Universal Studios Hollywood has let us know they will be announcing something very exciting for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter next week. Maybe we’ll hear the opening date?! On Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7am PT / 10am ET they will share a video announcement on their YouTube page. We will update with the exact link when the announcement goes live.
The Day Has Arrived!
The Countdown is on for the Much-Anticipated Spring 2016 Arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and Universal Studios Hollywood is About to Make Headlines with Very BIG News
This has been the #1 question asked since the theme park first announced that “Hogwarts is coming to Hollywood” in 2011. The perennial question will soon have an answer and Universal Studios Hollywood is about to shed some light on it.
Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
Universal Studios Hollywood is launching a new series of virtual tour videos showcasing the Spring 2016 opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, beginning with today’s insider’s look at the land hosted by the Hogwarts™ Express conductor.
Explore the village of Hogsmeade™ with the Hogwarts™ Express Conductor and visit some of the wizarding world’s best-known shops and eating establishments, from Three Broomsticks™ to Honeydukes™ to Ollivanders™ wand shop.
An opening date has not been specified for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as of yet, but many are speculating it will open in March. We will of course keep you updated on any official announcements.
From the press release:
Universal Studios Hollywood debuts a series of virtual tour videos showcasing the Spring 2016 opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, beginning with today’s insider’s look at the land hosted by the Hogwarts™ Express conductor.
The video, which can be viewed at Universal Studios Hollywood’s newly launched “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” interactive website and here, will highlight some of the land’s best-known shops and eating establishments, including Ollivanders™ wand shop, Three Broomsticks™ and Honeydukes™.
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” will be masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
Universal Studios Hollywood have announced brand new Annual Pass ticket options for those who frequent the park on a regular basis. Details on the new passes may be read below.
Effective immediately, new Annual Passes will provide guests with an array of privileges reserved for passholder membership, including access to Universal Studios Hollywood over a 12 month period to enjoy the park’s compelling thrill rides and attractions, including “Fast & Furious: Supercharged” as the grand finale to the world famous Studio Tour, “Transformers: The Ride 3D“ and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” as well as the much-anticipated “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” when it opens in Spring 2016.
Each new Annual Pass member will embark on an exciting journey with Universal Studios Hollywood receiving regular newsletter updates, exclusive preview event invitations, discounts on food and merchandise, eligibility for sweepstakes opportunities that include the chance to win tickets to coveted Hollywood red carpet movie premieres, and more.
The Gold Pass, available for $299, includes 312 select days of fun. The California Resident Plus Pass, available for $199, invites members to enjoy 244 select days of fun, and the California Resident Pass, available for $139, includes 182 select days of fun. To learn more about the Annual Passes options, please visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/tickets.
Universal Orlando Resort have announced the line up for the 2016 Celebration of Harry Potter! This year, which is the event’s third, will see some past guests as well as new ones that are sure to excite fans! Matthew Lewis and Evanna Lynch will all be returning to the event! Bonnie Wright, Rupert Grint and Katie Leung will also be joining in on the fun from January 29th – 31st.
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.
Full details from the press release are as follows:
HARRY POTTER EXPO (Universal Studios Florida theme park) The Harry Potter Expo will be held inside a Universal Orlando soundstage and will be open to guests throughout the weekend. The expo will include the following booths and exhibits that will give guests deeper insight into the global phenomenon that is Harry Potter:
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London offers visitors the chance to relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter film series to life. Visitors can step on to authentic sets and admire the real props and costumes used during filming at the series’ production home in England, UK.
The Studio Tour is bringing an interactive taste of the experience to ‘A Celebration of Harry Potter’ 2016, giving you the chance to see the incredible behind-the-scenes talent that went into creating the iconic film series.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Sorting Hat Experience
Are you a Gryffindor or a Slytherin? A Hufflepuff or perhaps a Ravenclaw? At the beginning of each school year the Sorting Hat places new Hogwarts students into a house, and now you too have the opportunity to get sorted in a Great Hall setting inspired by the blockbuster films.
Step inside the Expo and the red carpet is rolled out welcoming you to an area celebrating the global impact Harry Potter: The Exhibition has had during its 7-year, 13-city tour, including an exclusive Quidditch inspired photo opportunity.
MinaLima
Graphic designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima worked for ten years on the Harry Potter films, creating countless unforgettable graphic props, some of which will be on display including iconic pieces such as The Marauder’s Map, Daily Prophet and Hogwarts school books. Since working on the films, they created the MinaLima Store selling authentic reproductions of the film artwork with limited edition art prints and stationery. They are currently in production on the new feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Pottermore from J.K. Rowling
Pottermore is the digital heart of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World and if discovering more about her magical universe excites you, Pottermore has a surprise in store for fans attending this year’s Celebration of Harry Potter. And keep your eyes peeled for their new Pottermore Correspondent (Rita Skeeter she certainly isn’t), who’ll be there hunting out exclusive scoops and bringing you updates on pottermore.com from the weekend’s activities.
Scholastic
Celebrate Harry Potter at Scholastic’s booth by sharing a message about what Harry Potter means to you. Color in a magical page from our brand-new Harry Potter coloring book. Be sure to enter daily raffles for a chance to win a copy of the new illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, a box set of all seven Harry Potter books, or a Harry Potter coloring book. Collectible giveaways are available for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
To join the conversation, use #HPCelebration. For more information about the event, tickets and available exclusive event vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.
“A CELEBRATION OF HARRY POTTER” PANELS AND DEMONSTRATIONS (Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks)
Demonstrations and Q&A sessions will be available featuring Harry Potter film talent and crew, with special panels and demonstrations for kids. Admission into panels and demonstrations will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Specific times will be released at a later date.
Behind the Scenes: Harry Potter Film Talent Discussion
Enjoy a fascinating and interactive Q&A session featuring some of your favorite actors from the Harry Potter films. Discover what it was like to work on the most successful film franchise in history.
Behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter props with Pierre Bohanna
Ever wondered how long it takes to make a wand? Or where the inspiration for the hundreds of wand designs in the Harry Potter film series came from? Warner Bros. Studio Tour London presents head prop maker for the films, Pierre Bohanna, who will answer these questions and more. Once you’ve discovered how they were made, raise your own wand as Death Eaters invade the stage to demonstrate how battle scenes were brought to life.
The Global Impact of Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Join us in celebrating the touring attraction that’s visited 13 cities in 9 countries and hosted almost 4 million guests. Harry Potter: The Exhibition is in a unique position to reflect on the global impact of the franchise. Get an exclusive look at the exhibition’s creation and the excitement it continues to deliver to fans around the world. Panel will include exhibition creators, film producers, and film actors who have participated in the openings.
Graphic Design for the Harry Potter Films with MinaLima
Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, from the graphic design studio MinaLima, will share insights into their role as graphic prop designers, and how their paths crossed at the WB film studios while working for 10 years on the Harry Potter movies. They will discuss and show some of the iconic props they created for the Harry Potter films, including The Marauder’s Map, the Daily Prophet, and The Quibbler, amongst others. Still immersed in all things Harry Potter, they will also talk about their involvement in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, for which they designed all the street and store graphics. During the panel they will welcome questions from the audience.
This year’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will also include kids’ demonstrations and interactive experiences such as a ‘Dance Like a Beauxbatons and Battle Like a Durmstrang’ experience, as well as Harry Potter film trivia.
Currently, in-park guests at Universal Studios Hollywood can purchase authentic merchandise, including wands, robes and other collectibles from “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” in the Features Presentation shop.
From the press release:
With each click of the mouse, guests will venture further into the land to uncover such specialty retail shops as Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™, along with such famous eateries as Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub.As their virtual journey takes them through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, visitors will become acquainted with such iconic locations as Professor Dumbledore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and the Portrait Gallery. Commentary from the cast, including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), as well as Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative for Universal Parks & Resorts, is featured throughout the virtual tour.
And finally, guests will have a chance to explore the multidimensional thrill ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” which will make its U.S. debut in hyper-realistic 3D-HD to further immerse guests in the already captivating storyline, and “Flight of the Hippogriff,” which will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor rollercoaster.
Universal Studios Hollywood wields a bit of magic with the reveal of newly created signature art for the eagerly-awaited arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™,” scheduled to open in Spring 2016. View the poster in high resolution in our gallery, thanks to Universal!
The new image, which depicts a wand-wielding Harry Potter in the foreground with a bustling snowcapped Hogsmeade village and a spectacular view of the iconic Hogwarts castle in the background, captures the spirit of this dynamic new immersive environment as the theme park readies for the West Coast’s debut of the “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
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” will be masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.
Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. “Like” Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook, and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
— 
