Harry Potter stars help start opening ceremonies for the Wizarding World

The stars of the Harry Potter films helped begin a beautiful fireworks show above Hogwarts Castle in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

The private event was the opening ceremony for events leading up to the grand opening on Friday morning, June 18, 2010. On stage were, above from left, Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley). J.K. Rowling was also in attendance, but didn’t make any public appearances.

Before the actors took the stage, Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick) led the Wizarding World’s frog choir in a couple of songs, then Film Conductor John Williams led the Orlando Philharmonic in some Harry Potter tunes.

Then the Knight bus drove up to a stage in front of the castle and all of the stars except the two that play Ron and Harry got out. After they took the stage, “Ron” and “Harry” drove up in the Weasley flying car.

Once all on stage the actors took out their wands and cast a spell on the castle to light it up. It took couple of tries with a more powerful spell but they finally started the fireworks, projection and laser show.

Be sure to get a copy of the Summer 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine to read all about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

[smugmug url=”https://attractions.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=12589082_x7mjv&format=rss200″ title=”Photos%20from%20Wizarding%20World%20private%20opening%20ceremony” imagecount=”34″ start=”1″ num=”34″ thumbsize=”Th” link=”lightbox” captions=”false” sort=”true” window=”true” smugmug=”true” size=”L”]