The Orlando Sentinel has published a nice construction photo update from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, and things are going up FAST! I visited the construction site just under two months ago, and I can't believe this is the same area.

The Orlando Sentinel writes: The skyline of Islands of Adventure continues to morph as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter goes up. It's fun that you can see Hogwarts from Interstate 4 now, especially in the eastbound lanes. We took the usual counterclockwise spin through Islands on Sunday and construction sounds were evident in a couple of places, including behind the tarps obscuring the Dueling Dragons castle.

See all the photos - including nice views of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and the Dueling Dragons ride - at this link!

For all the info we've got on the Wizarding World (there's a lot of it), click here.

On episode 181 of our podcast MuggleCast, we introduced our "Wizarding World of RollerCoaster Tycoon" contest, where listeners could construct a Harry Potter-themed amusement park using the popular video game RollerCoaster Tycoon by Chris Sawyer. Listeners were permitted to use the additional two expansion packs and the contest ran approximately one month, ending on Thursday, October 29th. We have now posted our top five theme parks and a runner-up. Also, each theme park is available for download as a save-game file (but you will need the video game and/or expansion packs to play). Thank you to everyone who entered! Visit the theme park contest page right here!

What do you think about these parks and this contest? Leave your comments below!

Universal Studios will be holding auditions for the Wizarding World theme park Nov. 14 and 15.

Male Actors able to portray age range of mid-thirties to mid-forties and speak with a British dialect.Strong improv and interaction skills required. Male and Female Actors Youthful in appearance, able to speak with a British dialect. Please prepare a one minute monologue for audition using a British dialect.

Check out the schedule here.

Good luck to all who try out!

In a follow-up to the story posted below (link), many are still wondering what the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride at Universal Studios will be. The ride's name was revealed in mid-September, but no other details have been given.

However, a new article from the Orlando Sentinel reveals that Universal may be using very advanced robotic arms to move visitors through the ride:

The Harry Potter attraction, which will be housed in a 15-story replica of Hogwarts Castle, will be a much larger, more lavish experience [compared to a new Disney ride using similar robotic arms].

Universal's ride is also expected to be a type of "robocoaster," in which the robot arms advance along a track even as they swivel riders in various directions. The bases of the robot arms in [Disney's new ride] are fixed in place.

Do you have any theories?

A local Orlando news channel, Central Florida News 13, decided to fly their helicopter over the construction site of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park recently to get a good view.

The video, available here (click the "News 13 Exclusive: Flying Over Hogwarts" link), provides a great 360-degree view of the construction site.

For the first time we get a good look at the building that will house the "Forbidden Journey" ride that Universal promises will not be like anything seen before.

Definitely check it out for a great view of the construction. The park will be opening this Spring. For more on the park, visit our info page!

It may be hard to get a good view of how construction on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is progressing by only viewing photos.

So, why not check out a video of construction? Orlando Attractions Magazine has posted this new video of construction around the Wizarding World. It provides a great view of how things are progressing!

Thanks to Shelby for the tip!

This Is Briandom has another photo report up from a recent visit to Universal Studios Orlando and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter construction site.

The photos depict some nice progress on the exterior buildings of the Wizarding World, including Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.

Check them all out right here! The park is scheduled to open in Spring 2010.

The vertical construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park is finally getting VERY exciting!

The tallest tower of Hogwarts and exterior walls have been put into place, and WOW do they look cool! See the pictures right here on OrlandoUnited.com.

Construction is expected to continue through early next year. Universal announced several weeks ago that the park will open this Spring.

You can read everything we've got on the Wizarding World right here! Thanks to Emily for the tip.

Universal Studios has released the full video from their Wizarding World webcast which MuggleNet took part in yesterday.

To view it, click here and then click "View" on the first video. Watch as Universal execs, along with actor Tom Felton, reveal some really cool info about the park!

UPDATE: Andrew, Eric and myself discuss all the Wizarding World developments on Episode 180 of MuggleCast. We recommend subscribing to the show through iTunes. If you're already subscribed, just simply update your feed. Other options include listening to the show in your browser live on MuggleCast.com or simply download it onto your computer: Direct Download | Low Bandwidth

At a press conference earlier this morning, Universal Studios confirmed that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will officially open in the Spring 2010. No specific date was given.

Names of the three main park rides are Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. Flight of the Hippogriff will include interaction with Hagrid as you fly on a Hippogriff for training. Dragon Challenge will center on flying either a Hungarian Horntail or Chinese Fireball. Univeral's existing ride, Dueling Dragons, will be re-themed into Dragon Challenge.

Other attractions include Ollivander's Shop, Owl Post, Dervish and Banges, Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes, Zonko's and Filch Emporium.

A ton of artwork was revealed of virtually every part of the park, including a map.

VIDEO:
- Introduction video with Dan, Rupert, and Emma | YouTube Version
- Virtual map fly through | YouTube Version

HIGH RES ARTWORK:
- Beautiful map of entire area
- Zonkos
- Owlery
- Ollivanders
- Honeydukes
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- The Dragon Challenge
- Filch's Emporium
- The Exterior of Hogwarts

Press release announcing today's news - click here. The press release includes descriptions of each ride.

The presentation included a video introduction from Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson who all expressed their excitement about the park. Tom Felton was live at the event speaking with the creators.

Scenes for the theme park were filmed right after they finished filming Half-Blood Prince.

Don't forget that Infinitus 2010 will be taking place in Orlando, Florida, from July 15-18, 2010. Click here for more information.

UPDATE (9/15): The press event begins today at 10:30 AM EST. We're not sure if we'll be able to report as the event happens but we certainly will as soon as it ends!

As mentioned previously, MuggleNet staff member Andrew is at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, covering a special press event for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. He will continuously update all the action from down in Orlando via the MuggleNet Twitter. You can check out all of the updates on our site in the Twitter box located to the right of this post.

Andrew has already posted several great videos (1,2) of construction from inside the park itself. Check back often as there will be plenty more coverage to follow!

The County Times recently reported that The Limehouse Lamp Company is producing lights for a new Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Managing director Elliott Maurice said the lamps are similar to those seen at Hogwarts. Universal wanted authenticity, as the look and feel of these rides is crucial to the Potter experience.

Thanks to Leaky for the tip!

Thanks to BrianOrndorf.com for letting us know about several new photos he took at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park construction site. The photos show lots of new construction taking place both on site and off for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.

At the bottom of his post Brian included this video of a strange noise coming from the site of the theme park construction. It could be for either the Potter park or another area of Universal Studios.

On Saturday, we first told you that Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton would be in Orlando for a Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park press event on Tuesday, September 15th. The actor has now confirmed this news on his official Twitter account and talks about what he plans on doing:

just confirmed i'm going to see the wizarding world of harry potter at universal on tuesday! i'll let u know how its coming along... gonna go on other rides to..cant go to the simpsons ride tho...have to admit it made me feel slightly worse for wear after i went on it!

MuggleNet will be at this press event and will provide full coverage.

Yesterday we told you about a press event to be hosted at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park in Orlando on September 15th, and we've now learned that at least one actor from the Potter films will be present.

Tom Felton is currently in Atlanta at DragonCon 2009, and he revealed to a friend of MuggleNet's that he'll be in Orlando for the Wizarding World event. MuggleNet will be in Orlando as well to cover the new info Universal reveals.

Readers may recall that Tom was at Universal Studios Orlando back in January with his girlfriend. The same day, Universal released these publicity photos of the actor enjoying the park.

The Park will also play home to HPEF's Infinitus 2010 from July 15th - 18th, which just opened registration a few days ago. To learn more about Infinitus, click here!

Warner Brothers and Universal Studios have long been quiet about the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida since they announced it two years ago.

Now though, it looks like some big details are about to emerge. As The Orlando Sentinel reports, Universal has been sending out invitations to various members of the press for an event in Orlando on September 15th.

MuggleNet is one of those members invited and we will be providing full coverage of the event! In the mean time, check out all we got on the Theme Park right here.

The Orlando Sentinel has some interesting information regarding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

One is for a Finnish company, FogScreen Inc., to provide fog special effects....(Think the Davy Jones effect near the beginning of Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean ride.)

The second is an updated notice for work from Orlando-based theme-park-design company Austin 2 Paris Inc. The notice says the work is for "automata" -- the plural of automaton, which is a type of robot.

A video has surfaced providing glimpses of the huge castle under construction and some of the towers.

Also, more photos of snowy Hogsmeade have been found, and can be found here, courtesy of Brianorndorf.com. Thanks to Leaky for the tip.

Heart Radio interviewed the trio last month as they made their press rounds promoting Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Of particular interest was Dan's revelation that "there is a Quidditch element to one of the rides." He also talks about Nagini's role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

In the interview, Emma admits she would choose Ron over Harry, and Rupert talks more about his ice cream van and Swine flu.

The interviews include much more, so take a listen here! Many thanks to Snitch Seeker!

Central Florida News 13 recently aired a look at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The video includes a run-down of the project, aerial footage of the construction site and a look at the "robocoaster" prototype that is the rumored basis for the design of one of the major attractions.

Check it out in two parts: here and here.

Thanks to Alex for the tip!