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.
Emma Watson introduces the new HeForShe.org, a crowdsourcing platform for gender equality solutions. Your voice matters. Your actions make it real. Make the commitment and take action for gender equality now at www.HeForShe.org. HeForShe wants every voice to be heard in classrooms and corner offices around the world. Everyone has a say. Everyone has a role. Every unique contribution is essential to achieving gender equality.
The world is at a turning point. People everywhere understand and support the idea of gender equality. They know it’s not just a women’s issue, it’s a human rights issue. And when these powerful voices are heard, they will change the world. The time for that change is now.
HeForShe is inviting people around the world to stand together to create a bold, visible force for gender equality. And it starts by taking action right now to create a gender equal world
It is with a heavy heart that we write this post. Alan Rickman, best known to many as Severus Snape, has passed away at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. A statement from his family reads:
“The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.”
Another who has left us soon but will “Always” be in our hearts. If you haven’t seen any of his films outside the Potter franchise, you should take some time this weekend to get to know him as an actor. From Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Quigly Down Under to Bottle Shock, Galaxy Quest and CBGB he was an immensely talented man.
His costars from the Potter films and beyond have begun to share their feelings on his passing. We find ourselves unable to speak, or type, so we’ll let them do the talking.
There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man.
I'm very sad to hear about Alan today. I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I'll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter has announced a special event for Valentine’s Day on February 13th and 14th. It’s the next best thing to having a date with Harry (or your chosen character) at Madam Puddifoot’s. A full itinerary of the event may be found on their website.
You are invited to attend a bewitching banquet this February for ‘Valentine’s Dinner in the Great Hall’. You’ll be greeted on arrival with welcome drinks and canapés (including a special Love Potion cocktail), before taking your seats on the authentic Great Hall set.Sitting at individual tables for two decorated with flowers and candles, you and your partner will enjoy a delicious three-course dinner including a starter, main course and assiette of desserts to share. You’ll then be given exclusive after-hours access to the Studio Tour with the chance to see sets such as the Gryffindor common room, Dumbledore’s office, the Weasley kitchen at The Burrow and the Malfoy Manor dining table, before enjoying a drink on Platform 9 3/4.
Following a tankard of Butterbeer in the backlot cafe, you will be able to wander up the wizarding shopping street of Diagon Alley, before arriving at the breathtaking Hogwarts castle model for after-dinner tea, coffee and chocolates. The evening concludes when you return to the Studio Tour lobby to collect your chosen wand.
Tickets are priced at £247.50 each, available to purchase in pairs for £495 from Wednesday 13th January. Booking details to follow.
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.
Empire Magazine has released a new photo of Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander in the upcoming film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The photo shows Newt and his magical briefcase ascending some steps in New York City with a crowd behind him. The picture comes from their February issue, on stands December 31st. The issue will have interviews with cast and crew, including producer David Heyman. Empire released a short snippet of their interview with him:
“Newt is a magizoologist who’s just completed a global journey to find and document magical creatures for a book he plans on writing,” Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts producer David Heyman tells Empire. “His case is important because it contains some of the creatures he’s been researching. It may be small, but there’s a whole world within.”
A bottomless case filled with magical beasties, then? Might there be a dragon or two? Heyman isn’t saying but he did give an insight into the scale of the production, currently filming at Potter HQ, Watford’s Leavesden Studios. “On some days we’ve had several hundred extras, all done up in 1920s costumes. We are going into the magical world, but we’re bringing the magical characters into the Muggle, or ‘Nomaj’, world.”
