Harry Potter Theme Park – Wizarding World Harry Potter – Orlando – Florida

The award-winning, multi-platinum indie rock band Florence + the Machine enjoyed Butterbeer as they explored The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on June 30, 2011. Universal Orlando Resort hosted the internationally renowned band before their nighttime performance at Hard Rock Live Orlando, located at Universal CityWalk.

Today, Universal Orlando Resort celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at its Islands of Adventure theme park.

Universal commemorated the anniversary at 9:23 a.m. – the exact time The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on June 18, 2010 – with a celebration for guests and team members in the streets of Hogsmeade. Guests enjoyed complimentary Butterbeer, cauldron cakes and Chocolate Frogs as part of the moment.

Oliver and James Phelps (L to R) – who portray the mischievous Weasley brothers, George and Fred respectively, in the Harry Potter films – stopped into Zonko’s in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while visiting Universal Orlando Resort on Thursday, June 9, 2011.

Actress and singer Jennette McCurdy – best known for her role as “Sam” in Nickelodeon’s hit series iCarly – was all smiles as she filled her basket with sweets at Honeydukes within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during a visit to Universal Orlando Resort on February 22, 2011.

McCurdy was hosted with her family and friends to enjoy Universal Orlando’s theme parks and the highly-acclaimed new entertainment environment during the group’s vacation to Orlando.

Jon Stewart, comedian, political satirist and Emmy-award winning TV show host, stopped to clown around with family (nephews Gavin, 9, (left) and Colin, 12, (right) and son Nate, 6 (front)) while visiting Zonko’s joke shop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort on Tuesday, February 8, 2011.

Best known as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Stewart and his family were invited to tour the highly-acclaimed new theme park environment while on vacation, stopping to enjoy Butterbeer and do some shopping at Honeydukes sweet shop.

In celebration of selling its millionth Butterbeer inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort shared 1,000 complimentary Butterbeers with guests on the streets of Hogsmeade.

Butterbeer appears as a favorite drink inside the Harry Potter books and films and is only available inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is a nonalcoholic, frothy drink reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch and is served cold or frozen.

Much has been written about Butterbeer since it made its debut on June 18, 2010, making it one of the most talked about beverages of 2010. There has been much speculation about its secret ingredients – but Universal Orlando will not share the closely guarded recipe. Universal has implemented special security procedures to protect the details.

Butterbeer quickly became a guest favorite. To help meet the strong demand, Universal Orlando added a fourth Butterbeer location within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

“You can see the excitement on our guests’ faces as they wait in line – and then the smile that comes with their first sip,” said Ric Florell, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Resort Revenue Operations for Universal Orlando. “Butterbeer is not just a beverage. It’s an experience.”

Tom Felton, who portrays Draco Malfoy in the blockbuster Harry Potter film series, visited with the Beauxbatons at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during his recent visit to Universal Orlando Resort on December 28.

After enjoying Butterbeer with his friends and visiting Hogwarts castle, Felton spent the rest of his Universal Orlando vacation enjoying the rides and attractions at both theme parks.

Academy award-winning actors Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones along with their children Dylan, 10, and Carys, 7, flew over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and past Hogwarts Castle while riding Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal Orlando Resort on November 27, 2010. Fans of the Harry Potter books and films, the family also sampled Butterbeer, got fitted for wands at Ollivanders and toured Hogwarts Castle while on vacation at Universal Orlando over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Guests can now purchase their favorite Universal Orlando Resort merchandise online at UniversalOrlando.com. The new online store features items from both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Available items include, SpongeBob SquarePants plush backpacks and Jurassic Park dinosaur molded mugs. Guests can also purchase an exciting array of items from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, all inspired by the Harry Potter books and films, including Hogwarts robes, Ollivanders wands and Hedwig and Pygmy Puff Plush toys.

Renowned actor and Golden Globe award-winner John Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, became immersed in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during their visit to Universal Orlando Resort on Sept. 5. After sipping Butterbeer at the Hog’s Head pub, Travolta and Preston stepped into Ollivanders wand shop – where the wand chooses the wizard.