Those familiar with the world of the Boy Who Lived are no strangers to the spectacular nighttime show that takes place within the most magical corner of Universal Islands of Adventure. Deep within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade sits one of the most iconic set pieces in the park and a castle that gives even Cinderella a run for her money: Hogwarts.
Theme Park Shark was invited out for a special media preview of Hogwarts Always, and is excited to bring guests a first look at a truly magical show.
For years, the wizarding school has been home to a myriad of spectacular nighttime shows, ranging from the standard daily show that takes guests on a magical reverie through some of the film franchise’s most memorable scenes, to the holiday specials that help celebrate Halloween and Christmas in truly magical ways.
Earlier this year, Universal Orlando Resort announced that a brand new nighttime show would be coming to Hogwarts Castle as part of this epic summer of new experiences. Following the story of a year in the life of a Hogwarts student, Hogwarts Always is a unique story that takes you through the journey of a typical year at Hogwarts, starting with the arrival of your acceptance letter and through the whirlwind of magical classes and the thrill of competing for the house cup. Hogwarts Always is a masterfully created nighttime spectacle that pulls together every special effect that Universal has employed in previous shows in a cohesive and exhilarating year at Hogwarts that will make guests feel like long-graduated alumni finally having their homecoming.
It’s clear to anyone who has seen any iteration of this show in the past that the projection effects have been vastly improved upon; images across the entire castle are crisp and even moving objects portrayed in the new projection is unhindered by the craggly surface of the rock face that Hogwarts Castle sits on. In addition to the stellar projection effects, the classic comet fireworks and the spotlights adding to the vertical height of the visual stage, and the masterful storytelling that Hogwarts Always treats guests to through the duration of the show, what sets this show apart from its predecessors is the fact that there are four different endings, and anyone with a deep house loyalty (Hufflepuffs represent!) will be coming back, again and again, to see their house win the Hogwarts House Cup at the end, as the winning house changes depending on what night you see it.
With the entire spectacle set against a backdrop of the iconic score by John Williams, Hogwarts Always is a beautiful vignette of life at Hogwarts, from the arrival of your letter to the train ride to the very first spell you cast in Charms class.
Hogwarts Always runs for approximately eight minutes and is best viewed from the designated viewing area directly in front of the castle, though a personal favorite viewing area can be found on the bridge connecting Hogsmeade to Jurassic Park. Hogwarts Always will debut to the public on June 14th; for more information about showtimes, visit Universal Orlando Resort’s website, or download the official Universal Orlando Resort app for Android or iOS.
As the definitive nighttime show at Universal Islands of Adventure, it’s no wonder that so much care and artistry went into producing the newest iteration of the castle show; a worthy successor to some of its beloved ancestors and a magical experience for all guests, big and small, Hogwarts Always will no doubt make its mark on the magical land as one of the most ambitious shows to grace the hallowed halls of Hogwarts.
