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Which celebrities do you most want to see at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening?

By Robert Niles
Published: June 14, 2010 at 7:18 PM
With the opening just a few days away, rumors are swirling about who will show up at the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando this week.

Knight Bus
Universal's brought the Knight Bus to Orlando for the premiere. Photo courtesy Universal Orlando Resort.

We've seen several of the top actors in promotions for the new land, including Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton and Emma Watson. Two people we haven't yet seen on site at Universal Orlando are perhaps the two biggest celebrities in the Wizarding World: Daniel Radcliffe and author J.K. Rowling.

Whom would you most like to see show up at the premiere? I'll be in Orlando, starting Wednesday, to cover the festivities. If you'd like to watch at home, in addition to reading Theme Park Insider's coverage, NBC's Today show will broadcast from Universal on Friday morning, the day of the official public opening.

poll by twiigs.com

Update from comments: Universal's confirmed that John Williams will be at the premiere. More names to come.

Readers' Opinions

From 166.214.186.234 on June 14, 2010 at 9:03 PM
I'd rather see a celebrity whose not in the movies who is just hanging out. Like maybe Vin Diesel on vacation letting his secret dork side have a day out in the sun at Universal Studios.
From Deidre Dennis on June 14, 2010 at 10:18 PM
I agree with the first poster. I remember being at Disney's California Adventure back in '05 while waiting for my hubby and son to get off of California Screamin'. It was night time and pretty quiet in that area when I noticed one of the "detectives" from Without A Trace there. They'd just gotten off the ride and caught up with what I can only assume were his or his wife's parents and smaller children. I used to watch that show religiously back then and was excited to see him. Instead of going up and asking for an autograph though, I just stayed where I was. I figured, he's probably on vacation like the rest of us and doesn't want to be bothered. It was cool, though.
From 85.250.201.130 on June 15, 2010 at 5:42 AM
I'd love to see JK Rowling there. I can only imagine most of the movie's stars will go, but I'm not sure about Jo. Though I'm surprised she hasn't had a private (though covered by press) visit to the park yet, with her children. Maybe she has and it was not covered by the press BECAUSE of the children. I'd imagine Jo's visit to the park to look like Ellen Degeneres's visit - empty park, but with everything opened and ready for her.

I'm sorry, can you tell I'm a massive Potter fan?

PS: I really hope they keep the Knight Bus there. Nothing will be cooler than going on this thing for a look around during my visit in August.

From Caroline Davis on June 15, 2010 at 7:06 AM
I want Neville Longbottom there! The best character! Or Luna Lovegood! But I guess I'll go for JK Rowling.
From Andy Milio on June 15, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Dude, Daniel Radcliffe has to be there! He IS Harry Potter! But then again, J.K. needs to be there too. Forget everyone else...no offense any fans of other actors.
From Amanda Jenkins on June 15, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Alan Rickman!!! He is one of my favorite actors. His voice should be heard throughout the land! LOL, honestly I don't think anyone will care if there are actors there or not. Everyone will be concentrating on if everything is running smoothly and seeing all that they can.
From Robert Niles on June 15, 2010 at 11:24 AM
I'm hearing chatter about John Williams attending, to conduct the music at the premiere. Universal tweeted about an Academy Award-winner being at the premiere, and Williams certainly qualifies on that count.

The other options would be Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent or Emma Thompson, if we're talking about Oscar-winning actors who have appeared in the Harry Potter films.

From Robert Niles on June 15, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Well, Universal just confirmed that it's John Williams.
From luis gonzalez on June 15, 2010 at 11:57 AM
i hope maggie smith is there (hubba hubba!!!). i hope betty white and the ghost of bea arthur, that would get my blood boiling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s VIN DIESEL?????? what the??????? to each their own LOL

WORD TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER!!!!!!!!!!

From Mike Gallagher on June 15, 2010 at 6:55 PM
Luis, you're one sick puppy. But coming from me, that's a compliment. And I'm truly surprised by your non-mention of the ghosts of Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan. They'd all fit beautifully in the Great Hall (sorry if I got the name wrong..it's been a couple years since I read the books) at Hogwarts.

I voted no celebrities.

From Joshua Counsil on June 15, 2010 at 7:30 PM
I voted for Hans Gruber Alan Rickman, but if I had known that John Williams was an option, I would have voted for him. John Williams at Universal Studios, a park dominated with John Williams music? I'd probably overload.
From 72.218.118.134 on June 16, 2010 at 10:59 AM
John Williams is amazing! He and J.K. Rowling are definitely the two I would like to see. Apart from them I think it would be cool to see the core three (Emma, Daniel, and Rupert).

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