Today, several Orlando theme park fansites posted new construction photos from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

Most notable are these very cool shots from a helicopter taken just the other day. They show the entire construction area in views we've never before seen. We also get our first glimpse of Hogsmeade store fronts.

You can see other construction photo updates here, here and here.

Thanks to Pat for the tip!

EDIT: Rupert Grint's agency has contacted Rupert-Grint.us again to let them know that the actor is NOT confirmed to attend the theme park opening. There was a misunderstanding. We apologize for the misinformation, but we'll keep you updated!

Though it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise (Universal will undoubtedly want to make a big PR splash by having most of the main Potter cast attend), Rupert-Grint.us has confirmed with Rupert's reps that he will attend the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

We've learned previously that the Phelps twins, Bonnie Wright, and Tom Felton are all set to attend the park's opening as well.

We'll take an educated guess now and assume that Dan Radcliffe and Emma Watson will also attend.

The other day we showed you Universal Orlando's new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park commercial.

The commercial is now available in a nice high definition format. View it right here on YouTube!

You'll be able to watch this commercial during the first half of the Super Bowl (this Sunday). For all we've got on the theme park, click here.

With the opening date of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter drawing nearer, NBC's The Today Show here in the United States, is offering one "exceptional" class a chance to win a trip to the theme park's grand opening.

By answering the question "Why is my class extraordinary?," you could be part of a group on a three-day, two-night trip to the opening celebration festivities of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida.

You can watch video from The Today Show right here and can read the details of the competition on the show's official site. The contest begins today and ends on March 19, 2010, at 5:00 PM ET.

Thanks to Tami and Cam!

In preparation for millions of people learning about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park on Super Bowl Sunday, Universal Orlando has launched a new website for the park. A press release sent out this morning by Universal talks about new features:

- A first-person perspective, photo-realistic video of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle
- The Wizarding World News, which will provide guests with information about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Visuals and details about the various shops, attractions and the eating establishment in the land
- Owl Post e-cards for friends and family
- And, over the next couple of months, the microsite will also continue to be updated with ground-breaking interactive elements.

UPDATE: Universal has let us know that the commercial will appear on Access Hollywood tonight! Check your local listings for air times.

The other day we told you that a brand new commercial for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park would debut during this weekend's upcoming Super Bowl.

The ad has made its way online early and is viewable at this link. It includes a small cameo by Dan Radcliffe, who asks two visitors of the park to "follow him" through the world.

What do you think of the ad? Is it good publicity for the park? Be sure to watch it during Super Bowl 44 - this Sunday during the first half of the game! Thanks to Gillian and Peter for the tip.

Speaking with MTV's Hollywood Crush Blog, Universal's VP of creative development Thierry Coup (who we interviewed yesterday) has revealed more cool details about the park.

On the butterbeer front, we've learned more concerning JK Rowling's tasting of the drink:

Thierry: "It was really fun to be a part of the whole tasting different [attempts at butterbeer] to try until J.K. Rowling really felt, okay, this is it, this is what I always thought butterbeer should taste like," Coup shared with us in a phone interview. "It was a very exciting moment to see her smile and actually taste it. It's a delicious thing, first of all. It's everything you expected it to be."

We've also learned that there is plenty of work going on to make the Forbidden Journey queue as entertaining as possible:

When we asked him how young children would feel about some of the rides, he said even if they don't want to ride Forbidden Journey, the walk through Hogwarts castle would be worth it because they would be able to "visit all the iconic rooms" described in the "Harry Potter" books and movies.

Since Universal has been working with the films' production designer, Stuart Craig, and art director, Alan Gilmore, the rooms are supposed to be very accurate representations of the interior of Hogwarts — so much so that most of the props used in the rooms are the actual props from the films and are on lease from Warner Bros. Later releases from Universal will tell which rooms are going to be included in the castle — and whether actual actors will be recreating the scenes promised for the Forbidden Journey ride.

Last night we told you Universal Orlando had created a commercial about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park for next weekend's Super Bowl.

We now have a press release from Universal with a couple more details.

Set to air during the first half of the Super Bowl, the ad features all-new footage and pulls viewers directly into the new area – from the bustling village of Hogsmeade, to the immensity of Hogwarts castle. The commercial also features Harry Potter and two children who get a glimpse at the excitement guests can expect to experience when they visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The commercial also begins a new brand campaign, “Be Courageous. Be Outrageous. Be Extraordinary.” showing viewers that Universal Orlando Resort is the only theme park destination in the world where you can soar above Hogwarts castle with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D.

A Wizarding World of Harry Potter commercial is set to air during the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, according to the New York Times' Media Decode.

Its slogan? “Be courageous. Be outrageous. Be extraordinary.”

Be sure to catch it during the first half of the game on CBS!

Earlier today, Vice President of Creative, Universal Parks and Resorts, Thierry Coup, spoke with members of the Harry Potter online community about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, specifically its authenticity. He talked about how Universal had the help of Potter movie set designer Stuart Craig and author J.K. Rowling while designing different parts of the park. One of those areas was Ollivander's wand shop, which Coup discussed in great detail.

The shop is very authentic: a bell rings when you walk in and the walls are roughly 30 feet tall. As this Ollivander's is located in Hogsmeade, it is an annex of the one from Diagon Alley.

There are 13 kinds of wands unique to Ollivander's shop. Mishaps occur if the wand does not fit the wizard (wilting flowers, lightening and thunder inside the shop, etc.) However, should you choose the right wand you will hear enchanted music, lamps will glow, as well as other magical happenings.

You will be asked specific questions by the wandkeeper to determine your wand and the process should take between 2-5 minutes. The experience is free, but you can choose to purchase your wand if you like. You may, of course, select a different wand if you don't like the wand that chooses you. And you can still purchase an Ollivander's wand without going through the experience. There will also be wands available from the Noble Collection.

VIEW: High-res photo of Ollivander's Wand Shop and video interview with Thierry Coup, vice president of creative development for Universal Creative.

As we reminded you early this morning, today's issue of USA Today includes an augmented reality experience that allows you to view the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. Find video instructions here.

On top of that news, Universal Orlando today announced what we can expect to find inside Ollivander's Wand Shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. From the press release:

With the assistance of a live actor, along with amazing special effects, guests of Ollivanders will get to experience the same type of magical moment Harry had in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” when a wand ”chooses them.”

Universal Orlando Resort has worked closely with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team to make this moment as authentic, magical and immersive as possible for guests – a theme carried throughout the entire experience at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

“When guests visit Ollivanders, they will instantly feel like they’re in the shop from the films. It’s an intimate, single-windowed building, with the same signs, colors and other details read about in the books and seen in the films,” said Alan Gilmore, art director of the Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. “But more importantly, visitors to Ollivanders will experience for themselves the magical moment that forever changed Harry’s life.”

In addition to the magic featured in Ollivanders, guests will experience many other magical happenings at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including a Howler featured in the Owl Post shop front window whose ranting can be heard by guests as they pass by; The Monster Book of Monsters in Dervish and Banges that will snarl and growl at anyone who tries to get too close, and the Hog’s Head which can be seen puffing his jowls at visitors who visit the Hogshead pub.

A week ago, we told you about a Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park "augmented reality experience" available in the Thursday, January 28th edition of USA Today.

It'll let you "take a closer look at this 20-acre magnificently themed environment from all sides and angles. Hogwarts castle will appear before your eyes. Hold the map closer to your webcam and explore Hogsmeade and see the Hogwarts Express. Blow on your computer’s microphone and the banners on the map will wave."

Go out and pick up a copy now!

The experience requires a computer webcam and a copy of the paper. After you give it a shot, post a review!

The exterior of Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Univeral Orlando is just about complete.

To mark the news, Universal has released this gorgeous high-res photo of the castle and included this blurb:

The magical transformation continues. Although still very much a work in progress, the magnificence of Hogwarts castle is beginning to take shape above Hogsmeade as work continues on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogwarts will be the home of a thrilling, new, state-of-the-art attraction - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - that uses ground-breaking technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced. Set to open in Spring 2010 only at Universal Orlando Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant.

Orlando Attractions Magazine has released some new video and photos of the construction taking place at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.

Most notably, Hogsmeade is starting to come together as we see shots of an almost completed Three Broomsticks and Owlery.

Thanks to Pat for the tip!

Univeral Studios Orlando and USA Today announced this morning that they have partnered to create a new augmented reality experience that users will be able to enjoy on their own computer. It will allow them to explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park like never before:

With just a computer, webcam and the newspaper, you can make this one-of-a-kind theme park experience appear before your eyes.

Augmented Reality blends real-life environments with computer animation allowing you to explore things in a completely new way. For the first time, guests can explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in a unique way – before experiencing it firsthand.

By rotating the map, you can take a closer look at this 20-acre magnificently themed environment from all sides and angles. Hogwarts castle will appear before your eyes. Hold the map closer to your webcam and explore Hogsmeade and see the Hogwarts Express. Blow on your computer’s microphone and the banners on the map will wave.

This feature will be available on Thursday, January 28th in the USA Today newspaper!

Get ready for a new batch of Wizarding World of Harry Potter pictures! Brianorndorf.com has posted several new photos showing more detailed looks at the park's structures.

Enjoy! Thanks to Brian!

We reported a few months back that Universal Orlando was holding auditions for actors to be part of the theme park. Those auditions have come and gone, but now they are taking applications for various jobs, including attractions, greeters, cashiers and more!

You can apply by going here and clicking on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter link at the top of the page.

Thanks to Crystal for the tip! Who's applying?

Today, we received new photos of the construction from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios Islands of Adventures in Orlando, Florida.

- Hogwarts Express (covered)
- Gryffindor Tower
- Hogwarts construction #1
- Hogwarts construction #2
- Hogsmeade street view
- Massive Hogwarts construction
- Walking up to the castle
- Painting Hogwarts cliff
- Hogsmeade construction

UPDATE: Some more pictures have been sent in and can be viewed below.

- Dueling Dragons
- Hogwarts from entrance
- Forbidden Journey Construction
- Hogwarts exterior: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
- Hogwarts with part of Greenhouse
- Hogwarts Clock

Thanks to Peter M. who took and sent these photos in!

Some brand-new photos of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park have come online over the last few days courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel. You can read the brief update and see the new photos right here.

Additionally, MuggleCaster Laura Thompson was vacationing in the Orlando area a few weeks ago and took some of her own great shots of the recent developments.

Check them out: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

And don't forget that yesterday, we told you about a promotion being run over the course of next week by the UK-based paper, The Daily Telegraph. You can get a DVD preview of the theme park, Wizarding World mouse pad, as well as other great prizes.

The Daily Telegraph will be previewing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in this weekend's editions of the UK paper. On Saturday, January 16, there will be a DVD inside the paper with a world exclusive preview and on Sunday, January 17, there will be a free mouse pad of Harry Potter and Hogwarts castle. From the article:

"Experience a preview of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ with this world exclusive, special edition DVD. Go behind the scenes of the magical new world and find out how the creative teams at Universal Studios and Warner Brothers conceptualised the new attraction. Watch interviews with the stars of the film series and get a sneak peak of the amazing new rides and attractions. You can also view an exclusive magical, 3D tour of the theme park and access brilliant interactive extras for your computer including print outs, downloads and an interactive attraction map that's just like the version from the films."

Additionally, The Daily Telegraph will be giving away all kinds of gifts next week in celebration of the park, including a travel alarm clock, SD card and reader, a luggage tag, lenticular print and glossy A2 poster.

Thanks to HPANA!