The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hogwarts Castle, which houses Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Islands of Adventure
Status	Operating
Opening date	June 18, 2010
Universal Studios Florida
Status	Operating
Opening date	July 8, 2014
Universal Studios Japan
Status	Operating
Opening date	July 15, 2014
Universal Studios Hollywood
Status	Operating
Opening date	April 7, 2016
General Statistics
Theme	Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a chain of themed areas at Universal Parks & Resorts based on the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the Warner Brothers' film series and original novels by J. K. Rowling. The areas were designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment, a Time Warner company.

A Harry Potter-themed attraction at either a Disney or Universal park was rumored in 2003. However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros., who denied all rumors. Both Disney and Universal entered bidding negotiations with Warner Bros. and Rowling for the theme park rights to Harry Potter. Ultimately, Disney pulled out of negotiations, citing that Rowling's creative influence and the terms established by Warner Bros. was too stringent. In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Islands of Adventure park's Lost Continent area was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises". Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involve Harry Potter. On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure.

At the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, Islands Of Adventure and Universal Studios have Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed environments. Both parks include Hogwarts Express stations allowing passengers to take the train reach both theme parks aboard the full-scale replica of the train that appears in the film series.