Tom Felton Gives Fans a Tour of Wizarding World with USA Today

As the USA Today reported through their Twitter and SnapChat, they toured the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood with Harry Potter’s Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy). Yesterday, after the wave of social media updates, USA Today put together a full article of the pre-opening tour of the park that Tom also gave some lucky fans!

The article includes a video introducing Tom and showing a time-lapsed clip of the different parts of the Harry Potter park that they toured. The video shows Tom and the USA Today news correspondent going through Zonko’s Joke Shop, Honeydukes, buying wands at Ollivander’s. Take a look:

USA Today also uploaded a series of images, a few of which can be seen below. The article stated:

He might have played villainous Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, butTom Felton’s appearance in person at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywoodbrought pure joy to fans.

One euphoria-frozen fan even burst into tears as Felton, 28,  walked the grounds of the major attraction, which officially opens Thursday.

For the British actor, who now resides in Los Angeles, it was emotional stepping back into the world he inhabited for eight Harry Potter films.

“It is really cool to have a place like this to come back to,” says Felton. “Every time I get homesick, I can come here and re-live a bit of my childhood.”

Tom Felton, with years and years of background knowledge having spent his childhood on a set very similar to the parks, gave USA Today and fans suggestions of what needs to be done with their time spent in the Wizarding World park: fans must get a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, getting a wand at Ollivander’s, purchasing robes (or Hogwarts school wear) at Gladrags Wizardwear, and getting some sweets and toys at Zonko’s/Honeydukes.

Tom Felton described his experiences on set compared to those at the theme park, saying:

Felton inducted USA TODAY’s reporter into Malfoy’s Slytherin house with an impromptu robe ceremony (and lethal tie-fitting) at Gladrags, the Hogwarts wizarding apparel store. The robes are legit: Felton pointed out the hidden, built-in wand holder and pockets.

“When we were filming, they sewed these pockets up because I would put chocolate and sweets in there,” says Felton.

Honeydukes candy is a hit with Hogwarts students and Felton, who enjoyed the chocolate frog and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans. Proceed with caution, though — some of the unique jelly bean flavors are gross.

“It’s a fun game, you give them to your friends — the good ones first and then the bad ones,”  says Felton, chewing away. “I think I just tried earthworm.”

It is also important to explore Hogwarts. Even if one does not want to ride the Forbidden Journey, fans can walk through the castle in a separate line market out for “Castle Tours.” Tom Felton walked through the castle in the Hollywood park, feeling “joyous and happy.”

More photos of the day, and the entire USA Today article, can be read here.