The Dark Arts are coming like never before to Universal Orlando's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Universal Orlando Resort announced today that its latest version of the Hogwarts Castle projection show, Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, will debut on September 14. The show will run select nights through November 15, after which the Christmas show will take over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.
The show debuted last spring at Universal Studios Hollywood, where I called it "best version of The Wizarding World's castle show yet."
The show paints a moving visual portrait of dark landmarks, creatures, and wizards — from Borgin & Burkes to the Dark Lord himself. And it concludes (weather permitting) with the first use of drones in a nighttime show at Universal.
If you just can't wait for a taste, here's a full show video of the original Universal Studios Hollywood production from Russell Meyer, who included it in his Epic Southern California Adventure: Part 2 - Hollywood trip report on our Discussion Forum.
Universal Orlando Tickets: For discount tickets to Universal Orlando's theme parks — including a free Volcano Bay deal, visit our officially authorized Universal Orlando tickets page.
It really depends on where the drones perform. At USH, they show up to the left of Hogwarts (as you face the attraction), but at IOA, that would place them above guest pathways - at USH that airspace is backstage. If the drones do show up to the left of Hogwarts, then the best viewing locations are likely to be around the performance stage (where the Frog Chorus and Tri-Wizard Tournament shows are performed). If you end up further back by Olivander's, it's likely you won't be able to see the drones.
However, if the drones perform to the right of Hogwarts, placing them in the backstage area behind Flight of the Hippogriff, the performance stage might not be the best viewing spot, because the high walls to the left of the stage may block your view of the drones, though you'll have the best views of the projections on the castle. If the drones do perform behind the Hippogriff, your best viewing location might actually be from the bridge into Jurassic Park or in the area in front of the Forbidden Journey entrance. Unfortunately, these spots are very tight in terms of space, and guests already pack in those spots to view the current show, which ONLY has castle projections (the stage area is a much less crowded spot to view the current show and has a better angle to see the projections anyway IMHO).
You might have to play it by ear, but at least they will run multiple shows a night, so if you don't have a good spot for the first viewing, you can always come back for a later show which is liable to be less crowded anyway.
I heard about Death Eaters roaming around in this version of the show... And Universal's answer regarding that was pretty vague. Could that be true?
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Been hoping for this announcement - will be there first night! Very high up my list of anticipated new things.
Where do you reckon is a good spot to watch it from in Orlando?