I came across this column today about the new Harry Potter theme park planned in Orlando.

And I was actually working when I found it. Really. I was checking the Google “news” results for an article I remembered about the American Heart Association’s new recommendations for sugar intake, for use in a story about a preschool program that’s helping families cut back on sweets. But if you can resist a headline that says, “Hogwarts in Orlando: A Sugar-coated Adventure,” you, sir or madam, are a better corporate drone than I. Now back off before you lower my self-esteem.

Anyway. I’m a little disappointed that all the theme-park folks seem to have done is put together a bunch of re-named shops. I’m looking for an excuse to fly my family across the country, people. I just can’t do it for a candy store, even if it is named “Honeydukes.” Now, if you give me a broomstick ride, or some recreated sets, or maybe a you-are-there IMAX game of Quidditch similar to “Star Tours” or “Soarin’ Over California” at Disneyland, I’ll be first in line.

I should have been a part of the preproduction team. I have some experience creating Harry’s world, and I was working with glow sticks and hula hoops. Imagine what I could create with a multimillion-dollar theme park budget! What would you want to see?