3rd Annual ‘Celebration of Harry Potter’ Fan Event Comes to Universal Orlando Resort Jan 29-31; Vacation Packages Go On Sale Aug 19

Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. will host its third annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter,” a special gathering of Harry Potter fans from around the globe, Jan. 29-31, 2016 © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. will host its third annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter,” a special gathering of Harry Potter fans from around the globe, Jan. 29-31, 2016. The three-day weekend event will feature an array of experiences.

All general admission park guests will have the opportunity to:

• Attend Q&A sessions with Harry Potter film talent (complete talent lineup will be announced at a later date)
• Experience and participate in the interactive exhibits at the “A Celebration of Harry Potter Expo, featuring Harry Potter brand partners such as Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Pottermore, Scholastic, MinaLima, and Harry Potter: The Exhibition
• Enjoy special panels and demonstrations regarding various aspects of the Harry Potter stories

Additionally, guests will be able to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and ride the Hogwarts Express between the two lands with a park-to-park ticket.

Special vacation packages, including annual passholder packages, will go on sale at noon EST on August 19. On-site hotel packages start at $235 per adult per night and include exclusive benefits such as special guest access to “A Celebration of Harry Potter ” Expo, admission to a private evening reception in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and special guest access to panels and demonstrations. Packages also include three-night hotel accommodations, three-day park-to-park tickets to both Universal Studios Florida & Universal’s Islands of Adventure, a special welcome parcel and more. For complete package details, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.

Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, are home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative attractions. Its on-site resort hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resort are destinations unto themselves. Its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers dining and entertainment for every member of the family. And just minutes away is Wet n Wild, a family water park.

Universal Orlando Resort has unveiled 18 new guest experiences in the past five years including new attractions, dining opportunities and a dramatically themed hotel.  And more is on the way.  Coming in 2016 is Universal Orlando’s fifth on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort; and Skull Island: Reign of Kong, a groundbreaking attraction in Islands of Adventure.  And in 2017, Universal Orlando Resort will open Universal’s Volcano Bay, an entirely new water theme park experience.

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Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista has deals during Braves, Astros spring training

The Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista offers easy access to Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

ORLANDO (February 18, 2011) –

Braves and Astros fans can get a homerun deal on Orlando vacations from the AAA Three Diamond Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista (LBV) during spring training.

Baseball fans can book and stay at the hotel now through March 31, 2011 and pay just $49.99 per night, plus tax.   The hotel is located only three miles from Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros spring training in Orlando, so baseball fans are just minutes from all of the action.

For just $10 more, guests can enjoy a special game day-lunch for two that includes two fountain sodas, two hot dogs and two small chips from the hotel’s Lite Bite restaurant.  As an added bonus for baseball-loving parents, children always stay free and children under 9 eat for free (one child per each paying adult).  A commemorative souvenir will be given to the first 50 bookings at check-in.

The family-friendly Clarion Inn LBV is easily accessible to Walt Disney World Resort^® theme parks, Universal Orlando ^®, SeaWorld Orlando^® and Aquatica^®, with complimentary daily scheduled shuttle service.  There are also scheduled pick-ups for Orlando Premium Outlet shopping at Vineland Avenue.  A 24-hour video game room is open for kids of all ages.  Outdoors, guests can enjoy the hotel’s lush landscaped grounds and a children’s playground, as well as two seasonally heated outdoor pools, one of which features the new Ozzie’s Splash Zone for kids.  Guests can choose from a wide variety of onsite dining options to fuel up before the game or they can grab a post-game bite at the Boardwalk Buffet, Lite Bite Mini-Market/Deli or Comfort Zone Bar and Grille.

Extensive multi-million dollar renovations were recently completed at the hotel, which led to the new AAA 3-Diamond rating.  Every guest room received new American-made furnishings of a contemporary design including new ergonomic desks, as well as new carpet, window treatments, upgraded art work, luxurious Simmons Beautyrest pillow-top mattresses and stylish, yet comfortable bedding treatments.  Private bathrooms now feature granite-finish vanity and modern decorative lighting.  Each guest room offers a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, electronic safe and cable television with in-room movies.  Guests also enjoy complimentary WIFI in guest rooms and public areas and free onsite parking.

To book online or for more details and the 2011 Spring Training schedules for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros in Orlando, visit www.clarionLBV.com/springtraining, or call 800-999-7300 and ask for the Spring Training rate.

The Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista – a Rosen Hotels & Resorts property – is located at 8442 Palm Parkway, Orlando, FL 32819 and features 640 newly renovated guest rooms in four high-rise buildings,  a playground and two swimming pools, one of which features the new “Ozzie the Otter Splash Zone.” The free scheduled shuttle provides transportation to Walt Disney World Resort^® theme parks and Downtown Disney as well as Universal Orlando, ^® SeaWorld Orlando^® and Aquatica^®. The hotel is located just off I-4, approximately 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport.  For more information, visit www.clarionLBV.com or call 800-999-7300.

See also:

Inside Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter and slideshow

and

Walt Disney World Orlando is Still the Place for Magic and slideshow

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Wizarding World of Harry Potter Celebrates 1,000,000th Butterbeer Sale

In celebration of selling its millionth Butterbeer inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort shared 1,000 complimentary Butterbeers with guests on the streets of Hogsmeade © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

In celebration of selling its millionth Butterbeer inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort shared 1,000 complimentary Butterbeers with guests on the streets of  Hogsmeade.

Butterbeer appears as a favorite drink inside the Harry Potter books and films and is only available inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  It is a nonalcoholic, frothy drink reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch and is served cold or frozen.

Much has been written about Butterbeer since it made its debut on June 18, 2010, making it one of the most talked about beverages of 2010.  There has been much speculation about its secret ingredients – but Universal Orlando will not share the closely guarded recipe. Universal has implemented special security procedures to protect the details.

Butterbeer quickly became a guest favorite.   To help meet the strong demand, Universal Orlando added a fourth Butterbeer location within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

“You can see the excitement on our guests’ faces as they wait in line – and then the smile that comes with their first sip,” said Ric Florell, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Resort Revenue Operations for Universal Orlando.  “Butterbeer is not just a beverage. It’s an experience.”

 

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most spectacularly themed environment ever created. It is the only place in the world where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films come to life.

 

See Inside Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter

and Wizarding World slideshow

Also Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Lets You Live Universal’s Theme Park Fantasy

 

 

ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT RESORT OFFERS SAVINGS ON HOLIDAY STAYS

The Orlando World Center Marriott Resort provides near access to Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; special holiday rates © 2010/Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

Celebrate the joys of the season at the Four-Diamond, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and unwrap the amazing savings of Holiday Advance Purchase Rates. Enjoy any one of the most popular and joyous occasions:

Thanksgiving stays, available Nov. 19-Dec. 2, rates are from $149 per room, per night.

Christmas and New Year’s stays, from Dec. 19, 2010 through Jan 2, 2011 are from $139 to $209 per room per night.

The family friendly 200-acre playground will be decked out in holiday style with festive and themed events and activities throughout the resort. Cheers to holiday drinks and dining specials in the restaurants. Kids can participate in holiday crafts, or watch their favorite holiday movie, before making a splash at the tropical lagoon pool with its 106-foot waterslide, cascading rock waterfalls and grotto, the resort’s hot spot for plenty of cool pool games. The world-class adventure continues with an indoor pool; secluded spa pool; two kid’s pools, and six whirlpool spas. Play a game of volleyball, basketball, tennis, ping-pong or venture a round of golf on the 18-hole championship course. Guests can also experience the full service Spa and 10 diverse restaurants and lounges including a food court, and a Starbucks^® for families on the go.

The Orlando World Center Marriott Resort is located only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World^® and just minutes from SeaWorld^® Orlando, Discovery Cove^®, Aquatica™, and Universal Studios^® Orlando.

For more information or reservations, call  888-99-World and ask for rate code ADP, or visit Orlando World Center Marriott Resort.

See also:  Inside Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter