This morning I have some fun information to share about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. This photo is the second in a series of images that will highlight unique areas of the land that are inspired by the beloved Harry Potter books and films. Today’s photo is a Potted Mandrake which you see upon entering one of the shops in Hogsmeade.  See the full size image here, I also took a quick video when I was at the theme park and you can see the mandrake in action in it; watch the video here.

The Dogweed and Deathcap storefront in Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is home to many exotic plants and flowers, including the potted Mandrake. Shown within the shop window, the Mandrake shrieks and squirms as guests pass by. Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most spectacularly-themed entertainment experience ever created.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s11)
© 2011 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
Photo Credit: Kevin Kolczynski, Universal Orlando Resort

Fans who get the WB Insider newsletter will already have read about the sweepstakes to win a trip for four to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s A Celebration of Harry Potter this November.  For those of you that haven’t the details are as follows:

Grand Prize: One (1) Grand Prize Winner and Three (3) Guests will receive the following:
– Travel airfare to and from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal in Orlando, Florida *
– Hotel accommodations for 3 days/4 nights, two (2) hotel rooms provided
– Four (4) Park-to-Park Tickets for 3 days
– Four (4) Reservations to Autograph Sessions
– Four (4) Reservations to Sunday Night Event with Cast
– Four (4) Reservations to QA Sessions
– Four (4) Admissions to the Nighttime Gala Event
– One (1) Harry Potter Blu-ray Collection (For Grand Prize Winner only)

*If Grand Prize Winner should reside in the State of Florida and within close proximity to Orlando, the airfare may be substituted by Sponsor, in its sole discretion, for ground transportation.

To enter and win you must be at least 13 years old, live in the USA and be a member of the WB Insider Rewards program, full rules may be read here.

As I reported last week, Warner Bros and Universal will be holding a special event at the Potter theme park entitled A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films. The tickets for the event went on sale today and the Premier Package is already sold out, the Celebration package is still available but I would advise anyone still interested in going to hurry up and book as soon as you can by heading the Universal Website!

Additionally, Universal have posted up some frequently asked questions about the event that you can read at this page. Some of the questions are as follows:

When will I know the celebrities that will be attending? Please continue to check www.universalorlando.com/celebration for updates about the event. Celebrities may not be announced until closer to the event.

How can I participate in the Autograph and Q&A sessions? Guests can purchase a Premier Package to participate in one Cast Member Autograph session. Guests can purchase either a Premier package or a Celebration package to participate in one Cast Member Q&A session. There will be additional ways for a limited number of people to participate in celebration events. Stay tuned for more details.

Can I bring a camera and or/video camera to the event? Yes, you can bring a camera/video camera to the event. However, please keep in mind we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate requests for personal photos with cast members.

Are the film screenings included in the vacation package? No. Harry Potter film screening tickets are not included in the vacation package.

When will film screening tickets be available for purchase? Film screening tickets will be available for separate purchase at a later date. Please continue to check for updates.

Thanks to SS for the tip!

Singer and actress Selena Gomez visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park today. Universal have sent over a photo of the teen star and her friends with the Hogwarts Express conductor. You can click the photo to enlarge it.

Famed teen singer and actress Selena Gomez visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort with family and friends on Friday, July 29, stopping at the Hogwarts Express to meet the Conductor in Hogsmeade. Hosted by Universal Orlando, Gomez and her backup singers (from left to right) Ashley Cook, Lindsey Harper and Katelyn Clampett also sipped on Butterbeer in Hog’s Head pub, rode the Hungarian Horntail coaster on Dragon Challenge and spent the day enjoying Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Gomez was in Orlando after kicking off her “We Own The Night” tour on July 28 in Boca Raton, Fla.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
© 2011 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
Photo Credit: Kevin Kolczynski, Universal Orlando Resort

Starting on July 31st, Potter fans will be able to buy tickets to “A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films”, an event hosted by Warner Bros. at Universal Orlando from Friday November 11 to Sunday November 13. Packages are extremely limited and go on sale at noon EDT on Sunday, July 31. The full press release, with full ticketing information, may be read at this page!

 During this special event, guests can celebrate their favorite memories and stories of Harry Potter with filmmakers, cast members and fellow fans.  While all theme park guests will be able to enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during their visit, only a limited number of guests and those who buy special event packages will have access to exclusive benefits such as:

• A spectacular evening gala in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Autograph signings with stars from the Harry Potter films
• Q&A sessions with Harry Potter filmmakers and cast members, along with the creators of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Screenings of all eight Harry Potter films – including “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” – at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20 in Universal CityWalk.  Access to the screenings can be added to the vacation packages for an additional fee.

Thanks to Universal for mailing!

Yesterday, after spending a few days at the LeakyCon fan convention in Orlando, Evanna Lynch and Scarlett Byrne (Pansy) visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and tried on some Spectrespecs! Photos of the Potter actresses may be seen in the gallery; here and here, thanks to Universal for sending them over!

“Irish actress Evanna Lynch, known for her role as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series, stopped to admire the Quibbler display and try on a pair of Spectrespecs at Dervish and Banges, a magical supplies and equipment shop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on Monday, July 18, 2011. Lynch was hosted by Universal Orlando Resort, spending some time at the theme parks while attending a Harry Potter fan conference in Orlando. Lynch played a role in the final installment of the Harry Potter film series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” which debuted on Friday.”