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| Tonight, Universal hosted a major event inside the theme park which featured appearances by the stars of the films, composer John Williams and author J.K. Rowling.
Dan Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), Bonnie Wright (Ginny), Tom Felton (Draco), Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Matt Lewis (Neville), James Phelps (Fred), Oliver Phelps (George), and Warwick Davis (Flitwick, Griphook) were all in attendance. Composer John Williams performed a selection of songs at the event as well, and Warwick Davis led the Frog Choir.
The box to the right of this news post displays the latest updates via the MuggleNet Live Twitter account.
High-res photos, video and highlights are available below:
REVIEW: Watch Andrew review the Celebration, Forbidden Journey, Butterbeer, and more at this link!
PHOTOS:
- Film's cast arrive
- Frog choir performs | ...with Hogwarts behind them | Video
- Hogsmeade at night
- John Williams conducts orchestra
- Hogwarts during light show, fireworks
- A snowman and Hogwarts
Fireworks behind Hogwarts
- White
- Blue and green
- Blue and red
- Purple and red
- White
- Blue lights
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 9:10 pm - Author J.K. Rowling arrives
- 9:50 pm - Warwick Davis (Prof. Flitwick) directs Frog Choir
- 10:01 pm - John Williams directs Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
- 10:06 pm - Michael Gambon, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, James & Oliver Phelps and Bonnie Wright arrive via Knight Bus
- 10:08 pm - Dan Radcliffe and Rupert Grint arrive in Ford Anglia
- 10:10 pm - Dan leads crowd, stars in casting Lumos to reveal Hogwarts, set off light show and fireworks around Hogwarts Castle
Posted by Andrew Sims on 06-16-2010 at 12:40 AM | |
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Visitor Comments |
Posted by: T
Apparently there are going to be WWW fireworks tonight.
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
OMG this is more than I could have hoped for seeing that im not gonna be there! High Fives MuggleNet for all of us who cant be there!!!!!
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Posted by: Jengardium Leviosa
Thank you for being our eyes and ears out there tonight, Andrew. I can't wait!
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Posted by: Hannah Weasley
OMG♥ I soooo wish I was there!! Thank god for LiveStream.Eeeeep!! I can't wait, it's going to be amazing!!!!! =D
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Posted by: Jasmine Pittman-Soto
Thank you Lord for twitter!I got like 7 tweets from MuggleNetLive this mrning.Its 4:14 overthere in Florida and its 1:14 in Califorina.I wil stay up all night if I have to.I want all the info.I will most likely wil not be able to go,like ever.:(
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
I just have to post again im sooooooo excited! I feel like even though alot of us wont have the chance to visit there for a very long time that this is the next best thing! And the fact that there will be soo much exstensive coverage by MuggleNet and the live streams we wont miss out on a thing! THANKYOU SOO MUCH!!! IN A WAY WE GET TO BE THERE WITH NO LINES NOW WAITING AND NO CROWDS! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
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Posted by: Debra
Please find out if events will be happening all week or is it just today Wednesday)Have fun
and please get all the news
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Posted by: Red Mosquito
I will be glued to my laptop!!!! Thanks for bringing us as close as we could ever dream of being there!!
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Posted by: Christine
Oooh, very exciting! :D I can't wait!
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Posted by: Crystal
I can't wait!!! So excited to see it for myself in 2 weeks!
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
This Is so awesome!!!!! Thanks so much Andrew, this is amazing!!!!!! I absolutely cannot wait for all of the stuff tonight!!!! thank you mugglenet!! <3
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Posted by: Alvispotter
Andrew, i reall yhave to thank you for what you're gonna do, and i think i stay short by just thanking. It might be selfish of me (or maybe cuz of my inability to use a camera and enjoy a show at the same time), but i could never miss something like that, cuz i think if you are holding the camera you may lose some deatils on the show. But maybe andrew is very skilled, and he'll enjoy it fully and will be able to give us this pictures.Again, you are amazing, and i wish i could thank you more :)
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
THE CAST IS THERE ALREADY?!?!?!?!?!? Me and my best friend were going to go to the Orlando International Airport tomorrow to meet them all at the terminal! Guess we have to think of another way to meet them all...... :'(
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Posted by: I_am_hermione
man, I am SOOOOOOO jealous of everyone there; you all are super lucky. I wish I could go so badly!
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Posted by: Stapodaca
Why isn't Emma Watson going to the opening? Does anyone know?
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Posted by: Sanmarpotter
LOOKS AMAZING!! I WISH I WAS THERE!!! HAVE FUN EVERYBODY (this is a lifetime opportunity, for me it'd be at least)!! PLEASE TAKE GOOD PICTURES!! CANT WAIT FOR DH!!!!
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Posted by: SlytherinIceCream
@Sonny. Emma Watson isn't there because of school, that's what I heard...but it's just what I've heard. No quoting me on that. >.>
But the fact the celebrities are there tonight are making my excitement for Friday decrease...oh well, I'll still keep up my hope.~
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Posted by: Miss Erika Potter
I am SO incredibly excited for this HP Wizarding World. I can't wait to see how everyone reacts to it :) I'm going at the end of the month and I cannot WAIT!!
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Posted by: Miss Erika Potter
@Sonny, I'm pretty sure Emma Watson has been there already. I saw a program and she was there checkin' it out.
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Posted by: Matt Lawlis
I flew to Orlando and I'm thoroughly frustrated that I won't be allowed to go to the prime time grand opening tonight. I will be there Friday though.
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Posted by: Nessa
I wish I was there!! Thanks Andrew for being there for all of us:)
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Posted by: Wild Old Dan
Howdy Andrew,
Give us a two hour mini-MUGGLECAST as soon as you possibly can! Fill us in on all the details of the festivities so far...especially the surprises. Any word on what's up with Hermione? Don't seem natural her not being there. And what about Snape? Any sign of Professor Snape?
Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.
Wild Ol' Dan
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Posted by: Kathryn
Cant wait till the live stream starts! Thanks Andrew!
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Posted by: Ivey
can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
URGH! THE SUSPENSE IS TERRIBLE! I wish Universal had something other than a black square with the time and date to look at while we are waiting for the live feed to start lol
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Posted by: Expectogirl
Thank you sooo much Andrew and Mugglenet for keeping us posted:) You guys ROCK!!!!
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Posted by: Hmspotter
Waaaaaaaaah! I want to be there sooooo bad and I'm going to have to watch the first hour of the feed without sound cuz I'm still at work! Waaaaaaaaah!
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
I take it that nobody knowswhen the cast will be leaving. :(
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Posted by: Sarah Tomaszewski
man i'm not gonna be able to watch any of this because i'm at work right now. hopefully there will be some good pics to look at later!
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Posted by: Lewis Edmunds
In reply to that latest tweet of the 'Frog Choir'... They disgrace the name of Harry Potter and John Williams, if I was John WIlliams I would be stood backstage going bright red thinking 'Wft have these guys done to my music'!!
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Posted by: Kerri Potter
*Gasps and faints from disbelief* BASICALLY ALL THE MAIN CHARACTERS WILL BE THERE!! =O Im gonna so watch the live stream!!! Thanks MuggleNet for making this available!! YOU ARE AWESOME, GUYS!!!!
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Posted by: Kerri Potter
I can't believe Emma (Hermione) won't be there, though! Aww! There must be a reason... Unless there was something important why wouldn't she come?! Oh well... =(
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Posted by: Jason Anderson
Ugh, Andrew, your the luckiest guy on the planet right now! :( Wish I can be there..
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Posted by: Harry Potter
This is great!!!
Can't wait for it to start already :)
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Posted by: Yna
It's 9:33 EDT and there's still just a photo montage... when will the live feed start? (Hells yeah I'm impatient!) I so wish I was in FL! :D
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
I'M so jealous!!! I can't believe JK freakin' Rowling is there!! I wonder where Emma and Evanna Lynch are? Why isn't the live blog working yet??
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
Start already!!! I can hardly contain my excitement, I'm most impatient...
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Posted by: Yna
Oh dear Gods now the Yule Ball theme is playing and I'm literally dancing around my room in anticipation for the live feed to "begin shortly."
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Posted by: SlytherinIceCream
Yes! I tried the live stream on my PS3 web browser and it works! So I get to watch the grand opening on my big screen TV!
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Posted by: Zipcode
JOHN WILLIAMS.
I feel like I just drank oak matured mead laced with poison that was meant for Dumbledore.
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Posted by: Anastasia
Thanks so much. And the music is sooo uplifting and beautiful!
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Posted by: Max
this is amazing. so glad i can see it even though i'm not there!
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Posted by: Andrew
there not even playing? during the goblet of fire first challenge song.
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Posted by: Julie Leonard
oh my goodness watching the live feed is soooooo exciting!!!! i wish i was there!!!!!!!!! :(
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
The orchestra sounds AMAZING!! I've got chills all over. I feel like having a Harry Potter marathon. All these songs make me think about scenes from the films!
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Posted by: Fuckyou
y isnt emma there?
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Posted by: Jessica Shedden
Heeehee the froggies! My dad's gonna kill me for watching live feed... ah well.
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
@Mitch: Neither is Evanna Lynch. Which is even weirder. They probably couldn't make it or maybe some of the actors are going to the opening on Friday?
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Posted by: Elise P.
wow no sound with the universal guy. fail.
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Posted by: Jojoinpink54
Maybe we had a muffliato charm put on us
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Posted by: Jake
Yay! sounds back
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
I hope this loss of sound won't be a reoccurring thing...
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Posted by: Andrew
no sound dude. you just raised your hand like a rockstar for nothing. ahh...there it is. oh flipping heck! screw Jeff Zucker. COCO!
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Posted by: Ang mcg
soooo....tonight is pretty much going to be executives slapping each other on the back? waste of time for fans.
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Posted by: Allyson
The frog choir was slightly...lack luster to be kind.
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Posted by: Allyson
But thank you so much for doing this you guys!!!!
I can't stop smiling and got chills listening to the orchestra
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Posted by: Andrew
It's pretty much old rich dudes given each other hand jobs on a job well done.
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Posted by: Matthew o
NOOO NO SOUND ON JOHN WILLIAM.
its abck
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Posted by: SlytherinIceCream
Aaah, so pretty.~ Such a nice song. I'm gonna take pictures of TV for screenshots. xD Since I managed to full screen the webcast so it fills up my entire TV screen.
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
And now I would like to announce that I will be doing the score for Deathly Hallows Part II... ;) This is so cool!!! Perfect way to open the park!
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Posted by: Liz Ogin
AAAAHHH! This is making me that much more excited. I'll be there June 18th bright & early. :)
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Posted by: Andrew
the first violinist really likes John Williams. I understand you're suppose to watch the composer for cues but at the beginning he was like, "I'll play for you all day...".
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Posted by: Allyson
How did you get this on your tv???
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Posted by: Diamela
@Jessica Shedden why is your dad going to kill you?
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Posted by: LynnelikesPotter
I'm using 2 computers so that when one freezes I can use the other. Haha. then I just keep that cycle going. WISH I WAS THERE! Loooooove this song!
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Posted by: Matthew o
fuck me in teh ass!
NO SOUND
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Posted by: Andrew
HOLY FLYING COOKIE! THE KNIGHT BUS!
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Posted by: Diamela
What a FAIL! for that guy... omg omg the Knight bus!!!!!!
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG IT'S THE NIGHT BUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: Allyson
Hmmm My brother has a ps3. I hope you are DVR-ing it
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Posted by: Kathryn
love the ford angelia and night bus!
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
WOW!!!! THE FIREWORKS WERE AMAZING!! I literally started crying!! Especially after seeing the clips from the films on the side on Hogwarts. Wow!
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Posted by: Tarte
That was SOOOO COOL!!! I have to go. That was amazing!!! :)
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Posted by: Chelsea C
This is indescribable! soo amazing, anyone know why Emma's not there tonight?? :(
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Posted by: Allyson
Don't feel bad. I cried too. It feels like something that has grown up with me is over, but now my kids (if I ever have them) will be able to cherish what memories I made from the books creating my own world.
It was amazing. Thank you so much mugglenet.com and Andrew!
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
I FEEL LIKE CRYING RIGHT NOW! IT TOTALLY SUCKS THAT I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND I CAN'T WITNESS THIS! :'( I'M VERY DEPRRESSED RIGHT NOW!(is that how you spell it ?) *cry cry cry*
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
The fireworks and everything were so cool!!! I wish I had been there!!
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Posted by: Kathryn
The clips were cool, but it was hard to make them in the live feed cause of that owl statue or whatever it was. So cool! I totally wish i was there right now!
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Posted by: Julie Leonard
WOW that was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! im sooooo sad i couldnt be there!!!!! ohhhh wellll thank you mugglenet/wizarding world of harry potter for the live stream! i cant WAIT to go!!!!!
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Posted by: Kathryn
I meant to say make them out
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Posted by: Diamela
THIS WAS AWESOME! I live in Miami but I felt so close, like they were so close :D I wish I could've gone. But im for sure going to Orlando this summer just for the Harry Potter park :D Can't wait! & John Williams was GREAT! :) i'm still very hyper from all the excitement:D
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Posted by: Padfootssoul
I AM SOOO JEALOUS!!! AHH I WISH I WAS THERE! but ill be there friday soo squeel! Oh i hope i can get in!
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
At the end they were showing fireworks while the music was playing?!? WTF! I didnt see any fireworks! :P lol. wow. i must be blind. anyway...i hope the cast is still there next week! ^_^
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Posted by: Marcia56
I really hope I was not the only one crying when the pictures were on the stones of Hogwarts and the amazing fireworks overhead!
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Posted by: Heena
my net was so slow!!!! i got was not able to see the whole video in continuty!!! :((.it was getting and then start it made me mad!!!!!
did not understand anything what they were saying or playing!
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Posted by: Zipcode
I pretty much died like 4 times tonight.
John Williams, no other man will ever have the same power over me that you do.
Except perhaps Sean Biggerstaff.
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
Absolutely cryn my eyes out right now! Music was great! Hogwarts was great! Actors were great!(where was Evanna and Emma??) Totally lost it over the finalie! I bet JK was absolutely crying!!!! Imagine your lifes works manifested in an actual physical environment complete with music, stars, and fireworks! Soooo jealous and enviouse right now!
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Posted by: Cicely
That.was.amazing. Thanks so much for streaming it! I would have been really sad if I hadn't gotten to see it. I wish I could go to the park this summer but I can't. It's depressing.
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Posted by: Marcia56
I arrive tomorrow. I can not wait! Thank you SO much mugglenet!!! I really hope you will be there on Friday. I would love to thank you in person for all these years you have brought us together. I just know I will cry when I see that castle!
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Posted by: Jordan
ANDREW THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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Posted by: Diamela
Is it me? or where the clips on the rock, fake? they looked fake alittle bit. But were real. I'm kinda confused, I have to get back to reality.
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
@Marcia56: I was about to cry! I live in a small town in Florida that's an hour away from Orlando and I was sooooooo mad/sad that I couldn't have been there today. but at least I'll be going next Friday! :-D
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Posted by: SlytherinIceCream
That was...spectacular. It gave you chills! I took so many pictures of my TV...I felt like a tourist and I wasn't even there. xD
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Posted by: Heena
my net was slow!!! i was not able to see the whole video in continuty!! it was getting stop and then start it made me mad!!! i did not understand anything what they were talking or playing!! *sob sob* :(
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Posted by: Joan Cauldron
This was the media opening the public opening if friday. Emma was there a couple of weeks ago with the Twins and Robby Coltrain i heard her schedule didn't permit her to be there tonight.
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
does anybody know when the cast is leaving from Orlando to London?!? I really really really really really WANT/NEED to meet them! please & thank you!
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Posted by: Jasmine Pittman-Soto
Im so dumb,I didnt get to get the live stream.I am so jelous.I want to go so badly!!!But these pics will do the trick!!Thank you Andrew!!!!:D
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Posted by: Yna
Merlin's saggy left nut! That was beautiful, even if it was too damn short. John Williams and the Orlando Philharmonic's performance was great - and the Frog Choir and Warwick Davis' as well. Why weren't Emma, Evanna, and most importantly, JK Rowling not there? Either way, it was amazing. The fireworks and the light show was just awesome. And all the stars looked so cute. I wanted to punch my Macbook the times that the sound was off, honestly. The Knight Bus was so cool. I really wish I was there to witness this spectacle in person. I will definitely be viewing the live feed on Friday, even if I do have to wake up uncharacteristically early for the day after school year ends. I hope it'll be even better!
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Posted by: Marcia56
GryffindorGirl17 - I am driving up from Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow.
What a great idea Slytherinicecream I wish I had thought of it.
But Hubby is telling me to turn down music and can not understand why I am crying at the computer! MEN!
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Posted by: Elise P.
that was so amazing! i was freaking out when all the cast came out on the knight bus, and then dan & rupert pulled up in the ford angelia! that was such a surprise! wonder why emma wasn't there.....hmmm. & john williams was amazing! i really really hope he comes back for DH part 2! ugh!! i want to go to florida now! i need to talk to my parents about booking a trip asap!
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Posted by: Diamela
If I see the Castle, I'll cry like a baby, i'll also start crying when I see the last movie of Harry Potter... so many tears :'/
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Posted by: Rina o
I feel like I'm going to die...I'll be there Friday...hoping against hope I get in. Wow. Tonight was incredible. Just amazing. Loved the fireworks. They truly told a story. I definitely cried a couple times. JW was so great...and Warwick looked awfully snazzy and cute up there representing Flitwick. Really magical...Friday cannot come fast enough!
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
@Jasmine Pittman-Soto I found the live stream 5 minutes before it was over! I couldn't find it but I finally did and I missed when the cast arrived through the Knight Bus and Ford Anglia! :-/
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Posted by: Harry Potter
Oh god!!!
this was just too much beautiful!!!
I cried (tears of joy), it's the most beautiful thing ever!!!
I'll do EVERYTHING i can to be in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
I love you J K Rowling! You made me a happy man! :)
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Posted by: Marcia56
Warwick looked like he wa having a ball! I will be playing my Harry Potter music in the call all the way up tomorrow. JW was awsome! I wish they would have shown JK. This must have been them most amazing night for her.
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
All the people that are going to WWoHP this Friday, make sure to bring a camera and a notebook and a pen because most likely the cast will be there and they would be happy to give you their autograph and take a picture with you. also, YOU ARE VERY LUCKY! YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY MEET THEM!
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Posted by: Heather Cudnik
That looked soooo fun! I really wish I wasn't so broke this year, wish I could've been there!!! So jealous to all that attended!
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Posted by: Rina o
I'm definitely watching SS and CS tomorrow in anticipation. I've been meaning to finish re-reading books 4-7...but I've been spending time on Orlando United just posting about the park...so movies it is! The JW music made me nastalgic.
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
When/If I ever meet Bonnie Wright I want to see the engagement ring that Jamie Bower gave her. I wonder how many karots it has........!
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Posted by: Brattyc
I read somewhere that Emma was finishing things up with school, it would have been cool to have her there too. I think JK was there, too bad she didn't get a chance to say something...maybe later in the week. I also read somewhere that the gang was supposed to be there through Friday, which makes sense, a lot of shows will be there for the public opening, the Today show will have a segment on Friday morning and there will probably be a lot of interviews. Yep, I cried too ;).
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
Evanna Lynch was suppossed to be there?!? I think it's prbably because of her school work, same with Emma Watson. MAYBE! I AM JUST GUESSING PEOPLE!
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Posted by: Kristen W
@Marcia56- J.K. was there she just didn't get up on stage.
That was fantastic!!!
I hope and pray I'll get to go there next year sometime!
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Posted by: Marcia56
Well, for many years, everyone kept saying to me "You know it's not real!" Well.....
Yes it is! and I am going! :)
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Posted by: Maggie Snape
im confused i thought opening day was the 18th?
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
GUYS GUYS THEY ARE POSTING STUFF FROM THE LIVE FEED ALL OVER YOUTUBE! JUST TYPE IN JUNE 16 WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER IN THE SEARCH BAR!
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
GUYS GUYS THEY ARE POSTING STUFF FROM THE LIVE FEED ALL OVER YOUTUBE! JUST TYPE IN WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER JUNE 16 2010 IN THE SEARCH BAR!
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
@Maggie: This opening is for the celebs and the press. The grand opening for the public is Friday.
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Posted by: Rina o
@Maggie--this was a press/website event. The stars were there and many cast/crew members. It was a private event.
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
That's really weird how none of the HP stars are posting any tweets on Twitter. :P They are probably too busy to do that at this moment...
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Posted by: Marcia56
I wonder what they are all doing.
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
weeeeeeeird, i dont know how that posted 2wice lol
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Posted by: Marcia56
I have to learn how to twitter!
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
They probobly are all riding the rides lol!!!
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
Everyone is in line for the Journey to Hogwarts ride!! Melissa and Andrew just got off it.
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Posted by: KrisPotter
Awesome Live feed the lord knows that I wish i was there but thanks andrew for giving us the heads up on whats going on. You are very appreciated by me.
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Posted by: Coral colon
I saw the last 8 minutes [the prettiest thing I've seen in my life @_@], I hope someone recorded the live feed and they put it online.
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
I'm hoping and praying that they have a live mugglecast for this. I have to know Andrew and Co's opinions of the finished product!
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Posted by: Hpintwense06
I missed the live feed... but seeing the timeline posted above was good. When I saw that Dan & Rupert arrived via the Ford Anglia instead of the Knight Bus, I definitely started to tear up. That is just so... nostalgic!! Awwww!
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Posted by: Cathy
i am soooooo jealous i couldnt be there
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Posted by: Padfootssoul
lol im driving up from west palm! lol WOOT south Florida!!!
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Posted by: O0Amy0o
Finale of grand opening ceremony! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUGbvLgOyrs
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Posted by: Jengardium Leviosa
I love that Dan and Rupert arrived in a Ford Anglia. And jealous that everyone else got to ride the Knight Bus! I wish to take a spin on that thing.
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Posted by: Kevin Dorta
and to think, that today, I was literally 4 hours away from practically ALL the HP stars :'( probably the closest i'll ever get to them.
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Posted by: Kevin Dorta
AND i missed the live streaming :'(
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Posted by: Britney Vazquez
wtf!! i thought bonnie, james, oliver and tom were going to be at the grand opening on friday all im saying is that they better be there because that is the only reason im going on opening day otherwise i would wait for a day that wont be so chaotic
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Posted by: Hedwig_swoops328
That photo of Hogwarts is breathtaking!!! This is so cool! A big thanks to Universal, WB, and JKR for bringing this world to life!!! Thank you andrew for all of the awesome coverage.
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Posted by: James Welch
Awesome light show they had there, and involving the crowd into it was a nice little touch. The park is beautiful, and I can't wait to go there some day. Going to take me a good while to save up for the trip, and all the stuff I'll inevitably buy (fanged frisbee, a wand, stuffed dragon, letter sealing kit, rememberall, sneakascope, snitch, etc....). Also can't wait to taste butterbeer and pumpkin juice for the first time. Here's hoping someone takes a ton of pictures of all the different merchandise. That way I can attempt to make a list of must-haves, and attempt to not loose control and buy everything in site when I get there, lol.
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Posted by: Iwantorlando05
Apparently the grand opening show they're having for the fans on Friday will be even MORE impressive and it will also be broadcast live on the web. I just want to go!!! :(
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Posted by: Chantelle Thomas
This was the highlight of my year! Hell, my entire LIFE! I will definitely remember it forever. Thank u mugglenet for tweeting everything that was happening for us who cudn't be there in person. <3
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Posted by: Ricky
For all interested, I've posted video highlights from tonight's event at http://www.InsideTheMagic.net.
Sorry if this seems spammy, but Andrew has posted many links to our site in the past few weeks, so I figured it'd be okay to include it here while he's having fun at the event tonight! :)
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Posted by: Caitlin
I seriously hope to GOD that they have something impressive setup for us for Friday. I've been here since yesterday and they've been closing down the HP bit of the park so the press can do their business. It's annoying as anything. I mean, it was literally open from 8-10 today, so if you weren't a hotel resort guest, you were screwed completely. Umm...shouldn't they be letting the fans in? Word of mouth is pretty good advertising, too.
Sorry I'm just bitter about that. Other than the whole like...not really technically letting us in thing, it's been great. A little pricey, but absolutely great. The details are phenomenal and...I'd go into them but I have this feeling that it's supposed to be sort of...surprise-like?
Anyway...it's absolutely cool. If you come down, I have one suggestion: visit all of the shops before making absolute final decisions on purchases, because there is A LOT of cool stuff. If you're traveling on a fairly small budget like me, you NEED to pick and choose.
OH, and there is fairly equal distribution for the Houses as far as merchandise goes. :)
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Posted by: Daniela
WHY DO I LIVE SO FAR AWAY FROM THE USA?!
It'll be YEARS before I can go!
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Posted by: Gryffindor1991
the castle being lit up was sooo cool. my least favorite part was the choir.. that was slightly creepy
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Posted by: Tripmywire
I should be there! Ugh, I hate being unemployed!
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Posted by: BeccaPhoenix16
This is so freakin' awesome!!!! They came in the knight bus and the Ford Anglia, so COOL! I wish I was there. Can not wait to go this summer!
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Posted by: Christine
Beautiful. Just.. ahhh! It was absolutely amazing.
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Posted by: Mel
wish i could have seen it :(
anyone with videos would be my new best friend :(
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Posted by: Amy
Andrew Sims, you are one freakin' lucky boy. Do you know how many of us would kill to be you? Well maybe not kill... A couple Crucio's perhaps...
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Posted by: Eric
no emma watson?? dan and rupert showin up in a ford anglia was probly pretty sweet tho.
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Posted by: HPFANTimothy
Just amazing! I can't get to the videos, though. Anyway, the whole night must have been totally brilliant!
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Posted by: Daniel Richmond
Wish I was there! Urgh!
www.twitter.com/njaymaldito
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Posted by: Ginny & Crookshanks - Potter Obsessed
Wish i was there, also!!!! too brilliant for words... THANKYOU THANKYOU MUGGLENET!! for keeping me in the loop - it means alot, I am really excited about this (even though I shan't be going there in the near future..sigh..) the frogs were HUGE - more like toads. were they even real? please don't ridicule me if I am wrong! :) i know you guys wouldn't do that though. My friend is going to the US soon - must. hide. in. suitcase.
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Posted by: Sarah Oakey
Thanks so much for this guys. Looks like it was blast. I can't wait to go myself later this year!
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Posted by: Tomj
This all looks so amazing. I'm so peed off that firstly I couldn't be there and then I couldn't even watch the live feed or updates cos it was all in the middle of the night here and I couldn't stay up cos I have exams today. Anyway I also want to add how amazing it must have been for JK. Her more than anyone. Hope I can go someday...
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Posted by: Pickle Juice
Way to rip off Magic Kingdom w/ the fireworks behind the castle thing, lol. Looks amazing regardless :) Disney must be sweating dollar signs.
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Posted by: Pǝɯɐu ǝq ʇou ʇsnɯ oɥʍ ǝɥ
Absolutely incredible. I'm just stunned...the live Orchestra brought me to tears. This is one piece of Harry Potter magic that won't be ending for a very, very long time.
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Posted by: Rizpahjulia
I so wish I could have been there! maybe i'll go this summer. i have friends in orlando....
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Posted by: Dee Dee Loge
Wow, what an event. Watched the live stream with our kids, 8 and 5. They loved it. I might be a 40 year old HP fan but I can't wait to go. We are planning our trip for either Thanksgiving or for next Spring. I am so happy we will have our HP World to visit whenever we want. I just love it!!!!!!
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Posted by: Ella Malfoy
i really like the pics of fireworks!!!
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Posted by: Ella Malfoy
the blue lights looked REALLY cool!!
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Posted by: Megan Koepke
I just wanted to thank Andrew for the great review posted afterwards. It's nice to know that even though he is in Harry Potter nerd heaven, he is still thinking about us. Also, the footage of the Philharmonic performing made this music nerd cry like she was 11 again, seeing the first movie the first time.
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Posted by: Sanmarpotter
I COULDNT WATCH IT!! but by all the comments posted here, i definitely am!! OMG!! I think emma couldnt be there because of school. And if evanna wasnt there (she was the hugest hp fan before she got the part) then or either she wasnt invited or she just couldnt. The photos are awesome, thank you so much andrew, and mugglenet!! I wanna watch the video, but i cant right now!! CANT WAIT TO GO, REALLY!! I wonder why there isnt one picture of jo rowling, she must have been the happiest woman ever!! Anyway, cant wait for the park, AND CANT WAIT FOR DH!!
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Posted by: Alicia
i cant wait!!!
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Posted by: Alvispotter
I ould say im jealous of andrew but i cant be, cuz at least he did something for the fans that cant go that is unfalingly kind. Thanks a lot andrew, you are amazing! The park looks awesome
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Posted by: HP Fan
Oh gawd *faints*
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Posted by: Shannen
Thanks so much for this! JK Rowling being there was such a surprise! My dad works at NBC Miami and he said she wasn't on any of the lists of celebrities! I can't wait to go there this weekend!!!
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Posted by: Fionnuala Cahill
OMG it looks AMAZING! I'm currently hating the fact I live in Ireland and don't know when I'm going to be able to see it for myself! :(
Anyone who has the chance to go you should really count yourselves lucky.... :)
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Posted by: Arielle S.
AMAZING!! I wish I could have gone. *sigh* But I live on the other side of the country, and my parents aren't in to theme parks and stuff. Oh, well.
Thanks for the outstanding pictures!!
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
The videos are cool, but it just makes me even more mad/sad that most of the HP Cast was just 1 hour away from me! Do you think they'd do autographs outside of Universal too? :-/ And somebody PLEASE answer my question! I really x100 WANT/NEED to meet them!
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Posted by: John
amazing. that's all I can say. I cannot wait to go there this summer!
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Posted by: Tina Andersen
Thanks so much for sharing all of this with me!
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Posted by: Hollie Weasley
I can't believe it's finally open! I can't wait to go there in 2011! Thanks for the pictures guys! <3
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Posted by: Sebastian
This was simply breathtaking. Online it looked awesome, I cannot imagine what it was like to actually be there. I am so jealous of Andrew right now! :D My eyes were just bulging out my head as I saw the castle light up and saw the fireworks emerge as the music was playing. What an experience!
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Posted by: Vi Tran
Hogsmeade at night is awesome!
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Posted by: Anisa
The picture of the Hogwarts Castle all lit up took my break away! @GriffindorGirl17 I believe they would sign an autograph outside of the theme park. They always seem so happy to sign autographs. It shows them that many people look up to them.
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Posted by: Jenni
I am so glad to live 45 minutes away!!! Can't go till Saturday, does anyone know if any HP cast members will still be there??
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Posted by: I_am_hermione
the knight bus thing is beyond cool, but I LOVE that dan and rupert arrived via ford anglia. very nice. and j'adore the photo with the purple & red fireworks. can't wait to go (next year, hopefully??)
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Posted by: Ana Rosal
@Anisa: thank you! :) @Jenni: I don't know when they are leaving! I just hope that they don't leave until next Saturday because next Friday I'm going to WWoHP and I've always wanted to meet them! Let's just cross our fingers! ;-D
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Posted by: Alice Russell
The park sounds amazing!! Wish I could have been there for opening night (or in the near future)! Oh well, but at least I'm going in February!
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Posted by: Delaney
I can't beilive The Wizarding World is in Orlando! Where I live!!! Can't wait to go in December!!!!! :)
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Posted by: Joshua A.
This was a whole lot better than the actual grand opening i must say
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Posted by: Jacob
I can't wait to go there and see it myself.
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Posted by: Amanda Anda
Ok so I want some Mugglecast feedback asap. Looking at all the pics and watching the video makesme want to be there even more. However, Screw the 9 hour waiting and all the crowds. I feel bad for the poor blokes who are working there this week. All the little retail shops are probably in shambles. Everything looks spectactular though. I love all the little shows and singing and dancing. It wouldn't be Hogwarts with out that touch. Always something funny going on.
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Posted by: Sehrish
amazing~~!!!!!! i wanted to go soo badly!! and im prettty sure im right to say that im the #1 harry potter fan!!!!
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Posted by: Ellen
My life wont be complete until igo here... its my dream to finally see the world ilove so much come to life :P
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Posted by: XxPigfartsHereIComexx
Although I do think this celebration was pretty cool (the cast lighting up the castle with their wands was a nice touch), they should have opened this up to the fans. we are the ones who actually care, the ones who are going to give the park all this money they are going to make. This is the least universal could have done.
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Posted by: Robin
My family and I were there 17th-20th. We had a great time. We stayed and the Royal Pacific and got into WWHP on Thurs for a few hours. We rode the Forbidden Journey and the Flight of the Hippogriff. It was great! The hot weather and afternoon rain storms did not stop us from enjoy ourselves. We ate fish and chips and drank a lot of frozen Butterbeer at the Three Broom Sticks. The castle and the shop windows are the most stunning parts of the park. The performance with the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton students was excellent! Unfortunately we did not get to watch the Hogwarts student with their toads. We were able to get into the WWHP Thurs, Fri, and Sat. It was very, very crowded and hard to get into the shops, but once we arrived, it was so worth the wait.
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Posted by: Robin
I will be posting pics and video on my facebook page from my WWHP trip!
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Posted by: Kel
I just wanna SQUEEEEE from the rooftops- IT'S OPEN!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: Kel
And thank you so, so much, Andrew, YOU'RE AWESOME!
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Posted by: Danielle
I'm going to the theme park in August!! Awwweh Emma :( She's my favorite actress in the movie along with Evanna Lynch. And my favorite actor is Tom Felton, along with Dan and Rupert. And of course the twins :D
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Posted by: Harry Potter Fan
im going to the theme park this month and I cant wait! the pics are really cool
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Posted by: Ashley
UgH! i AM so JEALOUS right now! i wish i attended it. Too bad im goin this or next summer,...:)
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Posted by: Catherine
I wish I could go sooo bad but since my family thinks that my obsession with HP is unhealthy and I also keep pestering my dad to read the 2nd book because he has already read the 1st so I think I would just be pushing my luck by asking!!!
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Posted by: Lorraine
We were there 9 days after the grand opening. It is a Potterheads dream. Hogsmeade is pretty cool. It was a little weird how they blended it with Diagon Alley. There was no differentiation between the two locales. But, it was still neat. Hogwarts is just amazing! It was a fabulous experience!!!
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Posted by: KiMbOyCuTe22
amazing theme park and that is my dream to go their but i cannot afford a ticket!!!!i think it is very cool!!!!!:):):)but i promised i will go their!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: Anselmo Miller
i cant believe they built a whole harry potter theme park!!! not a park inside disneyland a park on its own i hope i get to go there this summer
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Posted by: Hermione
Harry Potter rocks! I just recently finished the series!
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Posted by: Anselmo Miller
im saving up money to buy lots of stuff at the theme park
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Posted by: Ginny Potter <3
oh i just cant wait!!!!! im going late july! counting down the days!!!! and lorraine its potterphile! haha :)
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Posted by: Ben Zopf
This park is the greatest thing ever, I was there opening week, 5 minutes for, well...EVERYTHING! Although, I did have hour-early admission and got half-an-hour before the early admission, but still I did everything but the shops and threebroomsticks/hogshead,except I did Honeydukes,Zonko's and Ollivander's Wand Experience, within the first hour and a half! Then I re-did everything a bazillion times and went over to Jurassic Park once it got crowded. Half-an-hour later, 2 1/2 hour line up for Forbidden Journey!
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