It’s time to explore the darker side of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as the all-new “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” projection show made it debut this past weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood.
On Thursday evening last week, the park held a “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” Premiere Event welcoming guests to be among the very first to view the exciting and foreboding new show from the streets of Hogsmeade Village. Accompanied by a new score based on the famous Harry Potter movie music composed by the legendary John Williams, this experience is officially described as a “powerful spectacle [and] an unforgettable end to your day” in the Wizarding World.
Watch “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” highlights at Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
“As darkness falls on Hogwarts castle, Dementors™, Death Eaters and other unspeakable creatures from Aragog and Mountain Trolls to Thestrals will cloak the castle with sinister images from the darker side of magic—even conjuring the visage of Lord Voldemort™ himself, until the Patronus spell—one of the most famous, difficult and powerful defense of the Dark Arts charms in the wizarding world—is cast.”
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened with Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando Resort’s Islands of Adventure theme park in the summer of 2010, before expanding to the adjacent Universal Studios Florida park with Diagon Alley in 2014. Then Universal Studios Japan and Hollywood both received their own versions of The Wizarding World in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Currently “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” is only available at the Hollywood location.
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During the preview event on Thursday, Laughing Place did not get to see the fully realized “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” due to high winds. While the 10-minute show we did see was very impressive and entertaining, but the truly astounding drone Patronus effect as seen in the photo below is also part of the complete experience, and will be incorporated on nights when weather permits.
The preview of “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” runs nightly from now through Sunday, April 28 at Universal Studios Hollywood. After that, it will return for the weekend of May 25-27. For more information and advance ticketing resources, be sure to visit the park’s official website.