Universal Studio’s Press Release Follows:

HOGWARTS IS COMING TO HOLLYWOOD!

Warner Bros. and Universal Parks and Resorts to bring
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood

Significant Expansion Also Planned for
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

Hollywood, CA (Dec. 6, 2011) – Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts today announced a partnership to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – the enormously popular themed entertainment environment which debuted in Orlando in June 2010 – to Universal Studios Hollywood.
The two companies also announced their plans to significantly expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando – and is expected to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come. It will be a fully immersive environment for the entire family that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life and is faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwarts castle to serve as the centerpiece of the themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be created with the same commitment to authenticity and the same level of talent and resources as its Orlando counterpart.
“I am delighted that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been so popular with fans since the opening in Orlando last year and I am sure that the teams at Universal and Warner Bros. will bring their expertise and attention to detail to Hollywood to make this new experience equally as exciting,” said J.K. Rowling.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort opened in June 2010 and immediately captured global attention. It is a spectacularly themed land that includes Hogwarts castle, Hogsmeade and multiple themed attractions. Specific details of its expansion will be announced over time.
“The announcement of our partnership with Universal to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood and expand what already exists in Orlando is probably the best holiday gift we could give to the legions of Harry Potter fans worldwide,” said Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. “Everyone involved with these projects is committed to continuing the enchantment of J.K. Rowling’s masterful books as they were brought to life on screen in our eight films and dedicated to extending the magic of the experience for generations of fans to come.”
“This is an incredible moment for Universal Studios and the millions of guests who visit our theme parks,” said Ron Meyer, President & COO, Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are some of the most powerful of our time and we are honored to expand our Orlando experience and bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing family tourism in Los Angeles.”
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an entirely new level of themed entertainment that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life in incredible ways,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts. “We are thrilled to be able to share this experience with our guests in Hollywood. And we are thrilled to take what has been created in Orlando to even greater levels.”
About Universal Parks & Resorts
Universal Parks & Resorts (UPR), a unit of Comcast Corporation’s NBCUniversal, encompasses today’s most relevant and popular entertainment experiences, creating emotional connections with guests around the world. Each year, millions of guests visit Universal theme parks to experience thrilling, world-famous attractions based on popular culture’s most compelling stories and characters. With three-time Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal has created attractions that use ground-breaking technology to deliver experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news, sports and entertainment networks; Universal Studios, a premier motion picture company; significant television production operations; a leading television stations group; and world-renowned theme parks.
About Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold approximately 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

I got there early enough to watch them get the stage set up before spending a few hours in the theme park. I must say that the War of the Worlds set is particularly breathtaking near sunset.

They also happened to be filming CSI on the front lot as our tram rolled by. I got a look at an interesting set piece. I think it’s part of a bathroom. xD

After nightfall I made my way back over to the stage at Citywalk.

Cody Simpson was the featured performer after Miss Ariana Grande had to pull out due to scheguling conflicts.

18 year old singer Jasmine V was also scheguled to perform but pulled out at the last minute because she wasn’t feeling well. She did still make an aperance though, and I got to meet her. =]

Jasmine also played Justin Bieber’s love interest in his “Baby” video (see below). That guy sure has a thing for older chicks, doesn’t he?

I also saw Leon Thomas of Victorious and his pal Christian Fortune there. The funny thing is they didn’t even know the event was going on. xD

I had a great time and I’m glad I was able to go. They’re both really nice and Margo in particular was just amazing. Here’s some video of them performing…

… the production values were obviously a bit lacking (especially when compared to Demi’s show last week) but still quite impressive.

BTW, if you’re interested in my minute to minute adventures you might want to follow @socaldisney on twitter. If you want more Violet Hour, you can find them on twitter and facebook.

As you can see, the park was nearly empty at mid-day and lines were very short. The new Star Tours 3D was only 20 minutes! I waited three hours just last month.

They also have the halloween decorations up already, just check out these cute little pumpkins on main street.

Of course, with Halloween means that Jack Skellington and his friends are back at the Haunted Mansion.

This year’s gingerbread house was pretty cool. Be sure to get down there and check it out!

Speaking of new things at the parks, here’s a few illistrations of the new Buena Vista street…

… the temporary entrance to Disney’s California Adventure …

… the Carthay Circle Theater under construction …

… the Red Car Trolley …

… and Cars Land.

Disney also updated the Blue Sky Cellar on Monday with new attraction posters…

… some schematics from the Red Car Trolley…

… a look at the new Adventureland Tower of the Disneyland Hotel…

… the Carthay Circle Theater…

… and new cast member uniforms.

In the main exhibit floor they brought in a model of Buena Vista street that they had on exhibit at last month’s D23 Expo.

And they also had a table with a look at some of the interior design work for the new Buena Vista street shops.

Finally, on the way out the door, a little bit about the new Aulani resort.

Click any pic for the fullsize view.

She briefly addressed her past troubles at several points always making sure to thank us, the fans, for always being there. One moment in particular I though was very touching, and I’m not afraid to admit I teared up a little.

On a related subject, it’s worth noting that her audience was older than I expected. There were very few kids with the vast majority of the Lovatics in attendance in the 16-22 range. Demi is 19 herself now and she took advantage of the older crowd to sex up her act a little. Not in any way explicit, but she was more suggestive and the crowd loved it. “Who’s That Boy” is a great example.

And of course my favorite moment of the night was when I was nearly killed. xD As part of Demi’s two song fake-encore she came out and performed “Remember December” on a small stage in front of the sound booth. This happened to be just a few feet to the left of where I was standing. I was all but trampled by the girls pushing to get closer to her. As if we couldn’t see her already? LOL So here’s that video; my apologies for the sub-par video quality but I was trying to stay alive too.

If you would like to see a few more videos from the show (and a view of the truly epic line + VIP loungue) you should check my Demi post on Disney Channel Fans which has all of that and more. Plus other articles about Demi’s past concerts in LA, just use the search box on the site.

But that’s hardly all that was going on at the fair that day. For starters, Radio Disney brought Shane Harper (Good Luck Charlie) for a free show and meet and greet earlier that same day.

Not only that, but Radio Disney’s NBT winners Kicking Daises were Victoria’s opening act. And they certainly delivered! (More videos posted over on the DC Fans Blog)

But not only that, Disney Channel’s Roshon Fegan (Shake it Up) and Allisyn Ashley Arm (So Random) were on hand to introduce the opening act. Here’s a picture of all of them together.

And if by chance you would like to see more about Miss Justice, please visit Nick Girls for a lot more about her (including a few videos).

The limited time engagement ran from September 2 through September 15th 2011. Starting Today the El Capitan is now showing The Lion King in 3D (along with many other theatres nationwide).

I haven’t seen the 3D presentation of Lion King yet, but I must say that the 3D presentation of Beauty and the Beast was penominal. The actaul drawings themselves were still flat, but the true magic of Walt’s Multi Plane camera came to life as you could feel yourself moving through the layers. It was very impressive and something you must truely see for yourself.

If you missed it, Disney plans to release Beauty and the Beast on Blu-ray in 3D for in-home viewing in the coming few months. So be sure to watch for that!

On a non-Disney related note, I other reason I was up in Hollywood on that particular day was to meet Elizabeth Gillies of Nick’s Victorious.

You can read the full story about that over on the Nickelodeon Girls Blog.

A lot of interesting things happened, but seeing newly minted Legends Page O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose, and Jodi Benson sing songs from their respective movies live on stage was pretty amazing.

But then seeing tham all together for ”A Dream is a Wish Your Makes”? That was simply indescribable!

I also enjoyed finally getting to see the great Regis Philbin in person. Even if he had nothing too important to say. xD

They closed the show with a salute to Jim Henson, and one of his first Muppets Skits: ”I’ve Grown Accustomed to your your Face”

And finally with Kermit the Frog and his “Rainbow Connection”

The 2011 D23 Expo was no different, starting with a repeat appearance from Tiffany Thornton plus Allisyn Ashley Arm, Sterling Knight, Doug Brochou, Shayne Topp, Matthew Scott Montgomery, and Damien Haas.

Doesn’t Tiff look pretty? (As always. xD )

Missing where Brandon Smith and Audrey Whitby. I really wanted to meet her. Oh well. I was able to finish my existing Sonny with a Chance autograph though – I just needed Sterling and Doug. =]

I also got my So Random Main cast autographs…

… and another of the “new” Randoms.

I had also wanted to see the Lemonade Mouth cast, Hayley Kiyoko in particular, but they cut the line before I got there. Damn.

Saturday was a big day for DC events! I got there early to see Alyson Stoner, whom you all know I adore.

She was there for the Phineas and Ferb meet and greet along with the voice of Phineas and Perry.

It took me four years to get her autograph, but I finally did it. BTW, she has an EP coming out soon on iTunes. She’s not sure if there will be physical CDs or not.

Next up was a signing for Kickin’ It. I didn’t go, but I did get to see Olivia Holt. And I have to say, she is mighty cute. =]

Next was Fish Hooks. Chelsea Kane didn’t show up. >:[

I still got to meet Kyle and the crew, but still, I wanted to hit on see my Chelsea.

Finally was the cast of A.N.T. Farm. I finally got to tell Stefanie Scott how awesome I think she is. <3

And it was fun to talk to Sierra McCormic. She's a sweet little girl, emphasis on the little. I'll have to look her up when she's older.

Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. I know I said Monday, but I've been having computer problems and couldn't get anything new posted.

Sunday, the third and final day of the 2011 D23 Expo was just as amazing as the first two days. How many people can say they've seen Wilmer Valderrama hangin' out with Handy Manny? LOL

After that photo op, we got in line for the Pair of Kings signing.

I was there to see Kelsey Chow again (obviously). I had gotten her autograph at the filming, but it's faint 'cause her pin was dying. So when I saw her I was like "I hope your pen works this time" and she was like "Huh- OH! I remember you! =D" And then the Disney employee pushed me along for holding up the line. Of course, SHE was talking TO ME so how was that my fault? LOL

I was also quite shocked to see that Mitchel Musso himself showed up! He wasn't scheduled to attend and I had never met him before.

And have a look at this guy with the "I <3 Kelsey Chow" shirt! Lucky bastard... why didn't I think of that? LOL I actually ended up right next to him in the "Shake it Up" line. He's a nice kid.

Speaking of the Shake it Up line, what a mess. They didn't know where to put everyone and it was a pretty big mess overall. The line was closed by 2pm... if not sooner.

Now as frequent readers will remember, I've met Bella and Zendaya before. It was Caroline Sunshine that I really wanted to meet.

And yeah, meet her I did. I even had a few moments to tell her about my fansite and how excited I was to finally meet her.

I didn't really have anything to say to Zendaya... but I did get a solo autograph of her. =]

As for Bella, I didn’t have anything rehearsed so I simply told her that I couldn’t even begin to tell her how amazing she is.

She was like “Aww, thank you sir” … as if I needed to be reminded how she’s WAY too young for me. LOL. Here’s the autograph.

But that’s not all. Once we finished with the cast we went down in front of the stage to take a few more pics. I got some great shots of Bella and Zendaya.

And by absolute sure luck, I ended up standing against the side of the stage when they finished the signing and the cast came to the front to sign a few more autographs for the crowd! Bella was right in front of me, look!

My friend Anika who was right next to me even got a pic with Zendaya!

I was hoping Caroline would come over to our side, but she didn’t make it beyond mid stage before the CMs escorted her off the stage.

She was the last to leave, but we still had one more surprise in store before we left. About 30 minutes after the event wrapped up, I spotted Roshan Fegan and Anika got a great picture with him too.

And that my friends, was the last day of the 2011 D23 expo. It was something else, I’ll tell you that. Hope to see you all there in 2013.