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Harry Potter

Celebration of Harry Potter Event Coming to Universal Orlando in January 2014

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Universal Orlando and Warner Bros. have announced a new event to celebrate Harry Potter at the resort in January 2014. With Diagon Alley expansion progressing swiftly to a summer 2014 opening, this event appears time to raise the excitement level among the franchises fans. Universal has held similar Harry Potter events in the past. “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will be a special event for fans of all ages that will celebrate all of Harry’s adventures, from the beloved books to the Warner Bros. feature films.

Beginning January 24, 2014, fans will enjoy three days of unforgettable experiences – including interactive Q&As with Harry Potter talent and more. Special event vacation packages will go on sale August 22 and will include exclusive benefits such as access to a private evening reception held in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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Universal Orlando’s Transformers Attraction Rushes Past Milestone, Park Already Moving On

Walt Disney World managers may not publicly admit they’re in a battle for tourist dollars, but there is an arms race going on in Orlando and one side is bringing out the big guns. After the success of Harry Potter and Despicable Me themed attractions,… Read More »Universal Orlando’s Transformers Attraction Rushes Past Milestone, Park Already Moving On

Walt Disney Studios Greenlights Artemis Fowl Movie, Finally

artemisfowl-coverWith a fan base that rival’s Harry Potter the Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer have spent a lot of time on the best sellers list. Now Disney hopes it can weave that into box office gold as well with a franchise based on the popular children’s fiction series The Weinstein company kept some of the rights for the Artemis Fowl series as part of its divorce from Disney, so they’ll get producer rights and the screenplay is being written by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix scribe Michael Goldenberg.

If you’re like me and haven’t read the books, here’s a short introduction:

Artemis Fowl is about a 12-year-old Artemis who is a millionaire, a genius – and above all, a criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy (Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit) to harness her magic to save his family. These aren’t the fairies of the bedtime stories – they’re dangerous.

“With its balance of mystery, adventure and family appeal, Artemis Fowl is a natural fit for Disney,” said Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with Harvey on this exciting project.”
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Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expands The Magic with Diagon Alley

Universal Orlando Resort made official its worst kept secret today. The Hogwarts School of Wizarding Magic & Hogsmeade themed Wizarding World of Harry Potter land in Islands of Adventure will joined by a Diagon Alley companion land in Universal Studios Florida. Connecting the two lands… Read More »Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expands The Magic with Diagon Alley

Univeral Studios Hollywood Will Go Forward With Expansion, Harry Potter

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I spent most of the 90s visiting Universal Studios Hollywood almost every month. In doing so, I really got to know the tightly packed acreage that made up Southern California’s second most popular themepark. It’s taken some doing, but they’ve finally gotten final approval to go forward with the next stage in the development of Universal Studios.

The first projects of NBCUniversal’s 25-year Evolution Plan with be tied to adding the much anticipated west coast version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The total plan represents a $1.6 billion investment in tourism and production in Southern California. This long-term investment in two industries that are vital to Los Angeles will create more than 30,000 jobs and generate $2 billion of economic activity during operations for the region.Read More »Univeral Studios Hollywood Will Go Forward With Expansion, Harry Potter

Disney Fantasy – Enchanted Art

Enchanted art is the logical progression of those little digital frames you send your grand parents stuffed with pictures of their grand children. Some people liken it to the moving photos in Harry Potter films, but it’s really more magical than that. Disney pushed the… Read More »Disney Fantasy – Enchanted Art

J.R. Martinez, Dancing With The Stars Champion, Visits Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Actor and former U.S. army soldier J.R. Martinez was hosted by Universal Orlando Resort today as he vacationed in Orlando. Best known for winning season 13 of ABC’s hit TV series, “Dancing with the Stars,” J.R. enjoyed an exciting performance by students from the Beauxbatons… Read More »J.R. Martinez, Dancing With The Stars Champion, Visits Wizarding World of Harry Potter

How should Universal Maximize Harry Potter Potential

A few years ago you could fire a cannon down any pathway in Islands of Adventure and have little risk of hitting a soul. But a big change swept into the park and with it a ton more visitors, all opening their wallets to take… Read More »How should Universal Maximize Harry Potter Potential