A theme park based on the the adventures JK Rowling’s fictional schoolboy wizard, Harry Potter, is to open in the US.

The park, which is described as a ‘fully immersive Harry Potter-themed environment’, will open at the Universal Orlando Resort, in Florida, in 2009.

Barry Meyer, chair and CEO of Warner Brothers Entertainment, said: “Over the years we’ve received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories.”

The park will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and Hogwarts castle.

Expected to open in late 2009, the new environment will feature immersive rides and interactive attractions, as well as experiential shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding world’s best known establishments.

Also debuting will be an as yet unnamed ride which Universal claims will “bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never before experienced”.

JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, said: "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."