The wait is over. Accio your popcorn and tickets; “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1” is here.
Students have been waiting for the Friday release and have prepared for opening day by buying their tickets in advance.
Harry Potter fans will invade Regal Gainesville Cinema 14, 3101 SW 35th Blvd., for the first showing at 12:01 a.m.
Debbie Lee, a 19-year-old UF marketing sophomore, said she bought her tickets about a month ago. She said she is beyond excited to see the movie.
Audra Lewis, a 21-year-old UF agricultural communication and leadership development senior, said she plans to arrive at the theater at about 11 p.m. to make sure she has the best seats possible.
Lee plans to arrive an hour and a half early.
The corporate office of Regal Cinema was unable to provide specific local information about increased staff and preparation.
According to fandango.com, all 14 of the midnight showings have been sold out. Tickets for the showing at 3:15 a.m. are still being sold.
Harry Potter fanatics will dress in themed attire from the movie to show their excitement for the new installment.
“I’ve always wanted to dress up,” Lewis said. “Since this is the last book, it may be the perfect occasion.”
She plans to dress up as Ginny Weasley, sister of Ron Weasley from the series.
Students have been looking forward to the movie since July 17, 2009, when “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the previous installment in the film series, was released.
Sarah Faulkner, a 20-year-old UF advertising junior, said she is so excited for the movie and that she no longer has to have a countdown.
“I love the books and movies and would drop anything to watch them,” Faulkner said. “If I could live at Hogwarts, I would.”
“I’m pretty excited,” Lewis said. “I’ve read every book and seen every single movie on the midnight they have been released.”
Sara Kaner, a 19-year-old UF public relations and psychology junior, said she and her roommates have been getting into the Harry Potter mood by watching all of the movies before the premiere.
Lewis said she expects the movie to be entertaining as usual, but she knows the movie will leave out some details from the book.
“The movies have gotten better and better with each new release, so I’m hoping that this is no different,” Kaner said.
She said she wishes she could be seeing both parts to the last installment, but she’s glad that she’ll finally be seeing the first part of the last movie.
As of now, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2,” the final movie in the series, has a release date of July 15, 2011.
