BOOKS

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

An overhead umbrella in Diagon Alley periodically rains down upon unsuspecting visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Interactive wizard wands ($50+) allow guests to cause the "rain" to begin. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
An overhead umbrella in Diagon Alley periodically rains down upon unsuspecting visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Interactive wizard wands ($50+) allow guests to cause the "rain" to begin. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The entrance to Diagon Alley, a remarkably authentic recreation of Harry Potter's London, where you'll find many of the wizarding world's most famous establishments, such as the Leaky Caudron, Gringotts Bank and Ollivanders wand shop. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
The entrance to Diagon Alley, a remarkably authentic recreation of Harry Potter's London, where you'll find many of the wizarding world's most famous establishments, such as the Leaky Caudron, Gringotts Bank and Ollivanders wand shop. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Suitcases and an owl await transport on the Hogswart Express train, which runs between Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Island of Adventure, the two parks that contain Harry Potter's Wizarding World. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Suitcases and an owl await transport on the Hogswart Express train, which runs between Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Island of Adventure, the two parks that contain Harry Potter's Wizarding World. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A dragon topping Gringotts' Bank at Diagon Alley sends out a powerful blast of fire every 10 minutes or so that can be felt by theme park guests. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
A dragon topping Gringotts' Bank at Diagon Alley sends out a powerful blast of fire every 10 minutes or so that can be felt by theme park guests. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A display of sweets at a shop in Diagon Alley. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
A display of sweets at a shop in Diagon Alley. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Hogwarts Castle contains "The Forbidden Journey," a motion-based ride that takes guests through scenes and environments from the Harry Potter books and films. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Hogwarts Castle contains "The Forbidden Journey," a motion-based ride that takes guests through scenes and environments from the Harry Potter books and films. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Keaton Williams, son of Herald-Tribune columnist Carrie Seidman,shakes hands with the conductor of the Hogswart Express, the train runs between the two Universal Studios theme parks that make up "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Keaton Williams, son of Herald-Tribune columnist Carrie Seidman,shakes hands with the conductor of the Hogswart Express, the train runs between the two Universal Studios theme parks that make up "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A six-ounce box of the infamous "Every Flavour Beans" from the initial Harry Potter book sells for $11.95 in Diagon Alley. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
A six-ounce box of the infamous "Every Flavour Beans" from the initial Harry Potter book sells for $11.95 in Diagon Alley. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Columnist Carrie Seidman and her son, Keaton Williams, post on the the motorcycle and sidecar that provided transport for the character Hagrid in the Harry Potter books and films. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Columnist Carrie Seidman and her son, Keaton Williams, post on the the motorcycle and sidecar that provided transport for the character Hagrid in the Harry Potter books and films. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A shop window display of Muggle (human) "curiosities" includes items like a hair dryer and clock radio. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
A shop window display of Muggle (human) "curiosities" includes items like a hair dryer and clock radio. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Stacks of wizarding wands for sale at Ollivanders wand shop. Prices start at $34.95 and go up to $50+ for an "interactive" model that can connect with various features within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Stacks of wizarding wands for sale at Ollivanders wand shop. Prices start at $34.95 and go up to $50+ for an "interactive" model that can connect with various features within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
No visit to Harry Potter-land would be complete without the purchase of a (non-alcoholic) Butter Bear ($6.95). [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
No visit to Harry Potter-land would be complete without the purchase of a (non-alcoholic) Butter Bear ($6.95). [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A triple decker bus outside Hogsmeade train station is not available for rides, but for photo ops. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
A triple decker bus outside Hogsmeade train station is not available for rides, but for photo ops. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
An assortment of wands at Ollivanders wand shop in Diagon Allery. Prices start at $34.95. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
An assortment of wands at Ollivanders wand shop in Diagon Allery. Prices start at $34.95. [Photo provided by Keaton Williams]
Sarasota Herald-Tribune