Muggles were overjoyed this summer when a new location for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was announced at Universal Studios Hollywood. Now, that expansion project officially has an opening date -- and it's coming up a lot sooner than we thought.

USA Today reports that the new attraction, which will recreate the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle, is set to open on April 17, 2016. Construction crews must have been using some serious magic, since the project will have been completed less than a year after it was first announced back in June.

But the condensed timeline doesn't mean that the park has skimped on the details. According to USA Today, there will be plenty of eye-popping "Potter" goodies throughout the attraction, including eight fully-functioning shops in the Hogsmeade attraction alone. Memorable magical businesses including Honeydukes candy store, Ollivanders Wand Shop, and Zonko's Joke Shop will all make an appearance, as will the Hog's Head Pub, where guests can imbibe on Butterbeer (and real beer, too, for adult patrons).

The attraction will also include the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, as well as the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride (presented for the first time in 3D HD), which will sit inside Hogwarts Castle.

"It's a spectacle, iconic," said Alan Gilmore, supervising art director for the "Harry Potter" film series, of the castle, telling USA Today, "the main storytelling location in 'Harry Potter' is now the most amazing castle in Los Angeles."

Judging by what we've seen so far, we're inclined to agree. Accio yourself a plane ticket -- or a Nimbus 2000 -- and book your spot in line soon.

[via: USA Today]

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