Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Exhibit at Universal Studios

I'm a fan of Harry Potter having read most of the books and seen all the movies. So I'm anxiously anticipating the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter exhibit opening this June at Universal Orlando Resort. It promises, "from magical spells to magical creatures, from dark villains to daring heroes....Plus pulse-pounding rides and attractions that transport you."

Well I admit my pulse is pumping right now just thinking about walking in to Hogwarts Castle. I'll be able to visit Dumbledore's office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom, the Gryffindor common room and the Room-of-Requirement with its hundreds of floating candles. I'll even be able to soar over the castle.

But the absolute best thing I'm looking forward to is being swept into a Quidditch match. A Quidditch match is a wizarding sport played on broomsticks that's popular among wizards and witches. I wonder if they'll let me have my own broom. I want to be on Harry's team. I would love to catch the "Golden Snitch," after all its worth 150 points.

The technological innovations are supposed to be off the chart. Some of the technology was invented just for this exhibit. It's a first-ever combination of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking - specially designed and developed for this brand-new adventure.

The attraction's newly created ride system envelops guests in filmed action scenes and moves those scenes with them as they travel through the ride, allowing more time in the center of the adventure and with their favorite characters. Universal says, "this fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes has never been achieved until now."

The ride takes about an hour. Wow, that'll make standing in line worth it. There are 12 different scenes in the attraction. And of course my favorite characters will be there, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermoine Granger and Professor Dumbledore. I heard that Fred and George Weasley might make an appearance as well. I hope so. You never know what to expect from those two rascals.

The last time I was at Universal Studios in Orlando I had a Grrrreat Time-fun, fun, and fun. I can't wait to visit the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey exhibit. And if Harry Potter is not your thing, no worries mate-Go anyway. Instead, you can swing above the streets with Spider Man or help Shrek save Princess Fiona or battle those pesky aliens alongside Agent J. Did I mention how much fun it is?

How to Get the Best Deal on Your Universal Orlando Tickets

For families planning a trip to Orlando, the ticket prices at Walt Disney World can cause a real case of sticker shock. A single park, single day ticket is now over $80 per person. To experience some of Orlando's best theme park rides and attractions without charging up your credit cards, consider adding a few days at the Universal Resort.

There are actually two Universal theme parks in Florida, located within easy walking distance of one another. The first is Universal Studios, which features rides and shows that focus on the movies. There's a roller coaster themed after the Mummy movies, a Men in Black dark ride, and of course, a boat ride that features an appearance by Jaws. Islands of Adventure, while still themed around the movies, actually contains many more thrill rides and roller coasters. Fans are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opening in 2010.

So how do you get the best bargains on Universal tickets? Start online. Tickets are almost always cheaper online than at the gate, and it also saves you from standing in long lines when you'd rather be exploring the parks. Guests can purchase a one day pass that admits them to both parks for only $84.99 online. That's about the same as a one park Disney ticket. For $99.99, you can purchase a two day ticket that allows you to hop back and forth to both parks as much as you want. This is a great bargain, and will give you a chance to really explore and ride as much as you want.

Planning to visit the Universal theme parks more than once during your trip? Check out the unlimited weekly pass, which includes admission to both parks. It's $124.99 at the gate, but if you purchase online, it's only $99.99. You must order it two days before you pick it up to get that special price.

Also, if you plan to stay on site at one of the Universal hotels, ask about free or discounted park tickets when you make your reservations. They often have specials in place that provide free admission with a three or four stay hotel stay.