While many people are counting down the days until Christmas, Harry Potter fanatics are counting the days until the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" attraction opens at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Next week, they'll learn exactly when opening day will be.
Construction has been under way for months on the much-anticipated attraction, but park officials have said only that it will open sometime in the spring. That will change at 7 a.m. Dec. 8, when opening day will be announced online.
Universal Studios has already introduced a website that takes fans on a virtual tour of the attraction, including a trip through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with stops at Professor Dumbledore's office, the Portrait Gallery and the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The virtual tour also showcases the streets of Hogsmeade village, including shops such as Honeydukes, Owl Post, Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods.
"Harry Potter" film stars Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint provide commentary along the way.
The virtual tour also features a look at two of the attraction's rides -- the 3-D "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" and Universal Studios Hollywood's first outdoor roller coaster, "Flight of the Hippogriff."
The virtual tour is available online.
Fans who just can't enough and want updates on the project's progress can register online to get the latest news.
