With construction now underway on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, work begins on other facets relating to the theme park in Orlando, Florida. As such, we’ve gotten a new report today stating auditions are now, or will soon be, underway for actors to portray an assortment of magic related people, including characters from the Harry Potter novels. Word is that they “are casting all the major parts for the characters in the books,” in addition to others such as “a wand instructor for the kids. They basically show kids how to do wand magic tricks.” Others “will be traveling actors through the park playing the parts of wizards that come together in duels. They have specific spots in the park that this happens for special effects. For example, one wizard throws a spell at the other, the other reacts, does stunts and the places around, or behind them, bursts into flames or there is an explosion.”
Finally, in one very cool piece of news, reportedly “there is going to be a ride through Gringotts that is based on the rails through the bank. There will be a stage show that comes from Goblet of Fire of the scene in the grave yard where Harry fights Voldemort.”
As fantastic as this sounds, please keep this in the rumor category for now, until we can obtain further information on this. As announced previously, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is under construction at Universal Orlando, Florida, with the latest report stating a December, 2009 opening is planned.
Oh c’mon. Only Americans are gaudy and brash enough to take the initiative to make Harry Potter Land!! (speaking as a gaudy American!). It doesn’t matter where it came from. Besides, he’s world loved, right??
OMG, OMG, I started freaking out when I read this. I live 2 hours away from Orlando(1hr 45min if there’s no traffic) AND I’m an aspiring actor. I will definitely be auditioning to be one of the characters. Gah, I’m all giddy now. I have really thick eyebrows, maybe I could be Krum, but if they’re going to base your looks on the characters of the movies it’ll be hard since I don’t look like any of the actors :(
I lived in Orlando for 8 years – it was awesome and I regret leaving! For those who are worried about the weather, it’s not too bad. It even gets nice and cool in the winter months between November and February, which coincidentally is a really good time to go there because of how inexpensive flights and hotels are (less crowds too).
I’m guessing one of the reasons they chose Orlando over LA or UK is because of the price of the land. Paying less for land to build the theme park gives them more money to put towards making the guest experience better. :)
This makes me feel special ‘cause I like in Orlando. I have a friend who currently works there (Universal Studios), and I know someone whose father is working on this Harry Potter section of Universal. :D I can’t wait to visit!!!
I hate the idea of a theme park. It sounds so incredibly cheezy. You are going to have HP wannabes walking around, looking more like “goofy”. I hate that they are building it in sunny Florida. It would have translated much better on the east coast with the change of season.
Posted by Resistance is Futile on March 31, 2008, 08:58 PM
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Keep in mind this is ONLY a theme park, a few thrill rides with a story/movie set feel, not an attempt to create the real HP world. Universal, with the blessing of JKR and Stuart Craig, will make it as authentic and fun as a park with rides can be. The Islands of Adventure is a perfect fit with its movie/fun reading themes of the other “islands”, Dr. Suess, comics/comic books(Spiderman is my favorite!), and Jurassic park. The supporting infrastructure and tourist base is already in place and successful. I live near Orlando and have had season passes to Universal for many years, and I know what they build will be first rate and fun. BUT BEWARE, new rides tend to be crowded and break down often, so it may be best to wait a few months after opening. Also avoid summer and holidays. BTW, random, something the UK has that the US will never have, REAL castles! (Or any buildings much more than 200 years old. ) I hope to visit the UK some day….
tintanktonks asked:
>Can I just ask how is Harry Potter Welsh? I thought he was English. I’m not trying >to offend anyone but huh?! It doesnt matter really but I’m just curious. Anyone help >me out?
Mountain Violet replied:
>Because his mother’s name was Lily Evans and Evans is a Welsh surname.
Firstly, just to show I am not being nasty to the Welsh, I am Welsh born of a Welsh father with the surname Evans (incidently, my name Susan can be translated as Lily!). As I was born in Wales, I am Welsh but my mother is English. I now live happily in Suffolk countryside working for a Scottish bank!
Lily was an Evans before her marriage. She must have lived in Spinner’s End as thats where she meets the young Snape. So where is Spinner’s End? This is in the North of England. Not Wales. So, was she born in Wales – we don’t know. It may be that her father was Welsh and her mother not and that the whole family lived in England. Let us assume she has lived all her life in Spinner’s End before going to Hogwarts, which makes her English.
James Potter is not Welsh either. Don’t know where he lived before Godrics Hollow but the implication in the books is England.
Godrics Hollow seems to be in the West of England. It MAY be in Wales. It was AFTER Harry’s birth that the Potters moved to Godric’s Hollow so let us assume the family lived elsewhere before that move.
So, Harry is born of two English parents with perhaps a Welsh grandfather! And it is likely that he was born in England which makes him English born.
Or British!
To be frank though, does it really matter? Britain encompasses the whole of Wales, England and Scotland. Harry Potter’s world encompasses the West of England; bit of Wales at least (through the Forest of Dean which straddles England and Wales); London; Northern England; Ireland (Goblet of Fire Quidditch World Cup) and Scotland! I have never come across such a wonderfully inclusive book so why should anyone quibble about where people in the book were born!
Still wish Harry Potter’s world was being built in England/Scotland/Wales somewhere though!
Posted by Susan (translated as Lily) on April 01, 2008, 02:48 PM
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Theme parks are overrated and overpriced. It’s true you do go to Orlando for the parks, that’s what makes it so tragic.
Posted by Resistance is Futile on April 01, 2008, 04:14 PM
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This is amazing!
Im living in Florida, and soon to be living in Orlando! But im able to go there anytime. When I was living in the UK I did not realize when seeing Harry Potter that this would actually happen! Its so intresting on how far Harry Potter has gone. Its gone from books, to imagination. From Imagination to movies. From Movies to Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!
I am glad that it is in Florida because nothing ever happens there (i should know because i live there) and finally this will let alot of people visit and maybe even the real actors/actresses.Everybody thinks of Florida as so fun for all its theme parks and stuff but it can get a bit boring after awhile. I think Disney would be a better place for it because i has soo much more rides and it feel more alive than Universal.
"Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad..."
Oh c’mon. Only Americans are gaudy and brash enough to take the initiative to make Harry Potter Land!! (speaking as a gaudy American!). It doesn’t matter where it came from. Besides, he’s world loved, right??