All over the US today, there are muddled Muggles wandering
about. Devoted Harry Potter fans who just couldn't wait to see "Deathly Hallows
– Part 2." Which is why – rather than opting to catch the very first show of
this new Warners Bros. Pictures release on Friday morning – they decided to see
the midnight show of the 8th HP film on Thursday night instead.
Mind you, the Harry Potter fans who caught the midnight show
of "Deathly Hallows – Part 2" at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20 will look both
bleary & blissful this morning. But that's because the Universal Orlando Resort
decided to give these moviegoers an extra special treat.
To explain: As last night's screening of "Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" was wrapping up, UOR reps magically appeared in
all 20 theaters that were screening this Warner Bros. film. They then announced
that all 3000 people who attended the midnight screening of this movie would then
be treated to exclusive, complimentary admission to The Wizarding World of
Harry Potter.
Copyright 2011 Universal Orlando
Resort. All rights reserved
And from 3 to 5 a.m. today, that's just what these folks got.
After rushing down the red carpet that Universal Orlando had rolled out for
this extra-special occasion, these Harry Potter fans basically had the run of
the place. They could tour Hogwarts Castle, sample some Butterbeer at the Three
Broomsticks, even shop for a wand at Ollivanders.
Those who attended this event last night just raved about
how magical & surreal the experience was. To step out of that darkened
movie theater after having watched "Deathly Hallows -Part 2" (which – SLIGHT SPOILER
HERE – features extended sequences set at Hogsmeade Village & Hogwarts
Castle) and then – just a few minutes later – find yourself right standing in
the world of that movie made real … was just kind of mind-blowing.
But as they say, all good things must come to an end. And as
the almost-full moon set and the sun began to rise over Universal's Islands of
Adventure, it was time to say "Good-bye" to The Wizarding World and then cross
Universal CityWalk in search of their cars.
Copyright 2011 Universal Orlando
Resort. All rights reserved
But – again – as tired of as those folks who actually took part
in last night's event at the Universal Orlando event may be right now, those
who have already reached out to JHM this morning to share their experiences
insist that it was the perfect capper for attending the midnight show of "Deathly
Hallows -Part 2." More to the point, that this after-hours access to The
Wizarding World went an awfully long way towards alleviating the sting that one
felt as this David Yates film came to an end. What with "Deathly Hallows – Part
2" being the very last movie in the Harry Potter series and all.
By the way, if you were one of the lucky more-than-3000 who
got into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter early this morning, we'd love to
hear your take on what this event was like.
Soooo – in hindsight – don't you now wish that you'd bought
tickets for last night's midnight show at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20?
Your thoughts?
UPDATE: Universal Orlando has just released some video that was taken at last night's event. A word of warning, though: If you're a Harry Potter fan who didn't get exclusive access to the Wizarding World after attending a midnight screening of "Deathly Hallows – Part 2," watching this footage is going to make you very, very envious.