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'Harry Potter' walkthrough experience and big upcoming Disney news: This month in family travel

Aug. 30, 2022
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6 min read
Iron Gwazi Busche Gardens Tampa Bay
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I am writing this on the heels of a whirlwind three-night visit to Disney World (be on the lookout for many, many stories about that trip soon) and days away from repacking my suitcase for a return trip to Orlando for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.

I obviously spend too much time in Florida, but you don't have to visit the Sunshine State to get your fill of themed experiences.

This month, I'm sharing a pair of wildly different — but equally immersive — experiences themed to popular entertainment franchises. I'll also provide details on how you can follow along with an upcoming event where Disney releases all the biggest news on what's coming next for its theme parks, cruise ships and more.

Magical 'Harry Potter' walkthrough experience comes to Chicago

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"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" — the first in a series of seven books and eight movies that sparked a cultural phenomenon — has maintained a stronghold on aspiring wizards and witches of all ages for more than 25 years.

Beginning this fall, fans of the series can step into Harry's magical world at the interactive Harry Potter: Magic at Play experience.

The event launches on Nov. 11, 2022, at Water Tower Place in Chicago and runs through May 14, 2023. The transformed space will lead guests on a journey through familiar settings from the books and films. Highlights include Harry's home at 4 Privet Drive, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Forbidden Forest and more.

Guests will have the opportunity to practice their spellcasting, hone their Quidditch skills and sip Butterbeer.

Tickets are available now and pricing begins at $37.50 for adults and $29.50 for children age 9 and under.

Visit Hawkins and the 'Upside Down' in San Francisco and London

Demogorgon from Stranger Things
NETFLIX

If Demogorgons and Dungeons and Dragons are more your speed, join Eleven, Mike, Will and the gang on their mission to save Hawkins, Indiana, — and the world — from whatever weirdness is happening over in Hawkins National Laboratory.

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Stranger Things: The Experience is more than a walkthrough, it's an immersive theatrical performance where you just happen to be one of the stars of the show.

Rather than following the storyline of the show, the creators of Stranger Things: The Experience developed an original storyline where you are a study participant at Hawkins National Laboratory, much like Eleven was in the first season of the show (though you're there as a volunteer test subject).

Of course, if you've seen the show, you know the experiments in the lab aren't as innocent as they seem and you'll soon be forced to test your powers in the Upside Down as you face the otherworldly creatures from the hit Netflix show.

You can also participate in more low-stakes activities like visiting an 80s-style arcade, eating ice cream at Scoops Ahoy and snapping pictures in a variety of themed photo ops.

Tickets for Stranger Things: The Experience are currently on sale for both San Francisco and London venues. Additional cities will be announced in the future. Standard admission starts at $58 for adults and $44 for kids ages 5 to 17, though it is only recommended for ages 13 and up and kids under 5 will not be admitted.

How to tune in to major upcoming Disney parks news

AARONP/BAUER-GRIFFIN/GC IMAGES AND KENT PHILLIPS/ABC/GETTY IMAGES

As I write this month's roundup, we are just over two weeks away from the ultimate Disney fan event.

The D23 Expo takes place every two years in Anaheim, California. The event gives Disney nerds a sneak peek at new Disney films and shows, and the chance to see rare footage from classic Disney movies, hear from legendary Disney animators and Imagineers, shop for exclusive merchandise and so much more. This year's event takes place from Sept. 9-11, 2022.

Most importantly for someone like me who so often writes about Disney's theme parks, this is the event where Disney always drops the biggest announcements for its parks and cruise ships.

During this event in 2017, Disney announced they would build a "Guardians of the Galaxy" coaster and an immersive "Star Wars" hotel at Disney World and a Marvel super hero themed land at Disney California Adventure.

In 2019, we learned more about Epcot's monumental transformation, the new Disney Genie trip-planning service and details of Disney Cruise Line's first new ship in a decade, the Disney Wish.

This is the first year I'll cover the event in person so I can bring you Disney's newest dreams ASAP. I cannot wait to find out what this year's expo will bring. I certainly hope you'll stick around for my coverage, but if you are as deep into the Disney fandom as I am, you can follow along with the D23 Expo from home.

Many of the panels throughout the weekend will be live streamed, including the Disney Parks, Experiences and Panels panel where all the big news gets dropped. You can see the full streaming schedule and viewing instructions on the D23 Expo website.

Recent family travel news from TPG

Featured image by BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.