With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 comes a sense of loss among fans everywhere. The conclusion of the most popular children’s book series of all time has been on the horizon for years, but now that the saga has finally been brought to a close, everyone is wondering how Harry Potter’s legacy will be continued. There are, of course, the traditional methods of obsessively rereading and rewatching the novels and movies, but there are also a few rather awesome and engaging ways to “relive the magic”.
Many may be familiar with the outrageously silly puppet parody videos, but for me at least, they never get old. Potter Puppet Pals has been around since 2003 (it really brings me back to the good old days), and the web series created by Neil Cicierega has seen immense popularity on YouTube since its resurfacing in 2007. The videos poke fun at the Harry Potter series in a ridiculous yet fresh way, and no fan has lived until viewing the dwellers of Hogwarts in puppet form. Check out the most popular video below:
With the extreme popularity of the series, available merchandise has grown from just T-shirts and posters. At the WB Shop you can find authentic replicas of dozens of items from the series, including characters’ wands, quills, Hogwarts acceptance letters, Gringotts Bank coins, invisibility cloaks, Golden Snitches and Sorting Hats. Oh, and they have T-shirts and posters, too, of course, along with House robes and sweaters.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The brand-new, much talked about addition to the Universal Resort in Orlando is probably the most enchanting way of experiencing Harry Potter. At the theme park one can explore Hogwarts and the shops of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, as well as go on Harry Potter-themed roller coasters. While this is the most extravagant (and expensive) option for Harry Potter fans, it is, from what I’ve heard, completely worthwhile. And if you don’t have the time or money to go on a trip to Harry Potter World anytime soon, there is always the cool virtual tour. The theme park also boasts exclusive merchandise of its own, which is available at the park as well as at their online gift shop.
Created by J.K. Rowling herself, Pottermore is a new website designed to offer a more complete experience of the Harry Potter stories, starting with the first, through content such as additional background and settings. Learning spells, being sorted into houses, and visiting Diagon Alley are also features accessible to users. Along with a digital experience of the books will be an online shop where eBook and digital audio copies of the novels can be purchased. Pottermore was launched on July 31, 2011 but was only available to the first one million people to register an account. On Oct. 1, 2011, the site will be available to everyone else who wishes to join. The entire concept of Pottermore is at the moment rather unclear, but more information will inevitably be available as the site nears its October release.
Although the books have been written and the movies have been filmed, all of the opportunities for fans to continue with their love for the series indicates that the world may not be ready to forget about Harry Potter just yet. In fact, the legacy of Harry Potter may thrive more now than it ever has.