Halls of Hogwarts

Wizarding World Portraits & Food

2010-03-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am sorry to say that I have let this blog sit sad and empty for a good few weeks. I have been busy working on other websites and upcoming projects. Today seemed like a good day to hop on over and give a little bit of life to this blog once again. All I can say now is that I am extremely impressed by the reports that we are hearing from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you haven't read the reviews posted by MuggleNet staffers, you need to go and check them out now! I'm not sure yet if I am more excited by the thought of the "Forbidden Journey" ride or the food that is going to be served at the Three Broomsticks. There are two main things that just make me want to see the ride, the portraits and the 3d versions of Dumbledore. According to MuggleNet, the portraits look just like oil canvas (how do they do it?, yet move just like in the movie! I cannot wait to stand right underneath them and maybe give it a poke or prod, just to see how it feels! From the sound of it, the queue itself is going to be the most memorable part of the castle. I'm glad that they are giving people the choice of riding or not, that way everybody can at least see some of Hogwarts. Normally I am not into being hit, dropped, blown, or whatever else that is going to happen to be during the ride, but for Harry Potter, I would do anything!

The second thing that inspires a dangerous kind of desire inside me is the food and menu. The Butterbeer, cauldron cakes, feast, treacle tart, and cornish pasties just beg for a bite, even through the computer screen. I made the mistake of reading the report before breakfast and before I knew it, I had to go and get something to eat! I think the one thing that I worried about when they announced the park was if they were going to 'Americanize' it. But after reading the reports from some UK fansite owners who said that the food was pretty darn authentic, I am hopeful that they kept the authentic flair to the cuisine. It would be an enormous let down if they didn't "theme" the food, since the cuisine in the books is something of an ongoing theme throughout all 7 novels.

June 18 cannot come soon enough, although I do not anticipate being able to actually go the park until 2011. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I am sure that I will be able to go on a nice "virtual" trip the day that it opens.

More Legos & WWoHP Excitement

2010-02-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you didn't run into any Gilderoy Lockhart's during today's adventures...

So it seems like LEGO has plans to not only make a new Harry Potter video game, but to actually create new LEGO sets! This came as a surprise as they have previously said that they would stop making these sets after Movie 4. However it appears that they have not kept that promise, because here are some new sets! I must admit, a burning home is not exactly what I think of when I imagine LEGO, but I guess whatever works!

Also I think that it is imporant to note that today while watching the Olympics I saw two TV spots for the Wizarding World. Of course I had already seen both online, but there is just something special about seeing them on TV! When are they going to have that opening date?!

Deathly Hallows Filming

2010-02-07T22:21:00.000-08:00

Filming for Deathly Hallows is currently taking place in Swinley Forest as reported by the video from London Taxi Tours. I'm guessing from the look of it that these odd tent structures have something to do with the goblins in 'The Goblins Revenge' chapter in which Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Dean, Ted, Griphook, Dirk, and Gornuck's (?) conversation in the Forest before Ron leaves. I'm not sure exactly what purpose those tents will have, because I doubt that's where the trio is staying.

It seems strange to think that soon filming for the final film will be over and that there will be no more Harry Potter location filming and leaks from the press. There will be no more videos of the crew filming the Knight Bus in busy London or of them filming at some far off castle. But let's not think about that now, we have two whole movies ahead of us!

New Construction Photos of WWoHP!

2010-02-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

Wow! Look at how the Wizarding World is coming together! The details from these aerial shots just blow me away. You can see each different shop with its unique store front. Comparing these images to the concept art, they look pretty alike if you ask me! If you look at the one shot of the back of the castle, you can see what looks like a small bridge connecting the turrets. I'm impressed by it's resemblance to the movie. When I stop and really look at the photos, it just makes me shiver to think about how wonderful the park is going to be! You can see the other photos here.

New WWoHP Website!

2010-02-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

This morning brings a new sign that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is just months away in the form of a newly redesigned website that lets fans explore the details of the park with a virtual flythrough and numerous new concept art. I am very impressed by the detail of the shops in Hogsmeade and cannot wait to see them in person!

You can also send a digital owl post message and check on the latest theme park news via the website. I am super excited for the theme park now!

Poof! JK Rowling Turned to Plastic?

2010-02-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

Like magic, JK Rowling has been turned into a plastic Barbie doll?! Don't believe me? Check it out! Apparently these one of kind dolls are not for public sale, only for Mattel's use during a trade show. Jo was chosen (among other celebrities) because she is role model for many girls. I'm actually surprised by how much the doll looks like her! I think the facial expression is the most recognizable feature that Rowling has and this doll does a pretty good (scary good?) impression of it. I wonder how Rowling feels about being made into a plastic figure? Personally, I would find it a wee bit creepy seeing a plastic figure of myself, but that's just me! If the dolls were to go on sale, would you buy them? I'm no sure that I would!

WWoHP Commercial

2010-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

I knew that I wouldn't have to actually watch the Super Bowl myself to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter commercial with the wonders of the internet. And here's the proof, the commercial is already online!

The flythrough Hogsmeade looks pretty cool and it's nice to see some of the details like the train and some of the shop windows. I am really excited to see how those actually turn out in real life. To me, the feel of the commercial seemed to contradict what Universal and WB have been promoting in the past, but I guess since this commercial is for a larger audience (the non-HP-obsessed public) they had to promote in a more general way. I think that the tagline at the end made me wince a little inside, but hey, it is a theme park isn't it? I liked the idea of the trailer and from what few short seconds I saw, it seemed pretty cool. I wish that they would tell what is inside of Hogwarts, or at least give a hint. I'm starting to think that with all this hype, it might be a letdown. I am still excited and really want to go to the park one day, maybe next year. Until then, enjoy the commercial and pretend that you are flying into the theme park! Who wouldn't want that entrance?

Harry Potter Lego?

2010-02-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that when I first heard that they were going to be making another Harry Potter Lego video game, I had my doubts about it. But after seeing some screencaps of it, it does seem a lot different than the previous Lego Harry Potter video game. I still don't think that I am going to be seeking out this game, but maybe if it comes across my path some time in the future, I will check it out and see what it is all about.

Images courtesy of SnitchSeeker.

The Boy Who Lived

2010-01-31T22:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Halls of Hogwarts! So how should I start off this blog? How should I begin something new? Why don't we go back to the very beginning and remember what it was like to first experience Harry. Let's remember the magic and the mystery, the enchantment and the excitement. Do you remember that time? The time back then when you didn't yet know just how much of your life was about to change all because of Harry? I was introduced to the Harry Potter books through my mom, who read them to me every night before I went to bed. I've heard many similar stories across the internet, about how Harry brought people together to share his adventures. Do you remember the first midnight release party you attended? Were you there in the beginning or have you only just joined in on the fun? My first midnight release party was for Order of the Phoenix all the way back in 2003. It seems like a long time ago now...if only I could use a pensieve to relive all of those memories again. I think that's all for now, come back later for more!

Thanks for reading and don't forget draco dormiens nunquam titillandus!