By now, you know that the final installment of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books is the fastest-selling book of all time. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sold a record 8.3 million copies in the U.S. within 24 hours of going on sale. But did you know plans were underway to create the magical world of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando?

That’s right - Universal Orlando Resort announced on May 31 that they will partner with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. to create “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in late 2009. According to Universal’s press release , visitors will be able to visit locations from the book like the village of Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and Hogwarts castle. “The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed,” said J.K. Rowling.

The creative design team is led by Stuart Craig, an Academy Award winning production designer. He was responsible for bringing the Harry Potter books to life in the movies and promises to remain faithful to the look and feel of the films.

I’ve heard people pine over the fact that this is the last Harry Potter book. Readers confess that they will miss the be speckled mudblood. I hope Universal’s planned attraction will help to ease the pain that Rowling’s final book may have caused you.

The series is not just for children. I saw quite a few teens and adults dressed in costume waiting to buy the book at my neighborhood Barnes and Noble. And I look forward to Orlando Gay Days 2010 where we join our GLBTQ brothers and sisters dressed as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall and all the rest of the Rowling characters we have come to love.