Updated: Coverage of the Grand Opening at Universal Studios Japan Commences with a Special Report

At around 7:00 p.m., The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was packed with journalists, staff members, guests, and fans from around the world. The red carpet and stage for the event was located at the main road of Hogsmeade, with the stage facing towards the entrance and its back facing the castle.

As guests started coming out onto the red carpet, fans joyfully waved and screamed. The walk went on until the guests were called up on stage to make a speech. Among the special guests were Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the films, and Evanna Lynch, who portrayed Luna Lovegood.

The pre-opening event started with a speech from the president and CEO of USJ, Glenn Gumpel, who had his lovely wife by his side on stage. He explained how he wants Japanese fans to come and enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and that he sees this as a way to give back to the Japanese community.

The event also had Japanese celebrities on stage, such as SMAP and TV personality Becky.

Led by Tom and Evanna, the fans cast "Lumos" and were greeted by a display of spectacular fireworks, which illuminated the night sky right behind Hogwarts Castle and the Hogsmeade shops. Moments later, a massive amount of colorful confetti came whirling down on us, lingering in the air for a while. It all seemed like the event had finished, but the fans got a surprise "gift" at the end in the form of a chance to ride the Forbidden Journey ride.

今日は取材陣が一日中出入りをしていた上にイベント準備があった為、The Wizarding World of Harry Potterの中はとても慌ただしい状況になっていました。

その外では前夜祭の参加者やファンの人々が待機をしていた為、14時頃私が会場に入場した時点で既に入り口付近が若干混雑しはじめている状況でした。

それから5時間後の19時頃、当選したファンの人々と世界中からのプレス、そしてイベント関係者がThe Wizarding World of Harry Potterに入場し、会場はギュウギュウ詰めになっていました。

レッドカーペットとステージはホグズミード村の中心を走る道に設置され、ステージはホグズミード村の入り口を正面に、そしてホグワーツ城を背にして設置されました。

ゲストの方々がレッドカーペットに入場する度に大きな歓声が沸き起こり、カメラは手を振るファンの人々の姿を撮ろうと躍起になっていました。
スペシャルゲストには、映画「ハリー・ポッター」シリーズでドラコ・マルフォイ役を演じたトム・フェルトンさんと、同じく映画でルーナ・ラブグッド役を演じたエバンナ・リンチさんの姿がありました

前夜祭は奥様と共にステージに上がったUSJ社長のグレン・ガンペル氏の挨拶から始まりました。
時々冗談を交えながらも、ガンペル氏は、日本のファンに是非このThe Wizarding World of Harry Potterを体験して欲しいと述べ、大阪、そして日本に対して地域貢献を通じてお返しをしたいと加えました。
更に、前夜祭にはSMAPやベッキーなど、豪華な日本人ゲストが登場しました。

全員の挨拶が終わると、トムさんとエバンナさんはファンの人々と共に杖を取り出し、掛け声に合わせて「ルーモス！」と呪文を唱えました。
するとホグワーツ城とホグズミード村の店の後ろから空高く盛大に花火が上がっていきました。
それに加え、三色の紙吹雪が大量に吹き出され、カラフルな雪のように花火で輝く空を舞いました。
花火が終わり、イベントが終了したと思ったところで、ファンの人々にはサプライズとして前夜祭終了後にHarry Potter and The Forbidden Journey Rideを体験できるという”プレゼント”が渡されました。

体験後、ホグワーツ城から戻ってくるファンの人々は皆満足そうな表情を浮かべていました

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

Ｔｈｅ Ｗｉｚａｒｄｉｎｇ Ｗｏｒｌｄ ｏｆ Ｈａｒｒｙ Ｐｏｔｔｅｒ

GRAND OPENING EVE CELEBRATION SUNDOWN, MONDAY JULY 14

Historic opening celebrated by about 1,000 Harry Potter fans as grand fireworks display illuminates night sky!

On the eve of its Grand Opening, Universal Studios Japan celebrated the much anticipated opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter today, Monday July 14, beginning at 7:15 pm. Approximately 1,000 specially invited guests celebrated the opening along with a dazzling display of fireworks.

At 7:15 pm this evening, guests arrived and walked the red carpet on their way to a specially constructed stage for these grand opening events in Hogsmeade village amid thunderous applause.

At approximately 7:40 pm, with the special guests gathered on the stage, including Tom Felton who played Harry’s rival Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, and Evanna Lynch who played Luna Lovegood in the film series and who also attended the April 18 opening date announcement event, joined the 1,000 Harry Potter fans and incanted the Lumos! spell together, illuminating Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade village in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The spell set off a magnificent display of fireworks, colorful confetti, and thunderous applause from the crowd marking the historic moment of the opening of this 45 billion yen national level project and its economic effect of 5.6 trillion yen over ten years.

“The craft and attention to detail across The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan is incredible and I will take away the memory of Hogwarts castle reflected on the Black Lake in particular. I’m delighted that Harry fans in Japan and around Asia can experience a physical incarnation that is so close to what I imagined when writing the books,” said J.K. Rowling.

Event Attendees

• Tom Felton Actor: Harry Potter film series, “Draco Malfoy”
• Evanna Lynch Actress: Harry Potter film series, “Luna Lovegood”
• SMAP Universal Studios Japan ambassadors
• Becky Chairperson, Universal Studios Japan Fan Club
• Brad Globe President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
• Ron Meyer Vice Chairman, NBC Universal
• Tom Williams CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts
• Glenn Gumpel President & CEO, USJ Co., Ltd.

Be sure to check out the special interactive USJ website where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the world of Harry Potter and virtually experience every corner of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. www.usj.co.jp/harrypotter