Last week, I had the honor of attending a very special “Open at the Close” Event, part of the GeekyCon convention where a bunch of my friends from Team Starkid were special guests. At this event, attendees got exclusive run of both of the Harry Potter sections of the Universal Orlando resort (Hogsmeade/ Hogwarts in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Orlando) after hours, which meant for minimal crowds and better photo opportunities. Of course, this was a perfect time for me to bring a few of the newly released Harry Potter Pop! Vinyls with me for photos. This evening I was joined by Harry, Ron, Hermione, Snape, and Voldemort.
NOTE: Since I was there after hours (ie. in the dark) taking pictures of the figures outside proved near impossible. Instead, I will be sharing some of the photos I took outside without the figures, and then some pics I took inside some of the shops with the figures.
Hogsmeade / Hogwarts Castle
We start the festivities over at the original part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter… Hogsmeade, also home of Hogwarts Castle, and located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. While none of the rides were operating this night (they close for maintenance early each night), this section of the park looked amazing in the moonlight.
First stop in this area was The Three Broomsticks, where Ron decided he wanted some Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice.
Close by, Snape decided to check out the goodies at Honeydukes. He wanted to eat a Chocolate Frog, but it got away.
From there, we hopped the Hogwart’s Express on a ride over to Universal Studios, where Diagon Alley is located. What’s cool about this train is that it actually leaves the parks and traverses backstage areas. However, within the train, there is a immersive experience where you don’t realize you are chugging along above studios and warehouses.
Diagon Alley
First stop in the Diagon Alley is King’s Cross Station, where the Hogwarts Express pulls into station. Included in King’s Cross Station is Platform 9 3/4.
Here is where we find Harry checking out the station.
Next up were the streets of London, where the Knight Bus and Number 12 Grimmauld Place are located.
Finally, it was time to enter Diagon Alley.
First up was a visit to Escape from Gringotts, a multi-faceted interactive roller coaster type ride, something of which I have never ridden before in my life. Having missed out on riding it last year, I was excited to be riding it this time with a bunch of my friends. We had a blast. Before going into the depths of the Gringotts Bank (which is guarded by the dragon you see above), Hermione checked out the bank itself, complete with the goblin bank tellers.
The dragon itself breathes fire randomly throughout the day. This trip I did not catch her doing so, but here is a beautiful picture of her under the moonlight.
Next up was Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, where Ron checked out his brothers’ joke shop. His favorite item was the Umbridge figure.
Over at Ollivander’s, Hermione was checking out the wand selection.
Voldemort then wanted to check out Knockturn Alley.
It was there where the shop workers at Borgin and Burkes basically kidnapped myself and the figures for a photo shoot inside the shop. Since it was 1:30am and dead inside (get it?), we had a fun time.
Voldemort and Snape checked out the Vanishing Cabinet.
Snape then found a section of potions to check out.
Meanwhile, Ron found a rat.
And Voldemort also found his Dark Mark.
Voldemort then wanted to pose with versions of his horcruxes from the movies.
And then we remembered that Harry was one…
Finally, here is Harry and Voldemort squaring off over Marvolo Gaunt’s Ring, which is actually the Resurrection Stone.
And with that, the time neared 2am, and it was closing time for the “Open at the Close” Event. It was a wonderful evening filled with lots of fun… and a few Funko Pop! Vinyls as well.
I want to thank Team Starkid for inviting me to the event, and for the workers throughout Universal Studios for letting me take the pictures inside the shops and rides.
Matt Norris