Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade Archives

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle

As the stars begin to shine over the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, you’ll watch as The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle unfolds with dazzling projections of holiday spirit inspired by the words of JK Rowling.

During the show, you will see the ghosts of Hogwarts singing carols, students riding broomsticks and creating snowmen, a moment inspired by the Yule Ball and many more surprises.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the show!

If you want to make sure that you have a phenomenal viewing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle here are a few things to keep in mind!

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle begins nightly at dusk until park close, to find out when dusk is in Orlando to plan your day google is accurate within a few minutes.

The show runs, weather permitting, approximately every 15 minutes. So if you are in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and it’s crazy crowded, just wait a little longer!

Speaking of waiting a little longer…the darker it is for your viewing the better, because the projections will be crisper. If you do wait for the the last show of the night, there’s the bonus of walking through a less crowded park for pictures as you are leaving the park!!!

Since the show is ON Hogwarts Castle, it is easy to find a great spot to watch them! I like to be close to the stage where the Frog Choir performs, because it is a fantastic wide shot of the castle and surroundig effects.

If you are going to be taking photos or video of the show, make sure to find a spot where the lamp posts doesn’t get in your way as they do light up at the end of the show and can cause a glare.

You can find more information about the holidays in the parks, theme park news, and travel tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Debut Announced

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle is Coming to Universal Orlando Resort this September — Universal Orlando Resort

All-New Experiences at Universal Orlando Resort will bring the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle and more– including Death Eaters – to life in Hogsmeade on select nights September 14 through November 15

As darkness falls on select nights starting September 14 the all-consuming Dark Arts will be unleashed in Hogsmeade when the all-new light projection experience, Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, will make its highly-anticipated debut at Universal’s Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort.

The nighttime show utilizing state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects and lighting to bring a new dimension of magic to life on the majestic Hogwarts castle.

But before the experience, an ominous green light and fog will permeate the village, signaling the arrival of the Death Eaters. They’ll eerily roam throughout Hogsmeade, lurking amongst guests – practicing the Dark Arts with complete disregard of wizarding laws.

This marks the first time that guests at Universal Orlando will be able to encounter Death Eaters – devoted followers of Lord Voldemort known for their allegiance and practice of the Dark Arts – as part of their experience in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.

As the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle begins Hogwarts Castle is illuminated with a darker side of the wizarding world sinister creatures and villains – such as Dementors, Aragog, Mountain Trolls, Thestrals and more – cloak the castle through a mesmerizing display of light, music and special effects.

To help battle these dark forces, guests will be asked to summon their inner strength and bravely face the Dark Arts and the visage of the powerful Dark wizard Lord Voldemort, until the Patronus spell – to cast one of the most famous, difficult and powerful defense of the Dark Arts charms in the wizarding world.

The highly anticipated Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle will run select nights September 14 through November 15 in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

For more information about Darks Arts at Hogwarts Castle and other theme park news make sure to follow @onthegoinmco on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

FIRST LOOK WEEK: Friday’s Magical Creatures

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Universal Orlando Resort Universal's Islands of Adventure Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade Harry Potter

All week the Universal Orlando Resort has given guests a first-ever look at the magical creatures they’ll encounter inside the most highly themed, immersive coaster experience yet – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure when it opens on June 13th at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

#ICYMI: Check out the other Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Reveals!

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort

With that being said let’s take a look at today’s Magical Creatures…Blast-Ended Skrewts

For the first time ever, you’ll be able to come face-to-face (or face-to-rear) with a Blast-Ended Skrewt on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Described as a cross between scorpions and elongated crabs, Skrewts aren’t afraid to attack other Skrewts they encounter and have incredibly strong armor that can’t be penetrated by spells – proving to be a challenge for Hagrid since they hatched.

On your journey through the Forbidden Forest during Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, you’ll encounter Blast-Ended Skrewts up to 8 feet long with tails up to ten-feet high and topped with a massive stinger.

The Blast-Ended Skrewt is the main lesson for the day but, as with all adventures with Hagrid, things don’t always go to plan…

Here are some Fun Fact that the Universal Orlando Blog shared about Blast-Ended Skrewts:

Blast-Ended Skrewts were first introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and also mentioned in Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
As you may have read in the book, Hagrid created these unique creatures by crossbreeding Fire Crabs and Manticores – fierce creatures in their own right
Skrewts create actual fire from their ‘blasting-ends,’ igniting at random intervals – so be wary during your encounter
Even if you’re far enough to avoid their fire, watch out as you may still catch a whiff of their powerful scent… known to smell like rotting fish

Fluffy Three-Headed Dog Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Universal Orlando Resort Universal's Islands of Adventure Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade Harry Potter and the Sorecerers Stone

Guests will embark on a journey with Hagrid – one of the most beloved characters in theHarry Potter films – into the Forbidden Forest to discover some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.

Thanks for joining me this week! I can’t wait for the opening of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures! Do you have a creature that you’re looking forward to seeing the most?

FIRST LOOK WEEK: Thursday’s Magical Creatures

Universal Orlando Resort Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Centaurs Thursday

All week the Universal Orlando Resort is giving guests a first-ever look at the magical creatures they’ll encounter inside the most highly themed, immersive coaster experience yet – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure when it opens on June 13th at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

#ICYMI: Check out the other Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Reveals!

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort

With that being said let’s take a look at today’s Magical Creatures…Centaurs!

A Centaur is a magical creature with a human head, torso and arms, joined to a horse’s body. They are, however, their own species and should be treated with great respect.

As you make your way into the dark forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, look out for this mysterious archer in the distance ready to strike. He stands at 8 ft. tall, which would probably make him a great athlete in the Muggle world.

Here are some Fun Fact that the Universal Orlando Blog shared about Centaurs.

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Hagrid is friendly with the Centaur herds as he regularly enters the Forbidden Forest to help injured creatures
According to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, these forest-dwelling beings usually live in herds of between 10 and 50 and are well-versed in magical healing, divination, archery and astronomy
Centaurs made their first appearance in the films during Harry Potter’s detention in the Forbidden Forest in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an immersive experience unlike any other, combining a new level of storytelling and innovative coaster technology with elaborate environments – including an actual forest with more than 1,200 live trees – to bring an all-new wizarding world adventure to life. Guests will embark on a journey with Hagrid – one of the most beloved characters in theHarry Potter films – into the Forbidden Forest to discover some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.

next up is the final creature – not seen before in the films. Careful, you may want to approach from the front….

FIRST LOOK WEEK: Wednesday’s (Sort Of) Magical Creatures Reveal

#ICYMI: Check out the other Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Monday & Tuesday Reveals!

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort

With that being said let’s take a look at today’s (sort of) Magical Creatures…Devil’s Snare!

While Devil’s Snare isn’t a creature, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to mention this perilous plant from the wizarding world – often strangling people who touch it with its dexterous vines. Devil’s Snare flourishes in damp, dark environments and it has a strong dislike of light and fire – remember that for your journey!

Speaking of your journey, Devil’s Snare is one of the many challenges you’ll face on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. You may even find yourself entangled in a thicket of this dangerous plant but remember to remain calm! If you don’t, you may end up entangled in hundreds of its vines…

And fun fact about Devil’s Snare, it made its first film appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when the brave Hermione told her friends how to defeat this dangerous force.

Here are some Fun Fact that the Universal Orlando Blog shared about Devil’s Snare.

A fun fact about Devil’s Snare, it made its first film appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when the brave Hermione told her friends how to defeat this dangerous force.

next up is a majestic being not to be confused with a horse or human.

FIRST LOOK WEEK: Magical Creatures coming to Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort Releases First-Ever Look At Magical Creatures That Await In Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure During Week-Long Reveal

The epic new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens June 13

Starting today through April 19th, the Universal Orlando Resort is giving guests a first-ever look at the magical creatures they’ll encounter inside the most highly themed, immersive coaster experience yet – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure when it opens on June 13th at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Every day through April 19, guests can visit the Universal Orlando Blog at 11 a.m. EDT to get a first look at the creatures – from familiar fan-favorites in the Harry Potter film series to a creature that’s never been seen in the films – and where they can be found in the new experience.

Here are some Fun Facts that the Universal Orlando Blog shared about Fluffy.

Fluffy Three-Headed Dog in Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Universal Orlando Resort Universal's Islands of Adventure Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade Harry Potter and the Sorecerers Stone — Universal Orlando Resort

Fun Facts:

Fluffy is a giant three-headed dog that’s known for being the trusted guard dog of the Sorcerer’s Stone. And, as many of you know, Fluffy has a weakness – he falls asleep to the sound of music.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Fluffy belongs to Hagrid, who adopted him from a “Greek chappie” he met in a pub
Experts on Pottermore say Fluffy was inspired by Cerberus – the dog that in Greek mythology guarded the gates of the Underworld – and, just like Fluffy, he fell asleep to the sound of music
Fluffy made his first and only appearance in the film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
In Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, you’ll confront this gigantic, beloved creature deep in the Forbidden Forest. Proceed with caution – he’s a guard dog first and foremost. And in this new adventure, Fluffy weighs 8,000 Ibs., which is roughly as big as two standard Muggle cars.

The Universal Orlando Blog also shared a hint about tomorrow’s creature reveal….

Our next creature of the week is a swarm of mischief-makers who love their tricks.

GUYS! I can’t tell you how much I love this idea, and I can’t wait to share the information with you all!

When it opens on June 13, 2019, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventurewill join the lineup of award-winning entertainment experiences in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort and bring an all-new adventure inspired by J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories to life. Guests will join Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures class and fly deep into the Forbidden Forest aboard magical motorbikes to brave the mysteries and thrills beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will be located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

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