Orlando Sentinel on Marketing for Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Dec 04, 2009

Posted by: SueTLC

Sales

The Orlando Sentinel has an interesting piece online today regarding marketing for the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction, as well as some great new overhead photos of the ongoing construction in Florida.

The article discusses the recent vamped up marketing, including the TV commercials we’ve shown you earlier, as well as mentioning the Road to Hogwarts contest to win a trip to the Grand Opening of the theme park. New however are details of the previously mentioned UK Virgin Holidays association with the theme park, and points out “the tour operator is also offering Potter-themed packages that include
a free breakfast at one of the attraction’s themed restaurants plus
early-morning access to Wizarding World, once it opens.”

While Universal has still not revealed a formal opening date for Wizarding World, just the vague “Spring 2010,” there are several possible timeframes now mentioned in the news article, including this from the UK travel company “the Potter-themed packages that Virgin is offering are only for trips beginning May 28 or later.” However, an earlier mention of the end of April is brought up with the event for graduating students. Quotage: “What’s more, new sales materials for Universal’s three-day “Grad Bash”
event for high-school seniors promise that attendees “will be the first
Grad Bash class to able to step into an entire world of magic and
excitement at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” That suggests
Universal expects the project to be open by April 23, when Grad Bash
begins.”

Universal officials declined to discuss their marketing for the theme park (which is likely to increase in the coming days and months regardless) as a rep said “We don’t generally discuss our marketing strategies,” spokesman Tom
Schroder said. “But we can say everything we are planning is designed
to build and add to the tremendous excitement and anticipation
surrounding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.