UPDATED: “Harry Potter” Cast Members To Appear at A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort!

Back in August, we reported on the announcement of Universal Orlando Resort’s second annual A Celebration of Harry Potter expo in collaboration with Warner Bros., which will be held at the theme park from January 30 through February 1. From the official press release, we now have more details on the event, including news on the members of the Harry Potter cast and crew who are set to appear!

From the Harry Potter cast, actors Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Michael Gambon (Prof. Dumbledore), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) will be in attendance. Also in attendance will be Paul Harris, who choreographed the wand combat for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, whose work can be seen on the re-imagined covers of the Scholastic-published Harry Potter books; and graphic designers Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina – also known as MinaLima – whose work can be seen in many of the props of the Harry Potter films.

Additionally, information has been released on some of the activities planned for the celebration, which will include a Sorting ceremony, photo opportunities in a re-creation of the Great Hall, a masterclass on wand combat, a Q&A session with members of the Harry Potter cast, and much more!

Be sure to check out the full press release below for more details on the event.

UPDATE:

It has been revealed that for the first time the event will include autograph sessions! The autograph sessions will take place with some of the film talent who are attending the event. Although not much information on this has been released, the Universal Orlando blog states that:

On Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, a limited number of park guests will have the opportunity to meet and receive autographs from Harry Potter film talent. Details to come on how you can experience this.

Look out for more details soon.

Press Release
HARRY POTTER FILM TALENT ROBBIE COLTRANE, MICHAEL GAMBON, JAMES PHELPS, OLIVER PHELPS AND EVANNA LYNCH TO APPEAR AT “A CELEBRATION OF HARRY POTTER” EVENT AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

Three-Day Event to Feature Film Talent Q&A Sessions, a Wand Combat Masterclass, the Sorting Hat

 

Orlando, Fla. (November 6, 2014) – Harry Potter film talent Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps and Evanna Lynch are slated to appear at the second annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter” – a special event hosted by Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment. The event allows fans to celebrate all of Harry’s adventures, from the beloved books to the feature films. Creative talent also set to appear includes Paul Harris, the world’s only Wand Combat choreographer, Kazu Kibuishi, illustrator of Scholastic’s re-imagined Harry Potter book covers, and Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina of MinaLima, who established the visual graphic style of the Harry Potter films.

“A Celebration of Harry Potter” will take place from January 30 – February 1, 2015 at Universal Orlando. Fans will enjoy three days of incredible experiences, including Q&A and autograph sessions with Harry Potter film talent, special discussions and demonstrations with creative talent, and access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo– where fans can enjoy the Sorting Hat experience, pose for a photo in a recreation of the iconic Great Hall set and celebrate their Hogwarts house pride in an interactive Pottermore exhibit.

Guests can also experience Harry Potter’s world for themselves by visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the all-new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Vacation Package guests and those with a park-to-park ticket will also be able to board the iconic Hogwarts Express and enjoy a unique journey as they travel between King’s Cross Station and Hogsmeade Station.

Access to “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included with regular theme park admission or with an annual pass, with admission to certain activities being granted on a first-come, first-served basis. While most of the activities for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will be open to all Universal Orlando park guests, guests who purchase the exclusive event vacation package will enjoy certain special benefits and reserved sections for the discussions and demonstrations.

Event details are below:

"A CELEBRATION OF HARRY POTTER" EXPO
The Expo will be held inside a Universal Orlando soundstage and will be open to guests throughout the weekend.  The expo will include the following booths and exhibits that will give guests deeper insight into the global phenomenon that is Harry Potter:

  • Harry Potter: The Exhibition
    Sorting Hat Experience
    Do you think you are a Gryffindor, or a Slytherin? A Hufflepuff? Perhaps a Ravenclaw? At the beginning of each school year the Sorting Hat sorts new Hogwarts students into the appropriate house, and you'll have the opportunity to get sorted in a Hogwarts-inspired setting…sponsored by Harry Potter™: The Exhibition.
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
    The production home of the Harry Potter film series, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London gives visitors the chance to step on to the actual sets used during filming. 'A Celebration of Harry Potter' visitors will get a chance to pose for a photo in a recreation of the iconic Great Hall.
  • MinaLima
    Graphic designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima created countless pieces of unforgettable artwork, some of which will be on display including iconic pieces such as the Marauder's Map, Daily Prophet and Hogwarts school books.  Exclusive to the Celebration, they will be launching their brand new range of Harry Potter stationery, featuring original film graphic artwork. Limited edition prints based on the original prop designs will also be displayed.
  • Pottermore from J.K. Rowling
    Show your Hogwarts house colors and celebrate your pride with Pottermore from J.K. Rowling. For the millions of fans who have participated in the exclusive Sorting Hat quiz devised by J.K. Rowling herself, here's an amazing chance to take part in Pottermore's Proudest House Contest.  Also, relive the excitement of a year in Pottermore.com and get an exclusive chance to have your say on what is to come.
  • Scholastic
    Celebrate Harry Potter and share your message about what Harry Potter means to you. Meet award-winning illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, who re-imagined the Harry Potter book covers and will be signing posters on Saturday, January 30, and enter for a chance to win a box set of all seven Harry Potter books.
  • Warner Bros. Entertainment
    Do you have what it takes to defend yourself against a Dementor or soar above Hogwarts castle on Buckbeak?  Step into some of your favorite scenes with this magical photo experience while surrounded by authentic movie props from the Harry Potter films.

To join the conversation, use #HPCelebration. For more information about the event, tickets and available exclusive event vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.

About the Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into 77 languages.  The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

About Universal Orlando Resort
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts.  It is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family.  Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D.  And now, you can step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure; four magnificently themed on-site hotels:  Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the newest addition, Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort; and Universal CityWalk – enjoy the best in restaurants, live music, shopping, movies and more. And located just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort is Wet n' Wild, Orlando's premier waterpark.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company.  Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms.  A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

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Will you be attending A Celebration of Harry Potter in 2015? Did you attend it last year? What are you most excited to do? Be sure to tell us in the comments below!

Mary W.

I am a Slytherin, a lifelong fan of Harry Potter, and a member of MuggleNet staff since 2014. In my Muggle life, I am passionate about human rights, and I love to travel around the world and meet new people.