News Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

[Zoe Necrosis]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUJkHnHdXaw"]YouTube - Harry Potter Day at Disneyland! November 8th, 2009[/ame]

I'm too proud of our new video and artwork to put off sharing this any longer.

The third annual (unofficial of course) Harry Potter Day at Disneyland is coming up on Sunday, November 8th. As usual, I'm organizing this on behalf of the North Orange County Harry Potter Meetup Group.

We'll be having our Coin Quest (scavenger hunt) as per usual, and for those of you who participated last year I want you to know that we've learned from last year's experience and ironed out some imperfections in the game: teams will no longer have any motivation to show up early for first to the locations indicated by our clues, so those who show up later or last within the time frame described by a clue can earn just as many points as those who show up first. Disney has been accomidating to us so far, and I don't want to push their patience by creating another mob scene.

If that doesn't make any sense, the full rules and details are up at:

Harry Potter Day At Disneyland!

If you retain or remember nothing else from this message, here's what's going on:

We're signing up people for the Scavenger Hunt at the Carnation Plaza Pavilion between 9:30am and 11am.

Everyone should be gathered at the Carnation Plaza by 11am for introductions, mingling, and the meeting of old friends and new (I met a lot of new friends last year, it was great).

We'll take the group photo at 11:30 am in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

There are more meets and group activitied planned that you can check out if you like at the website...

I know what some of you are going to say: "Harry Potter and Disneyland? Shouldn't you be planning this for Universal or something?" Well, the answer is no for now, and for a couple reasons. Firstly, Universal's Wizarding World isn't completed yet. Secondly, it's going to be in Florida. Third, it's only going to be one land, not an entire park. But more than anything else, Disneyland is the one place that has the kind of whimsy, fun, fantasy, and - dare I say - magic, that suits the occasion.

Some of the cast members tend to get into it.

Eyeore here wanted to get in on our group photo because he's a Harry Potter fan - the girl with the green sleeves managed to deduce this from the pantomime Eyeore was using. (This picture is from our first meet in 2007).

The best line I heard was from the Mad Hatter, who while we were at the Wishing Well passed by and said "I hate to disappoint you, but this," indicating the Castle, "is not Hogwarts."

So yeah, everyone who's interested should consider themselves welcome to join, meet up, mingle, play, regardless of their degree of Potter fanatacism. Although it's hard work putting this together and pulling it off, it is rewarding and I always meet such interesting people.

If there's something I've forgotten to explain or mention please feel free to ask me anything. If not, I'll see you on 11/8/09!

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

I still have the flyer (from Azkatraz) for this year in my room, plus it's marked in my phone and schedule. The quest last year was crazy fun, as was the bit of barhopping post-game.

I solemnly swear that if I somehow miss this year, I will harm myself.

We're going for first place this year instead of second! Game on!!!

ps- excellent work on the video

[AcmePunched]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

Oh em gee! I'm totally putting this on my calendar. ^__^

Hmmm... That means I'll have to study up for that scavenger hunt..

[almandot]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

And yet now that I'm in Florida I rather wish Harry Potterland was open at Universal and you were holding it there instead How sad, I went to the first 2 potter-days and won't be able to make this year.

[Zoe Necrosis]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

I still have the flyer (from Azkatraz) for this year in my room, plus it's marked in my phone and schedule. The quest last year was crazy fun, as was the bit of barhopping post-game.

Ah, memories...

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

Haha, indeed! Hopefully we won't get kicked out of the Grand due to our unruly noise making!

[Zoe Necrosis]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

Haha, indeed! Hopefully we won't get kicked out of the Grand due to our unruly noise making!

Let's not give people the impression we were actually ejected from the premises for being a bunch of hooligans...

The security guard simply informed us politely that they could hear us on the sixth floor.

[kburford]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

OH MY GOSH! this is very exciting news!! my two favorites combined into one, eeek :yea: i am sooo there.

[Zoe Necrosis]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

[PirateChick]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

Hope you guys have fun. After last year I don't know if I really want to be committed to this right now. I have been known to change my mind though. We shall see.

[Zoe Necrosis]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

For the benefit of anyone who's curious, I'm going to post here the complete itinerary and rules for the Coin Quest. Zap!

...

ITINERARY:

9:30am - 11am: Registration for the Coin Quest (at the Carnation Plaza Pavilion, located at the end of Main Street on the left).

11am: Gather at Carnation Plaza Pavilion for introductions, last minute announcements, and preparation for the group photo.

11:30am: Group photo in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle (followed by) clues handed out - go!

12pm: Coin Quest begins!

*UPDATE!* The previously scheduled 4pm group ride has been scratched. The intended venue - the boats of the Rivers of America - will be used throughout the day for Disney's new "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee." Due to expected attendance, attempting to board either vessel would prove a logistical nightmare and hinder the Coin Quest. A new group ride may occur after winners of the Coin Quest have been announced.

7pm: Coin Quest ends! Gather together at Carnation Plaza Pavilion. Coins collected, points tallied, winners announced.

8pm: Group Ride? TBA

10pm - ?: Meet us for a night cap of butterbeer or firewhiskey at the Hearthstone Lounge located in the Grand Californian Hotel (which we'll pretend is our own little common room).

...

RULES FOR THE COIN QUEST!

Times are tough, even in the Wizarding World. But don't despair, our annual Coin Quest is a fun and fantastic way to earn Galleons for next semester's tuition. Teams that perform the best will win, in accordance with their overall achievement, one of three batches of prizes:

1st Place - The Cedric Diggory Memorial Scholarship
2nd Place - The Fred Weasley Memorial Scholarship
3rd Place - The Colin Creavey Memorial Scholarship

The Coin Quest will test participants' knowledge of Potter canon and minutiae as well as basic Disneyland geography. Interested? Here's what you need to know:

1. Registration for the Coin Quest is between 9:30am and 11am at the Carnation Plaza Pavillion, located at the end of Main Street on the left. Clues will be handed out after the 11:30am group photo in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

2. Participation is free, though limited. We will probably have to restrict the number of teams to around 40. If this is a must-do part of your Harry Potter Day experience, best show up on the early side.

3. Teams should have no more than five players. Each team must have a Captain. The Captain must be present and answer for the team whenever a question is asked and answered.

4. At the beginning of the Quest each team will be given a series of clues. Each clue will direct the team to a specific location in the park within a certain window of time. Within the hour indicated for each clue players will find at the location a member of our Inquisitorial Squad, waiting. The Squad member will ask your team two questions, and your answers will determine how many, if any, coins you receive for your efforts. Correct answers will win your team a Sickle, Knut or Galleon.

5. PLEASE NOTE! We've learned from last year's escapade and made this vital improvement to the game: Which teams show up first and last to each location will make NO difference in the value of coins earned. In other words, if the clue tells you to go to a particular place between 1pm and 2pm, whether you show up at 1:03pm or 1:28pm or 1:55pm WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE in how many points you can earn. So please, don't create a mob scene. Spread yourselves out and go at it in a leisurely pace.

6. All locations will be in Disneyland proper. No clues will lead you to California Adventure or Downtown Disney.

7. If a location indicated by a clue becomes inaccessible at the last minute due to unforseen refurbishment or closure, search for the Inquisitorial Squad leader near the location's perimeter, entrance or egress.

8. Bonus points are a possibility if you keep your eyes peeled. Secondary members of the Inquisitorial Squad will be introduced at the beginning of the day. Watch for them throughout the park as you go about your adventures. If you happen to spot, say, Draco Malfoy or Arthur and Molly Weasley or someone else we identify as a Squad member, shout the secret password (Roonil Waslib!) and they will give you a chance to answer a question for bonus coins. Bonus coins are possible from the beginning until the end of the Coin Quest, but not from the Inquisitorial Squad leaders hiding at clue locations, and not during the group ride period.

9. Coins will be tallied at the conclusion of the Coin Quest at the Carnation Plaza Pavillion, winners announced and prizes awarded.

10. Remember that the Coin Quest and Harry Potter Day itself are both unofficial events organized by fans for fans and not sanctioned, sponsored or recognized by Disney itself.

[Maid of Horror]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

This sounds like so much fun, I wish I could be there!

[Imagineer Scott]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

Speaking of Harry Potter....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/bggame22/OU/potterrrr1.jpg

[Zoe Necrosis]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

Holy cow. One week to go. So much to do. So much to prepare for.

I've been spending all my free moments over the last few days composing and re-writing the clues to our little scavenger hunt. I think it will go well. I think, at least, that Potter fanatics will accept this particular form of fan-fiction and Disney fanatics will appreciate the in-jokes and esoteric references I'm trying to work in.

I attended a Wizard Rock concert in Santa Monica weeks ago in order to promote this event. A question I encountered repeatedly was "what am I allowed to wear?"

Micechat veterans don't need counseling on this subject, but as with any group or organization, there are newcomers with earnest questions and inquiries. As a response to a frequently asked question, I posted a bit of writing on our websites on the subject of clothing.

I recall this question coming up last year, even on Micechat, so I'll post it here in case it's of any use to anyone.

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is: what am I allowed to wear to Harry Potter Day? Does Disney have a policy on what I can and cannot wear?

In general, Disney does not want to see adults in elaborate "costumes" because they don't want uninformed tourists mistaking us for actual Cast Members. Fortunately, much of the clothing in the Wizarding World falls into the parameters of normal Muggle attire. Take school clothes, for example: what's wrong with wearing a collared shirt, striped tie and sweater vest? American Muggles wear these things all the time.

Here, however, are a few things you're not likely to get away with:

Masks. Masks are out. None whatsoever. Sorry, Death Eaters - everyone is going to know your identity.

Capes and Cloaks. These arguably fall into the category of "costume" attire. Sometimes people will compensate by donning long or trench coats.

Wands. Although merely an accessory to you, a Muggle security guard doesn't know what to make of a wand. Out of respect for our friends at Disney, our official stance is going to have to be: wands should be left at home.

There are no published, precise parameters as to what you can and cannot wear. It's a matter of judgement, both on your and Disney's part. You should be creative and enjoy yourselves, but you should also be wary of being too much a spectacle.

[Dolcemiele]

Re: Harry Potter Day - Sunday, November 8th

I am so excited about this! I already have my outfit put together!