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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Vacation Packages on Sale Sunday, July 31 for ‘Celebration of Harry Potter Films’ at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort just announced 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.” © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

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 just announced that special vacation packages will go on sale Sunday, July 31^st 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 the vacation packages for an additional fee.

Throughout the three-day celebration, guests will also be able to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter films come to life. They will enjoy experiences such as soaring above Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, sipping Butterbeer in Hogsmeade and being inside Ollivanders and seeing a wand choose its wizard.

The primary way to participate in celebration events is by purchasing one of Universal Orlando’s special vacation packages. Packages are extremely limited and go on sale at noon EDT on Sunday, July 31. Guests can choose from two vacation package options: the Celebration Vacation Package and the Premier Vacation Package. There will be additional ways for a limited number of people to participate in celebration events. Stay tuned for more details.

For more information about the event and vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.

See also:

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

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

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Marking 1st Anniversary of ‘Wizarding World,’ Universal Orlando Lets Guests Share their Memory and Have Chance to Win a Trip

On Saturday, June 18, Universal Orlando celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. To cap off the celebration, Universal launched a “Share Your Story” tab on its official Facebook page where guests can share their favorite memories – or the memories they hope to make – of the most spectacularly themed environment ever created © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

On Saturday, June 18, 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 also created a virtual celebration by launching 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.

Every U.S. resident who shares their story will automatically be entered to win a VIP trip to Universal Orlando Resort this fall. Now through July 15, Universal will give away two VIP trips each week – one to a guest who has experienced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and one to someone that has never been.

If fans have not been able to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they can share why they aspire to on the “Share Your Story” tab as well.  U.S. residents who share their stories on the tab will be automatically entered into a contest where they can win a trip to Universal Orlando Resort this fall.  To take part in the virtual celebration, share their stories or read other fans’ stories, guests should visit www.Facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort.

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.

For more information about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com.

See also:

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

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

Castle Hotel in Orlando offers “Wizarding Wonders’ in time for new Harry Potter film

The Castle Hotel times its "Wizarding Wonders" package for the release of the new Harry Potter film this summer. The package includes transportation to Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter themepark © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Castle Hotel– an enchanting and magical experience within the heart of Orlando – invites guests to enjoy luxurious accommodations while amazing their imagination with Wizarding Wonders at The Castle Hotel.

From June 1 – July 31, 2011, starting at $144 per night, guests of The Castle enhance their wizard experience with two-night accommodations, theme park transportation to a mysterious world, Castle Creature stuffed toy, magical potion beverages, “dive-in” large screen movie marathon beside the pool and movie tickets for the entire family to enjoy the eighth and final movie installment released July 15, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

Perfect timing for the huge final release of the on-screen version of J.K. Rowling’s enchanting saga, The Castle Hotel brings the magical experience from the parks and activities right back to the comfortable hotel room. Located in the heart of Orlando, on the famed International Drive, the royal experience awaits guests as The Castle combines artistic flare and playful luxury within its medieval-inspired walls. From the rare doll collection and castle creatures to the medieval architecture and authentic Austrian castle detailing, The Castle creates an atmosphere both parents and children are sure to love.

The Castle Hotel has a prime location in the theme park capital of the world, providing hotel guests with plenty of options for family fun, quality time with friends or a romantic escape. International Drive and Mall at Millenia offer a multitude of shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities, while Orlando’s famed theme parks are only a few miles away on the hotel shuttle service.

For more information or to book the Wizarding Wonders package at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – The Castle, please visit www.thecastleorlando.com  or call 407-345-1511 or toll-free 877.317.5753.

See also:

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

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