Wizarding World of Harry Potter Opens at Universal Orlando's Islands

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is opening its doors to the general public today, after years of planning, design and construction.

Photo: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Opens at Universal Orlando's Islands

The $200 million section of Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park opens at 9 a.m., First Coast News reports.

The creators have paid close attention to detail, supervised by Rowling herself, whose approval was sought on every aspect. While breakfasting in the Three Broomsticks restaurant, we are told that even the plastic plates, meant to mimic the pewter ones that Rowling's characters eat off, have passed her scrutiny. One thing they may have failed to run by her, however, was the "full English breakfast" – complete with croissant.

Rowling also had a hand in approving the recipe for butterbeer – the favourite beverage of Harry and Co whenever they visit the village. In a rented kitchen in Scotland, taste tests were conducted to find the best flavour and texture for the non-alcoholic drink. The result? A very sweet brew tasting like a cross between butterscotch and cream soda, with a frothy top, like liquid marshmallow: pleasant in small quantities, but possibly not the kind of thing to give a small child before heading off to the roller-coasters, Scotsman says.