Latest news with #Hogsmeade
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Harry Potter event loved by millions of film buffs & celebs like Jude Law AXED for good…leaving fans' lives ‘ruined'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HARRY Potter fans will be crying into their butter beers as an annual Kings Cross tradition has been permanently axed, The Sun can reveal. The 'back to Hogwarts' gathering took place every September 1 at the London train station, attracting thousands of Potterheads - many in full costume. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Harry Potter fans await the moment the Hogwarts Express departs from platform 9 3/4 at Kings' Cross station Credit: Rex 9 Fans cheer as the clock strikes 11am during Back To Hogwarts Day 2023 Credit: Getty 9 The information boards at Kings Cross station display Hogsmeade Credit: Getty 9 Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law at platform 9 3/4 during Back to Hogwarts day in 2018 Credit: Getty Images - Getty They'd wait with baited breath for the tongue-in-cheek announcement that the fictional Hogwarts Express would depart from platform 9 ¾ at 11am, as happens in JK Rowling's books. A sign would also appear on the departure boards signalling the train going to "Hogsmeade" the town near where Hogwarts is located. In 2018, Hollywood stars Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law even attended to promote Potter spin-off movie Fantastic Beasts 2. However, last year fans booed when the fun public address failed to take place - and now we can reveal it will not return next month. National Rail said the event had attracted far too many crowds and had posed issues for genuine travellers getting their trains. A spokesperson said the last full gathering in 2023 saw thousands of people turn up 'which made it challenging for us as station operator'. They have now confirmed to The Sun: 'It is the same for this year, in that we won't be hosting the event at the station.' Instead, organisers Wizarding World and Warner Bros Discovery are putting on an online alternative this September 1. Writing on Facebook, fans were hopeful last year was just a blip. They said at the time: 'It's so sad that this was cancelled… nice to have traditions as most things have been ruined these days.' Another added: 'It brings people together.' JK Rowling hails BBC host for refusing to say 'pregnant people' live on air And another: 'It's awful they took a small piece of fun away, life's too short." A third said: 'It was so nice that the station used to actually announce this, such fun. But I can see why they decided to end this - way too many people and too much of a disruption for a real train station.' The Potterverse is currently experiencing a boost in popularity with the upcoming Amazon-produced series, which began filming last month. The book series, written by Rowling, began with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, released in 1997, to huge commercial success. The first film, starring Daniel Radcliffe in the title role, came out in 2001. There are a total of seven books and eight films, ending in 2011. The franchise has since continued to grow exponentially, including the WB studio tour at Leavesden Studios, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sections within Universal theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan and Beijing. More than 23 million passengers started or ended their journey at Kings Cross in 2022, according to Railway Data. A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson said: "Similar to last year, we can confirm that there will be no Back to Hogwarts event, announcement, or countdown at Kings Cross Station, and fans should not plan to go there on 1st September. "We have plenty of fun in store for fans celebrating Back to Hogwarts however, both online and in person. "Plans include a special free screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with a live Q&A with James and Oliver Phelps, special giveaways, competitions and more." 9 Thousands of fans turn up for the event each year Credit: PA 9 Crowds watch on at the station - with 'magical' suitcases seen in the background Credit: Getty 9 Law and Redmayne attended the event to promote Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald Credit: Getty Images - Getty 9 A Potter fan on Platform 9 and 3/4 Credit: Alamy
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
For Harry Potter fans, the Wizarding World is as close as Orlando
I never got that letter from Hogwarts – or Ilvermorny, the wizarding school in the United States. But I still get to visit the Wizarding World whenever I go to Orlando. Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort all bring the magic of Harry Potter to life, but only the Florida resort expands the Wizarding World beyond Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. Here's what Harry Potter fans can expect at Universal Orlando and how much time and money it takes to visit. Which Universal park is Harry Potter in? All three of Universal Orlando's theme parks have their own corner of the Wizarding World. Universal Islands of Adventure is home to Hogsmeade. Universal Studios Florida invites guests into Diagon Alley. Universal Epic Universe transports guests to both the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter's time and 1920s wizarding Paris. Universal also calls its Volcano Bay water park a theme park, but it's not a traditional theme park and has no Harry Potter presence. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade This was the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter across Universal's resorts, and it remains a fan favorite. Fans will immediately recognize places like Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks in the snow-capped wizarding village, where Hogwarts Castle looms in the distance. Honeydukes sells all sorts of sweets like Chocolate Frogs and Fizzing Whizzbees, while the Three Broomsticks serves up British comfort food like Shepherd's Pie and wizarding drinks like Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer. Peering in the shop windows, guests will spot Hermione's gown from the Yule Ball and magical sights that engage when guests cast spells with interactive wands. (Additional wand experiences are available in the other parks.) The most popular attraction here is Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motobike Adventure, a coaster whose vehicles resemble the motorcycle Sirius Black gave Hagrid, with a sidecar. Younger or more timid guests, like my youngest, may prefer Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster alongside Hagrid's hut with terrific views of the park. Can you go into Hogwarts at Universal Orlando? Yes. Hogwarts Castle houses Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which hurls guests through the castle's grounds and into the path of a dragon, acromantula (giant spiders like Aragog) and dementors. Guests prone to motion sickness may want to avoid this ride, but fans should still walk through the queue filled with familiar scenes from the books and films, like Professor Dumbledore's office, walls of talking portraits, the Sorting Hat and the Mirror of Erised. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley Despite its name, there's more to this corner of the Wizarding World than Diagon Alley. Outside, guests can visit King's Cross Station, where they can catch the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9¾ to Hogsmeade, if they have park-to-park tickets. Guests can also see the Knight Bus, and if they stand outside Sirius Black's family home at the right time, they can spot faithful house elf Kreacher. Passing through the brick entrance to Diagon Alley feels like stepping into the films, where Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the Leaky Cauldron, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and more await. Gringotts is topped with a dragon that breathes fire at regular intervals, as weather permits. Inside the bank, guests can ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the main ride besides the Hogwarts Express. Don't leave without wandering through Knockturn Alley, one of the coolest places in the park, in every sense of the word. Many guests also like to cool off with treats from Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, which serves Butterbeer soft-serve and hard-pack flavors, including Clotted Cream and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Unlike Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, most of this world is set in 1920s Paris during the time of the 'Fantastic Beasts' films. The wizarding neighborhood of Place Cachée feels both familiar and foreign with full-scale Haussmann-style buildings. Easter eggs include the statue that came to life in the 'Fantastic Beasts' films and myriad magical creatures adorning places like Café L'air De La Sirène, the only place to find Bieraubeurre (Butterbeer) crepes. There are two major attractions here: the live Le Cirque Arcanus show and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, the most popular ride at Epic Universe and a jaw-dropping recreation of the Ministry itself. From nifflers to demiguises: These magical creatures make Epic Universe's Wizarding World Which Universal Orlando Park is better for Harry Potter? Better is subjective. My favorite is probably still Diagon Alley, because it's where Harry Potter first stepped into the Wizarding World after finding out he was a wizard, and Universal's version stays true to the films. However, my daughters both favor Hogsmeade, and the Ministry of Magic is dazzling in its own right. How much does it cost to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando? Ticket prices vary by date and park at Universal Orlando. For Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, single-park tickets start at $119 for guests ages 10 and over but do not include access to the Hogwarts Express. Park-to-park tickets for those same parks start at $174. Universal Epic Universe tickets start at $139 a day. Fans will want to budget extra for dining and possibly souvenirs. Tip: Breakfast is the best deal at Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron; it includes a choice of drink, such as Butterbeer. Also, not everyone needs to buy an interactive wand. Friends or family can take turns using one, then reuse it on future trips. How long does it take to do 'Harry Potter World' Orlando? Guests should plan for at least two days to explore all three Wizarding World areas across Universal Orlando, but they'll need longer to fully experience the larger resort, which includes many other themed areas featuring beloved franchises like Jurassic World, Minions, Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon.
Buzz Feed
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Eat Like A Hogwarts Student And We'll Reveal Your Inner Marauder
Think with your stomach, not your wand. From late-night snacks in the common room to Hogsmeade treats and chaotic dinners, your magical menu will uncover which beloved (and emotionally damaged) Marauder matches your vibe. Bonus points if you hoard chocolate like a certain someone…
