Latest news with #ChrisBradshaw
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
I got a sneak peek of the Epic Universe park. Here are 4 secrets I discovered you need to know before visiting
Universal Orlando Resort's $6 billion Epic Universe park is opening this Thursday after six years of construction. But here we can spill some of the park's secrets ahead of the big day, thanks to a group of travel experts who got an early sneak peek of the attractions. The team, from explored all five of the park's worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk; Dark Universe and Celestial Park. And then they compiled their insider findings. Marketing Director Chris Bradshaw reveals the 30-second audio cue for a secret fire show; hidden, themed sodas; a hack for picking a milder or more intense ride on the dual-track showpiece roller coaster, and the best hotel room floors for perfect park views. Tickets for the park cost between $139 and $199 — these tips will help you get even better value for your money. 'Listen for the bells – that's your cue to see the fire show in Dark Universe' Chris declares that one of the "coolest" hidden experiences that was spotted takes place in the Dark Universe section. He reveals: "Just before the Burning Blade Tavern quite literally bursts into flames, you'll hear bells chiming across Darkmoor village. "Once those bells ring, you've got about 30 seconds to walk towards the tavern and see the fire effects live. "There's no big announcement, so unless you know to listen out for it, you might miss it. It's a fun bit of atmosphere-building that brings the land to life in a way we've never really seen before." 'There's a secret Coca-Cola Freestyle drink in every land, and they're themed to match' There are four portal structures that guests will walk through from the central Celestial Park to reach The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, the Isle of Berk and Dark Universe – and Chris and his team discovered a secret drink in each one. Chris reveals: "In each of the four portals that transport you to different lands within Epic Universe, we discovered that the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines [in them] include a hidden drink that matches the world's theme. "For example, in How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, there's a tropical soda called 'Dragon Splash' that doesn't appear on any other menus. "In Dark Universe, the horror-themed portal, you'll find a purple, berry-based flavour called 'Screaming Berry'. "These drinks are exclusive to their portals. So if you're into collecting themed items or just love a surprise, it's a brilliant detail to look out for." 'You can choose your intensity level on Stardust Racers' The flagship coaster at Epic Universe, claims the preview team, is Stardust Racers, a double-track, colour-coded racing coaster with different personalities. Chris explains: "We found that the green side is the much more intense of the two, while the yellow side offers a slightly gentler experience. "Slightly being the keyword, as it's definitely still a thrill. Unbeknownst to us, you could actually choose which side to ride when you enter the queue, so if you have a preference, you can pick. Being able to tailor the ride experience is a big win in our book." "Want the best park views? Ask for these floors at the Helios Hotel' Helios Grand Hotel sits inside the park's boundaries – and some floors offer better views of the attractions than others. So claim the insiders. Chris says: "The new Helios Grand Hotel is unlike anything we've seen before because it sits inside the park boundaries, with views directly over Celestial Park and the portals. "If you're staying there, we recommend requesting a room on the third or fourth floor, as these floors offer the best elevated views of the park, in our opinion, and especially during sunset or when the rides are lit up at night. "It's worth noting that view requests can't be guaranteed, but if you're booking for a special occasion or just want that wow-factor experience, it's definitely worth asking in advance." Epic Universe brings the number of parks at Universal Orlando Resort to four. The other three are Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay.
Daily Record
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scottish city named 'surprising Jedi hotspot' ahead of Star Wars Day
Only one city in Scotland is among the top 10 in the UK. Scotland's "hotspot for Jedis" has been revealed. The Scottish city was named as a "surprising" centre for Star Wars fans. May 4 marks Star Wars Day, which is a commemorative day observed each year celebrating the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. Originating from the classic line 'May the force be with you', Star Wars Day will take place on Sunday. Ahead of the sci-fi holiday, new research from Disney experts at has named the UK cities that are estimated to have the most 'Jedis' in 2025. In the fictional Star Wars universe, a Jedi is a member of a mystical knightly order—and is used to refer to fans of the franchise. The experts have seen a 300 per cent spike in searches for 'Jediism' in the UK over the past month. As a result, the team investigated where this renewed interest is coming from across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Topping the list for Scotland as the biggest Star Wars hotspot is Dunfermline. Scotland's newest city also placed third on the UK-wide list. According to the experts, 0.02 per cent of Dunfermline's population identity as a Jedi. Although the number may seem small, states that it "reflects a measurable level of sustained interest". While not appearing in the UK-wide top 10, Aberdeen follows behind as the Scottish city with the second-highest number of Jedis. The results reveal that approximately 0.004 per cent of the Granite City have expressed interest in Jediism. Edinburgh and Glasgow follow behind in third and fourth place for Scotland respectively. Just under 0.002 per cent of Edinburgh's population were found to be Jedi enthusiasts, while the figure is around 0.0015 per cent for Glasgow. Elsewhere, Truro ranks highest in England and the UK. With 0.05 per cent, this reflects a notably larger share of residents showing an interest in Jediism compared to other UK cities. Meanwhile, Swansea leads in Wales. An estimated 0.004 per cent of the city's population have expressed interest in Jediism according to the experts. On the other hand, Northern Ireland recorded no significant activity relating to Jediism. Based on recent search data, nowhere in Northern Ireland appears on the list of the top Jedi hotspots. Marketing Director at Chris Bradshaw commented: "While the population percentages may appear small, they reflect a measurable level of sustained interest, particularly during a time when Star Wars continues to expand its cultural and cinematic reach through streaming platforms like Disney+, and specifically around key cultural moments for fans like Star Wars Day. "From a pop culture perspective, the influence of the Star Wars franchise remains incredibly strong, and we can also see this through the growing popularity of the Star Wars rides at Disney parks, such as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland Paris. It seems that the franchise is as popular as ever." To put together their list, the experts analysed search volume data for the term 'Jediism' across more than 70 major UK cities. This was compared against the most recent population figures for each city in order to calculate the estimated percentage of residents expressing interest in the Jedi belief system ahead of Star Wars Day. Truro, England Durham, England Dunfermline, Scotland Chester, England Bath, England Lincoln, England Salford, England Gloucester, England Southend-on-Sea, England Peterborough, England
Scotsman
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
It would cost over £400k to be a 2025 Hogwarts student in the Scottish Highlands
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now For decades, fans of the Harry Potter series have dreamed of receiving their Hogwarts acceptance letter by owl post and travelling to the Scottish Highlands via the Hogwarts Express, but while the magic is priceless, attending the famous wizarding school might not be. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... According to Universal Wizarding World experts at if Hogwarts operated like a modern UK private boarding school, the cost of a seven-year magical education could soar past £407,000. Even in a scenario where Hogwarts remains state-funded, parents could still face an eye-watering bill of £24,791, a steep rise from the estimated £5,575 it would have cost when The Philosopher's Stone was first released. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's fun to imagine receiving that Hogwarts letter, but in today's economy, attending a school like that would come with a serious price tag,' says Chris Bradshaw, Marketing Director at 'So we did the maths for 2025 and the results are shocking.' Diagon Alley, Universal Orlando Resort A Breakdown of the Cost Here's how the cost of a magical education stacks up in today's economy: School Supplies In Philosopher's Stone, Harry's Diagon Alley list costs 37 Galleons which was roughly £185 in 1991 based on the commonly accepted fan exchange rate of £5 per Galleon. Adjusted for inflation, that's approximately £508 per year in 2025 and covers books, robes, a wand, and potions gear. The Hogwarts Express, Universal Orlando Resort Hogwarts Express Tickets A one-way train ticket from London to the Scottish Highlands today ranges from £56–£200, depending on when it's booked. Assuming students book in advance and return home for start/end of term, Christmas, and half-term breaks, we estimate 6 round trips per year at £120 each, totalling £720 annually. Pet Companion Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Students may bring a cat, toad, rat, or owl. We estimate this to cost, on average, to be around £150, including care supplies. Spending Money for Hogsmeade A non-alcoholic beer like Butterbeer averages at £9 in the UK today. Assuming students enjoy a few drinks and snacks per Hogsmede visit, and make monthly trips during term time, a reasonable budget is £200 per year. Nimbus 2000 Harry's first broomstick, the Nimbus 2000, is estimated to have cost 1,000 Galleons, or £5,000 in 1991. In today's money, that's roughly £13,700. We've assumed this to be a one-off expense. Boarding and Education In 2025, elite UK institutions like Eton and Harrow will charge a minimum of £50,000 per year for full boarding and education. With its enchanted ceilings, potion laboratories, and private Quidditch pitch, maintaining a school like Hogwarts would come at a significant cost. In today's economic climate, limited state funding may have forced the school to become a privately funded institution, ensuring it could continue offering the high standard of magical education it's known for. The Final Totals Year 1: Supplies: £508 Pet: £150 Train: £720 Pocket money: £200 Nimbus 2000: £13,700. Boarding & Education: £50,000 Total: £65,278 Years 2–7 (each): Supplies: £508 Train: £720 Pocket money: £200 Boarding & Education: £50,000 Total per year: £51,428 Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adding the average of a 3% inflation rate each year, the 7-Year total in today's economy is £407,915 (or £394,215 for those that don't fancy the Quidditch pitch). This translates to an average cost of £58,274 per year. Chris Bradshaw, marketing director at spoke on the findings: 'Even in a magical economy, the cost of robes, rail fares, and sweet treats can quickly add up. Factor in private school-level fees, and Hogwarts might feel out of reach for most British families, a reminder of how inflation touches even our most loved fictional stories."
Scotsman
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
It would cost over £400k to be a 2025 Hogwarts student in the Scottish Highlands
For decades, fans of the Harry Potter series have dreamed of receiving their Hogwarts acceptance letter by owl post and travelling to the Scottish Highlands via the Hogwarts Express, but while the magic is priceless, attending the famous wizarding school might not be. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... According to Universal Wizarding World experts at if Hogwarts operated like a modern UK private boarding school, the cost of a seven-year magical education could soar past £407,000. Even in a scenario where Hogwarts remains state-funded, parents could still face an eye-watering bill of £24,791, a steep rise from the estimated £5,575 it would have cost when The Philosopher's Stone was first released. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's fun to imagine receiving that Hogwarts letter, but in today's economy, attending a school like that would come with a serious price tag,' says Chris Bradshaw, Marketing Director at 'So we did the maths for 2025 and the results are shocking.' Diagon Alley, Universal Orlando Resort A Breakdown of the Cost Here's how the cost of a magical education stacks up in today's economy: School Supplies In Philosopher's Stone, Harry's Diagon Alley list costs 37 Galleons which was roughly £185 in 1991 based on the commonly accepted fan exchange rate of £5 per Galleon. Adjusted for inflation, that's approximately £508 per year in 2025 and covers books, robes, a wand, and potions gear. The Hogwarts Express, Universal Orlando Resort Hogwarts Express Tickets A one-way train ticket from London to the Scottish Highlands today ranges from £56–£200, depending on when it's booked. Assuming students book in advance and return home for start/end of term, Christmas, and half-term breaks, we estimate 6 round trips per year at £120 each, totalling £720 annually. Pet Companion Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Students may bring a cat, toad, rat, or owl. We estimate this to cost, on average, to be around £150, including care supplies. Spending Money for Hogsmeade A non-alcoholic beer like Butterbeer averages at £9 in the UK today. Assuming students enjoy a few drinks and snacks per Hogsmede visit, and make monthly trips during term time, a reasonable budget is £200 per year. Nimbus 2000 Harry's first broomstick, the Nimbus 2000, is estimated to have cost 1,000 Galleons, or £5,000 in 1991. In today's money, that's roughly £13,700. We've assumed this to be a one-off expense. Boarding and Education In 2025, elite UK institutions like Eton and Harrow will charge a minimum of £50,000 per year for full boarding and education. With its enchanted ceilings, potion laboratories, and private Quidditch pitch, maintaining a school like Hogwarts would come at a significant cost. In today's economic climate, limited state funding may have forced the school to become a privately funded institution, ensuring it could continue offering the high standard of magical education it's known for. The Final Totals Year 1: Supplies: £508 Pet: £150 Train: £720 Pocket money: £200 Nimbus 2000: £13,700. Boarding & Education: £50,000 Total: £65,278 Years 2–7 (each): Supplies: £508 Train: £720 Pocket money: £200 Boarding & Education: £50,000 Total per year: £51,428 Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adding the average of a 3% inflation rate each year, the 7-Year total in today's economy is £407,915 (or £394,215 for those that don't fancy the Quidditch pitch). This translates to an average cost of £58,274 per year. Chris Bradshaw, marketing director at spoke on the findings: 'Even in a magical economy, the cost of robes, rail fares, and sweet treats can quickly add up. Factor in private school-level fees, and Hogwarts might feel out of reach for most British families, a reminder of how inflation touches even our most loved fictional stories."
Scotsman
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Dunfermline revealed as surprising UK hotspot for Jedis ahead of Star Wars Day
This Sunday is Star Wars Day (May the 4th) and Disney experts have reported a 300% spike in UK searches for Jediism in the run-up to the fan-favourite day. With a rise in interest for the belief system, Disney experts at have delved into the data to reveal which UK cities have the most Jedis ahead of Star Wars Day, and Dunfermline, Scotland made the top 10 list. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... By comparing population data from over 70 UK cities with regional search volumes for the term 'Jediism,' has estimated the percentage of residents in each location most likely to identify with the Jedi belief system. Top 10 UK Cities with the Most Estimated Jedis According to the data, Truro in Cornwall tops the list, with an estimated 0.05% of its population identifying as Jedi, making it the most Jedi-heavy city in England and the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Star Wars, Walt Disney World Resort Coming in second is Durham with 0.02%, followed closely by Dunfermline in Scotland, also with 0.02%, claiming the title of Scotland's most Jedi-filled city. The full top 10 Jedi cities are: Truro, England – 0.05% Durham, England – 0.02% Dunfermline, Scotland – 0.02% Chester, England – 0.01% Bath, England – 0.01% Lincoln, England – 0.009% Salford, England – 0.009% Gloucester, England – 0.006% Southend-on-Sea, England – 0.005% Peterborough, England – 0.005% Regional Highlights Truro ranks highest in England, with a notably larger share of residents showing an interest in Jediism compared to other UK cities. Dunfermline claims the top spot in Scotland. Swansea leads in Wales, with an estimated 0.004% of the population exploring Jedi-related beliefs. Northern Ireland recorded no significant activity relating to Jediism based on recent search data. Chris Bradshaw, Marketing Director for said on the data: 'While the population percentages may appear small, they reflect a measurable level of sustained interest, particularly during a time when Star Wars continues to expand its cultural and cinematic reach through streaming platforms like Disney+, and specifically around key cultural moments for fans like Star Wars Day.
