'Wizarding World' of Harry Potter theme park to open in Hollywood

J.K. Rowling's wizardry comes to life

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter brings to life the quaint town of Hogsmeade from author J.K. Rowling's seven-part Harry Potter books and subsequent films. The new Harry Potter world at Universal Studios Hollywood is slated to open on April 7 and caps off a five-year revamp across the park.

Here, guests walk through Hogsmeade Village during a media tour of the new theme park in Los Angeles on March 22.

Take the Hogwarts Express train

Universal Studios is banking on the Wizarding World to bolster revenues at the L.A. theme park. A similar Harry Potter park already exists at Universal Studios Orlando, having opened to the public in 2010.

The company said revenues were bolstered in 2015 by Orlando's Harry Potter world, which features two lands, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, connected by the Hogwarts Express train.

Lunch at Three Broomsticks

Muggles enjoy their lunch inside Three Broomsticks, a rustic tavern in Hogsmeade Village.

Do some shopping for a wand

A guest looks to purchase a magic wand inside Ollivanders wand shop at Universal Studios Hollywood.

'They're called shops, not stores'

Visitors can purchase a vast assortment of Harry Potter merchandise, from quills for under $10 US to interactive wands for around $50 US and full Hogwarts school robes from around $100 US.

Below, Dove Rudman and her children, Wyatt, left, and Cody, right, try out witch brooms for sale inside Dervish and Banges general store in Hogsmeade Village.

"We've always aimed to be as authentic as we can be, even down to the name of the shops," supervising art director Alan Gilmore told Reuters. "They're called shops, not stores."

Here, guests look at a display of candy inside the Honeydukes sweets shop in Hogsmeade Village on March 22.

What's a theme park without rides?

Hollywood's Wizarding World features two rides, one within the castle-like structure of Hogwarts school and the other an outdoor roller-coaster alongside intricately detailed shops and restaurants such as Ollivanders wands and Honeydukes sweets.

Diagon Alley grand opening at Universal Orlando

The fabled Diagon Alley was added to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando in June 2014.

From the big screen to the theme park

Harry Potter film stars Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, second from left, James, and Oliver Phelps, left and second from right, and Matthew Lewis, right, got a sneak peek of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando in 2010.

Goblin bank tellers

Animatronic bank tellers can exchange muggle money for wizarding money at Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley, Universal Orlando. 

Muggles, witches and wizards, get your tickets

Tickets for Universal Hollywood, which cover all the park's attractions, range from $90 US to $239 US for front-of-line passes, varying according to seasonal demand.