Even celebrities like Darren Criss, Mindy Kaling, and Vanessa Hudgens aren’t immune to a little Harry Potter fandom.
While it doesn’t officially open to the public until April 7, muggles and wizards alike got to check out the preview opening night of Harry Potter World in Hollywood On Tuesday. Universal Studios’ latest attraction includes a stunning snowy Hogsmeade village, a chance to chow down at the Three Broomsticks, and, of course, the Hogwarts castle.
As for rides – after all, this is a theme park, theres the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in the castle itself, where guests will wear Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through adventures experienced by Harry and his squad. There’s also an outdoor rollercoaster called the Flight of the Hippogriff.
To add to the authenticity of opening night, Harry Potter cast members including Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and James and Oliver Phelps (the Weasley twins Fred and George) were there to check out their old stomping grounds.
Chris Hardwick was in attendance, and obviously is was a dream come true for the self-proclaimed nerd. He took to his Instagram to share a photo of the fireworks display behind Hogwarts writing, “Harry Potter opened at Universal tonight and it was INCREDIBLE!!! That white figure on the bottom is John Williams conducting the LA Philharmonic Orchestra playing the Potter theme below Hogwarts during an insane fireworks display, is all. Also I bought a school year’s worth of Ravenclaw stuff and an Elder wand. Obviously, it was a great night.”
Check out more photos from the opening night at Hogwarts below!
