Universal has announced the return of a fan favorite event to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. On select nights September 16 through October 31, guests will encounter Death Eaters in the streets of Hogsmeade and watch as a powerful dark spell is cast on Hogwarts castle – highlighting unspeakable creatures and sinister villains from the Wizarding World. It’s truly an amazing experience seeing the Death Eaters come out to play, we’ve experienced it a few times and it never disappoints.
The darker side of magic comes to life this fall in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort with the return of Death Eaters and the breathtaking experience “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” – a sinister spectacle of state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects, lighting and more that brings awe-inspiring moments and creatures from the Harry Potter films to life on the majestic Hogwarts castle. “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” will run select nights September 16 through October 31 from dusk until park close in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
As darkness falls, an ominous presence will fill the land as the Dark Arts begin to take over the streets of Hogsmeade and cloak the stone walls of Hogwarts castle. Guests will come face-to-face with Death Eaters – devoted followers of Lord Voldemort known for their allegiance and practice of the Dark Arts – as they appear and eerily roam and lurk throughout Hogsmeade. Then, guests will watch as “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” unleashes the unspeakable creatures and sinister villains of the Wizarding World – including Dementors, Mountain Trolls and even a visage of Lord Voldemort – on Hogwarts castle until a Patronus – the result of a powerful defense charm of concentrated happiness and hope – is produced.
Guests can also shop new Dark Arts-themed merchandise featuring the Dark Mark during their visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including mugs, hats, lanyards, tees – and even a Death Eater mask.
Universal Orlando Resort has announced the return of holiday festivities in the park! There will be celebrations all over the park as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We have visited to celebrate the holidays in the past, and both sections of the park are always beautifully decorated and it really feels like Winter in the wizarding world (despite the warmer Florida temperatures!)
The Holiday celebration begins on November 12 and runs daily through January 1, 2023.
The spectacularly themed lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will transform into wizarding wonderlands for the Holidays, complete with festive décor throughout the iconic streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley that includes themed decorations, garlands and lights. Guests can also enjoy special holiday-themed performances from the Frog Choir, comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant croaking frogs, in Hogsmeade and the wizarding world’s most popular singing sensation, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, in Diagon Alley.
And once night falls in Hogsmeade, guests can revel in a spectacular projection of holiday spirit and Christmas moments inspired by the beloved “Harry Potter” stories in “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
This Saturday fans who watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on NBC will get a behind-the-scenes look at how Universal Orlando Resort’s newest ride, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, was created! Tune into the movie at 8pm EDT for clips during commercial breaks.
Full details are below:
This summer, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – the epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – officially opened at Universal Orlando Resort and brought to life an all-new adventure inspired by the much beloved Harry Potter film series. Now, fans will have the special opportunity to go behind-the-scenes on the creation of the world’s first “story coaster” during the NBC primetime broadcast of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” on Saturday, September 7 at 8 p.m. EDT.
Throughout the broadcast of the film on NBC, viewers will see a series of segments that will give them a glimpse into how the incredibly-popular new attraction was brought to life. Segments will feature interviews with members of the Universal Creative team who worked on the new experience and beloved stars from the Harry Potter films who had the chance to ride it themselves. It will also showcase the creation of the Forbidden Forest, the Blast-Ended Skrewt – a creature that has never been featured in the films; and Hagrid – one of the most life-like animated figures Universal Orlando has ever created.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure takes guests on an unforgettable journey into one of the most mysterious places in the Wizarding World – the Forbidden Forest. With Hagrid as their guide, they’ll board magical motorbikes and fly to the edge of the forest to discover the Wizarding World’s rarest magical creatures. Along the way, they’ll ascend above the trees, launch through mysterious ruins, rush forward – and backward – at speeds up to 50 mph, unexpectedly drop nearly 17 feet and more while enjoying a thrilling adventure on the longest roller coaster in Florida. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is now open and located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. For more information, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.
Universal Orlando Resort has announced a social media sweepstakes where you can win a dream vacation to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! To enter you’ll need to share what you would wear to the park on your visit – it can be house robes, an outfit inspired by your favorite character or even a cute Potter themed tee!
Universal Orlando will choose two lucky fans to win the trip of a lifetime for them and up to three guests. The winners will receive an incredible vacation to Universal Orlando that includes:
Accommodations at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme parks open every day of their visit
3-Day Theme Park Admission with Universal Express Passes
Air travel and ground transportation from the airport
And more!
Here’s how to enter:
Take a photo showing what you would wear on your visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Post the photo and include #WizardingWorldOrlando and #Sweepstakes
More details are as follows:
Fans must be 18 years or older to enter and only a maximum of two entries on one single social media platform will be counted. All entries must include both hashtags and there’s no cost to enter. The sweepstakes ends on Saturday, September 28, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via social media following the closing of the sweepstakes. Travel dates are subject to approval by Universal Orlando, travel must be booked at least 60 days prior to the departure date and the trip must be completed by August 28, 2020. For more information on the official rules, click here.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort allows guests to experience the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films in the most spectacularly-themed environments ever created. Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter includes two incredibly detailed lands – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley – featuring multiple groundbreaking attractions, shops, restaurants, entertainment and more. Guests can visit the famed Hogsmeade village, enjoy a frothy Butterbeer, soar over Hogwarts castle with Harry Potter in the incredible attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, pass through the iconic brick wall into Diagon Alley, experience the pulse-pounding next generation thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and more. They can also travel between the two lands with a park-to-park ticket on the iconic Hogwarts Express – allowing them to take the same journey as the famed boy wizard.
Plus, guests can now experience Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – the epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The new adventure takes guests on an unforgettable journey into the Forbidden Forest on magical motorbikes to discover the Wizarding World’s rarest magical creatures. They’ll ascend above the trees, rapidly accelerate through mysterious ruins, rush forward – and backward – at speeds up to 50 mph and more.
Last night, Harry Potter film stars Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Evanna Lynch, Warwick Davis, James Phelps and Oliver Phelps brought a little magic to Universal Orlando Resort for the opening celebration of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, debuting to guests on June 13.
The beloved Harry Potter film stars reunited and led special guests in a spellbinding moment to celebrate the epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There was also a special message from Hagrid himself, Robbie Coltrane! Photos from the Opening Celebration may be seen over in our gallery!
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens to the public tomorrow, June 13th! The following day, June 14th, guests will be able to sign up for a “Virtual Line” via their smartphones to help alleviate crowding at the ride. You will get a time to come back and get in the actual line for the ride. More details on how to make the most of your visit are at the Universal Orlando Blog!
On Tuesday, June 11, Universal Orlando Resort will have a special live stream of the opening celebration for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – the epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opening to guests on June 13.
The live stream will give viewers a front row seat to an exciting, magical moment that will celebrate the world’s first “story coaster,” and feature special appearances from beloved Harry Potter film stars.
The live stream will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, on Universal Orlando’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels.
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