Celebration of Harry Potter Films, Nov 11-13, at Islands of Adventure

[wdhinn89]

How is the celebration going to take place? Are there going to be tents set up for the events and autographs? Is there even room in the area to have this done? Does anyone know if they are going to extend the park hours or if anything takes place after the park closes?

We booked the night of the 10th with intention on going to IOS on the 11th before this was announced hoping for low crowds but now it is going to be a zoo.

 

[mcjw2011]

Here it is and it sucks. It doesn't come with DVDs, digital downloads, no special items, nor even the basic "bonus disc(s)" you'd expect to see on any quality item. It's one basic blu ray movie disc for each film and that's it. NOT thrilled.

dahoov2, the Blu-ray discs are just going to be repressed versions of the ones that came out in 2007 (of movies 1-5), 2009 (HBP) and onwards. Those have extras, but not any new ones.

If you want just the movies, then it's a great incentive with the package. The quality of the Ultimate Editions took a nose dive with Prisoner of Azkaban.

 

[dahoov2]

thanks for the response. That's what I thought. I mean it's a nice thing considering there's 8 movies and the costs is on sale just for a blu ray 10-20 bucks. So it's a deal by that standards. But I really was hoping for extended scenes, cut scenes etc. But happy to get that at all.

I have heard that Afshan Azad (Spelling) has also been asked to attend and said as of now she is going ....

I think it's possible Matthew Lewis might attend; he's just got a new movie role too I hear.

So looking forward to seeing a few more names come out. I would LOVE to see someone like Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman or Alan Rickman or Jason Isaacs attend, but that's unlikely. Or Maggie Smith. Still feeling Bonnie Wright will make and appearance.

 

[TaylorsDad]

I think speculating about who else will be there does add to the whole experience. I have to admit that so far of the ones announced I would be happy meeting the Phelps, Warwick Davis, or Lynch. I also would be very excited if they could get Oldman or Bonham Carter. I think it would be most disappointing though if they had my #1 choice there and yet I only got to meet my least favorite. I cannot wait until we get our email detailing further information.

 

[mcjw2011]

I don't think Oldman will be able to make it, since he's shooting The Dark Knight Rises up through November or December.

 

[Tramp68]

I think it would be most disappointing though if they had my #1 choice there and yet I only got to meet my least favorite. I cannot wait until we get our email detailing further information.

This is the crux of it all for me. It will absolutely kill my daughter to find out that she could not meet the Phelps twins. The thought that we may have potentially arbitrarily chosen times for Q&A and Autographs that could decide how we see and who we don't is an absolutely unconcionable method of booking these packages. The proper way would have been to have people decide who to see and when to do it AFTER the schedule was published. They could have assigned a number to each packsage to know the order of sign ups. Of course, there are many that may cancel and demand refunds if they do not like the guest list or who they get to see during their appointments.

Remember, they did say film makers as well...there are no non-actors on the list. What happens when you get only the set director and prop man for 1 film for your Q&A

Would anyone cinsider backing out if you get a "crappy" autograph or Q&A session?

 

[TaylorsDad]

This is the crux of it all for me. It will absolutely kill my daughter to find out that she could not meet the Phelps twins. The thought that we may have potentially arbitrarily chosen times for Q&A and Autographs that could decide how we see and who we don't is an absolutely unconcionable method of booking these packages. The proper way would have been to have people decide who to see and when to do it AFTER the schedule was published. They could have assigned a number to each packsage to know the order of sign ups. Of course, there are many that may cancel and demand refunds if they do not like the guest list or who they get to see during their appointments.

Remember, they did say film makers as well...there are no non-actors on the list. What happens when you get only the set director and prop man for 1 film for your Q&A

Would anyone cinsider backing out if you get a "crappy" autograph or Q&A session?

It was my understanding that the packages were non refundable so I dont think backing out is an option. I wish they had a system in place where we could possibly trade sessions with someone else if we get scheduled for one we dont like and someone else gets one of someone they either dont like or may already have met.
I dont even particularly care about the Gala just becuase I dont know yet any details other than it will have entertainment and refreshment. Very little details were released and it was either book immediately and hope for the best or dont and possibly miss out on a wonderful Harry Potter Celebration experience. I am trying to keep an open mind about it all though and hope for the best. I dont know if it will live up to all my expectations, however I am sure I will have an amazing time. After all how can I not. I will be at Universal and the WWOHP.

 

[mcjw2011]

thanks for the response. That's what I thought. I mean it's a nice thing considering there's 8 movies and the costs is on sale just for a blu ray 10-20 bucks. So it's a deal by that standards. But I really was hoping for extended scenes, cut scenes etc. But happy to get that at all.

The thing is, WB will double-dip on these titles. They're putting all eight titles on moratorium December 29, 2011. They're doing that to "encourage" people to buy the complete sets or DH2 before they go out of print.

But we all know the last two Ultimate Editions will street next year. Plus many B&M stores will likely have stock of all eight movies after December.

 

[dahoov2]

I would be open to trading sessions if need be. Depends. I've already met Warwick Davis at a Star Wars convention and the Phelps brothers are cool, but I have their signatures so.... right before the event, I'll repost and make contact with people once there. Maybe text each other or something to see if it's possible. However, why oh why do they need more than one autograph session? I mean what if they only sold 150 packages and raffled off another 50. Each package can only have 2 people, so the max that would be there is 400 tops? Why not line everyone up at a long table and have us go down a long table and get EVERY signature? What a treat that would be and honestly, it wouldn't take more than an hour or two!!!! I know; I've been in lots longer lines than that. Today I am in DC typing this, after going to National Bookfest. I waited 3 hours just for Julianne Moore's autograph (well hubby did - in those three hours I got Toni Morrison and John Muth and had time for Matthew Reinhardt nearly). A few weeks ago I was in Catherine Bach's line for 8 hours and 15 minutes! She didn't leave till thousands got sigs.

 

[HPMonkey4]

I'm hoping that the autograph sessions will have all of the stars there, but with split sessions to give the stars breaks. I dunno though. I know that there is a chance it will be just one star or 2 at each session which is kinda a bummer. I guess I'll just hope for the best though. ((SIGH)) It stinks to be hanging with no real absolute answers, but we chose that when buying the packages. LOL!

 

[TaylorsDad]

I was thinking the wording stated one cast member autograph session. Doesn't that mean only an autograph by one cast member? I guess we can hope otherwise, though. And I really dont think we were given much of a choice at all when booking. It was one of those things that if you took too much time to think about what exactly you were getting you would miss out.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I was thinking the wording stated one cast member autograph session. Doesn't that mean only an autograph by one cast member? I guess we can hope otherwise, though. And I really dont think we were given much of a choice at all when booking. It was one of those things that if you took too much time to think about what exactly you were getting you would miss out.

I think the "one cast member autograph session" means you get to go to one of the scheduled sessions, not that only one cast member would be there for it. Otherwise it's not really a "session" it's just an autograph. If that were the case it would be worded "one cast member autograph", or at least that's what I'd asssume.

 

[HPMonkey4]

I think the "one cast member autograph session" means you get to go to one of the scheduled sessions, not that only one cast member would be there for it. Otherwise it's not really a "session" it's just an autograph. If that were the case it would be worded "one cast member autograph", or at least that's what I'd asssume.

That is what I read too! I think we are right.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Makes sense when you say it that way. I really like your interpretation much better, anyways. At least now the package is sounding like more of a value than before.

 

[SharonLowe]

I think the "one cast member autograph session" means you get to go to one of the scheduled sessions, not that only one cast member would be there for it. Otherwise it's not really a "session" it's just an autograph. If that were the case it would be worded "one cast member autograph", or at least that's what I'd asssume.

So who wants to share their autograph session dates and times? Ours is 5:30-6:30 the night of the gala. Anyone else? Would be great to know in case any of us want to do trades.

 

[TaylorsDad]

So who wants to share their autograph session dates and times? Ours is 5:30-6:30 the night of the gala. Anyone else? Would be great to know in case any of us want to do trades.

Ours is 5:30-6:30PM Nov 12th. I like your date though. Having the autograph session right before the gala would seem to add to the excitement of the evening. Then again, the day before does allow for a little more time to relax before the event. I doubt trades will be allowed. I would guess certificate and ID would be required for admittance to area where the autographs are to take place. Where do you think the signings will be held?

 

[SharonLowe]

Ours is 5:30-6:30PM Nov 12th. I like your date though. Having the autograph session right before the gala would seem to add to the excitement of the evening. Then again, the day before does allow for a little more time to relax before the event. I doubt trades will be allowed. I would guess certificate and ID would be required for admittance to area where the autographs are to take place. Where do you think the signings will be held?

For trading, I meant at the gala or afterwards, not actually trading places. I have no clue where they will be held; we've only been to WWoHP once so I'm not familiar with all the places where something like that could be held.

I do know that the on-site hotels are basically all booked for Saturday night so it will be a busy weekend!

 

[vivaciousdame]

Question, (kind of a poll)
What package do you have? The expensive Premiere package, or the "cheapy" celebrations package?

Just wondering for two reasons:
I'm curious to see how many of the 150 packages of the Premiere sold are to people on here. (hurray for you!)
And because I'm seeing ALOT of people talk about the autograph sessions and that is only included with the Premiere Package.

To answer my own question, we've got the Celebrations package.

 

[vivaciousdame]

"Remember, they did say film makers as well...there are no non-actors on the list. What happens when you get only the set director and prop man for 1 film for your Q&A"

Tramps68, When I called they said that for the Q & A sessions it is all the people involved with the film. So as far as we're told by Universal it will be all those already listed and more to come for the Q & A sessions. Don't worry, you won't get stuck with only Sound guy #5 and the assistant to the make-up artist.

 

[Blueharts]

We got 4 premier packages...my mom, husband, kid, and myself.

When I talked to customer service a few days ago they said that the 150# floating around was ridiculous. He said it was limited but not that limited. I guess we will see!

They also said that everything (including autograph sessions and Q and A) will happen in the wizarding world...but again we will see!