Universal Orlando's secret Harry Potter Super Bowl ad with Daniel Radcliffe
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Family Money, Technology, Travel, Celebs & Money, Video
UPDATE: See our coverage with exclusive pics and video of the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with picture of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and JK Rowling herself and see our video tour of the Harry Potter world at the Orlando theme park!
It's the hottest new theme park opening in a decade: Universal Orlando Resort's Islands of Adventure park is putting the finishing touches on its feverishly anticipated The Wizarding World of Harry Potter section. This Sunday, Feb. 7, the world gets a sneak peek at the new 20-acre attraction when a top secret commercial airs during the Saints-Colts Super Bowl battle. Among the surprises: Daniel Radcliffe himself appears as Harry Potter to promote the opening, which was designed with the full cooperation and approval of series author J.K. Rowling. Guess what, Potterheads? WalletPop.com has an exclusive first online look at the entire spot.
Universal Orlando is one of the elite group of American businesses that have been able to pay $2.5 million to $3 million for a 30-second ad on this year's Super Bowl. That's a pretty big chunk of change, and it doesn't include what it cost to secure Radcliffe or produce the ad itself. But it's nothing when you consider the fact that millions of American families are likely to visit the new Harry Potter land on one of their upcoming vacations. It's officially the biggest new draw in Orlando.
Super Bowl ads are a marker for where we're spending our money. This year, Orlando is fervently praying that means more of us will be spending our money there. It desperately needs the magic Harry may bring: New York City recently toppled the city from the top of the list of the most-visited American tourist cities.
The arrival of Harry Potter also gives Universal a huge lead on its biggest rival, because Walt Disney World's next big expansion doesn't come for another three years. That's when Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom balloons to incorporate a new Little Mermaid ride and two Dumbo rides.
Florida's tourism industry is overjoyed at President Obama's promise of high-speed rail, which would deliver huge numbers of foreign tourists from Miami, a major international air gateway, to Orlando. That may be just the magic wand Harry Potter needs to create new jobs and beef up spending again.
Clues in the Ad
So what's in this ad to entice you to visit? Although the spires of Hogwarts Castle already rise high on the Central Florida skyline, details on what is contained within are so far sparse. Like Willy Wonka's factory, any morsel that escapes its gates is instantly devoured by eager fans. Poise your mouse over that "pause" button -- there are a lot of clues to decipher in this 30-second tease.
But what does it all mean? The awestruck children in the ad are riding broomsticks. That's probably a hint at the vehicles of the so-far-secret indoor ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It's reputed to be one of the most technologically advanced rides ever created, and the enormous "show building" beneath the Castle is the talk of Orlando. The ride technology is widely speculated to be a "robo-arm" system, in which vehicles are mounted on extended robot arms, provided by RoboCoaster. Cast members from the Potter movies have shot appearances for the ride.
We glimpse a roller coaster car as it flits across the screen. That's the former Dueling Dragons, two existing intertwined hanging coasters that will be reborn as the Dragon Challenge.
We also do a fly-through of snow-sheathed, chimney-spiked Hogsmeade Village, where the Hogwarts Express belches steam into a winter sky. Even though the village is in tropical Florida, the snow on the eaves looks as real as it does in Edinburgh. Last week, we learned more details about Ollivander's wand shop, too, in which visitors can pick up magic wands and test out their effects with the help of actors-cum-shopkeepers.
The construction has cost as much as a reported $310 million, and costs are slightly higher than initially projected.
Last week, Universal also released a mind-blowing "augmented reality" 3-D panorama of the new land, which becomes miraculously visible when you hold a special map (you can download the version you need here) in front of your computer's camera (click here for instructions).
For more Super Bowl ad coverage see:
Fanhouse Super Bowl HQ
Super Bowl Ads on Fanhouse
Holidash
It's the hottest new theme park opening in a decade: Universal Orlando Resort's Islands of Adventure park is putting the finishing touches on its feverishly anticipated The Wizarding World of Harry Potter section. This Sunday, Feb. 7, the world gets a sneak peek at the new 20-acre attraction when a top secret commercial airs during the Saints-Colts Super Bowl battle. Among the surprises: Daniel Radcliffe himself appears as Harry Potter to promote the opening, which was designed with the full cooperation and approval of series author J.K. Rowling. Guess what, Potterheads? WalletPop.com has an exclusive first online look at the entire spot.
Universal Orlando is one of the elite group of American businesses that have been able to pay $2.5 million to $3 million for a 30-second ad on this year's Super Bowl. That's a pretty big chunk of change, and it doesn't include what it cost to secure Radcliffe or produce the ad itself. But it's nothing when you consider the fact that millions of American families are likely to visit the new Harry Potter land on one of their upcoming vacations. It's officially the biggest new draw in Orlando.
Super Bowl ads are a marker for where we're spending our money. This year, Orlando is fervently praying that means more of us will be spending our money there. It desperately needs the magic Harry may bring: New York City recently toppled the city from the top of the list of the most-visited American tourist cities.
The arrival of Harry Potter also gives Universal a huge lead on its biggest rival, because Walt Disney World's next big expansion doesn't come for another three years. That's when Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom balloons to incorporate a new Little Mermaid ride and two Dumbo rides.
Florida's tourism industry is overjoyed at President Obama's promise of high-speed rail, which would deliver huge numbers of foreign tourists from Miami, a major international air gateway, to Orlando. That may be just the magic wand Harry Potter needs to create new jobs and beef up spending again.
Clues in the Ad
So what's in this ad to entice you to visit? Although the spires of Hogwarts Castle already rise high on the Central Florida skyline, details on what is contained within are so far sparse. Like Willy Wonka's factory, any morsel that escapes its gates is instantly devoured by eager fans. Poise your mouse over that "pause" button -- there are a lot of clues to decipher in this 30-second tease.
But what does it all mean? The awestruck children in the ad are riding broomsticks. That's probably a hint at the vehicles of the so-far-secret indoor ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It's reputed to be one of the most technologically advanced rides ever created, and the enormous "show building" beneath the Castle is the talk of Orlando. The ride technology is widely speculated to be a "robo-arm" system, in which vehicles are mounted on extended robot arms, provided by RoboCoaster. Cast members from the Potter movies have shot appearances for the ride.
We glimpse a roller coaster car as it flits across the screen. That's the former Dueling Dragons, two existing intertwined hanging coasters that will be reborn as the Dragon Challenge.
We also do a fly-through of snow-sheathed, chimney-spiked Hogsmeade Village, where the Hogwarts Express belches steam into a winter sky. Even though the village is in tropical Florida, the snow on the eaves looks as real as it does in Edinburgh. Last week, we learned more details about Ollivander's wand shop, too, in which visitors can pick up magic wands and test out their effects with the help of actors-cum-shopkeepers.
The construction has cost as much as a reported $310 million, and costs are slightly higher than initially projected.
Last week, Universal also released a mind-blowing "augmented reality" 3-D panorama of the new land, which becomes miraculously visible when you hold a special map (you can download the version you need here) in front of your computer's camera (click here for instructions).
For more Super Bowl ad coverage see:
Fanhouse Super Bowl HQ
Super Bowl Ads on Fanhouse
Holidash
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
2-03-2010 @ 6:12AM
sjoyce said...
How old is HARRY POTHEAD NOW?
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 10:50AM
maximum joe said...
Can I post on this thread? I don't have a scam web site and am not trying to sale a crap product.
2-03-2010 @ 2:29PM
sh said...
68 years old
2-02-2010 @ 6:34AM
katy said...
OK This wasn't funny. super bowl is supposed to have funny TV ads but this just hit the lame mteter on funny. I'm in love with the TV ads that they play. That's the only thing i'm going to watch but this year is a bit different and i'm going to watch the football game.
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 6:54AM
dxxy4u said...
"Florida's tourism industry is overjoyed at President Obama's promise of high-speed rail, which would deliver huge numbers of foreign tourists from Miami, a major international air gateway, to Orlando. That may be just the magic wand Harry Potter needs to create new jobs and beef up spending again".>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now what does Florida think of Obama? This same proposal was made to Bush, which fell on deaf ears. No, spend money on waging a senseless war. This is after a lot of BIPARTISAN work from both parties working together. The House and the Senate should let this be an example of what Bipartisanship can accomplish. Fighting each other is good for the politician, but it doesn't do jack for the American people, but keep them frustrated and disillusioned.
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 9:17AM
kay said...
Most of central Florida doesn't want a high speed rail!!!
2-02-2010 @ 9:10AM
Shawn said...
When I read something this stupid, I really get upset. The only thing and I mean the only thing Obama has done is ran up or debt that will take 4 generations to pay off. And is far as Obama's idea for high speed rail, someone already thought of that it is called AMTRACK moron. And the best part is that my tax dollars do not have to pay for it. Why you may ask, Because it is what this country needs PRIVATE OWNED COMPANIES. Maybe you could write to Obama and get some of that useless Stimulus bill for a BRAIN TRANSPLANT....
2-02-2010 @ 12:11PM
gee said...
which bush are you talking about? i lived in florida through lots of members of the bush crime family. florida passed an ammendment to establish statewide public transit. jebbycakes said we couldn't afford it -- just before he took the money and ran.
a couple bush presidents made promises -- lots of talk, no action. under obama ground is being broken -- big difference that isn't partisan -- unless you want to consider democrats the party of action and republicans the party of rhetorical bs.
jebbykins did dry to make a "tech corridor" in central florida -- right about the same time big brother was shipping all the tech jobs out of country.
if you haven't been to florida lately you can go and witness the depression first hand. real estate vacancy rates are around 28% and still rising. unemployment is well over 10% -- your friend the big rat fires everyone about this time of year so they can live on unemployment until they need them again in the summer. the corporate slime that hides behind harry potters and tinkbells needs an introduciton to a guillotine -- they are the problem everythings broke -- they steal all the money to buy a house next to tiger woods and a bigger suv than his too. .
please don't mention the name bush to any cognizant floridian unless you want to get shoes thrown at you.
the old, angry, and senile love the bushes -- they got lots of uppers and downers and hallucinogens from plan d. the war on drugs should hit up grandmas medicine cabinet before all the grandkids get to it.
2-04-2010 @ 9:36AM
bill said...
Lets clear up a few facts here. First, to Kay. I am not sure what Central Florida you live in, but the part I live in is all for both high speed rail, and light rail. In fact, in 2000, over 70% of Floridians voted for a constitutional amendment mandating the state build a high speed rail system. Jeb Bush said he did not care what the voters wanted, he was not going to fund it. He then placed a confusing amendment on the ballot to remove the one 70% of us voted for, claiming that in 2000 we were too confused to know what we were voting for. Just on that issue, not on his brother's election. (They were on the same ballot)
Now to Shawn. Amtrack is subsidized by the Federal Government. Is that the PRIVATE COMPANY you want running Amtrack? And since you want to call other people morons, maybe you should look at yourself. Amtrack is NOT high speed rail. It never was, it never will be.
Continuing with Shawn's comments, you are quick to attack Obama for adding to the national debt, but you ignore the fact that your hero BUSHIE, took a surplus and turned it into a record deficit in less than his first 4 years. You also ignore the fact that BUSHIE and his friends almost destroyed our economy, running it into the ground, like they did Enron. You condemn Obama for trying to clean up the enormous mess left by BUSHIE, but you will continue to worship the one who caused the damages. And there will be no stimulis money left for the rest of us, after Obama finishes paying for the health care that will provide for the brain transplants the morons like you need, but your god sent insurance companies and their profit driven death panels refuse to pay for.
Shawn, it is obvious you are full of hate and fear from your comments. You have allowed a small group of right wing nuts to use this hate, fear and ignorance to control you. This is what I fear more than anything else. Maybe you should listen to other facts and opinions before you attack others with your blind hatred.
2-02-2010 @ 7:00AM
sir said...
ok... thank you katy... that wasn't at all funny... you are best off putting that on nickelodeon or something because once people see that the commercial isn't funny they will get up and go to the bathroom, get a drink, or grab some food. good way to waste ten million universal because NOONE PAYS ATTENTION IF IT IS NOT FUNNY!
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 7:20AM
Jaystarr said...
Brilliant...But, non of the comments are about Harry Potter or the Theme Park ? Guess not too many care about Harry anymore...the Best is, IF you go to England yourself, and visit the castles. Go on a Harry Potter trip with Beyond Boundaries. You will have the Vacation of your life. Especially aboard the Hogwart Express.
Cheers!
Jaystarr
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 8:45AM
Voice O Reason said...
I am a forty year old woman, and I am going to be there this year, even if it means dragging my teenaged son against his will!It looks absolutely fabulous!
2-03-2010 @ 4:16PM
Rae said...
Wow someone talking about the article above... tis a miracle! I care about Harry Potter, not in the 'I'm going to go to any lengths to find out anything about anything to do with it.' But I still enjoy the Harry Potter and even more so now that there isn't as much hype about the brand. It's the same for me with Twilight I will like it more again when it's not in your face all the time. I wish I had the money to go to flordia and visit this, and go to english and visit the places over there I this it would be really fun.
2-02-2010 @ 7:29AM
Fred said...
Will someone please put a stop to the comments section being used for ads. I read the article as much for the story as for the comments but this continued abuse will drive me away from both. Moderators PLEASE do your jobs!
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 8:41AM
dale said...
Fred,
I have this sneaking suspicion that AOL is encouraging these somehow as they are EVERYWHERE. There are so many pop-up ads on the site even though I PAY to use it that I am seriously considering leaving for ATT.
But... report every ad you see and maybe someday they'll take notice
2-02-2010 @ 8:55AM
COUCH said...
I Agree, these adds have to stop, if the moderators cant control these boards I will find something else to do...I am tired of the adds from all the a$$holes who cant pay their own advertising fees....Hold these pricks accountable
2-02-2010 @ 8:33AM
Anna XD said...
Oh my gosh, I can't wait to go!! I'm totally bringing all my friends with me. This looks awesome!
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 8:40AM
RoeC said...
I loved the spot. While yes lots of the commercials are funny, some of you forget that lots of kids watch the superbowl. My kids are thrilled with the thought of seeing this commercial. I won't let them watch online and spoil the fun. Lighten up people.
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 8:41AM
angeline said...
Already saw the Harry Potter info-commercial with my kids...Can't wait to get there and experience the amazement with them for the first time! It seems brilliant and I hope the magic is true to life!
Reply
2-02-2010 @ 8:54AM
Fran said...
I don't give 2 knuts what's on the Superbowl as I never watch it anyway, but I think this ad is brilliant (even watching it without sound). It speaks directly to the hearts of tens of millions of kids (AND many of their parents) who have fantasized about having an owl arrive with their personal invitation to attend Hogwarts. I suppose the question is: Will this ad reach the people who read books instead of watching TV? Is the Superbowl the best place to advertise to Potterheads?
Reply