J.K. Rowling writes Pottermore entry on Celestina Warbeck

J.K. Rowling has written a new entry for Pottermore on one of her “favorite ‘off-stage’ characters in the whole series,” Celestina Warbeck.

The 500-word biography shares never-before-known facts about the “the Singing Sorceress,” including details on “Celestina’s early years, career highlights and tumultuous personal life.” Though we never actually “meet” Celestina in the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling says that the singer has been part of Harry’s world “since its inception.” Celestina’s namesake, Rowling reveals, was one of her own colleague’s at Amnesty International. “‘Celestina’ was simply begging to be scooped up and attached to a glamorous witch,” the author writes.

With the entry comes an audio recording of one of Celestina’s hit songs, “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart,” which is performed daily in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Resort. If you’re interested in seeing Celestina perform live at Universal Orlando, click here.

Click here to read the new Celestina Warbeck biography and listen to her hit single, only at Pottermore.com. New users will have to register for the site first to read the new entry, which can be unlocked by clicking the wireless radio to the left of the fireplace.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley opening July 8

After months of speculation, Universal Orlando finally announced today that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be opening July 8, 2014!

The announcement was made on the Today Show during Universal’s media preview of the park. Tonight, the red carpet opening will be streamed live on the web, beginning at 8pm.

The following promotional video was also released today, and is the first to be sent out with the opening date.

In addition the promotional video and the announcement, Universal released a ton of new high-res images of the park, which you can see and download here.

Since most of us thought the park would open this month, are you surprised that it is opening in July? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Wizarding World – Diagon Alley Preview Week announced, cast to attend

Universal Orlando has announced the schedule for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley Preview Week that will feature three live webcasts and a number of cast members from the  Harry Potter films.

Starting this Wednesday, Universal will broadcast three live webcasts on their website from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

From 8pm to 9pm on Wednesday, June 18, the webcast will take viewers straight to the Diagon Alley red carpet event, where they will be joined by cast members of the Harry Potter films.

On Thursday at noon, James and Oliver Phelps (who played Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films) will share with viewers their journey on the Hogwarts Express, which will take riders from Hogsmeade Station to King’s Cross Station in London.

Finally, on Friday Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy in the films), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Alan Gilmore (Art Director of the Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) will take viewers “Behind the Bricks” on an inside look at the new Diagon Alley area at 3pm EST.

To watch all of the webcasts, you can visit the Universal website.

In addition to this, Universal announced the full list of cast members who will be attending these events, including:

Bonnie Wright
Evanna Lynch 
Domhnall Gleeson
Matthew Lewis 
James Phelps 
Oliver Phelps
Warwick Davis 
Tom Felton

Universal has also posted a list of the social media accounts to follow for full coverage of the preview week. Pottermore News will be bringing you a full report on these events as well as they are happening, so be sure to check back for more details.

Photo courtesy SnitchSeeker’s Facebook page

Report: Wizarding World – Diagon Alley to open June 20

When will the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley open?

The answer to this question may lie in the elaborate invitations Universal sent out to press, inviting them to the Media and VIP Preview for the upcoming theme park.

The Theme Park Insider reports that, according to the invitation, the press preview will take place from June 17-20 at Universal Orlando Florida. Usually, the last day of the press preview is the public grand opening, just as it was four years for the opening of the Wizarding World – Hogsmeade area. Therefore, judging by the past, it is safe to say that the Diagon Alley area will open to the public June 20, 2014.

Picture of the invitation, via Theme Park Insider

The Insider points out that in some instances this is not the case, but since the last day of the 2010 press preview was the park’s opening, it is likely to be the grand opening again this year.

Remember, Universal has not confirmed this yet, but the opening date is planned to be formally announced this month.

Will you be going to Universal for the grand opening? Tell us in the comments below!

Source: Theme Park Insider

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride at WWoHP – Diagon Alley revealed

On Tuesday new details were revealed about the upcoming Gringotts ride that will be featured at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley theme park, opening this summer.

Readers will recall the memorable scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and its film adaptation in which Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts Wizarding Bank, escaping from the bank’s vaults with one of Voldemort’s Horcuxes on dragon-back.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts will recreate this sequence in a “multi-dimensional, multi-sensory” thrill ride. Universal uses the latest technology to create the experience, including “360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems and live special effects” with characters from the Harry Potter stories.

The run-up to the ride will be an experience in and of itself. The center of the new Diagon Alley area, Gringotts is “topped by a 60-foot tall, fire-breathing dragon figure.” Guests will queue inside the bank’s marble lobby, where they will see goblins at work. Finally, they will journey down to the bank’s vaults, which are stored “many miles below London,” and board the ride.

The ride’s carts are specifically designed to carry up to 12 people, so that the whole family can experience the ride together. The height requirement for the ride is also 42 inches, 6 inches shorter than the Forbidden Journey ride, which allows younger/smaller children to enjoy the ride as well.

On the ride itself, riders will encounter Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, Gringotts’ “security trolls”, the infamous blinded dragon, and even come face to face with Lord Voldemort. The Universal Creative Team worked with the Harry Potter film crew to make the attraction as detailed as possible. Harry, Ron and Hermione actors, Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have all been confirmed to make an appearance on the ride, as well as Bellatrix Lestrange actress Helena Bonham Carter.

Along with this announcement, Universal also released pictures and a behind the scene video of the ride and attraction, all of which you can view below.

Gringotts Lobby

Goblins hard at work at Gringotts

Gringotts ride vehicles

Bellatrix Lestrange, pictured, makes an appearance on the ride.

Are you excited about the Escape from Gringotts ride? Are you planning on making a trip to Universal for the new expansion? Tell us in the comments below!

Sources: Orlando Sentinel, SnitchSeeker

 

 

Wizarding World News Roundup

Over the past few weeks, there have been a lot of updates surrounding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks in Orlando, Japan and Hollywood. The following is a roundup of some of the small news stories that didn’t get reported, whether because of its relevance or its importance in comparison to other stories.

The main theme park news this week comes from Universal Orlando, who has updated its list of attractions for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley expansion. Newly announced is the menu for The Leaky Cauldron restaurant, and the Gregorvitch Wand Shop, both of which will be featured in Diagon Alley.

Below is a selective list of the coming attractions, with descriptions from Universal’s website. Visit their site to read the full list.

The Leaky Cauldron: Pull up a chair and enjoy hearty British fare in this famous inn, as well as delicious, frothy Butterbeer™. The children’s menu offers items that kids will love, such as chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese.

Cuisine: Cottage pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, stew, and much more.
Children’s Menu: Fish and chips, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and more
Service Type: Buffeteria
Dining Hours: Lunch and Dinner daily

The Leaky Cauldron will be the only restaurant in the new Diagon Alley expansion area.

Wands by Gregorvitch: In this legendary wandmaker’s shop you can purchase your own wand or choose from a wide assortment of Harry Potter™ film character wand replicas, and more. 

Wands by Gregorvitch will be separate from Ollivanders Wand Shop, which will also be featured in Diagon Alley.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: Enter Gringotts™ bank at the far end of Diagon Alley™ and walk through the grand marble lobby where you’ll see goblins hard at work. Then, get ready to take a journey through the cavernous passageways that lead deep underground as you climb aboard Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™. This groundbreaking new multi-dimensional ride puts you right in the middle of the action as you navigate your way through the perils of the Gringotts™ vaults – encountering Harry, Ron and Hermione along the way!

Though the description says that riders will encounter Harry, Ron, and Hermione, neither Dan Radcliffe or Emma Watson have been confirmed to film. Both Rupert Grint and Helena Bonham Carter confirmed that they had done some filming for the theme parks way back in December 2012, and we suspect that the footage will be used for this ride.

In addition to that news, construction pics have been released on the internet from the various theme parks. Click on the links below to view them.

• SnitchSeeker: Hogsmeade train station first look at WWoHP at Orlando
• Orlando Sentinel: Knight Bus is parked at WWoHP Orlando’s London area
• SnitchSeeker: WWoHP Hollywood construction update

Finally, J.K. Rowling has also been confirmed to appear at the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Japan on July 15, 2014. We will have a full report of her appearance once details are released.

We hope you enjoyed that roundup, and we will continue to keep you updated with the latest over the coming weeks and months.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan to open July 15, 2014

Above: WWoHP – Orlando rendering, via Orlando Attractions

Universal Studios announced Friday that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan will open July 15, 2014.

With foreign dignitaries and stars from the Harry Potter films in attendance, Universal made the announcement from their theme park in Osaka, Japan.

Recently, Universal announced that the Wizarding World at Universal Studios Hollywood would be opening in 2016. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley expansion at Universal Orlando is set to opening this summer as well, but does not have a definite opening date.

We’ll keep you updated with the latest news on the theme parks as it comes.

Press release:

Universal Studios Japan Announces “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” Grand Opening on July 15, 2014

April 18, 2014, Osaka, Japan — Universal Studios Japan hosted an event today, to celebrate the announcement of the Grand Opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” which meticulously recreates some of the iconic locations from the world of Harry Potter. Universal Studios Japan revealed that “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will open on July 15, 2014. The announcement culminated with the unveiling of the magnificent Hogwarts castle, the focal point of the land.

Universal Studios Japan welcomed special guests from Japan and around the globe: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan; Ms. Caroline Kennedy, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan; Academy Award®-winning art director and production designer for the Harry Potter films, Stuart Craig; actress Evanna Lynch, who played “Luna Lovegood” in the Harry Potter film series; world-renowned architect Tadao Ando; and Universal Studios Japan ambassadors, and beloved musical act, SMAP, gathered for the celebration.

When Prime Minister Abe and Ambassador Kennedy announced the opening date, Hogwarts castle was illuminated with a spectacular show of lights and brilliant fireworks.

“We cannot wait for the July 15 opening. ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ will be a wonderful addition to Universal Studios Japan and will contribute to energizing Osaka and the local economy,” said Prime Minister Abe.

“It’s wonderful to be here tonight to celebrate another dimension of the United States-Japan alliance,” said Ambassador Kennedy. “Harry Potter inspired a generation of children to love reading?and when they are not reading, I hope they come to ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.’”

Event Overview

The evening’s celebration began with an “owl” delivering a letter from Hogwarts to President and CEO of Universal Studios Japan, Mr. Glenn Gumpel, who was revealed on stage with the letter in hand to introduce the honored guests.

Guests Evanna Lynch, Stuart Craig, Tadao Ando and SMAP were greeted on stage with loud cheers, and the appearance of United States Ambassador Kennedy was met with thunderous applause.

With distinguished guests from around the world gathered, Mr. Gumpel presented the letter from the wizarding world to Prime Minister Abe and Ambassador Kennedy, who together, reading from the letter, announced “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” opening date. At that moment, Hogwarts castle was illuminated with a radiant light show with fireworks, which unveiled its towering scale and lit up the night sky.

Following additional remarks by Prime Minister Abe, Ms. Evanna Lynch led the guests in casting the spell “Lumos!” followed by more dazzling fireworks to the further the excitement and joy of the crowd.

A special website, where you can begin to explore “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” online, has now launched. Please visit www.usj.co.jp/harrypotter in the official Universal Studios Japan website.

Recap of WWoHP – Diagon Alley Expansion webcast: Concept art, stores, and ride announced

Today, Universal Orlando hosted a webcast to announce new details about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley Expansion.

Opening this summer , the new expansion will feature the areas of London, Diagon Alley, and Knockturn Alley. These new areas will host a variety of shops, two eateries, and even a new thrill ride based off of the Gringotts break-in, seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. In addition, guests will be able to travel between the two areas (London and the Wizarding World) on a replica of the Hogwarts Express.

Along with this, Universal released beautiful concept art of the expansion. Everything looks absolutely stunning, and we can’t wait to see it all come to life!

(Note: Interestingly, they did not release concept art for the Leaky Cauldron)

View concept of the expansion here:

Diagon Alley | Hogsmeade Station | Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride | Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor | King’s Cross Station | London Embankment | Ollivanders |Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes | Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

Here’s a recap of the webcast via the press release:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will give visitors the exciting opportunity to: 

• Board the Hogwarts Express and journey between London’s King’s Cross Station (located in Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade Station (located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure). The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required.
• Experience a groundbreaking new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts,which will place riders in the middle of an incredible adventure as they navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults
• Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops
• Discover the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley, the darkest of dark places that features Borgin and Burkes – a shop specializing in the Dark Arts that will offer a wide variety of Dark objects, such as Death Eater masks, skulls, and other sinister items
• Explore some of Diagon Alley’s famous shops, including:Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone
• Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where guests will find a variety of wizardwear from Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes
• Magical Menagerie, which features a collection of plush animals, such as owls and Hippogriffs
• Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses
• Quality Quidditch Supplies, offering a wide assortment of apparel and equipment including Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more
• Scribbulus, featuring authentic writing implements and products such as feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards
• Enjoy traditional British fare that includes favorite dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and more at the Leaky Cauldron 
• Visit Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour for frozen treats in a variety of tantalizing and unique flavors such as strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice-cream and many others

Are you excited for the expansion? Will you be visiting Universal Orlando? Tell us in the comments below!

Pottermore releases second installment of ‘Goblet of Fire’

Today, Pottermore released the second installment of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapters 12 through 20.

In this installment, the Pottermore Insider announces, users can:

Squeeze Goyle’s boils in the dungeons and collect a Potter Stinks badge, meet characters such as Mad-Eye Moody and Rita Skeeter for the very first time and discover new information from J.K. Rowling about the international wizarding schools Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

As mentioned above, there are two new J.K. Rowling Exclusive Content entries, about Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, as well as an insightful overview of the Dailey Prophet.

Next week, from January 24-26, Pottermore will be at the Celebration of Harry Potter convention at Universal Orlando to present new artwork from the final installment of Goblet of Fire, preview an audio clip on J.K. Rowling, and give insight in the behind-the-scenes work at Pottermore. We’ll have full coverage of their event, so stick with us at Pottermore News.

Happy Exploring!

What do you think of the new chapters? …the new J.K. Rowling entries? Tell us in the comments below!

Universal to make Wizarding World Diagon Alley announcement over webcast

Universal has announced they will be unveiling new details of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley expansion over a webcast this January.

In a video released by Universal today, Harry Potter actor James Phelps announced that Universal will be releasing information about the theme park expansion on January 23.

Watch the announcement:

As Hypable pointed out, the webcast is to take place a day before Universal Orlando’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter” fan convention. At the convention, ticket holders will be able to attend wand lessons, Q&A with select cast members of the films,  receive a behind-the-scenes look at Pottermore, and more.

Pottermore News will have full coverage of the webcast and convention come January.