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Archive for the ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ Category

The Themed Entertainment Association recently honored Universal Orlando Resort with four THEA Awards for the theme park’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

The awards for Wizarding World, which opened to huge crowds in 2010, were announced during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) convention held in Orlando.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was recognized for two awards. One was for outstanding achievement in a “new theme park land” and another was for “thematic integration of retail, food and beverage experiences.”

The Wizarding World’s new state-of-the-art ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, also received two awards. One was given for outstanding achievement for a “featured attraction” and the other for “technical achievement.”

Universal was praised for the overall magnificence of the new theme park area and for the level of detail involved in the creation of the Wizarding World.

For more information on discount Orlando family theme park vacations and discount Orlando accommodations such as Westgate Resorts, visit www.Westgatereservations.com or www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Harry Potter Mania is returning to Universal Studios!

While Universal Studios is still riding a wave of excitement from its 2010 opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure theme park, there’s more Potter excitement just around the corner.

The wildly popular attraction is getting an added boost with the upcoming release of the next Potter movie: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1,” starring Daniel Radcliffe as the world’s most famous boy wizard.

Universal Cineplex at Universal Orlando CityWalk is celebrating by reserving all 20 screens, including the IMAX screen, for the “Deathly Hallows” movie premiere. At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, all 20 screens will show the new movie.

Tickets for the “Deathly Hallows” showings are available at the box office or through www.fandango.com. In addition, there will be a second IMAX showing at 3:15 a.m.

For those who want even more Potter, you can also purchase a special combination ticket that includes Thursday evening showings of the two most recent movies in the iconic Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” You can watch those shows prior to seeing the new 12:01 a.m. showing of “Deathly Hallows.” The special ticket for all three Harry Potter films is just $20.

For discount Universal Studios tickets or discount Orlando theme park packages, please visit www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure on June 18 but already the new addition is taking the theme park to the top of the charts.

Islands of Adventure was voted the “best theme park” in the 2010 ratings released by ThemeParkInsider.com. And the park’s new signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” was named “best new attraction.”  

The winners were recently announced in the 9^th annual Theme Park Insider Awards. Winners are based on ratings submitted by the Web site’s visitors.  Runners-up for the top theme park award included Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando. Runners-up for best new attraction included, “World of Color” at Disney’s California Adventure and the “Intimidator” roller coaster at Carowinds.

For more information on Universal Orlando Resort and Islands of Adventure as well as discount theme park tickets, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Don’t underestimate the power of Harry Potter’s wizardry.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure on June 18, but that has been plenty of time to propel the theme park to the title of “best theme park” in the 2010 ratings released by ThemeParkInsider.com.

Winners announced in the 9^th annual Theme Park Insider Awards are based on ratings submitted by the Web site’s visitors.  Runners-up for the award included Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

The 2010 honor marks the fourth time Islands of Adventure has been named the top theme park. The Orlando-based park also claimed the honor from 2002-2004.

For more information on Universal Orlando Resort and Islands of Adventure as well as discount theme park tickets, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

With the recent opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal has unveiled its latest epic ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey^TM.

The adventure begins long before you actually reach the ride. The ride queue is an adventure in and of itself. You’ll make your way through some of the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts^TM School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

You’ll visit a variety of iconic locations from the Harry Potter movies, such as Dumbledore’s office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor^TM common room, the Room of Requirement and more. Finally, you’ll reach the actual ride which takes you soaring above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter^TM and his friends on an unforgettably thrilling escapade.

Along the way, you’ll come face-to-face with an array of magical creatures and events. Riders will come face-to-face with Harry, Ron and Hermione, visit the Forbidden Forest, get in the middle of a Quidditch match and even run into dragons and Dementors. It’s all part of the fun of a ride that features groundbreaking new technology to create a one of a kind moment of exhilaration.

For information on Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or visit www.WestgateReservations.com for discount hotel and resort accommodations or discount Orlando vacation package deals.

If you can’t be part of the fun in person at Universal Orlando on June 18 for the official Grand Opening of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can still witness some of the early excitement.

Universal Orlando is providing live streaming of the grand opening ceremonies at Islands of Adventure theme park from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

To watch the live coverage at Wizarding World, go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotterNews and click on the “Live feed” link.

For additional details on the Wizarding World and Universal Orlando tickets and discount vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.