Warner Bros. and Universal Parks & Resorts Bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood
Warner Bros., Universal Parks and Resorts and honored guests celebrated today’s partnership announcement to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – the enormously popular themed entertainment environment which debuted in Orlando in June 2010 – to Universal Studios Hollywood, with an official Butterbeer toast. Plans to significantly expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort were also announced. Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter features multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant – all faithful to the films.
“This is an incredible moment for Universal Studios and the millions of guests who visit our theme parks,” said Ron Meyer, President & COO, Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are some of the most powerful of our time and we are honored to expand our Orlando experience and bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing family tourism in Los Angeles.”
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold approximately 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.
Significant Expansion Planned for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort
Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts today announced a partnership to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – the enormously popular themed entertainment environment which debuted in Orlando in June 2010 – to Universal Studios Hollywood.
The two companies also announced their plans to significantly expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando – and is expected to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come. It will be a fully immersive environment for the entire family that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life and is faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwarts castle to serve as the centerpiece of the themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be created with the same commitment to authenticity and the same level of talent and resources as its Orlando counterpart.
“I am delighted that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been so popular with fans since the opening in Orlando last year and I am sure that the teams at Universal and Warner Bros. will bring their expertise and attention to detail to Hollywood to make this new experience equally as exciting,” said J.K. Rowling.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort opened in June 2010 and immediately captured global attention. It is a spectacularly themed land… Continue reading
Closer Look – The Potted Mandrake
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.
VACATION PACKAGES ON SALE SUNDAY, JULY 31st
Special Event Hosted by Warner Bros. to Feature Three Days of
Cast Member and Filmmaker Appearances, Autograph Signings, Q&A Sessions and Film Screenings
Universal Orlando Resort announced today that special vacation packages will go on sale Sunday, July 31st that will give guests the opportunity to attend “A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films.” This special event will be hosted by Warner Bros. and will celebrate a decade of movie history by allowing fans to share their love for the Harry Potter films. The event will take place from Friday, November 11, to Sunday, November 13, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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… Continue reading
Harry Potter gets new queue area
Universal Islands of Adventure has had its planning application accepted by The South Florida Water Management District today.
The application states:-
The applicant is seeking approval for the modification, construction and operation of a surface water management system to serve a 0.15 acre project to provide an additional que area for guest entering Building 245, previsouly permitted (Project Strongarm “West Area”,application nos. 070731-29, 070731-30, 070731-31).
The building in question being Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey
Not sure why this new queue build will help as it is not where I would have thought it would have been to expand the queue area but it will be interesting to see how this fits into the queuing system already in place.
Universal Orlando Resort Surprises Guests at Midnight Screening
Universal Orlando Resort surprised guests who attended the midnight film screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” at AMC Universal Cineplex 20 with something they could only have dreamed of – exclusive, complimentary access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Immediately following the film, these select guests had The Wizarding World of Harry Potter all to themselves from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Moviegoers were notified of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity following the film. After celebrating in the theaters, more than 3,000 excited guests walked a red carpet to the place where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter films will live on. During their visit, guests experienced the wand choosing them at Ollivanders, tasted Butterbeer, toured Hogwarts castle and enjoyed many other experiences found only at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
One-year anniversary of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Yesterday, Universal Orlando Resort celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The milestone was marked at 9:23 a.m. – the exact time that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on June 18, 2010.
Check out the virtual celebration on their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort, which includes:
- A new “Share Your Story” tab where guests can share their favorite memories from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and get a chance to win a trip to Universal Orlando Resort
- A new “WWoHP Anniversary” tab which looks back at some of the finest moments from the inaugural year of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT CELEBRATES THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
Plus, All-New “Share Your Story” Facebook Tab Allows Guests to Share their Favorite Memories and Get a Chance to Win a Trip to Universal Orlando Resort
Today, Universal Orlando Resort celebrated the one-year anniversary of the most spectacularly themed entertainment environment – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the wonder, excitement and adventures of the Harry Potter books and films come to life.
Universal Orlando commemorated the anniversary at 9:23 a.m. – the exact time The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on June 18, 2010. After taking part in a countdown led by the Hogwarts Express conductor, guests and team members celebrated in the streets of Hogsmeade while “snow” confetti and gold streamers fell from the sky. Guests also enjoyed complimentary Butterbeer, cauldron cakes and Chocolate Frogs.
“We’re so excited to celebrate this milestone with our guests,” said Bill Davis, president of Universal Orlando Resort. “It’s been an incredible year for us and our guests, and we look forward to creating more exciting memories with them in the years to come.”
Universal Orlando is also creating a virtual celebration by launching today a new “Share Your Story” tab on its official Facebook page. The all-new tab gives fans the opportunity to interact with one another and share favorite memories and photos from their visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – whether it’s tasting Butterbeer for the first time, watching their daughter as she’s selected by the perfect wand or soaring above Hogwarts with their family.
If… Continue reading
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Website Wins Webby Awards
Universal Orlando Resort’s website for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has received two of the highest honors for excellence on the Internet – The Webby Award and the People’s Voice Award for “Best Tourism Website.”
The website, found at www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter, has helped guests around the world learn more about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films come to life. The site features ground-breaking interactive elements, including:
- A photo-realistic, fly-through tour of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle
- The Wizarding World News, where you can learn more about this spectacularly themed environment through news articles, video and other multimedia tools
- A virtual Owl Post, where you can send e-cards to friends and family
- An augmented reality map, which appeared online throughout 2010 and allowed guests to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in a unique way by blending real-life environments with computer animation
“From the very beginning, our Interactive and Creative teams strived to imagine beyond normal boundaries and assume anything was possible with this website,” said Al Callier, vice president of interactive development and web production. “These awards are an outstanding honor and a testament to the hard work of many extraordinary creative minds.”
This year marks the 15th Annual WEBBY Awards, and the leading international award association received more than 10,000 entries worldwide in more than 100 categories. Two awards are presented in each category – The Webby Award and the People’s Voice Award.
The… Continue reading
Weasley Brothers at Universal
James and Oliver Phelps (L to R) who portray the mischievous Weasley brothers, Fred and George respectively, in the Harry Potter films stopped to greet fans and take photos with eager guests in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while visiting Universal Orlando Resort on Thursday, June 9, 2011. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which celebrated its grand opening nearly one year ago, is the most spectacular-themed environment ever created.
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