Taking a break from all the Half-Blood Prince news, Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter website debuted their new online galleries today. They also added a new poster featuring Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in front of Hogwarts castle.

Check it out here!

As construction continues for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, we have new photos of the progress. The pictures were taken from different areas of Islands of Adventure, as well as an "off-site construction area about five miles north of Universal Orlando where work on snow-covered spires and rooftops is underway." Enjoy!

Thanks to Brian for letting us know!

A theme park enthusiast has recently posted new photos from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, where construction is currently taking place.

These new photos give us our greatest look at the park's detail thus far, as we get to see several different walls and areas for Hogwarts that appear complete.

See them all on Vinylnation. Thanks to Emily for the tip!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park's official site has been updated with a new poll. It asks, "Which one of these would scare you the most?"

The choices are The Whomping Willow, a Hungarian Horntail, an Acromantula, a Dementor, and a Basilisk.

To vote, just click here and then click on the current poll link. Thanks to Emily for the tip!

New photos have emerged showing the construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Florida. The photos show the entrance arch, Hogwarts castle, Hogsmeade and some other interesting shots.

Thanks to Brian, the site's owner, for the tip!

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Universal Studios has hired SnowMasters, a company specializing in "fake snow-making machines and offers everything from blowing snow to ground blankets to faux icicles," for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

Early concept art depicted Hogsmeade covered in snow. Will we see other cool winter-esque effects around the village?

The official website for the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park has been updated with a new poll question: What type of wand would you prefer to own?

You can answer by clicking here, then clicking on Poll at the top. As always, you can keep track of the latest info related to the park at this link.

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip!

A couple of new photos from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park construction site have appeared online. Both are from what appears to be the main entrance to the Potter park:

- Wide shot of area
- Area closer to the entrance

As you can see from the thumbnail on the left of this news post, the construction photos depict a bare-bones version of the entrance seen in the concept art.

Thanks to MuggleNet reader Jhonny and HarryMedia.com for the tip!

A blogger recently checked out the construction going on at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios in Orlando and noticed some progress:

With Spring Break crowds approaching soon, construction continues rapidly at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter site at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure. Here's the latest from Hagrid's Hut, which has completed its exterior work and will now sit there while the rest of the Hogwarts building is shaped and sealed for the massive ride installation. Rumor has it that the Hut will only be for show and storage purposes, and not an actual building for guests to tour. A shame.

You can see photos from his trip right here, including a first look at Hagrid's Hut. Thanks to Taylor for the tip!

Yesterland.com, a very popular theme park site, has a new article looking at the progress on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park, and what other parks in Florida (mainly Disney World) may do to compete.

They also look at the giant cement building that is going up at Wizarding World, and speculate what it could be used for:

It’s hard to get a sense of scale from the photos. Actually, it’s hard to get a real sense of scale in person. It’s probably bigger than looks, even in person. What the big box already shows is that Universal wasn’t kidding about the size and scope of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

The park is currently scheduled to open up sometime in 2010. For all we've got on the park, click here!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's official website has been updated with a new piece of concept art depicting a store in Hogsmeade called Dervish and Banges. From their newsletter, which announced the new art:

Dervish and Banges supplies the Wizarding community with school supplies, Quidditch gear, and magical, wizarding equipment. Here you can purchase authentic and unique items from the world of Harry Potter.

They've also added a new poll: Which would you like to ride, a Chinese Fireball or a Hungarian Horntail? You can always keep track of the latest news from the theme park right here in our info section.

Construction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Universal Studios today caused a gas leak that left part of the Lost Continent area closed for a short time. As the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Construction on the forthcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride caused a gas leak at about 2 p.m.

As a precaution, Universal evacuated guests from part of the Lost Continent portion of its Islands of Adventure theme park and called the fire department, according to Tom Schroder, a spokesman for Universal Studios.

The leak was capped by 2:15 p.m. and the park since resumed normal operations, Schroder said.

Thanks to Nicole for the tip.

A new blog post on the Orlando Sentinel's blog reveals that Hagrid's Hut is indeed under construction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park:

Building permits pulled by Universal for the much-anticipated, highly secretive Potter project show that the resort is indeed constructing Hagrid's Hut. The setting, according to the permits, is being built for Universal by the Nassal Co. of Orlando, which specializes in themed construction projects.

While the permits offer few details, it appears Hagrid's Hut will be mostly for display purposes. The documents suggest the interior of the building will be used for prop storage.

You can read all the information we have on the theme park right here. Thanks to Terrance and Maria for the tip!

The official website of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park has updated with a new poll question: "Which would be your favorite place to shop in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?"

The options are Honeydukes, Ollivanders, or Zonko's Joke Shop. Unfortunately, you can't choose more than one (I'd pick all three!). Thanks to Lyana for the tip!

Universal Studios has just sent us two pictures from their Orlando theme park, where actor Tom Felton visited with his girlfriend today:

- Tom and his girlfriend ride the Dueling Dragons
- Tom standing in front of a sign teasing the upcoming Potter theme park

Warner Brothers and Universal Studios will be opening The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Orlando in 2010. In related news, MuggleNet reader Janice just passed along these photos of construction in the park last week: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park's official website has been updated with a new poll question: Which is your favorite broomstick?

The options are the Nimbus Two Thousand, the Nimbus Two Thous and One, or the Firebolt.

The theme park is scheduled to open in 2010. Thanks to Chris for the tip!

Some great new photos have emerged online that show parts of Hogsmeade for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter park currently under construction at Universal Orlando resort. The building shown in the pictures below is a "sporting goods" shop called "Spintwitches," according to IOACentral.com.

Photos - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

IOACentral has a new report up from Universal Studios in Florida, where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park is currently being constructed.

New outside the upcoming park's perimeter is a proclamation decree similar to those seen in Order of the Phoenix. The sign states that magic is "at work" and they appreciate everyone's patience.

You can see all of the pictures at IOA Central. Thanks to Snitch Seeker for the tip!

Many visitors have emailed in to tell us that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter's official website has sent out their first newsletter update! In it, they promoted a new poll and concept art.

The concept art for The Three Broomsticks shows children and adults relaxing in an open area holding wands and Marauders Maps. A wanted poster for Sirius Black is towards the right side of the art. The newsletter describing it as a place "where you may enjoy authentic food and drink from the World of Harry Potter."

The new poll is asking fans what kind of drink you would want to order at The Three Broomsticks. You can pick from either Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice.

IOACentral has some new photos online from Universal Studios, where cryptic signs are appearing on construction walls surrounding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

The photos are different from normal promo signs in that they depict no Harry Potter logo. Instead, each sign has two owls, a castle (Hogwarts), and a village (Hogsmeade). Additional photos show that the Enchanted Oak, rumored to be turned into something Potter-related, is already being torn down.

We'll keep you updated! Thanks to Drew for the tip.