A Celebration of Harry Potter is an unforgettable event January 30- February 2, 2015 only at Universal Orlando, and I know all of you Harry Potter fans don’t want to miss out on the chance of a lifetime! At this 3 day event you can enjoy interview discussions with the stars from the Harry Potter movies, have a chance to get their autographs, have access to special demonstrations, and visit a Harry Potter Expo. You’ll learn the proper way to hold a wand, see which Hogwarts house the Sorting Hat chooses for you, as well as tour props and set pieces from the films too.
Harry Potter film stars attending the event:
- Michael Gambin (Albus Dumbledore)
- Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid)
- Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
- James Phelps (Fred Weasley)
- Oliver Phelps (George Weasley)
- And more
A Celebration of Harry Potter Expo will include:
- Harry Potter: The Exhibition-the Sorting Hat experience
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
- MinaLima, Graphic designers for the Harry Potter films
- Pottermore from J.K. Rowling
- Scholastic
Discussions & Demonstrations will include:
- Duelling demonstration with Paul Harris, hosted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
- Creating The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Dance like a Beauxbatons & Battle like a Durmstrang
- Harry Potter film trivia
- And more
During this event you will have the chance to experience both Universal Orlando theme parks. Universal’s Islands of Adventure home of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade, and the newest section Universal’s Studios home of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley.
I suggest you start your adventure like Harry did when he found out he was a Wizard, and visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley. You will feel like you transported right into the movies from the moment you walk onto the streets of London.
Have you ever had a conversation with a shrunken head? Well I have! As well as with the bus driver of the Wizard’s Knight Bus which is parked just outside of King’s Cross Station. My mom, and I really got to know the bus driver, Simon as well as Dre Head or “little dude” which is what we nicknamed him. You might want to “mind yo head” when you are around him.
Once you find your way to Diagon Alley you will have an unforgettable experience walking down the streets where you will see a very large, and angry Dragon. Watch out when she roars or you just might get scorched a bit. Man, that Dragon was really hot headed that day!
The best part of Diagon Alley is when it’s time to open an account at Gringotts Bank, and visit your vault. On the way to your vault things get a bit crazy in this very exciting ride: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. It’s a good thing you made a withdrawal of your Wizard money or Galleon’s before the dragon got you because we have a little shopping to do.
First off if you haven’t had your wand “choose” you yet then a visit to Ollivanders is a must. Otherwise how else are you going do to your magic spells? “Flick and swish!”
You can’t go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry without your Wizard’s robe, so make sure you visit Madam Malkin’s Robe shop for a fitting. I wasn’t sure if I’m a Gryffindor or Slytherin! However, I do look good in the Gryffindor rode if I do say so myself!
Want to bring a little fun with you to school then make sure you don’t miss one of my favorite shops the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes or maybe you need a furry friend? Then skip on over to Magical Menagerie. Are you a fan of Quidditch? Then you must visit Quality Quidditch Supplies for all of your gaming gear. You might even find your very own Golden Snitch.
Those that are more into the Dark Arts will find everything they need in Borgin and Burkes located in the gloomy Knockturn Alley. Look out for some spooky Wizards lurking about in Knockturn Alley, and a hint of advice…..never give up your wand to another Wizard, especially there! I did find myself quite at home here……hmmmm wonder what that means? Maybe I’ll be getting a “Dark Mark” tattoo soon? Just never know…..I’ll wait to see what the Sorting Hat has to say!
Now that you have all of your school supplies, you wand, your furry pet, and your Wizard robes it’s time to head to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Make your way over to King’s Cross Station, and don’t forget your ticket. For this train ride you will need what is known in the Muggle world as a “Park-to-Park” ticket.
I hope you can find platform 9 3/4, so you can board Hogwarts Express. It’s hidden from the Muggles, but you should find it. Make sure you make a run for it if you’re nervous otherwise you might just go “splat” against the wall. This is truly an unbelievable train ride with surprises popping up during your journey. However, you might want to keep your wand at the ready just in case you see some Dementors along the way.
Once you arrive you will be in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade Village, but slow down because you don’t want to miss all of the wonderful details like the horse carriage that seems to move by itself or is there a Thestral at the reigns? Oh good they have my luggage.
Now you have your robe, and your wand but you haven’t had a Butterbeer yet. Head on over to the Three Broomsticks for lunch or dinner, and of course a frozen or regular Butterbeer. If you’re not really hungry then you can always get a Butterbeer from one of the carts just outside the castle.
Now it’s the moment you have been waiting for since you received your Hogwarts letter. It’s time to explore Hogwarts castle in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is the most exciting ride any Harry Potter fan will ever experience. It really makes you feel like you are really in Hogwarts. To really soak in the details of the castle you should consider doing a “walking or photograph” tour. That way you can take your time looking at all the details and have the freedom to take pictures because when you ride you must stow all of your belongings with Mr. Filch in a locker. Oh no worries it’s free during your ride.
You will also have a chance to face some dragons in a head-on battle during the Dragon Challenge, but be careful they really don’t want you to find the “golden egg” so they might flip or twist you all around. Also look out for the flying Anglia because it looks like Harry and Ron crashed it again in the Forbidden Forest.
If the Dragon’s Challenge is a little too scary for a first year then how about trying your luck with one of Hagrid’s many exotic pets in the Flight of the Hippogriff? However, you might want to knock on Hagrid’s door as you make your way to the Hippogriff so he can teach you the proper way to approach this fine animal.
If this sounds like an event you just can not miss then contact me today for prices on a very magical vacation package. Limited exclusive packages are still available, but hurry they are selling out quickly.
Exclusive Event Package Details:
- 3-Night hotel accommodations at one of Universal’s on-site hotels or one of Universal’s Partner hotels.
- 3-Day Park-to-Park theme park admission to both Universal Studios, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
- Exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley.
- Light desserts, and 1 complimentary Butterbeer
- Exclusive film talent: A session in a reserved section for discussions, and demonstrations.
- Special guest access to “A Celebration of Harry Potter Expo
- Early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens
- Breakfast at The Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade (one per person)
- Specially themed “welcome” parcel and commemorative merchandise item
- Access to live entertainment at Universal’s City Walk
- Complimentary transportation to & from both theme parks and Universal’s City Walk
My name is Leigh Saleh. I am a Universal Orlando, Seaworld, and Disney Specialist for Chip and Company. I am also a Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel, the preferred agency used by Chip and the Disney Addicts. Email me today at leigh@worldofmagictravel.com to book your next “Magical” family vacation to your favorite destination.
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