categories the Golden Ticket Awards have.

SeaWorld Orlando won the award for Best Marine Life Park. With great rollercoasters like Kraken and Manta, thrill enthusiasts are never disappointed. SeaWorld also has beautiful marine life exhibits that make your regular city aquarium pale in comparison. From the baby dolphin tank to the polar bears and Shamu, there is something for everyone at this fun yet educational park.

Universal Orlando Resort took home a Golden Ticket with the award for Best Halloween Event with Halloween Horror Nights. This year’s “Ripped from the Silver Screen” theme is sure to be a hit with movie fanatics as they see their favorite icons like Chucky, Jigsaw, Frankenstein, Dracula and Wolfman come to life at this great park. Universal Orlando also received a Golden Ticket for Best Indoor Roller Coaster with Revenge of the Mummy.

Over at Universal Islands of Adventure, the superheroes of Marvel Superhero Island were graced with a Golden Ticket for Best Dark Ride with the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman. Join your friendly neighborhood webslinger as he takes on villains like Electro and the Green Goblin in a simulator ride every comic book fan (and non fan) will love. Islands of Adventure’s Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls took home the Golden Ticket for Best Water Ride.

Of course no theme park experience is complete without a wonderful fireworks show and Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot took home the Golden Ticket for Best Outdoor Night Show Production with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. This wonderful show highlights the multicultural feeling of Epcot’s World Showcase Pavillion and the message of unity and cultural harmony the spirit of Walt Disney World encourages in all of their parks.

Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards are further proof that Orlando theme parks are the place to go on your holiday. The best of the best in the amusement park world can be found right here in Orlando, Florida.

Since the plans for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure were announced in May of 2007, fans have been wracking their brains trying to figure out exactly what a Harry Potter attraction would be like and what it could possibly include. Two years later Universal execs are finally releasing details to the public on what The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would entail and what it would mean for certain sections of the park.

Names for shops, restaurants and possible rides were discovered thanks to the clever investigative skills of a Potter fanatic searching through public trademark records. The 20 acre theme park will be an island of its own at Islands of Adventure and it will incorporate part of the “Lost Continent” section of the theme park. A few of the rides presently at Islands of Adventure, like Dueling Dragons and the Flying Unicorn, are rumored to be “re-themed” and incorporated into the Harry Potter world. Although no official statement on this theory has been released, pictures of construction and ride closures are pretty much proving them to be true. But for those of you wanting to know the real deal on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, OrlandoFunTickets.com has the inside scoop!

Ride wise, there are three registered names. “Flight of the Hippogriff” will probably be the children’s ride aspect of the Harry Potter island taking over the Flying Unicorn’s spot. “Dragon Challenge” will be the re-themed Dueling Dragons coaster, which has been closed for “renovation” for some time now. The park’s “dark ride” will be known as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and will probably be located in what is to be the beautiful centerpiece of the new island: Hogwart’s Castle.

There will also be a theme area made to look like Hogsmeade Village and a number of shops and restaurants. Harry Potter fans can expect to dine and drink at Three Broomsticks, Magic Neep and Butterbeer, which will all have Potter-themed food and drink. Universal plans to have an assortment of retail stores that will cash in on the Potter craze. Those stores will be called: Zonko’s, Owl Post, Ollivanders, Honeydukes and Dervish and Bangles. No official word yet on what will be sold, but you can count on official movie merchandise and wizardry objects of your own.

As more details are released OrlandoFunTickets.com will be bringing you the news on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The island is expected to open in 2010—except a huge opening party for that one!

This summer, music lovers will not have to wait hours in line to nab tickets to that must-see concert - why would you when there is great music around the corner at Universal Orlando, and you only need a regular park admission to hear it? For the first time ever, Universal Orlando will be hosting a Summer Concert Series this season with performances by four of the biggest names in pop, hip-hop, and R&B. This won't be like concerts at other parks where the featured bands were big stars when your mom and dad were growing up - you've actually heard of these hitmakers, and they'll be rocking the brand new Music Plaza under the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

Beginning Saturday, June 13, and running through every Saturday night afterwards until July 4, the Summer Concert Series will feature four chart-topping, multi-platinum, Grammy Award nominated and winning performers. The music and fun starts on June 13 with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, whose self-titles album has sold more than a million copies. Sparks will be followed by hip-hop icon LL Cool J on June 20; the rapper has sold more than 15 million records and 20 singles on the Billboard charts.

Then on June 27, British songstress Natasha Bedingfield, who's sold more than 10 million albums, will perform, followed by Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famers The O'Jays, who'll close out the concert series on July 4.

The Summer Concert Series will be a great way to wrap up a fun day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. And what's more, it's sure to be a fantastic concert experience what with the new addition of the Music Plaza, a state-of-the-art concert venue designed in the spirit of the legendary Hollywood Bowl. No matter where you sit or stand in the Plaza's 15,000-square-foot viewing lawn, you're sure to get a great view of the action on stage thanks to its two massive, 20-feet-tall projection screens, which sit beside a 2,400-square-foot performance stage.

"Our Music Plaza has quickly become Orlando's perfect place to enjoy great music outdoors," said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. "Our Summer Concert Series will continue that tradition - and be an amazing experience for everyone from dedicated music fans to families wanting a great wat to end their day in the parks."

No extra ticket or expense is necessary to enjoy the great tunes of the Summer Concert Series; all you need is regular admission to the park. However, you can still save on that regular admission when you check out the discount Universal Studios tickets from OrlandoFunTIckets.com, making the Summer Concert Series an even bigger deal. So don't miss the sounds of summer - make your plans now to attend this great Universal event.

When we go to a theme park, we want to have fun; that is a blatantly obvious fact. However, we generally also want to document that fun as much as possible. That’s getting easier to do these days with cell phones that have built in cameras and handy digital cameras that fit right in your pocket. However, all that technology doesn’t always guarantee a great shot. That’s where photo opportunities come in. Universal Studios Orlando is particularly famous for having some of the most photogenic areas of any other theme park in Orlando. And let’s face it – you haven’t really been to the park unless you’ve taken a goofy picture with a friend at one of the following spots.

One of the most entertaining photo opportunities is definitely the 24-foot-long shark hanging at the entrance to the JAWS attraction, located in the San Francisco/Amity area. Complete with an open mouth and several rows of sharp teeth, this giant fish would never be mistaken for a real one in a photograph. However, taking a shot with your head inside it is still a must.

And over at Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, the next most popular photography spot is at E.T.’s Toy Closet at the E.T. Adventure. There, you can be photographed riding your very own bicycle…that just so happens to have an alien in the basket. Another great photo backdrop recreates the scene in which E.T. hides in the closet with toys. A pro is available to take your picture here, although it’s not required that you use him or her.

Another one of the most photogenic areas at Universal Orlando is the entrance to Islands of Adventure, Port of Entry. Filled with unique shops, weird wares, and an overall exotic theme, Port of Entry is one of the most detailed areas in the park. While you’re at the Islands, also be sure to stop by the Jurassic Park area; there, you can pose next to one of the actual vehicles from blockbuster movie – just watch out for the T-Rex hovering above your head.

In addition to some of the older, more tried-and-true backdrops at Universal, some of the newer attractions are gaining popularity among the picture-taking crowd. Outside Shrek 4-D, a photo with the talking donkey (he really talks) is always fun. And near the Simpsons Ride, be sure to pose outside the Kwik-E-Mart or from the inside of Krusty’s mouth.

If you’re photography impaired, however, and can’t think of a good place for a souvenir photograph, look for signs denoting Kodak Photography Spots throughout the park. These backdrops are specially designed to create an interesting momento of your day at Universal. And if you forgot your camera at home, don’t fret; a professional photographer is conveniently waiting to take your picture at quite a few locations at the park.

Finally, one of the most basic and fun of photo ops is with the characters – at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Spiderman, Shrek and Fiona, Cyclops of the X-Men, the Cat in the Hat, and the entire Simpsons family are just a few of the folks who will kindly pose with you.

If you don’t have rolls and rolls of memorable pictures at Universal Studios sitting at home, there’s just one thing to do – get down to the park and start shooting! Scoping out fun backdrops is a great way to enjoy the parks, and you’ll always remember the fun you had taking the pictures. And by saving money with Universal Studios tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com, you’ll be able to afford more film – or maybe a new digital camera.