You might notice a lot of similarly dressed people in the Universal Orlando area this weekend. They're also putting a slight dent in the Earth because thousands of these robe-wearing, scarf-sporting, wand-touting fanatics want and need everything Potter.
The second annual "A Celebration of Harry Potter" has just kicked off at Universal Orlando. Last year, fans were anticipating the forthcoming grand opening of the second Potter-themed section, Diagon Alley. But this year, they get to experience the new land in addition to the original Hogsmeade.
Costume-clad Eleni Panagiotidis, 12, flew in from Connecticut with her family to attend the weekend-long event.
"It was just a book," she said, of the franchise. "But honestly, it's been my best friend throughout my whole life."
Just check out the mural just inside the entrance of the Harry Potter Expo at Universal Studios. Fans can respond to "What Does Harry Potter Mean to You," and the messages are quite emotional.
For instance, someone scribbled: I was hospitalized for months from many surgeries. ... Thank you for helping me recover." Also, we saw this one: "Harry Potter lets me be myself without being judged. I always watch them when I am in a bad place or feeling ill. Thank you, J.K. Rowling."
"It's just like a home away from home," Panagiotidis said. "It's — it's just amazing."
"For me, it's definitely something I grew up with," said a robe-wearing Modjeska Hutchings, visiting from Kingman, Arizona. "So, it's been important to me over the years."
Also inside the Expo are real-deal props and costumes from the film sets.
"All the props come from Warner Bros. Studios," said Eddie Newquist, of Harry Potter: The Exhibition. "They've allowed these out of their archives for the fans to see here in Orlando."
Here's an incentive to stay active this weekend and attend the demos: We learned some of the film actors will be making surprise appearances.
Here's some more information we got from Universal. The event will include experiences such as:
- Q&A sessions with film talent and other special guests, including Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
- A special opening event on Friday night starring the Harry Potter film talent, MinaLima, and award-winning artist Kazu Kibuishi and more
- A live dueling demonstration and wand combat masterclass hosted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, featuring the world's only Wand Combat choreographer, Paul Harris
- A live demonstration with award-winning illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, who will be drawing some of the Harry Potter characters on stage in this interactive panel hosted by Scholastic
- A look behind the scenes of the graphic props of the Harry Potter films with graphic designers, MinaLima
- "A Celebration of Harry Potter" Expo with unique and interactive exhibits from Warner Bros., Pottermore, Scholastic, MinaLima, Harry Potter: The Exhibition and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, including the opportunity to try on the Sorting Hat
- Special kids' discussions and interactive experiences such as an exciting dueling demonstration and wand combat masterclass with Paul Harris, an interactive "Dance Like a Beauxbatons and Battle Like a Durmstrang" experience, as well as Harry Potter film trivia
- Park guests can enjoy 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, plus the iconic Hogwarts Express that transports guests between the two lands if they have a park-to-park ticket
Access to select events within "A Celebration of Harry Potter" is included in regular admission to Universal Studios. Admission to panel events will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
To join the conversation, use #HPCelebration. For more information about the event and tickets, go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/Celebration.
WHEN: Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2015
WHERE: Universal Orlando Resort
MORE INFORMATION: www.UniversalOrlando.com/Celebration