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Universal Releases Schedule for 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter
Posted by Megs

Universal has released the full schedule for this year’s Celebration of Harry Potter at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort! Some new exhibitions have also been added to the 2018 Harry Potter Expo:

  • An all-new virtual reality experience featuring Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Step into Newt Scamander’s case to explore the spectacular world of the film in a breathtaking cinematic virtual reality experience – including face-to-face meetings with six beasts!
  • Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, a mobile game launching under Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Portkey Games. Experience the magic of Hogwarts castle with a life-sized gallery wall, giveaways and hands-on gameplay. Plus, don’t miss out on the chance to hear from developers of the game during a special panel presentation later in the weekend.

Special activities that will happen throughout the weekend have also been revealed:

  • A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018 Scavenger Hunt – Throughout the weekend, guests will be tasked with searching for the answers to a series of clues hidden in both magical and Muggle locations throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. A fun experience for all Harry Potter fans, families and kids alike!
  • Hogwarts Houses Rally and Costume Showcase – This is your chance to shine onstage and showcase your house colors, passion and creativity in a competition for the best themed attire. Each contestant who is selected can be individual or group costume and will be judged on the quality and craftsmanship of their costume. Come dressed to impress in your wizarding world best! Click here for more details and guidelines on the Costume Showcase.

The full schedule for the weekend is as follows, these events will be livestreamed on the Universal Orlando Facebook.

Friday, January 26

  • 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM: A Celebration of Harry Potter Opening Event
  • 9 PM – The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle Project Experience

Saturday, January 27

  • 10 AM – 10:30 AM – Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Special Effects Secrets with John Richardson (Panel)
  • 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM – Graphic Design for the Harry Potter FIlm with MinaLima (Panel)
  • 2 PM – 2:30 PM – Learn Wand Combat Skills with Choreographer Paul Harris
  • 4 PM – 4:45 PM – Q&A Panel with the Harry Potter Film Stars
  • 5:30 PM – 6 PM – Hogwarts House Rally: Costume Showcase
  • 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM – A Celebration of Harry Potter Evening Tribute

Sunday, January 28, 2018

  • 10 AM – 10:30 AM – Dance Like a Beauxbaton and Battle Like a Durmstrang
  • 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM –Harry Potter The Exhibition: Magic of Costumes
  • 2:30 PM – 3 PM – CineConcerts – Sound & Image: The magic behind the music, and the journey to construct a complete score live to picture (Panel)
  • 4:30 PM – 5 PM – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment: Explore Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Panel)
  • 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM – Q&A Panel with the Harry Potter Film Stars
Filed Under: Celebration of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
What We’ll Be Eating at the 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter
Posted by Megs

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour at Diagon Alley

We’re just a over a couple weeks away from the 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando! Each year the event gets better and better and we’re sure this year will be no exception. Cast members Bonnie Wright, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Natalia Tena and Stanislav Ivaneski will be there to participate in panels, photo sessions and more. But today, let’s talk about all the tasty treats you can eat in the parks!

I am a constant visitor to the parks since my first trip there in 2011 so I have a few “must eat” treats while in the parks. Here’s what I’m most looking forward to eating (and drinking) this trip!  Since I don’t drink butterbeer (*gasp*) My choices are a little unorthadox. Be prepared for some deliciousness!

1. Cornish Pasties from The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade

One of my favorite meals to get in the parks is the cornish pasties and salad from The Three Broomsticks. What’s great about it is the fact that you get a tiny bit of veggies (okay, lettuce) to counteract all the sugar and fried foods you’ll be eating. You get three delicious patties filled with meat and veggies plus a salad with a dressing of your choice. It’s a perfect small lunch to get you ready for your next ride. You can also get just the pasties at The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley for an afternoon snack.

Fun Fact: The first time I had cornish pasties was with Harry Potter art director (and also art director for the theme parks) Alan Gilmore during the press preview for Diagon Alley. He said we just had to try them and boy was he right! I get them every visit.

Cornish Pasties from The Three Broomsticks

2. Otters Fizzy Orange Juice from The Leaky Cauldron or The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley

This is my favorite drink in the parks. I’m not a Butterbeer fan so this is what I order when all my friends get their hot or cold Butterbeer! It is a really nice, slightly carbonated, orange juice with cinnamon on the rim. The cinnamon is a perfect finishing touch and makes the drink so unique.

Otters Fizzy Orange Juice from The Leaky Cauldron and The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley

3. Cauldron Cake from Sugarplums in Diagon Alley

In the Summer of 2017 Universal introduced a new form of their beloved Cauldron Cakes. These new cakes are much larger and come in a box with a cauldron that you can keep after finishing your cupcake. Fair warning: there is a LOT of frosting, but it’s so good! You’ll probably want to let it warm up before you eat it – they keep it in a fridge – so the cake is a little softer when you enjoy it. It is $9.95 but a few people can share it. A great dessert to eat at the park or take home to enjoy later.
Cauldron Cake from Sugarplums in Diagon Alley

4. Fish & Chips from The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley

One of my favorite London meals is fish & chips, so of course I would have to get it in the parks as well! I usually get the children’s portion so I can have dessert and more snacks throughout the day. The batter is so crispy and the fish is delicious. The fries (or chips) are very tasty as well. The kids meal also comes with grapes, so you can feel a bit better about eating all that fried fish.

Fish and Chips from The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley

5. Ice Cream from Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley

You can’t leave Diagon Alley without getting ice cream, that’s insanity! I’m pretty boring so I just go for plain chocolate but my friends love the earl grey & lavender, chocolate chili and clotted cream. And soft serve butterbeer, of course!

Ice Cream from Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley

The 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter will take place from Friday January 26th – Sunday January 28th. Tickets and packages are still available.

*all photos from my personal instagram*

Filed Under: Celebration of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Natalia Tena Added to Celebration of Harry Potter Lineup
Posted by Megs

Natalia Tena has been added to the 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter guest lineup! She’s joining Stanislav Yanevski, Bonnie Wright, James Phelps and Oliver Phelps for the three day event that’s sure to be as amazing as the four previous years! The actors will be participating in panels, autograph and photo sessions and may make special (surprise) appearances at the Harry Potter Expo during the course of the weekend!

At A Celebration of Harry Potter™, you’ll have the chance to see some of your favorite film talent. Plus, enjoy interactive question and answer sessions to discover what it was like to work on one of the most successful film franchises in history.

Filed Under: Celebration of Harry Potter, Natalia Tena, Universal Orlando Resort, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Bonnie Wright Added to Celebration of Harry Potter Lineup
Posted by Megs

Pottermore has announced this morning that Bonnie Wright has been added to the lineup for the 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter! She will be joining her on-screen brothers James and Oliver Phelps as well as Stanislav Yanevski.

The 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter takes place at Universal Orlando Resort from January 26th – 29th. The weekend will be full of panels held Jany Tamime (the costume designer,) John Richardson (special effects supervisor) and more! The Harry Potter Expo will also be returning to the event.

To find out more about this year’s A Celebration of Harry Potter, including ticket details and information on packages, take a look at the official website.

We will keep you updated as news develops and will be attending the event to bring everything to you as it happens!

Filed Under: Bonnie Wright, Celebration of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Cast Announced for 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter
Posted by Megs

Universal Orlando Resort has announced the cast for their 2018 Celebration of Harry Potter. Stanislav Yanevski, Oliver Phelps and James Phelps are scheduled to attend next year’s event and will participate in panels and more! A Celebration of Harry Potter will be held from January 26th-28th with packages available on the official Universal Orlando Resort website.

Celebration of Harry Potter Cast Members

Filed Under: Celebration of Harry Potter, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
A Celebration of Harry Potter Returning to Universal Orlando in January
Posted by Megs

Universal Orlando Resort revealed on Twitter that their fifth annual Celebration of Harry Potter will be taking place from January 26-28, 2018! No further details have been announced at this time but the three day event is always worth attending. Members of the cast and crew participate in panels and Universal hosts a Harry Potter Expo where venders such as Scholastic, Warner Bros Studio Tour London and more share what’s new!

Filed Under: Celebration of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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