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?

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!