Magic in the Air
“Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” debuts at Universal Studios
Enter Hogsmeade Village, and dozens of children can be seen flittering to and fro with their magic wands, waving them expectantly at designated sites and perhaps muttering spells and incantations. But the real magic as of this weekend is the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, performed as if by a master wizard several times each evening once the sun goes down.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with its winding cobblestone lanes and quaint Old World shops, opened at Universal Studios last year, a vast movie-themed addition that features one of the most impressive dark rides ever created: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The new light show embellishes the thrill of being present in this supernal realm where the improbable prevails, sending waves of color dashing over the ramparts and the towers of the castle, a swirling projection of images that meld and melt and shapeshift into many forms, all of this accompanied by a stream of ominous yet enchanting music composed by John Williams and based on his original scores for the Harry Potter films.
It’s fairly dazzling, spellbinding in fact, set as it is against the imposing facade of the castle, home of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One after the other, the four houses of Hogwarts are glorified: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Afterwards the viewer may want to stagger over to Hog’s Head pub for a rejuvenating brew (alcoholic) or a butterbeer (non-alcoholic), depending on one’s age or degree of sensual overload.
There are many good vantage points for taking in the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, but they’ll ask you to climb down if you’re in the treetops. The Triwizard stage is clearly one of the best, a step above the busy thoroughfare below, and I’ve also watched from behind Ollivander’s, the shop where ever-popular wands seem to literally fly from the shelves. After all, who doesn’t want to put some magic in their lives?
I was of course too enthralled to take cool, composed shots of the visual extravaganza in action, but I think the few I’m including here convey the variety of colorful effects, and if nothing else you’ll be inspired to one-up me, and to prove that you’re more adept at handling a camera.
Now, I don’t want anyone to imagine that I didn’t scope out the rest of the park, or chomp down on a Krusty Burger in Springfield, hometown (and themed area) of the Simpsons. But also, unless you’ve been in suspended animation since the mid-’70s (and who doesn’t feel that way from time to time?), you’ll know that the Studio Tour tram has evolved tenfold since the early days, when it was pretty much the park’s only draw. Which brings us to a few more images… a shark, an airplane disaster, and a man coming your way with a very sharp knife.
The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle extends through summer at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s a show and a showstopper all at once. Further details, how to get there and how to find your way back, can be found at universalstudioshollywood.com/harrypotter/. ER
