Pictures: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction

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Going to universal next weak

Going to universal next weak wow everyone i have not put that much updates here any more but going to universal next weak look for cityorlando.info shirts walking the park on july 6 2010

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Premiere

Harry Potter Forbidden Journey POV

SeaWorld killer whale dies while giving birth

A killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando died Sunday from complications that arose while she was giving birth, officials said.

The park said Taima, a 20-year-old orca born at SeaWorld Orlando in 1990, died late in the afternoon, approximately 20 hours after going into labor Saturday evening.

The calf was stillborn.

“Everyone is very saddened by the loss … Everyone is reeling,” said Dr. Chris Dold, vice president of veterinary services for Orlando-based SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Taima “was a member of the family.”

More here.

Harry Potter and the VIP access

Colin and Vicky Hanley were first through the doors with kids Luke, eight, and Caitlan, six, yesterday. And the family, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, thought it was a magical marvel.

Colin said last night: "It is fabulous - the kids were blown away when we walked into Hogsmeade and they saw the Hogwarts Express at the station.

"It's far better than we expected it to be. My son Luke is a huge Potter fan and he's just been in heaven!

"The new ride in the castle is probably the best theme park ride we have ever done.

"You feel like you are flying through the air with the dragons and the pre-ride walk through the castle is great. Seeing Harry and his pals appear and talk to you was incredible.

"We went into the wand shop Ollivanders three times to make sure that Luke was chosen by the Wand Master - it was worth the wait!"

Exclusive access is a huge coup for Virgin Holidays, who are celebrating their 25th birthday this year.

Their customers get in earlier and enjoy a breakfast at the Three Broomsticks as well as picking up a free gift.

And to celebrate their 25th birthday they have come up with an amazing offer for Sun readers who book an Orlando holiday.

Chuffed ... Hanley family and
the Hogwarts Express

Call to book between now and June 13 and you'll get a FREE Universal Orlando 2-Park Bonus Ticket for every person (adult and child) booking a new seven-night minimum stay Virgin Holiday to Florida that departs before October 31 next year.

With the 2-Park Bonus Ticket, you get unlimited access to Universal Islands of Adventure - including the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter - and Universal Studios theme parks for 14 days.

That could save an incredible £350 for a family of four.

We've full details on the offer on the right. But however you get to Orlando, I can guarantee you're in for a treat.

Universal have always done fabulous movie rides and brilliant recreations - The Simpsons ride and rock coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit are two of my Orlando all-time favourites. And when I had a sneak preview of the Wizarding World last month I was amazed by the detail that has gone into creating Potter.

The excitement starts as you walk through the ornate gates and spy the Hogwarts Express billowing plumes of steam at Hogsmeade station. Snow sparkles on roofs from Ollivander's Wand Shop and the Owl Post Office to the Three Broomsticks Inn and Hog's Head pub.

And there, looming in the distance, is the iconic Hogwarts Castle - towering on its grey, rocky crag above a forest of pine. Author JK Rowling has been involved in creating this celebration of all things Potter, coming up with new stories and characters for its three rides, approving every morsel of food and piece of merchandise for sale.

The jewel in the crown is Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey - a ride snaking through the awesome Castle and featuring stars of the books and films brought to life with stunning holographics, robotics and live action.

Standing in a queue has never been such fun - winding its way through the creepy corners and corridors of the school before bumping into Professor Dumbledore in his office.

On to the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom and here Harry, Hermione and Ron appear to rescue you from a dull lesson - promising a wild ride as you escape the dragon, take part in a game of Quidditch and have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow.

A strong stomach is all you'll need for the second ride in the park - Dragon Challenge. Originally the hugely popular Duelling Dragons ride, it has been re-themed and now sees the mythical creatures battling in the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

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Dragon Challenge is a thrill attraction for the over-tens with its 60mph close-shave ride as two cars come within inches of each other. The final ride in the park, Flight Of The Hippogriff, will delight younger fans. Hagrid's welcome as you queue is a great introduction to Harry's story for little ones.

But the park is much more than its three rides. The streets of Hogsmeade village are lined with stores fans will be familiar with. Pop into Ollivanders and you could be chosen by the wand.

The shop is small and will be hugely popular but only 30-odd people can cram in at once and they will all want to see the wand choosing someone and hear the wandmaster's patter - it could lead to long queues outside.

At the Owl Post, send off your own letters marked with a Hogsmeade stamp. Or check out the authentic tricks and magic at Zonko's joke shop - there are plenty you'll remember from the film and some more besides.

The entire park is a tribute to the incredible attention to detail and faithful recreation of the world of Potter.

Muggles will definitely not be disappointed!

Universal Orlando allows first group of regular day guests inside Wizarding World of Harry Potter soft opening

Today Universal Orlando began allowing a limited number of regular day guests into the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of the Islands of Adventure theme park. On-site Universal hotel guests were allowed in first, beginning at 8 a.m., as they have been since Friday, May 28. But at around 9 a.m., it was decided to begin to allow a certain number of other guests into the Wizarding World.

For the past few days, the scheduled hours for each morning’s previews have been 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., though once inside, guests are gently urged out of the area by noon. But today was the first time that park guests who are not staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel have been allowed in during a window of roughly 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. I was told by a Universal team member that a limited number of guests were being let in and that number is based on how many hotel guests were let in during the early entry period from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

There are is guarantee that these “soft openings” will continue in the coming days. Whether more day guests will be allowed into the Wizarding World seems to, at least for now, hinge upon the number of on-site hotel guests that take advantage of the early morning previews. So while it is possible that arriving at Islands of Adventure first thing in the morning could gain you access to Hogsmeade Village, it is also just as possible that guests will continue to patiently wait outside the Wizarding World’s gates