Round-up: DLP Halloween, Universal deals and a big day for Potter fans

September 1, 2017, 11:19 AM · It's officially "19 years later." Today — September 1, 2017 — is the date in the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when Harry and his friends bring their children to Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station in London for their journey to Hogwarts. So, of course, a huge crowd showed up at the "real" Platform 9 3/4 in the actual Kings Cross this morning to see whom they could find.

And somewhere in that crowd is Warwick Davis, the actor who played Griphook and Flitwick and who showed up to greet Potter fans.

Speaking of the Wizarding World, if you'd like to take your own ride from Kings Cross on the Hogwarts Express, Universal Orlando is offering a fall ticket deal — two additional days at no extra cost when you buy a two-day, three-park ticket. That's $294.99 per adult ($284.99 per child) for the Park-to-Park ticket you will need to ride the Hogwarts Express between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The price drops $55 if you want to go only one park per day for the four days. The offer is good through Nov. 30, or Dec. 17 if you are a Florida resident. (Update: See the comments for the analysis. /TheyDidTheMath)

Over at Walt Disney World, one week from today — on Sept. 8, the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land models will go on display in the refurbished Walt Disney Presents attraction that is replacing One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Toy Story Land opens next summer, while the Star Wars land debuts in 2019.

Returning to Europe, Disneyland Paris has announced its Halloween plans for this year. Disney villains will "pedal" down Main Street daily in the Mickey’s Halloween Tricycle Gang parade. (Somehow the idea of villains on tricycles makes them significantly less threatening. But I suppose that's the point?) Villain meet and greets with The Wicked Witch, Maleficent, The Queen of Hearts, Jafar, and Captain Hook will be available in Fantasyland, and Goofy will host Goofy's Skeletoon Street Party in Frontierland. The events will run from Oct. 1 through Nov. 5.

Finally, this weekend is the Disneyland Half-Marathon, so be ready for big crowds in Anaheim for that event in addition to the traditional holiday visitors. And it's Force Friday, too, for Star Wars fans looking to load up on new souvenirs... or flip them on eBay.

What are you up to this weekend?

Replies (1)

September 1, 2017 at 1:07 PM

That Universal deal is really not much of a deal. A 4-day 2 park, park to park pass is $284.99, so they're charging you an extra $10 to spend one of your days at Volcano Bay.

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