Universal Orlando Officially Announces The Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe!

Earlier today, Universal Orlando Resort announced that the Ministry of Magic will be the latest addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! It will be included as part of their upcoming park Epic Universe! The park, joining Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay opens in 2025!

Check out the press release included below!

THE JOURNEY TO EPIC BEGINS NOW…UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT SHARES FIRST OFFICIAL LOOK AND DETAILS ABOUT ITS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW THEME PARK, UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE Opening in 2025, the Innovative New Theme Park Invites Guests to Explore Vibrant Worlds Filled with Extraordinary Adventures that Go Beyond their Wildest Imaginations Today, Universal Shares Details about Celestial Park, One of the Park’s Five Immersive Worlds featuring Exciting Attractions, Dining, Shopping and More – All Set within Breathtaking Gardens in the Heart of Epic Universe Click Here to Learn More about Universal Epic Universe from Some of the Park’s Creators,
Here for a First Look at Celestial Park and Here to Download Images Orlando, Fla. (January 30, 2024) – In 2025, Universal Orlando Resort will unveil its next gamechanger for theme park entertainment with the debut of its most ambitious theme park yet: Universal Epic Universe. Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation that is unmatched – transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 awe-inspiring attraction, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic. The addition of Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park will also transform the award-winning resort into a weeklong vacation destination filled with the most compelling experiences imaginable. Today, Universal Orlando reveals more details about Celestial Park – the heart of Universal Epic Universe and the first world guests will encounter at the new theme park. 
 CELESTIAL PARK With acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways, Celestial Park puts the “park” back in “theme park.” As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they’ll embark on a journey of discovery, thrills and excitement as they wander through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements. Here, guests can relax while taking in the sights and sounds around them, board a shooting comet for an exhilarating roller coaster adventure, dine on delectable cuisine, shop exclusive merchandise to commemorate their visit and more. 
PORTALS TO OTHER EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS Plus, Celestial Park will be the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe – each bringing to life extraordinary adventures that go beyond guests’ wildest imaginations. Through a set of majestic portals that capture the imagination and creativity of each world, guests will embark on a transformative experience as they journey from Celestial Park to:The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic,where guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series; SUPER NINTENDO WORLD,where guests will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as they step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong; How to Train Your Dragon  Isle of Berkwhere guests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon film franchise; and Dark Universe, where guests encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery CELESTIAL PARK ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCESHere are additional details about some of the other wonders guests can enjoy while exploring Celestial Park:
Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Starfall Racers will be Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the “Celestial Spin,” in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air – creating an “out-of-this-world” adrenaline rush.Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.Astronomica,an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests;An array of unique dining experiences ranging from full-service restaurants to quick-service locations that offer something for every palate, including Atlantic –a full-service “surf and turf” restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium complete with captivating views of Celestial Park……and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – where diners take a culinary journey across Asia as they enjoy authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare in this full-service restaurant accented with neon dragons and ethereal lanterns. Additional “must-eat” locations within Celestial Park include The Oak & Star Tavern, where guests can enjoy savory barbecue, Pizza Moon, which will serve up a tasty menu featuring a variety of pizzas, and more.Incredibly detailed retail locations, includingthe Nintendo Super Star Store,where guests can shop an assortment of merchandise themed to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, where guests can satisfy their cravings with a unique selection of sweet treats, and more.Plenty of exciting entertainment, including various fountain shows throughout Celestial Park’s seven acres of water where a multitude of fountains sway, dance – and even reach heights up to 135 feet in the air – to music and interactive lighting from day to night.
 And located inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite – complete with 500 rooms, one-of-a-kind views and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park. Plus – in addition to raising the bar for theme park innovation, Epic Universe is Universal Destinations & Experiences’ latest development to integrate energy efficiency and sustainable construction practices. More details about Universal Epic Universe – including the debut of an interactive preview center at Universal CityWalk later this year that will offer a sneak peek at the new theme park – will be revealed in the months ahead. For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com

Tom Felton Appears At Fan Expo Denver

Last weekend at the Colorado Convention Center, pop culture fans of all ages reveled in the excitement of Fan Expo Denver! Such stars as Hayden Christensen, Henry Winkler, Bonnie Wright, and the casts of Scream and Vacation met fans, signed autographs, posed for photos and attended panels all weekend!

Normally when we attend a con, we have months to plan and Tom knows we are attending. When Tom was announced last minute for Fan Expo Denver, it was the perfect opportunity to surprise him! In life we get so few opportunities to surprise the important people in our lives, and this one couldn’t have gone any better! With the help of Kelsey from the T22penpals who distracted Tom, and filmed the interaction, it was pulled off without a hitch!

I also had an opportunity to present Tom with one of our 15th Anniversary tshirts! If you would like to get your own, they are available at the Feltbeats Redbubble shop!

Tom was gracious as always, and took time to make it a memorable experience for all who chose to meet him! He even photo bombed a couple of fan pictures with Bonnie Wright since she was set up next to him!

On Sunday we were joined at the con by another member of the Penpals, Meeshrose and her husband Cory! Tom was presented with gifts from the Penpals and asked to borrow Kelseys Ukelele for an impromptu perfomance at his upcoming panel! There may have been a little peer pressure involved from us, but it was all in good fun!

The panel itself was wonderful with fans asking multiple questions that have never been asked before! Tom closed out the panel by serenading the crowd with one of his favorite McFly songs and the crowd went wild! On a personal note, I have waited 14 years to hear him sing live, and when exiting the panel actual burst into tears I was so overwhelmed. So proud of Tom!

Tom jamming with Vivien Lyra Blair

Tom and Bonnie with Bserlori and the Penpals

What a weekend of memories. It just solidifies why we are all such a fan of this kind, generous, and talented man! If you get a chance to see him at an event near you, we highly recommend it! We also hope to meet you at an event in the near future!

We will leave you with a quote from Tom’s panel. “I’m a fan of the fandom. If we could treat everyone like we do here at a con, outside of here, the world would be a much better place.”

Till next time – Bserlori

Official Feltbeats Reviews “Beyond the Wand”

Admins Lori and Betsy recently received copies of Tom Felton’s new memoir to review from Grand Central Publishing. The book, available in Hardcover and Audio is available for preorder, and releases October 13 in the UK as well as October 18th in North America. Other countries have releases slated for November. Below we have included reviews from Lori and Betsy. Enjoy!

Beyond the Wand is an insightful look into the private parts of growing up in the public eye. Tom does a wonderful job taking readers throughout his acting journey, while never forgetting where he came from or his desire to maintain a normal life.

The majority of the book is a lighthearted glimpse of not only the roles that have shaped his career, but also the actors that have helped shape his life. We are privileged to get a taste of his moments spent with the creme de la creme of British acting royalty and the lessons he learned from them over the years.

Some stories we have heard before whether online or through his numerous convention appearances. Some are completely new. Be prepared to be bowled over with laughter as well as shocked by some of the activities Tom got up to growing up. In the end, these little moments are what makes him the man everybody loves today!

Where I am most proud of Tom is the last few chapters. He has always been a great support to those battling with mental health. To see him be so brutally honest about his own struggles is to be commended. There is no glossing over his issues he has fought here, and by being so open while discussing them it may help someone else in the same situation not feel so alone.

The Memoir Tom has created here goes far beyond Harry Potter. The love for his family, co-stars, and fans ooze out of every page. As with everything he does, what you see is what you get and that is truly magical! – Lori

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“Beyond the Wand- the Magic & Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard” is a heartfelt peek behind the curtain of the magical world of the Harry Potter films and Tom Felton’s life journey, so far.

It’s a joy to read about the relationships he made, how these relationships affected him, and how British filmmakers protect their child actors and let them be kids first. The snippets of time we get to experience with him, especially with those actors who have since passed, make those of us who only know them from their characters feel a bit more connected.

There are ‘laugh out loud’ and ‘jaw drop’ moments, but it is the laid-bare, vulnerable parts where Tom shares his struggles with mental health, loneliness, loss, and addiction that are the real story here. His rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, the people who supported and loved him through it all, and the acknowledgement that mental health is a continuous process help us better understand his celebrity and who he is, or rather- who he has evolved into. 

A broomstick ride through the memories of someone who has experienced much in his 35 years and has finally figured out what it means to be a rich man. – BG

Tom Felton To Participate in the Wizarding Worlds Back To Hogwarts Event

It’s almost time for Witches and Wizards of all ages to descend on Kings Cross Station for the annual Back to Hogwarts Event taking place on September 1st. In addition to the multiple in person attractions taking place, Tom will be reminiscing about his time filming the magical series, and taking everybody on a tour of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. The segment will be livestreamed simultaneously on his, and the Wizarding World TikTok pages beginning at 7 pm BST.

Witches and wizards may have all manner of spells to make their lives easier, but at least we have TikTok, which enchants us in its own ways. This year, a very special guest in the shape of Tom Felton will be hosting a segment recorded at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter, which you can watch on 1st September with TikTok live. Draco Malfoy was famously a nuisance on the Hogwarts Express, but we’re sure his real-life counterpart will be as charming as ever. Expect Tom to take you on a trip down memory lane at the very place where he filmed the Harry Potter series, with some fun activities along the way. Fans can watch along on TikTok at @wizardingworld & @t22felton on 1st September at 7:00pm BST.

If you miss the livestream, it will be available for replay on the Wizarding World YouTube page. For more information on other events taking place during the celebration, click here.