Posted by
06-18-2010
at 10:55 AM
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Fan Comments |
Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:02:36
Cool. I'm hoping to go this winter!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:03:20
I still have a difficult time thinking that these kids are gaining a whole lot out of this experience.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:09:09
those kids are first graders, right? That means their only like 7 years old. When i was that age my Mom was reading the first book to me. So It's clear these kids havent yet read the entire series and have they even seen the movie? I wonder if they even realize that their walking with "Harry Potter". Like Jojoinpink54 said, what are these kids real getting out of this?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:21:16
What a lucky bunch of first graders. I know when I watched a first grade class win the contest on the Today show, I was a little disappointed. I know that they are having a good time but I believe that an older Elementary grade level would have appriciated it more. I think Fourth grade would have been a perfect choice. I don't know what the requirements to win the contest were but I do feel that older kids get ripped off. I mean in First grade you are not reading the books alone. In older Elementary levels they sometimes read books as a class but still have seperate reading time or are assigned a certain page number to read up to. I wish that they picked some older kids. I am still happy and say congrats to the class that won. I hope they are enjoying their day!!!!! Dan is really good with them too.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:22:14
On another note. I don't remember everything I did in FIrst Grade. Do you think they will remember this??? I mean they are seven. Oh well.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:24:59
Didnt they announce three other school with older kids? Why werent they up front with the first graders? just wondering...
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:28:51
The photo is amazing, but the cast looks much more excited than the kids. Although one or two did look really excited. Im so jealous of them, i would love to be alongside the cast while they showed me hogsmeade and hogwarts, asking them stuff about their experiences and HARRY POTTER in general. Oh well, with going i'll be more than pleased (which i hope can be anytime soon)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:43:20
See and that is the problem with them leading first graders. I am not sure if there were older kids. I didn't hear any aannouncement. Forgive me if I am wrong about that. I don't know I just feel that older kids would have benefited more from the experiance. I mean I am sure there are tons of kids of various ages at the park today. I give props to the teacher for getting her class to win the trip.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 13:58:13
Yes, they're first graders. The whole reason the class is there is because they raised over $8,000 for Haiti.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 14:22:18
Don't get me wrong, congrats to the classes, woo hoo good for you. But older kids should have won this instead. These first graders - are they REALLY the biggest fans that they could find? No. There are hundreds of other fans who are stuck waiting in line who deserve it much, much, much more. These kids probably didn't even know there was a HP theme park until they won the contest. (And no, I am not jealous, before anyone accuses me, just a little annoyed.)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 15:05:33
Omg these kids are so lucky. Im hopefull going this summer
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 15:27:30
Older kids should have won of course. Not these first graders who wont even remember this exactly when they are older.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 15:46:35
I think it would've been cute if the stars had dressed up as their characters!
I hope I get to go someday!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 15:49:20
I agree with others-these young kids wouldn't get as much out of the experience as older kids who have actually read all the books. Most likely those kids haven't read the books, and even if one of them has, would they even understand it?! They are lucky, though. I would love to be there-what HP fan wouldn't? I really wanna meet the Phelps twins! They are so funny... and awesome! Ily James and Oliver!!! <3
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 16:41:59
I went on a trip to England and Scotland when I was seven and legitimately do not have any recollection of it. I was much too young to have gained anything meaningful out of the experience, I obviously had no idea where I was going/what I was doing... And I was even in second grade then :)
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 17:07:14
It wasn't about being the "bigest fans" of the franchise. They were named the most extraordinary class in the country for raising money for the relief fund for Haiti. Sure, they might not remember all of it, but they deserve it.
And they were excited. You should have seen them on the plane before they left.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 17:52:49
Imagine being that kid who got to ride with "Harry Potter". Awesome! Would be too cool if Helena Bonham Carter were there, oh yeah, Ralph Fiennes too.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 18:31:15
Oh, how I wish to be that child riding next to Daniel Radcliffe. Riding with Harry Potter on a "hippogriff". How lovely.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 18:50:29
I still think it's kind of stupid. The teacher must've been a fan or something. I could see say, a high school class getting that honor because they did something extraordinary that RELATED to Harry Potter. It's silly, I bet half of the kids have no idea what Harry Potter is. Or that they're standing face to face with one of the most famous people ever. I don't see how being a good class and getting to go to the wizarding world are related. I am not saying this out of jealousy, becuase I know no class I've ever been in could achieve such a milestone but I would have loved to see someone who could really gain something out of the experience get to go. And if you know first graders, they are not excited that they get to meet these certain people, but just excited because they're going on an adventure.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 20:12:42
Simply adorable pictures. What a happy day. As all wish I was hanging with the cast at that awesome grand opening event! The video was great too!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 20:25:54
I wouldn't assume these kids have no idea what Harry Potter is. I watched one of the contest videos, and I think they deserved to go. They spoke different languages and play music. They even composed a song about why they're extraordinary and wore costumes like wizards. You could tell they love Harry Potter. Anyways, I think this contest was open to 18 yr old students. So, if they wanted to go, then they could have done something creative.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 20:27:20
Not that I'm assuming older students didn't do anything creative. They might have chosen young students bc Harry Potter is a children's book. Although all ages enjoy the series.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 21:24:20
I love how they all came and interacted with those cute little kids! :) lol! I heard Tom say,"Hello! I don't bite!"
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 21:31:44
I agree a lot with Kathryn.
And Jessica, I highly doubt those kids composed the songs themselves. I mean, obvious adults helped them. But it's still a little upsetting.
Don't get me wrong, of course these kids are going to have the times of their lives and that's fantastic! But what really gets me is that they always target the small children. What about the people who WERE children when the books came out (like me) who've now grown up to love and cherish them.
Furthermore, they can't even fully comprehend the gravity of these books greatest. Heck, I didn't until this past year (my Junior year in High School) when I took an AP Language and Comp. class and I learned all about writing structure. These kids don't. All they know is that Harry Potter is a wizard and he saved the wizarding world.
Not the biblical and greek mythological allusions. Not the syntax. Not the writing style.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 21:34:38
I also think it's a serious misnomer for the Harry Potter series to be labeled a "children's book." For it has messages and themes children do not understand.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 21:39:50
Oh well. I hope these kids have the time of their life. I know they will.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 22:26:39
James, I agree w/ what ur saying and with Kathryn on the older students not being up front bc they obviously won a contest too. All I was saying, is that the children did what the contest said and that was to send in a video of why your class is extraordinary and they did that. They didn't ask for their views on the mythology and religious references bc then they might not have won :)I also say 'composed' lightly, bc it's not like the lyrics are oscar worthy. Anyway, I'm going next Spring and I can't wait!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 22:40:43
it is upsetting that they did pick younger kids than older ones to be the opening group and walk with the cast, but there are few things in the world that are greater or more wonderful than the innocence of a child or to see excitement light up their eyes. Sure, they probably have no idea they are walking with 'Harry Potter' and 'Ron Weasley' and maybe they can't fully appreciate it in that respect, but look at their faces. And in Dan's face you can see he enjoys it just as much. If it were older kids, Dan would never be able to hold their hand without it being a huge deal or made into something much different. Dan probably loved talking to them about the park and telling them about different things and explaining it all to them without them oogling him or freaking out the whole time because they were with Dan Radcliffe (/insert other cast members names). The kids were admiring the magic and the awe.
Those kids also look at him/the other cast members as normal people enjoying in their fun. Maybe they won't remember today long down the road, but for today, they probably had the time of their lives.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-18 23:30:27
i wish he were holding my hand and leading me into the park :/
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 01:12:49
These are great photos. My favorite is the one with Dan and Michael leading the way. Lucky kids... I bet they don't realize how lucky they are!! Someday they will.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 01:18:27
Oh... and I guess that little kids winning is a better looking story... so that's why a lot of contests like this target younger kids. I mean, congrats to these kids, they're lucky and I'm sure they earned it! I just wish that teens & those who had started reading the series when it came out could win something like this!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 01:46:31
Guys, let's not be selfish here. These kids here deserve it for their contribution to Haiti. Plus, I think the cast members would enjoy interacting with little kids better than older ones because of the innocent awe they have..... While teen girls would be busy freaking out over the cast. And probably they wouldn't have enjoyed that, now would they?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 07:08:40
I know that spending the day at the grand opening of the park with five school groups would be hard to do but why does it seem that the only school kids that are getting specail treatment from the stars are the kids in red shirt?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 08:45:04
i'm going next winter, i can't wait!!!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 10:18:24
Oh give it a rest all of you! Every time there's a contest, I feel like I'm reading the same comments over and over again. So what if they're little kids? Quite frankly, after reading these comments, I think it's a good thing they won. I can just see it: a crowd of squealing teenage fan girls crowding the actors and trying to strike up conversation on the deeper meanings embedded in each of the books. I mean, please. The day was supposed to be about having fun, regardless of who is the biggest fan. So who cares?
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 12:45:19
Yes, its great what they did for Haiti. Keep in mind though it was more the teachers and the parents that did the work. Seven year olds don't exactly have a bank account. Proud of them still for doing what they did. I am glad they all had a good time. As for it trying to have older kids I think it would have been a more memorable experiance for them. Oh well. No use crying over spilt potion. I don't think Teenage girls would have been appropriate.HOw about 10 and 11 year olds? Thats around the age Harry Started HOgwarts. I don't see the wrong in that. NOt trying to say the kids didn't deserve it. Its just well come on, anyways it doesn't really matter.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 13:57:36
Those little kids must have been so happy!!!!!!! It looked like most of them didn't get who all the actors were, but as long as it was fun!!!!!!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 14:01:44
I kind of think they won the contest because the were so young, but they can still get a lot out of it, I remember watching the first movie when I was three and reading the books when I was a bit older then them. I hope they had fun!!!!!!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-19 17:14:01
all four groups will always remember where they were on this day! How lucky they are to be riding the rides with Dan and Rupert!!! Bet they took lots of pics!!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-21 09:22:08
i think it's great that these kids had this opportunity. If they earned it, they did. I'd die to be the one sitting next to dan in flight of the hipogriff, or the phelps twins for that matter. And, even though HP is not just for children (actually, i do believe there are more teen or even adult fans than children), the series started as such, and many people see it that way (wrong, but they do). So children being there was the obvious thing to do. And i agree with Hannah that with older fans it would have been more difficult for the cast to interact with the fans and viceversa. Yet i'd die to meet the cast, let alone be next to them. The only thing is, i think they shoul've picked children from 7 to 12 years old, not only 7. I hope i can meet the cast one day as this children did. They're so lucky, and i'm sure they'll remember it (although not enjoy it as much as i would, i guess). Cant wait to go (hope in near future) AND CANT WAIT FOR DH!!
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-21 11:06:30
Let's clear up some confusion here. The child in front with Daniel in the picture is my fiance's son. I went with him on the trip with my fiance and her other son. My fiance's son's class won the trip via a contest on the Today Show, which was titled "Why is your class extraordinary?". My fiance's son's class held a fundraiser BEFORE this contest was announced and raised over $9000 to donate to the Red Cross for the Haiti relief efforts. There were 3 other classes named as finalists, which were the schools announced during the grand opening ceremony. The contest was decided by online voting. If anyone feels that first graders shouldn't have won the contest, any and all who felt that way had their opportunity to vote. I'm sure if folks posting here were such big HP fans, they were well aware of the contest since it was on the Today Show on NBC. My fiance's son's class won the contest, and Universal decided to invite all the classes down for the grand opening. My fiance's son's class got extra VIP treatment because they won the contest. Do these children realize they were part of something special? Yes they do. Do they know who Harry Potter is? You bet they do. Stop hating and appreciate the fact that the HP experience is being passed on to a new generation of readers and young imaginative minds.
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Posted by: - Posted on: 2010-06-21 11:12:13
Gosh ppl calm down. To Jason Lawson, if you say my fiance's son one more time I gonna freak! That first pic. made me cry... a lot... Can not wait to go!
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