Posted on Fri, Feb 19, 2010 @ 06:31 PM
Book your Harry Potter Vac
ation Package now for Universal Studios Orlando
Harry Potter should be accepting guests to his new theme-park home by the end of May.
Universal Orlando has starting selling Vacation Packages for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios...The deals are good for travel beginning May 28.
But May 28 is not being considered the grand-opening date for the $200-million-plus expansion of the Islands of Adventure theme park, Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said.
"It's to help people plan their vacations," he said Thursday. "It's a
day in which we know we'll be able to deliver everything we're offering them as far as vacation packages."
The resort expects Wizarding World to be in operation before that, but is sticking with its "to be revealed in spring 2010″ mantra. There could be soft-opening dates or previews, as is common with many new attractions.
"Obviously it's our goal to open the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as soon as it's ready," Schroder said.
Until Thursday's announcement, Potter fans were forced to play a guessing game on booking reservations.
Rhonda Poelma's 11-year-old daughter Savanna, a Harry Potter fan, convinced her to take a leap of faith on Wizarding World. After talking with a Universal representative on the phone, the Denver mother of two made reservations for early June.
And she lucked out.
"I was just taking a stab in the dark. I went with late spring, post-Memorial Day weekend," Poelma said. "We really wanted to get it in this season while it was still new."
Poelma visited Orlando seven years ago and went to Walt Disney World. This will be her family's first time at Universal, which they will follow with a cruise to the Bahamas.
Setting an opening time frame is an important step, said Ray Braun, a senior vice president at Economics Practice at AECOM, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm that does economic research for the theme-park industry.
"You build your marketing campaign around your big new attractions every year, so you have to build your marketing campaign. It has to be on the front of your brochure, and you have to deliver on that," he said.
"In this case, this is so big, this is like opening a whole new park," Braun said. "This is going to have an inpact on all of Universal's neighbors as well, in terms of the parks. There's going to be an uplift, and I'm sure all of the other parks want to have some knowledge about when that uplift is going to hit too."
At local AAA offices, Wizarding World posters distributed by Universal have created buzz - and questions. Now there's at least a bit more information to go on.
"Once they see the poster, they get all excited and ask about when it is opening," said Vanessa Jones, AAA senior motor club manager of metro Orlando.
"It's people of all ages - old and young," she said. "We're expecting it to be a good attraction for Central Florida and, of course, for Universal."
Wizarding World, which will be included in regular admission to Islands of Adventure, will feature rides, eateries, stores, merchandise and atmosphere based on J.K. Rowling's books and movies about a boy wizard. Universal's version of Hogwarts Castle will house a dark ride, still wrapped in mystery, called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Hogsmeade Village will feature shops, including Ollivanders, where theme-park guests will be able to buy wands. Two current roller coasters at Islands will be rethemed to be Potteresque.
Universal's media release emphasizes that the "May 28 travel date was set to help consumers with vacation planning and does not represent the opening date for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Universal has announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in Spring 2010. Specific opening information will come as soon as it is available."
Still haven't booked your Harry Potter Vacation Package for Universal Studios yet?
Check out our website for all the latest deals on Universal Studios Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Don't wait...they will go fast...
Posted on Fri, Feb 05, 2010 @ 08:48 AM
Orlando Getting Ready for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
ORLANDO -- Universal Orlando Resort has suddenly rolled out a number of high profile ads for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Could it be a sign that the new attraction will be opening sooner rather than later this spring? Universal would not say.
With a brand new Super Bowl ad, a newly updated Web site and a special interactive map splashed across newspapers nationwide, three major advertisements featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in just over the last week have generated lots of interest in the new "theme park within a theme park."
"I know that when Islands of Adventure opened up, everybody was excited about that, but I think this just tops the scale," said Mark Davis, who runs Orlando Discount Tickets USA, a theme park ticket Web site.
Click here to watch Video
Davis said during the last few weeks, 95 percent of his callers and visitors have asked about when Harry's new home is opening.
"When is it opening? We want to be there! Can we buy the package for that time?" the callers ask.
While Universal Orlando will get most of the attention, other tourist businesses have also begun getting ready.
Brian Wong, a local hotel manager, said he has been putting the finishing touches on upgrades for his hotel, and trying to draw in crowds brought in by all of the attention Universal's newest attraction is getting.
"It's newsworthy," Wong said. "It keeps Orlando on the map, and generates interest for years to come."
The crowds and the tourist dollars sure to come are just waiting.
Universal has only revealed that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open this spring. Experts, however, said that many visitors will stay at home until an exact opening date is set, a day our troubled tourism industry said they can't wait for.
"The excitement of something that people have anticipated and really wanted to see is going to be a huge boost," Wong said.
Still wanting tickets or a Vacation Package to Universal Studios Orlando?
Check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Universal Studios & Harry Potter needs...
Posted on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 07:19 AM
Win a Trip to Grand Opening of Harry Potter & The Wizarding World
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
The Universal Orlando Resort is running a contest in which you can win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.
The grand prize is a trip for four to Orlando to participate in the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sometime in Spring 2010. The official rules state that the specific grand opening dates are not yet determined. Trip package includes roundtrip plane tickets, three nights at a Universal Partner Hotel, and four 2-park Unlimited tickets.
Beyond the grand opening trip, other Potter-related prizes include magic wands, video games, DVDs, and other collectibles.
To enter, visit www.theroadtohogwarts.com and follow the instructions to fill out the registration form. In addition to the basic entry, completing various activities, like watching video clips or downloading wallpaper, will earn you additional entries into the contest.
Each participant can earn up to twenty-three entries throughout the course of the contest. The sweepstakes ends on Dec. 18, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET. with winners selected by the end of the year.
Remember, If you don't win, you can still be there for all the exciting action. Just check out all our Universal Studios Orlando Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Harry Potter needs.
Posted on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 @ 06:31 AM
Open casting calls for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
If you're looking forward to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010 and wish you could conjure up a way to be part of the magic, you will soon have your chance.
Thanks to a post on Orlando United, we've learned that Universal Orlando is holding open casting calls for atmosphere roles as part of the Wizarding World. They're looking for male and female actors who can speak with a British accent. More specifically, Universal is holding calls for male actors with strong improv and interaction skills who are able to portray an age range of mid-thiries to mid-forties. In addition, they're casting male and female actors who are youthful in appearance.
Casting is being held on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. in the Universal Orlando Human Resources Lobby at 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819.
Full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions are available. All actors should prepare a one-minute monologue for audition and candidates must be available for callbacks on Monday, Nov. 16 and rehearsals beginning in January.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been announced to be opening in Spring 2010 so it's good news that Universal has finally begun its casting process.
Still haven't got tickets or your Universal Orlando Vacation Package yet? Then check out our website for all your Universal needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 @ 07:03 AM
Can't wait for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Open? Visit Harry Potter Landmarks
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure next spring. But if you just can't wait that long to see a bit of the Wizarding World in person, travel Web sites Skyscanner & Orlando Attractions Magazine has released these top 12 real life locations for experiencing a bit of the Wizarding World.
1. Kings Cross Station (London, England, UK)
Wizarding World: The famed Platform 9 ¾ is where Harry and his wizarding pals hop aboard the steaming Hogwarts Express at the start of each term on their way to their magical school.
Muggle World: The actual platform used for filming was Platform 4 in London Kings Cross station, but Network Rail have erected a Platform 9 ¾ sign and a luggage trolley magically disappearing into the wall to honour the story, which has made Kings Cross station a must see for fans on the Potter circuit.
2. Goathland, North Yorkshire, (England, UK)
Wizarding World: Hogsmeade Station is the place where Harry and friends disembark the Hogwarts Express before making the onward journey to Hogwarts School.
Muggle World: Goathland station is a real station in North Yorkshire, England, that was used as the film set for Hogsmeade and Potter fans still flock to get their pictures taken at this now famous landmark. Unfortunately you won't see Hogwarts in the distance - it was created using special effects.
3. Alnwick Castle (England, UK)
Wizarding World: The grounds outside Hogwarts where Harry and his classmates have their first ever broomstick flying lesson.
Muggle World: The second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle, it was used in the filming of the exterior of Hogwarts for the flying lesson scene as well as when Harry crash lands the flying car. Several other locations were also used to film parts of Hogwarts including: Christ Church, Oxford, Durham Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire.
4. London Zoo (England, UK)
Wizarding World: The place where Harry realizes he is a Parselmouth - i.e. fluent in snake speak - during "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone."
Muggle World: The reptile house in the London Zoo was used to film this slithery scene. Why not see if you can discuss the latest in reptilian fashion with a boa constrictor too?
5. Scotland (UK)
Wizarding World: Though never specifically mentioned in the books, JK Rowling has remarked in interviews that Scotland was the logical setting for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the place where the vast majority of Harry and company's adventures take place.
Muggle World: Scotland is well known for its castles, mansions and noble houses, all of which may have provided Rowling with inspiration for Hogwarts. Glen Nevis was used for some of the Quidditch scenes, and the West Highland Railway was used to film the journey of the Hogwarts Express which also takes in the incredible Glenfinnan Viaduct.
6. Bulgaria
Wizarding World: Bulgaria is home to Durmstrang Institute's wizarding student and international Quidditch champion, Viktor Krum.
Muggle World: Bulgaria's White Brotherhood - a group who believe in supernatural beings of great power, collect in the Seven Lakes region of the Rila Mountains to perform a spiritual dance every year. Here, over a thousand people dressed in white robes move slowly around in huge concentric circles. The spectacle is so impressive that Monty Python star and world traveler, Michael Palin, visited to area to film it for his BBC documentary series, New Europe.
7. Ireland
Wizarding World: The Emerald Isle is home to many magical creatures in the Potter Universe including Imps, (small mischievous creatures), Porlocks, (horse guardians from southern Ireland) and Kelpies (water demons). Ireland is also well known in the wizarding world for being the proud winners of the 1994 Quidditch World Cup.
Muggle World: Catch a hurling match, which is about as close as a Muggles can get to the sport of Quidditch. A hugely popular sport in Ireland, most towns have a hurling field and team.
8. Wales (UK)
Wizarding World: Home to the "Welsh Green" dragon, this species prefers to nest in high mountain regions. It mainly hunts sheep and small mammals but tends to avoid human contact.
Muggle World: Climb Wales' highest and most famous mountain, Snowdon. A typical climbing party takes around five to six hours to reach the summit and come down again, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you may just catch a glance of a Welsh Green. Pembrokeshire in Wales is also the film location for Shell Cottage, home of married couple Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour which will be featured in the "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows" film.
9. Norway
Wizarding World: Home to the native Norwegian Ridgeback dragon which inhabits the northern mountains, this beast has venomous fangs and feeds on large animals and sometimes aquatic mammals. Hagrid succeeds in hatching a Norwegian Ridgeback egg but eventually gives it to Charlie Weasley who takes the dragon to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary.
Muggle World: Norway's mountains and fjords are a paradise for wildlife; we don't know about dragons, but trolls are a strong part of Norse mythology, said to be devious and fearsome creatures living underground in hills, caves or mountains.
10. Romania
Wizarding World: this eastern European country is home to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, a preservation area created for the protection and study of dragons. The largest dragon sanctuary in the Potter universe, it was the preferred supplier of dragons for the Triwizard Tournament.
Muggle World: Transylvania in Romania is well known for its spooky, reputedly haunted castles. Ever since Bram Stoker used it as the setting for his Dracula novel, the region has been shrouded in supernatural folklore and associated with vampires, who also form part of the wizarding world in the Potter series.
11. Wollongong (Australia)
Wizarding World: Home to the Woollongong Warriors, one of the strongest Quidditch teams in the Harry Potter Universe and dominators of the Australian Quidditch league, their rivalry with the Thundelarra Thunderers is legendary amongst the Australian magical community as documented in JK's book: Quidditch Through the Ages.
Muggle World: Woollongong is an obvious reference to very similar sounding Wollongong, a city in New South Wales, Australia, noted for its numerous surfing beaches, scenery and botanic gardens, so no doubt an ideal place for wizards to obtain essential ingredients for their potions.
12. Edinburgh (Scotland, UK)
No Harry Potter fan can omit Edinburgh as part of their tour. It was in this fine city (which is also home of Skyscanner) that JK Rowling completed the first book in her series - "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - reputedly doing much of the writing in cafes around the city. To the dismay of Potter fans, one of her favourite spots, Nicolson's Café, has since turned into an all-you-can eat Chinese restaurant. However, another one of JK's haunts, The Elephant House still stands and a coffee with a bagel here is a must for any Potter Fan.
Other Venues in the Potter Universe
Numerous other buildings were used for film locations including Bodleian Library, Oxford (Hogwarts interiors), Australia House, The Strand London (Gringott's Bank), Martins Heron, Berkshire (Privet Drive) and Leadenhall Market, London (Diagon Alley).
Still haven't got tickets yet to visit Harry Potter and the Wizarding World or your Vacation Package for next year? Visit our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com to book your Universal Orlando Vacation Package.
Posted on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 @ 08:16 AM
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Construction Update at Universal's Islands of Adventure, Video and Photos
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
It's time again for an update on the construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. There's a lot more to see since our last update as Hogwart's Castle is starting to really look like a castle. The new area of the park is set to open next spring.
Let's start with our first video update, then some photos for a more detailed look, then we'll end with a video from the land's designers walking us through the whole area.
This building, seen from the bridge from The Lost Continent to Jurassic Park, will be the Three Broomsticks restaurant. To the right is Zonko's joke shop, which will be on your left as you enter the Wizarding World.
The best view of the castle is as you're leaving Dueling Dragons. But this view will eventually be going away when they close the ride to start converting it to Dragon Challenge.
You can also see the queue area for the already closed Flying Unicorn ride from the Dueling Dragons queue. Flying Unicorn will become Flight of the Hippogriff.
So, there you have it...The latest update for Harry Potter and the Wizarding World at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure set to open next year....
Still haven't got tickets yet or a vacation package to Universal Studios? Then check out our web site for all your Universal Studios Orlando needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 @ 08:31 AM
Vote For Your Favorite Scene at Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios
After watching Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince movie this past week, many people are looking forward to the next installment in the Harry Potter universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Here's what we know about the main attraction in the new land, which will open early in 2010: It will take place inside Hogwarts Castle. You will board after queueing through the Great Hall. The ride vehicles will be four-person seats on Kuka robot arms, mounted from an overhead track. And there will be about 10 scenes in the ride.
But what do you want those 10 scenes to be? Let's vote!
Several potential scenes from the first three Harry Potter books have been selected. They are all scenes from inside Hogwarts Castle and do not include the Great Hall or the entry, which will be part of the queue. Nor do they include the common rooms, well, 'cause you're not supposed to be in common rooms outside your house. ;-) And they do not include any scenes that take place outside the castle, since that's where the ride will be set.
Pick the one you most want to see, from these options, then discuss in the comments.