Harry Potter author JK Rowling attended a star-studded celebration in Orlando last night to mark the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

Stars of the Harry Potter films also took part in the glitzy event, which included a red carpet walkabout and a firework display.

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, followed other cast members including Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) down the red carpet.

See the video and photos from the celebrations below:






Guests were treated to a recital by the Frog Choir of Hogwarts before the cast took to the stage. Daniel Radcliffe prompted the audience to lift their wands in the air and "cast a spell" to illuminate Hogwarts Castle. The Orlando Philarmonic Orchestra, conducted by Oscar-winning composer John Williams, played Harry Potter theme music as fireworks appeared in the sky above the castle.

Barry Meyer, the chairman and chief executive of Warner Bros, which worked with Universal to create the Harry Potter attraction, paid tribute to JK Rowling: "It's the rich and wonderful world JK Rowling created that allows us to be here this evening." And Bill Davis, president and chief operating officer of Universal Orlando Resort said the park was the "most spectacular themed entertainment area ever created."

The new 20-acre park, located within Universal's Islands of Adventure, will open officially on Friday morning. But guests have been experiencing the signature attractions including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, tasting butterbeer and buying wands in Ollivander's Wand Shop for several weeks now.

Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, said: "The reaction so far has been terrific. Guests are simply over the moon. They are fascinated by the castle tour and have been spending a great deal of time in there."

Davis denied there would be a problem with overcrowding once the park is opened full time on Friday. He said: "Universal has opened a lot of attractions over the years. The Wizarding World can hold a pretty big number of people and we're ready for it."

First ride: TTG's Katherine Lawrey  tries out Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey