For the past week fans have been noticing changes to the look of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at all its locations. Yesterday, J.K. Rowling tweeted after many months and last night Pottermore and Cursed Child revealed what’s going on with a takeover at Times Square in New York City after the play finished its evening show.
Pottermore states that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is “celebrating its place as the eighth story in the canon by incorporating J.K. Rowling’s name and the iconic lightning-bolt Harry Potter logo.”
Also, as a special thank you to Harry Potter fans, and as a nod to the famous platform nine and three-quarters at King’s Cross Station, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is announcing that 934 lucky people around the world will get the chance to watch the show as complimentary guests. Fans have to act fast. Starting at 12EST fans should go to www.harrypotteronstage.com, select their location and try to find a ticket priced at $0 (one per person)
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD CELEBRATES GLOBAL EXPANSION WITH THE BIGGEST TIMES SQUARE TAKEOVER ON RECORD The Most Awarded Play in History Thanks Fans by Releasing 934 Special Tickets Worldwide
NEW YORK, NY – September 6, 2019 –Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, universally acclaimed for its breathtaking magic and stage wizardry, last night welcomed fans “Back to Hogwarts” with the launch of a new worldwide campaign in the heart of Times Square.
To mark the global milestone, the show hosted the largest-ever Times Square takeover, with award-winning actress and Harry Potter fan, Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as Wizarding World fans and influencers. Fans witnessed a jaw-dropping takeover of nearly all the Times Square screens, which revealed the never-before-seen Harry Potter and the Cursed Child campaign, in celebration of its global expansion.
With more than two million tickets sold worldwide, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been spreading its magic and thrilling audiences across the globe in London, New York and Melbourne, with more productions opening soon in San Francisco, Hamburg and Toronto.
“We are very proud that J.K. Rowling chose to tell her eighth story on stage. Just as she created a generation of lifelong readers with the Harry Potter book series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now doing the same for theatre, with over half of our audiences worldwide being first time theatre-goers of all ages,” said Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. “Three years in and over 2 million tickets sold thus far, it is so exciting to watch audiences all over the world be transported ‘Back to Hogwarts’ to revisit their beloved characters. There is nothing like the experience of being in a theatre with a community of others, seeing and experiencing in real-time as the magic unfolds live before your eyes. The Boy Who Lived, lives on, and the story continues on stage across the world because, as J.K. Rowling herself said: “‘Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.’”
As a special thank you to Harry Potter fans, and as a nod to the famous platform nine and three-quarters at King’s Cross Station, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is announcing that 934 lucky people around the world will get the chance to watch the show as complimentary guests. But fans have to act fast. To find out how you might become one of them, go to www.harrypotteronstage.com now and select your chosen location.
“Harry Potter has such a special place in my heart and seeing the characters from the stories come to life on stage was true magic for me,” said actress Sarah Jessica Parker. “From the astounding stagecraft, to the magic and illusions, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child brings true storytelling to life that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Being part of the whole experience tonight was one that I’ll never forget.”
Harry’s story continues on stage, where the magic is real. To be part of it, go to www.harrypotteronstage.com
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.
In an update today, Quidditch has been added to the mobile game Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery! This brand new feature is an “ongoing, multi-chapter and multi-season adventure that is permanently available to all players that have advanced to year 2, chapter 6 and beyond of the game’s story.” The update will be available today, September 4 at 1PM PST.
Attention Quidditch fans! Starting September 4, players can play Quidditch in Jam City’s popular RPG mobile game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. The new Quidditch feature is an ongoing, multi-chapter and multi-season adventure that is permanently available to all players that have advanced to year 2, chapter 6 and beyond of the game’s story. Complete with all new original characters, unique environments, riveting storylines, fresh gameplay modes, and an engaging narrative, this new addition to the game is the largest feature and content update since the game’s launch in April 2018.
“Quidditch is one of the most iconic parts of the Hogwarts school experience and something our players have been clamoring for,” said Michael Brozman, Sr. Director of Product at Jam City. “We’ve added in a fun and challenging new skill-based mechanic alongside some very captivating characters who are new to the world of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. As a permanent fixture in the game, we couldn’t be more excited to bring this ongoing, multi-chaptered adventure to players, season after season.”
Season 1 of the new Quidditch adventure debuts on September 4 at 1PM PST, whereupon players will be invited to participate in practices, known as “Quidditch Friendlies” in order to hone their skills. Throughout the seasons, players will unlock new moves – such as Parkin’s Pincer or a Quaffle pass – as they progress through the positions of Chaser, Beater, Keeper, and Seeker. Their ultimate performance in the Quidditch Cup Matches will determine their team’s success. Prizes include special brooms, house-themed face paint, and iconic Quidditch uniforms once they make the team.
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.
The Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Fan Festival, happening Labor Day weekend, August 31st and September 1st at White River State Park in Indianapolis is fast approaching! WB Games and Niantic announced a Global Challenge that will coincide with the event.
Some Sunday tickets for the Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Fan Festival are still available via the app, so get yours now!
Participants at the Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Fan Festival will not be the only ones who get to experience the new content coming to the game including new Portkeys and the much-anticipated introduction of Dragons! While Fan Festival attendees will experience all of the new Dragons and Portmanteaus, players all over the world will also be competing to unlock new content in their regions via special Portkeys that lead to Dragon Eggs. If each region unlocks enough dragon eggs, those dragons will show up on their area!
If attendees of the Fan Festival are successful, a special Day of the Dragons event will take place on September 7. During this 3-hour period, each region will be visited by a Dragon not typically found in the area. The exact type of Dragon will depend on which type of Dragon Egg was collected the most in that specific region during the Global Challenge. For example, if players in Asia collect more Antipodean Opaleye Dragon eggs than any other type during the Global Challenge, they will encounter Antipodean Opaleye Oddities for the 3-hour event and receive bonus XP for all Dragons returned during the Day of the Dragons!
As we shared last month, Mini Boden has created a line of clothing in partnership with the Harry Potter series! They have everything from baby onesies to clothes for kids and teens. While the company is based in the UK they do ship worldwide! So get shopping before they sell out! You can shop the full collection over at Mini Boden!
In true Mini Boden style, the collection showcases a host of thoughtful design details including unique prints, colour-change sequins, fluttering applique and 3D details all designed by our highly skilled in-house Mini Boden print and design teams.
Little witches, wizards and Muggles will be spellbound by the magical limited edition collection which includes ‘Hogwarts House Bretons’ with embroidered lettering and iconic house colours, ‘Hedwig Dungarees’ complete with fluttering applique and sequin detail, the ‘House Rugby Shirt’ in House colours complete with Harry’s Quidditch number and Hogwarts crest and sweatshirts, sequin colour change tees and baby grows in Hogwarts house colours for even the littlest Wizarding World fans.
