Harry Potter theme park enchants prior to opening


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Two days before the highly anticipated grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood, fans, celebrities and Muggles were treated to a celebration of the park’s opening with a performance led by award-winning composer John Williams.

The event began with a red carpet arrival of celebrities that included stars of Harry Potter fame, such as Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the series, and James and Oliver Phelps, who played Fred and George Weasley, respectively. Other celebrities also attended, including Mindy Kaling and Steven Spielberg.

Visitors were invited to explore Hogsmeade village and  had the opportunity to experience the park’s interactive wand features and taste-test Butterbeer and the food that will be made available come opening day.

The event began with a performance of “Double Trouble” — also known as “Something Wicked This Way Comes” — by the Frog Choir, resembling the performance by the choir of the same name in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Shortly prior to Williams’ performance, Universal and Warner Brothers executives took to the stage to thank and congratulate those who had a role in seeing the Los Angeles theme park come to life over the past five years.

“Tonight, Universal Studios welcomes one of the most powerful brands of our generation, and the preeminent cultural cornerstone of contemporary literature and movies,” said Larry Kurzweil, president of Universal Studios Hollywood.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti was among those mentioned, and in a speech complete with Harry Potter references and jokes, Garcetti discussed the positive impact that the Wizarding World’s opening would have on Los Angeles.

“When I became your mayor I set the goal to bring 50 million visitors to Los Angeles by 2020, because that means jobs and prosperity for all of our communities,” Garcetti said. “We expect the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to bring even more tourists to Los Angeles every year … These are the visitors that bring the same vibrant diversity to our city that help Muggles, wizards, witches, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students face the world together as brave, loyal and strong people.”

Conducted by John Williams, the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra performed two numbers from Williams’ Harry Potter scores. Williams composed the scores for the films in the franchise, including well-known tracks such as “Hedwig’s Theme” and “Harry’s Wondrous World.” As a wave of nostalgia swept over event attendees, the performance was complemented by fireworks and a synchronized digital lighting show projected onto Hogwarts castle behind the orchestra.

Fans of Harry Potter will be blown away by the captivating magic of the theme park for years to come.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will officially open to the public on Thursday. According to a Universal Studios press release, online tickets to the theme park are already sold out for opening day.