Saturday, April 3, 2010

Ellen DeGeneres gets sneak preview of Universal's Harry Potter theme park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHcUlkfEOKgendofvid
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Living the high life: Ellen, Alex and Nicholas ride a high-speed roller coaster in the new Harry Potter theme park

Ellen DeGeneres got in touch with her inner child as she was given a sneak preview of the new Harry Potter theme park, which is due to open in Florida in less than three months.
Filming for her U.S. television programme, the chat show host was given exclusive access to the 20-acre park along with two young boys, Alex and Nicholas.

Up until now, fans have had to make do with artists' impressions of what the theme park will look like, but now Pottermaniacs can get a glimpse of the real thing.


The real deal: Ellen was given exclusive access to the new Harry Potter attraction that is due to open in less than three months


Ellen and the boys wandered through the empty theme park, taking turns to ride a high-speed roller coaster themed after the 'Triwizard Tournament'.

The trio were also pictured nosing around Dumbledore's den, which comes complete with a dusty desk, walls covered in oil paintings and shelves filled with hundreds of books.

Ellen jokes with the boys as they explain various aspects of the Harry Potter experience to her.

When they come to a replica of the Hogwarts Express, Ellen quips that it 'looks more like the midnight train to Georgia'.


In the frame: The chat show host and her young companions nose around Dumbledore's den


Pointing in the right direction: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opens on 18 June, will be a new addition to the Universal Orlando theme park


Sweetie heaven: Every shop and restaurant in the new theme park is Potter-themed


As the boys stop to get a pint of Butterbeer from a street vendor, they have explain to the chat show host that the drink is non-alcoholic.

In a typically humorous response, Ellen whips out a hipflask and takes a swig.

When Ellen, Alex and Nicholas stop off at the Owl Post office, Ellen has to concede: 'Who doesn't like owls?'

At The Owl Post, guests can send letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opens on 18 June, will be a new addition to the Universal Orlando theme park.


One for the road: As the boys stop to get a pint of Butterbeer from a street vendor, they have explain to Ellen that the drink is non-alcoholic


Grand entrance: Visitors enter the 'Wizarding World' through a station archway named after Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts


Dusty: Dumbledore's den, which comes complete with a desk, walls covered in oil paintings and shelves filled with hundreds of books


The new attraction has been in development for almost three years when Universal announced that it had acquired the rights to representing the franchise from Warner Brothers and J. K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series.

Art and set directors from the films, including Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig and art director Alan Gilmore, were hired to translate the movies into the park.

Rowling, known for carefully guarding the Potter franchise, hasn't yet been to Orlando, but the design team has made several trips to London for consultations with the author.

'The interesting thing about Harry Potter is that the stories are so rich in themselves, so deep,' said Universal Creative President Mark Woodbury.


Thrills: Art and set directors from the films were hired to translate the movies into the park


Through the window: Ellen, Alex and Nicholas stop off at the Owl Post office


Magical: Up until now, fans have had to make do with artists impressions of what the theme park will look like, but now Pottermaniacs can get a glimpse of the real thing


Harry Potter script found in pub
A script believed to be the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has been found in a pub.

Studio Warner Bros has launched an investigation after the 118 booklet was found near Leavesden Studios, where the £250million two-part movie is being made.

According to the Sun, the script, marked 'Private and Confidential', revealed 'several dramatic changes from JK Rowling's book Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.'

The script was allegedly found under a table in the Waterside Tavern in Kings Langely, Herts, after the film crew enjoyed a night out drinking at the pub on Thursday.
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