Construction on Hogwarts Castle Begins for HP Theme Park

Construction has started on the Hogwarts Castle that will be featured in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Jim Hill has posted a handful of pictures of the construction, which shows still beams being set up for the foundation.

"According to Universal insiders, this bare framework is just the start. In the weeks and months ahead, literally thousands of pieces of metal will be hoisted up & then bolted into place. As a full-sized recreation of Harry Potter's alma mater is built at the southwestern border of IOA's "Jurassic Park" section."

Hill also gives some information on why J.K. Rowling picked Universal for the theme park, as well as a story concerning Harry Potter production designer Stuart Craig, who will also design the theme park:

“Mind you, that’s not to say that there weren’t a few bumps in the road before Rowling finally agreed to sign that contract. Like that time that Universal Security had to be told NOT to arrest the man who was climbing the hill behind IOA’s “Flying Unicorn” ride. You see, that man was Stuart Craig. The three-time Academy Award winner who has designed all of the sets for the “Harry Potter” films. And Stuart was just climbing that hill to see if he could find the proper spot to build Hagrid’s cottage.

Speaking of which … 'The Flying Unicorn' is expected to shut down sometime in September of this year. So that this IOA attraction can then be transformed into “The Flying Hippogriff.” More to the point, so that work can finally begin on Hagrid’s cottage."