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As many members of the MuggleNet staff were enjoying MISTI-Con last weekend at the lovely Margate Hotel in Laconia, New Hampshire - surrounded by a beautiful lake and picturesque cottages - we couldn't help but wonder this:
How awesome would a Hogwarts resort be?
The Wizarding World at Universal is cool, but with all this news about the expansion of the park in Orlando and the brand-new park in Hollywood, what's stopping them from building a perfect hotel where one could stay inside Hogwarts, itself. Here's five reasons why this should happen.
1. More Realistic
The theme park is great, but it is kind of hard to get lost in the magical world when you're in Florida in the middle of the summer, surrounded by food vendors and carnival smells. It would be far easier to get an immersive experience at a Hogwarts resort. You'd be living in a castle and you could take a jaunt to the Forbidden Forest or Hagrid's Hut anytime you want. No funnel cake required.
2. Sense of Community
A Hogwarts resort would also be a great way for Harry Potter fans to come together as a community. At the theme park, each person or group visiting is isolated from the others. At a resort, there would be more space for fans to interact with each other and experience Hogwarts together. This would be awesome both because we already know that fans have a great time when they get together (shout out to everyone who turned out for MISTI-Con!) AND friendship is such an important part of the books that it would be fitting for a sense of community to be included in a Harry Potter attraction.
3. Money, Money, Money
A Hogwarts resort could make a ton of money for Universal. People coming to the Wizarding World already have to pay to stay somewhere - why not have it be at a Universal hotel? There could even be a tram system to transport fans from the resort to the park. We can hear the galleons pouring in already!
4. No Lines
By far the worst part of any theme park is waiting in line for rides, and since the Wizarding World is so popular, the lines for the rides there can get even crazier than in the rest of the park. At a resort, the activities for fans are ones that they wouldn't necessarily have to wait in line for: swimming in the lake, sightseeing from the towers, or walks in the Forbidden Forest. Universal could also do a tie-in for those that stay at the resort, offering discounts on HP shops in the park or giving each guest a fast pass so they can avoid lines at the Wizarding World as well.
5. Specialty Suites
The possibility for specialty rooms is endless: each of the common rooms, Dumbledore's Office, Lockhart's Office, the North Tower - the list goes on and on! Replicas of props from the movies would make for impressive luxury suites; the resort could be like the Studio Tour and theme park combined. We're partial to the idea of a Room of Requirement for guests to stay in. Imagine this: unlimited room service, brought by wait staff dressed as house elves, where you're not only allowed to order food, but anything you want.
Have we convinced you yet? What other things would you like to see from a Harry Potter resort?
Posted by Jessica on 05-13-2013 at 5:30 PM
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There's less than three weeks until MISTI-Con, the Harry Potter experience coming to Laconia, New Hampshire on May 9-13. MISTI-Con, an event you won't want to miss, includes a tri-wizard style challenge, a masquerade ball, and actors from Harry Potter *and* Doctor Who! Did we mention they're transforming an entire lakefront resort into the ministry? Yup, they've thought of everything.
The wizards and witches behind the conference recently revealed their full schedule and opened signups for Family Feud, Harry Potter Jeopardy, hula hoop & poi workshops, Whose Wand Is It Anyway, and more. There's even a workshop where you can learn proper wig care for the cosplayers out there. All sign-ups can be found here so get going because space is limited.
In addition, tickets for a meet & greet photo session with Ellie and Joseph Darcey-Alden (Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, Doctor Who's "The Snowmen") are now available. Photos are $20 (for singles or groups) and must be purchased in advance. The folks behind these photo sessions are The Enthusiasts, an awesome group of cosplayers-turned-photgraphers that are ready to make dreams come true for MISTI-Con attendees. They'll take 2-3 photos and you select your favorite to be printed as an 8x10. To see some of their previous work, check out their album from the Aeternitas 2011 on Facebook. Tickets for these sessions are available for a limited time only so get yours today!
If this is your first time hearing about MISTI-Con, don't sweat it! There's still a few tickets remaining for this unforgettable and immersive fan event, but hurry: tickets will not be sold after April 30 so register today. As for reserving a room at The Margate (which has been fully booked for weeks), MISTI-Con recommends either obtaining a room at overflow hotel The Landmark (be sure to mention MISTI-Con) or finding roommates at host resort The Margate via their online forum. If you're attending and want to volunteer at MISTI-Con, reach out to volunteer@misti-con.org.
MISTI-Con can't wait to reveal all the amazing secrets they have up their robe sleeves. Stay up to date with 'all things MISTI' by following them on Facebook or Twitter and by visiting MISTI-Con.org. There's been some really cool posts lately from the folks behind the experience. And remember: you bring the wands, we'll bring the magic! See you in a few weeks!
Posted by Keith on 04-19-2013 at 9:15 PM
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The MISTI-Con fan convention that will be taking place in Laconia, New Hampshire this May is nearing full capacity. Still debating whether or not you will be attending? We will provide you with many reasons that you should be joining us, but be sure to register right now as prices for registration will be increasing on March 1st for the final weeks.
About MISTI-Con:
A Harry Potter fan convention, MISTI-Con is a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience. Designed to be the most immersive and engaging fan convention, MISTI-Con will adopt an entire resort space, specifically The Margate Resort in Laconia, New Hampshire, from May 9-13, 2013. The resort will feature full-scale vignettes inspired by the look and feel of the films, transforming the Margate and immersing guests in the magic of the Wizarding World’s Ministry. MISTI-Con will also include a spectacular opening ceremonies performance event, a night-club style wizard rock show, a 24-hour common room, and will be capped off by The Ministry Masquerade Ball, a regal evening gala taking place in the resort's outdoor events tent. To register and learn more about MISTI-Con, visit www.misti-con.org.
Events and Special Guests:
- Ellie Darcey-Alden - Ellie portrayed Young Lily Evans in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
- Joseph Darcey-Alden - Ellie's younger brother who along with Ellie appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas Special "The Snowmen"
- Charlie Ross - One Man Star Wars Trilogy & One Man Lord of the Rings comedian show
- MuggleNet Academia - Keynote LIVE luncheon with hosts Keith Hawk and John Granger and Special Guest Janet Scott Batchler - screenwriter of POMPEII, SMOKE AND MIRRORS, and BATMAN FOREVER
- Alohomora! LIVE Podcast - Join in the best Harry Potter series re-read podcast with the hosts as they conduct a LIVE podcast with you as their guest
- Literary Guests: Leanna Renee Hieber, Amanda Havard, Zoraida Cordova, Althea Kontis, and Ceceilia Tan
- HUNDREDS of hours of formal and informal programming
- Wizard Rock - Lauren Fairweather and Matt Maggiacomo, Diagon Alley, Undesirable #1, Hawthorn and Holly, The Blibbering Humdingers, Lily and James, and Swish and Flick
- Special Opening with Sasha the Fire Gypsy, Illusions by Nelson "The Charming Trickster" Lugo, and music from Lily and James the Band
- MuggleNet's Keith Hawk to host the wild and crazy Harry Potter Jeopardy and Family Feud games
- Formal Masquerade Ball on Sunday night
- AND SO MUCH MORE!!!
MISTI-Con promises to be one of the highlights in the Harry Potter fandom this year. Be sure to join us by signing up today right here. We will see you there!
Posted by Keith on 02-27-2013 at 11:05 AM
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Seven is the most magical of numbers, so the wizards and witches behind MISTI-Con want to remind you that there are only seven days until the price for this incredible fan conference changes. On February 15th at precisely the stroke of midnight, MISTI-Con hopes you are enjoying a romantic evening at Madame Puddifoot's and not lamenting your chance to save. The price will rise $25, making it $175 for your basic registration, so register today! Why not gift your dearest a registration for St. Valentine's?
MISTI-Con also recently announced their Keynote Speakers Luncheon featuring screenwriter/author Janet Scott Batchler and author/academic John Granger! Both Harry Potter scholars will appear in a discussion moderated by MuggleNet's Keith Hawk entitled "Translating Books into Films: Principles, Pitfalls, and the Hits and Misses of the Harry Potter Movies." This delicious luncheon event costs $25; what a coincidence! Find all the info you need to purchase a ticket here.
You can check out the Keynote Luncheon special poster in full detail right here.
There's a few more news tidbits for the attendees. The Call for Fan-Fiction is now open- make sure to submit your work here by March 15th to be considered. In addition, MISTI-Con would like attendees to know that The Landmark, the overflow hotel for MISTI-Con, still has rooms available. Reserve your room before they sell out as The Margate already has.
Don't forget that we also recently announced that Special Guest Ellie Darcey-Alden - who portrayed Young Lily Evans in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 - will be in attendance throughout the weekend. For more details, click here.
If you have any other questions about Keynote, panels, hotels or anything at all, join MISTI-Con for their second Live Chat on February 12th at 8:00pm ET.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted by Keith on 02-07-2013 at 09:20 AM
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The wizards & witches behind MISTI-Con, the Harry Potter fan convention coming to Laconia, NH this May are excited to announce the addition of two very special guests: Ellie and Joseph Darcey-Alden. Fans will no doubt remember Ellie from her performance as Young Lily Evans in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, seen during Snape's “The Prince’s Tale” memory sequence. What they may not realize is that she and her brother Joseph had the amazing opportunity to star in 2012's Doctor Who Christmas special "The Snowmen", which recently transmitted in the UK and US. Playing Francesca and Digby, respectively, Ellie and Joseph got to be a part of The Doctor's first meeting with his new companion Clara, a landmark episode.
This will mark the first time a Harry Potter conference features a special guest who has been a part of both the Harry Potter and Doctor Who universes on screen. In this regard, Ellie joins such illustrious talent as David Tennant, Michael Gambon, John Cleese, Helen McCrory, Bill Nighy, Toby Jones and Zoe Wanamaker to name a few. Her credits include stints on BBC's Robin Hood and Holby City, as well as the upcoming film Welcome To The Punch, while her brother was seen in I Spy and the short film Pranks.
Ellie, 13, made her debut in 2007 in the Oxford Christmas Panto. Harry Potter has been a big part of her life and her acting dreams came true when David Yates asked her to play Lily, an experience that she will cherish forever. She was particularly pleased to work with her brother Joseph alongside Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman this past year in Doctor Who. While dancing and drama take up most of her time, she is also learning to play piano and attending Karate classes with Joseph where she has worked very hard for her blue belt. Ellie loves animals and adores her family's Cocker Spaniel, Lola.
In addition to acting, Joseph, 10, has a particular talent for tap dancing and has earned the title of BDTA All-England Junior Champion for the last three years. With his other film, theatre and television credits, he became the envy of all his friends when he worked on the Doctor Who 2012 Christmas special. Like his sister, he loves their dog Lola, is learning piano and has just earned a blue belt in Karate.
You can see a Hi-Res photo of the Ellie and Joseph right here:
The two performers will be appearing at MISTI-Con with planned signings and photo opportunities, details of which will be available closer to the event. Members of the press can register for MISTI-Con here in order to have the chance to interview the Darcey-Alden siblings. Press pass distribution will happen upon check-in. There are limited number of passes available so please apply as soon as possible.
Registration for MISTI-Con is nearing sold-out capacity! If you haven't yet got your tickets, organized your shuttle, or purchased one of our special event passes, visit www.misti-con.org to get sorted. Remember, this is a limited-attendance event to keep the conference small and reduce wait times, so we will sell out. Don't wait -- register today!
About MISTI-Con:
A Harry Potter fan convention, MISTI-Con is a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience. Designed to be the most immersive and engaging fan convention, MISTI-Con will adopt an entire resort space, specifically The Margate Resort in Laconia, New Hampshire, from May 9-13, 2013. The resort will feature full-scale vignettes inspired by the look and feel of the films, transforming the Margate and immersing guests in the magic of the Wizarding World’s Ministry. MISTI-Con will also include a spectacular opening ceremonies performance event, a night-club style wizard rock show, a 24-hour common room, and will be capped off by The Ministry Masquerade Ball, a regal evening gala taking place in the resort's outdoor events tent. To register and learn more about MISTI-Con, visit www.misti-con.org.
Posted by Keith on 01-25-2013 at 10:55 AM
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The Ministry admits that the dark lord’s second rise to power was partially due to the previous administration’s fear of educating the public. Every witch and wizard has the right to study the art of magical self-defense.To encourage a safer wizarding world, we have developed Wizarding Advanced Readiness Training, or WART. WART Students (WARTS) will undergo the most intense magical training the Ministry can provide to the public. This training course, conceived and designed by Ray “The Dark Lord Bartender” Smith, is meant to challenge WARTS' physical, mental and magical senses in each of three increasingly harder challenges. If you have what it takes, prove your abilities this May at MISTI-Con!
Three rounds of competition will be stretched over the course of the conference coming to Laconia, NH. Applicants must possess underwater abilities (swim, holding breath under water, etc) and be fit for moderate physical activity. Full details will not be revealed until the MISTI-Con Opening Gala when our competitors will be announced to the convention audience, so be prepared for anything. If you think you're up for this challenging event, please submit this form http://www.misti-con.org/wart.html as soon as possible as space is limited.
MISTI-Con also would like registered attendees to be aware of their airport shuttle service. 15-person shuttle vans will make trips from Manchester Airport to The Margate several times on Thursday May 9 and Monday May 13. In addition, there will be one shuttle from Boston's Logan International Airport to The Margate on Thursday May 9. All details plus the reservation form and ticket information can be found right here.
Remember: MISTI-Con is a limited capacity event so register or purchase a gift registration for that special someone (Valentine's Day is just around the corner) now at this link. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements from MISTI-Con!
Posted by Keith on 01-16-2013 at 7:10 PM
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