In a few days we will be headed down to Florida for Universal Orlando’s 3rd annual Celebration of Harry Potter. We’ve gone every year and are excited to see what Universal has in store for fans this time around! Vacation packages are sold out, but admission to the event is included with any Park-to-Park admission ticket or Annual Pass. The schedule of events for A Celebration of Harry Potter can be found here. Here is what we are most looking forward to. We only listed 7 because that’s the most magical number, but be sure to share what you’re excited about!
1. Then amazing cast lineup! This year we get to spend some time, with Matt Lewis, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Write, Katie Leung and Evanna Lynch! They will be participating in two Q&A panels and also signing autographs and taking photos with fans who bought Premium Vacation Packages. In the past the cast panels have brought some great conversations and amusing filming stories.
3. Pottermore. I know this is included in the Harry Potter Expo, but Pottermore has teased they will have something very exciting during the weekend! On their website they say:
If you’re coming along to the Celebration in person, be sure to pop down to the Pottermore booth with the free augmented reality app Blippar downloaded to your smartphone or tablet. You never know what you might find…
4. The Scavenger Hunt. This year Universal have set up a fun Harry Potter scavenger hunt that fans can participate in throughout the weekend! There are eight clues for you to find and take photos of/with.
5. Graphic Design for the Harry Potter Films with MinaLima! Our owner Megan is a graphic & web designer by day so seeing how the design team came up with the designs and props for the film is always a highlight! Who knows, we may even get some Fantastic Beasts tidbits! Fingers crossed!
6. Kids Beauxbatons and Durmstrang lessons. We may not be kids, but we can’t wait to see kids learn to dance Like a Beauxbatons student & battle Like a Durmstrang with a Universal Orlando choreographer.
7. Paul Harris’ Duelling Demonstration & Wand Masterclass. It’s always a blast learning how to duel with Paul, especially during the first year when Mark Williams demonstrated a battle sequence!
Universal Orlando has released the schedule for their third annual Celebration of Harry Potter. Events for the Celebration will be taking place at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. You can download the schedule and read more about the event here.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016
The Harry Potter™ Expo: 9AM – 6PM | Soundstage 33
Movie in the Park: 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Music Plaza Stage
Opening Night Event: 7:30PM – 8PM | Music Plaza Stage
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2016
The Harry Potter™ Expo: 9AM – 4:30PM | Soundstage 33
Kids’ Duelling Demonstration & Wand Masterclass with Paul Harris: 10AM – 10:30AM | Music Plaza Stage
Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia: 10:45AM – 11AM | Music Plaza Stage
Bringing the Harry Potter™ Films to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: 11AM – 11:30AM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang: 11:30AM – 12PM | Music Plaza Stage
The Global Impact of Harry Potter™: The Exhibition: 1PM – 1:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia: 2PM – 2:15PM | Music Plaza Stage
Graphic Design for the Harry Potter™ Films with MinaLima: 2PM – 2:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang: 2:45PM – 3:15PM | Music Plaza Stage
Harry Potter™ Props Showcase with Acclaimed Prop Maker Pierre Bohanna: 3PM – 3:45PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Behind the Scenes: Harry Potter™ Film Talent Q&A Session: 4:15PM – 5PM | Music Plaza Stage
House Rally: 5:30PM – 6PM | Music Plaza Stage
Harry Potter™ Film Tribute: 6:45PM – 7:45PM | Music Plaza Stage
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016
The Harry Potter™ Expo: 9AM – 6PM | Soundstage 33
Kids’ Duelling Demonstration & Wand Masterclass with Paul Harris: 10AM – 10:30AM | Music Plaza Stage
Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia: 10:45AM – 11AM | Music Plaza Stage
Harry Potter™ Props Showcase with Acclaimed Prop Maker Pierre Bohanna: 11AM – 11:45PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang: 11:30AM – 12PM | Music Plaza Stage
Bringing the Harry Potter™ Films to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: 1PM – 1:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia: 2PM – 2:15PM | Music Plaza Stage
Graphic Design for the Harry Potter™ Films with MinaLima: 2PM – 2:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang: 2:45PM – 3:15PM | Music Plaza Stage
The Global Impact of Harry Potter™: The Exhibition: 3PM – 3:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Behind the Scenes: Harry Potter™ Film Talent Q&A Session: 4PM – 4:45PM | Music Plaza Stage
Today Universal Studios Hollywood has announced a contest where a lucky fan will win a Harry Potter “Trip Around the World” to celebrate the April 7 opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
Universal is partnering with TripAdvisor to launch the Ultimate Harry Potter Trip Around the World sweepstakes sending one winner and three guests on a magical journey to experience the wonders of Harry Potter experiences across the globe. The prize includes visits to the Grand Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood, visits to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan, as well as a trip to “The Making of Harry Potter” at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Universal Studios Hollywood and TripAdvisor to Send One Lucky Winner and Guests on the Ultimate Harry Potter Trip Around the World to Experience
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Theme Parks in Hollywood, Orlando and Japan and “The Making of Harry Potter” at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Sweepstakes Winners Begin Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure at the Highly-Anticipated Grand Opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016
In celebration of the opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, the global entertainment destination and TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel site, are launching the Ultimate Harry Potter Trip Around the World sweepstakes sending one winner and three guests on a once-in-a-lifetime magical journey to experience the wonders of Harry Potter experiences across the globe.
This exciting contest, which kicked off on January 14, will whisk the sweepstakes winner and three guests on a spellbinding voyage to visit “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” locations around the world beginning with the Grand Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood and including lands at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan. The winners will also visit “The Making of Harry Potter” at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where they can discover behind-the-scenes filmmaking secrets at the home of all eight Harry Potter blockbuster films. Fans can enter to win at www.tripadvisor.com/wizardingworldhollywood.
More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated at Universal Studios Hollywood and will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen.
Upon entering the land through the archway, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village: merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and a pub packed to the gills with hungry patrons, but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and the family outdoor coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™.”
An achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in hyper-realistic 3D-HD designed to further immerse guests in an already engaging storyline. The multidimensional thrill ride features a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests will sport Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.
Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™” will open as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster.
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™, and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.
A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™.
The Ultimate Harry Potter Trip Around the World sweepstakes began on January 14. Fans have until February 24 to register and can enter to win at www.tripadvisor.com/wizardingworldhollywood. The winner will receive a trip for four people, including airfare, four night accommodations at each location, ground transportation, 2-day theme park tickets for each theme park and tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. U.S. citizens, 18 years of age and older are eligible to enter. Additional eligibility information is available at http://www.tripadvisor.com/wizardingworldhollywood. No purchase is necessary.
Details for the 2016 Celebration of Harry Potter Social Media Meet-Up have been announced by Universal Orlando Resort.
The first registration period opens now! To participate, please review the following guidelines:
All registering participants for the event must be 18 years or older. Your guest may be under the age of 18 as long as you are their legal guardian.
We will send a confirmation email to individuals whose valid registrations are received by us via email.
If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted.
Meet-up confirmations are non-transferable and have no cash value.
The event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.
To sign up, email us at socialmedia@universalorlando.com with “Hogsmeade” in the subject line. In the body of the email include:
Your name as it appears on your driver’s license
Email address
Phone number
Your guest’s name (if you choose to bring one)
Availability is extremely limited, so sign up quick! For additional registration opportunities for the Social Media Meet-Up at A Celebration of Harry Potter, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Event Details:
A Celebration of Harry Potter Social Media Meet-Up
Date: Friday, January 29, 2016
Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade
Packet Pick-Up and Check-In: Universal Studios Florida Arches: 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Social Media Meet-Up: 8:30 AM – 1 PM
Each participant will receive:
General Parking at Universal Orlando Resort
A one-day, two-park ticket
Access to the A Celebration of Harry Potter Social Media Meet-Up
A Celebration of Harry Potter takes place from January 29th – 31st. Tickets may be purchased at Universal’s website. Matthew Lewis, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch and Katie Leung will be in attendance. The weekend includes film talent Q&A sessions, special panels and demonstrations, A Celebration of Harry Potter™ Expo, and more.
Access to “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included with regular theme park admission or with an annual pass, with admission to certain activities being granted on a first-come, first-served basis. While most of the activities for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will be open to all Universal Orlando park guests and will take place at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks, guests who purchase the exclusive event vacation package will enjoy certain special benefits and reserved sections for the panels and demonstrations.
In addition to their video announcement featuring Evanna Lynch and Alan Gilmore, Universal Studios Hollywood have released a TV spot for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Universal Studios Hollywood have also sent over a press release with some more information.
This eagerly-awaited news coincides with the launch of the destination’s spellbinding campaign, which is stylistically designed to sweep guests into the land’s magical world through the lens of imagination.
The campaign is anchored by a new television spot designed to build suspense and enthusiasm while evoking a sense of wonder and succinctly capture the magical appeal that “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” has for cross-generational consumers as it announces the April 7 opening date.
In making the exciting announcement, Universal Studios Hollywood illuminated the land’s Hogwarts castle to signal the arrival of today’s momentous news.
More specific information on what fans can expect from the park is as follows:
More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real-world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. The land will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen.
Upon entering the land through the archway, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village: merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and a pub packed to the gills with hungry patrons, but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and the family outdoor coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™.”
An achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in hyper-realistic 3D-HD designed to further immerse guests in an already engaging storyline. The multidimensional thrill ride features a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests will sport Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.
Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™” will open as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster.
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™, and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.
A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™.
Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
As we posted last week, today Universal Studios Hollywood is making a special announcement about “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” set to open this Spring! Watch the video below for the exciting news and join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
That’s right – the park will be opening on April 7th 2016! We will update as soon as Universal Studios Hollywood sends over more information!
— 
