Construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter began seven months after the official announcement, in January 2008.
By July, the Flying Unicorn and Enchanted Oak Tavern were closed.
The Flying Unicorn then began an almost two-year refurbishment which transformed it into the Flight of the Hippogriff.
The Enchanted Oak Tavern was later demolished.
A bridge was built to connect The Lost Continent with Jurassic Park allowing guests to avoid the construction zone that was to become the Wizarding World.
Construction progressed with the Hogwarts Castle slowly taking shape.
By September 2008, the Dueling Dragons entrance was moved to Jurassic Park to make room for construction of Hogsmeade.
One month later, the old entrance was demolished.
By September 2009, the top shell of Hogwarts Castle was completed.
On September 15, an announcement was made detailing what was going to be included in the Wizarding World.
In early 2010, Universal increased its marketing of the area, which included newspaper advertisements, billboards and television commercials.
The Dueling Dragons were closed for some maintenance before being transformed into the Dragon Challenge.
Construction was completed by June 1, 2010, when the area began soft openings.

A soft opening weekend was held for the media and reserved guests, starting on May 28, 2010.
The park had two opening ceremonies that took place on June 16 and on June 18, 2010.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's grand opening ceremony took place on June 16 with book series author J. K. Rowling, and film series actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps and Bonnie Wright, as well as Universal Orlando Resort officials, and representatives from the media.
The ceremony, which was produced by Universal Orlando Events Production in conjunction with Thinkwell Group, concluded with a fireworks display and a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by original series' composer John Williams.
On June 18, the second ceremony took place, which officially opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the public.
NBC's Today Show and The Weather Channel broadcast segments live from the park.
Construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter began seven months after the official announcement, in January 2008. By July, the Flying Unicorn and Enchanted Oak Tavern were closed. The Flying Unicorn then began an almost two-year refurbishment which transformed it into the Flight of the Hippogriff. The Enchanted Oak Tavern was later demolished. A bridge was built to connect The Lost Continent with Jurassic Park allowing guests to avoid the construction zone that was to become the Wizarding World. Construction progressed with the Hogwarts Castle slowly taking shape. By September 2008, the Dueling Dragons entrance was moved to Jurassic Park to make room for construction of Hogsmeade. One month later, the old entrance was demolished. By September 2009, the top shell of Hogwarts Castle was completed. On September 15, an announcement was made detailing what was going to be included in the Wizarding World. In early 2010, Universal increased its marketing of the area, which included newspaper advertisements, billboards and television commercials. The Dueling Dragons were closed for some maintenance before being transformed into the Dragon Challenge. Construction was completed by June 1, 2010, when the area began soft openings.
A soft opening weekend was held for the media and reserved guests, starting on May 28, 2010. The park had two opening ceremonies that took place on June 16 and on June 18, 2010. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's grand opening ceremony took place on June 16 with book series author J. K. Rowling, and film series actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps and Bonnie Wright, as well as Universal Orlando Resort officials, and representatives from the media. The ceremony, which was produced by Universal Orlando Events Production in conjunction with Thinkwell Group, concluded with a fireworks display and a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by original series' composer John Williams. On June 18, the second ceremony took place, which officially opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the public. NBC's Today Show and The Weather Channel broadcast segments live from the park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort)