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Rediff.com  » Movies » A ride on the Hogwarts Express & butterbeer!

A ride on the Hogwarts Express & butterbeer!

Last updated on: June 22, 2010 16:01 IST

Image: Daniel Radcliffe rides the Flight of the Hippogriff attraction at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida
Photographs: Ho New/ Reuters

JK Rowling, writer of the Harry potter series visited the Harry Potter theme park, the Wizarding World recently.

She amazed the onlookers when she spent 300 pounds on delights such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs at the Honeydukes confectionary shop.

A ride on the Hogwarts Express & butterbeer!

Image: Mark Woodbury, president, Universal Creative, in Universal Orlando and J K Rowling
Photographs: Kevin Kolczynski/ Reuters

Rowling was one of the star guests who attended the VIP launch night of the theme park in Orlando, Florida.

Honeydukes also gave fans the chance to purchase sweets enjoyed by Harry and his friends at the park, spread across a stretch of over 20 acres.

'She seemed thrilled that her creations had come to life and were on sale in real life, so she bought loads of sweets,' the Daily Express quoted a staff member as telling the Sunday Express.

A ride on the Hogwarts Express & butterbeer!

Image: Visitors drink butterbeer during the grand opening
Photographs: Scott Audette/ Reuters

'In all, she spent more than 300 pounds on countless piles of sweets. She was given the option to put it on a tab, but insisted on paying for it herself.

She could have done what she wanted. It's her franchise after all, so we were stunned when she paid for them herself,' he added

The shop assistant said, 'She even asked us to take photos of her around the shop. She was fascinated by all the attention to detail.'

A ride on the Hogwarts Express & butterbeer!

Image: Guests enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park
Photographs: Scott Audette/ Reuters

The film stars also splashed out, including James and Oliver Phelps -- who play the Weasley twins -- and lead actor Daniel Radcliffe.

'They went to Zonko's toy shop and spent loads on hats. James and Oliver spent even more than Rowling did,' a park source said.

A ride on the Hogwarts Express & butterbeer!

Image: A guest, in her Hogwarts school regalia, uses a mobile phone
Photographs: Scott Audette/ Reuters

Besides shopping, Harry Potter fans can enjoy rides on the Hogwarts Express train and drink butterbeer.

Source: ANI