A Harry Potter theme park offering fans a chance to delve into the crannies of Hogwarts school and explore the village of Hogsmeade is to be built, it was confirmed today.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is expected to open in Florida in 2009 as a new attraction in Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure theme park.
"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," said JK Rowling, the Harry Potter creator, who has been involved in the project's development.
The park is a joint venture between Universal Orlando resort and Warner Bros Entertainment - producers of the films about the young wizard.
Barry Meyer, chairman of Warner Bros Entertainment, said the firm had received thousands of pleas from Harry Potter devotees wanting to visit Hogwarts.
"We are confident that we'll be able to provide Harry Potter fans with an incredible experience that upholds the richness of JK Rowling's books and delivers on the authentic detail portrayed in our films."
Academy award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked on all the Harry Potter films, will help design the park.
"Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films," he said.
The Harry Potter phenomenon has seen more than 325m books sold worldwide and translated into 65 languages. The four films have grossed more than $3.5bn (£1.7bn). Fans are eagerly awaiting the seventh and final instalment in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which will hit shops on July 21.