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Staying Up-to-Date at Infinitus
Sometimes, things change. And when they do, we want to tell you about it! Event updates,
room changes, news, reminders, tips from Tempus Tipster and more will be twittered
live via our Twitter feed. And in our (duh, duhduh dun!) *coming soon* iPhone and
Android app, which will have a stream of our Twitter on it. Watch the, homepage and
the twitter for more details.
Just a reminder – there are always last minute changes
and updates during conferences….things like newly added Meet-Ups, room changes, activities
and events that are good for you to know just as they're happening. So, during the
conference, we’ll be posting last minute updates via Twitter. So if you are not already
following @HPEF we highly recommend that you do! Get @HPEF updates sent to your cellphone
so you’ll be able to keep up to date with Team Infinitus during event week. Get updates
to any phone via SMS by texting follow HPEF to 40404 in the United States. (We will
be twittering a lot, so if you don’t want a lot of text messages, this may not be
for you.) Please note, standard text messaging rates may apply.
Volunteers
We’re getting down to the wire and we will all be at Infinitus soon! We
are still
in need of volunteers though. If you are interested in volunteering please
visit our volunteer page here: http://www.infinitus2010.org/volunteer.html . If you
get busy and forget in the hustle to get ready, that’s ok! We will also be signing
up volunteers on site. Be sure to drop by our room, Banda Sea 2, for more information
and see where you can be a part of Team Infinitus!
Don’t forget if you volunteer to work at least four hours you will be eligible for
some awesome prizes. We’ll be giving 10 lucky volunteers seats to the C&C Dessert
and two volunteers will also win the chance to meet the AVPS cast before everyone
else! And those are just two of our grand prizes.
As a final thank you we will also be having our Annual Volunteer Ice Cream Social
on Sunday at 3 p.m. We invite all our volunteers to come enjoy this cool treat and
mingle one last time with other volunteers. It will be the perfect ending to an epic
event thanks in large part of all our volunteers.
We cannot wait to see all of you at Infinitus!
~Christine Volunteer Chair
Things to know before you get to Infinitus
The Volunteers
Everyone
from the President of HPEF to our on-site staff are volunteers (and fellow attendees
just like you!). All of our volunteers have donated a lot of their time to make Infinitus
possible (some of them for as much as three years!) and we want everyone to have
as good a time as possible. That being said, we’re human and sometimes we don’t know
the latest programming updates or we forget which way one of the programming rooms
are or have to take a moment to look up your registration. So if you could, please
be a little patient with us, we would be more than happy to assist you with any questions
or issues you may be having. We can’t wait to meet all of you!
~Team Infinitus
A Note
about the Weather
Infinitus is taking place in Florida in mid-July. While our actual
conference programming will mostly take place inside very well air-conditioned conference
space (sometimes almost too air-conditioned, bring a sweater!), it’s going to be
quite warm in the parks and in Citywalk. Be sure to dress (and pack) appropriately,
drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen. Know your limits and feel free to grab
a Butterbeer and take a break in the shade every once in a while. Who knows, you
might strike up a great conversation with a new friend!
Important Links
Registering
Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Click here to read our Registration
Check-In Guidelines
If you wish to add items to your registration when you check-in, such as a t-shirt,
a luncheon or dessert, a ball ticket, tickets to the parks at Infinitus attendee
discounts, or make any
other payment, there will be a separate line on Thursday and
Friday; we may be able to do add-ons on Wednesday, but please consider Wednesday
our registration beta-test. Please pick up your packet first and then the registrars
will direct you to the add-on desk/station. Please be patient. The lines will likely
be long, as there are more than 2,400 of you, and only a handful of us! We will
try our best to get you through the line as quickly as possible, but some delays
will be inevitable.
We look forward to seeing you all in a few days!
Sincerely,
The
Registration Team
General Notes
We will have a limited amount of free WiFi in the conference
space, so you can check your email, find out the current wait-times at the Wizarding
World, grab a podcast, and more. We also will have a special app for iPhone and Android
users available in the next week. Keep your eye on our website and our Twitter for
downloading information.
Photo Session Pre-Sales Now Available!
Sign up today for professional
photos with Chris Rankin, Christian Coulson and the Team StarKid (A Very Potter Sequel)
cast! Photos will be processed onsite so you will be able to pick them up during
Infinitus.
Click here to order or to get more information: http://froggysphotos.com/?p=571
Getting
to Citywalk and the Parks
The Royal Pacific Resort is just a boat ride away from Citywalk
and the Universal Studios Theme Parks. Water taxis will run from all three Universal
Orlando hotels to CityWalk, which is about a five minute walk from the gates to Islands
of Adventure. The water taxis start running at about 7:30 a.m., and the last return
trip from City Walk is at around 2 p.m. There are pathways, too, if you’re going
between the hotels and CityWalk after two.
There are also shuttle buses that travel
between the hotels; they will make their last trip from the Royal Pacific to the
Portofino at about 11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday
morning after Saturday’s Ball and Wizard Rock.
Vendors coming to Infinitus
Welcome to our Vendors! Infinitus welcomes the following
vendors who will be joining us at the conference. They include:
The Vendor Room, which is located just inside the entrance to the Royal Pacific Resort
Conference Area, will be open:
- Thursday, July 15th, from 1 to 7 p.m.
- Friday, July 16th, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday , July 17th, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, July 18th, from 9 a.m. to noon
(optional for vendors)
The Vendor Room is open to all. All registrants are welcome to visit the vendor room
each day regardless of which day they are registered to attend Infinitus.
Just a reminder…
this list does not include the crafters who will be part of the Craft Faire on Thursday
evening in Pacifica 10.
Formal Programming Notes
We have an amazing line-up of Formal Programming sessions this year! The schedule,
summaries,
and presenter biographies can be found here: http://www.infinitus2010.org/ formal.html
If any changes occur to the schedule before hand, an announcement will be posted
to the website’s homepage and WordPress blog. If any changes occur to the schedule
during the conference, notices will be posted in the Formal Programming area. Also,
watch the Infinitus twitter feed (online, on your phone, or projected live in the
common room) for the most up-to-date information DURING Infinitus regarding Formal
Programming.
Also, please note that rooms will be cleared after each session and new queues will
start (if needed) for each session. This is for room capacity purposes and to keep
with the fire safety code. Please note, that queues will likely only be necessary
for the larger sessions. If you have a Merlin’s Circle registration, we’ve held a
few seats in the front of the room at the larger formal programming sessions for
you until five minutes before the session starts. If you have mobility issues, we’ve
asked the hotel to leave space for wheelchairs in each formal programming room, but
if you have any questions, please ask the Registration Desk on-site or email us at
registration@infinitus2010.org.
Thinking about volunteering? Why not volunteer as
a Formal Programming Prefect?! It’s fun and easy! For questions on what is involved
with being an FP Prefect, email: fpsubmissions@infinitus2010.org. We still have some
Prefect positions available, so get your name on the list now!
Or stop by one of our two Volunteer Orientations. The first of which will be on Wednesday
11-12 in the Coral Sea 1 room. Second one will be Thursday 10-11 in the Coral Sea
2 room.
See you at Infinitus Formal Programming!
-Robin Martin Formal Programming Chair
Night
of a Thousand Wizards
A note from registration:
Tickets to Night of a Thousand Wizards
are sold out. If you are on the waiting list, we are still waiting to hear if Universal
will be able to release additional tickets. But remember, all Infinitus registrants
can wear costumes to Islands of Adventure on July 16 after two in the afternoon if
they comply with Universal’s costume policy, which you can read here. Please read
the July 16 Costume Policies as the rules are set by Universal and they will be the
ones interpreting them. If you have questions, please direct your questions to them.
Thank you!
On July 16, 2010, when the rest of the Park guests start leaving at the 10 p.m. closing
time, you'll head over to the theater of The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad® for a special,
one-night-only presentation by some of the brilliant and creative minds behind The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Then, from about 11 p.m. until 1:30 a.m., Infinitus
attendees will have The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ all to themselves! Visit
the Three Broomsticks™ and the Hog's Head pub™, ride Dragon Challenge™, enjoy Flight
of the Hippogriff™, shop in magical stores like Zonko's™, Honeydukes™ and Filch's
Emporium of Confiscated Goods™, and, of course, experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden
Journey™!
Please note that Night of a Thousand Wizard tickets cannot be replaced if
lost. The Park ticket with the purple dot on it and the purple wristband are your
tickets into the event. You must have both with you to be able to attend the event,
and while in the park after 2 p.m. you must wear your badge visibly if you are in
costume. So, your badge is only needed in the park from 2-10 p.m. if you’re in costume.
NoaTW only requires the ticket and wristband that you will receive when you check-in
at Registration but again, if you are in costume, you must also wear your badge visibly.
MuggleCast will be hosting a live podcast in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
– in The Three Broomsticks™ to be exact – during our Night of A Thousand Wizards
event on July 16th! So if you happen to sit down for a Butterbeer, pull up a chair
and have a listen! According to MuggleCast, the podcast will be released online on
July 17th.
To learn more click here.
~ Heidi Tandy
Head of Night of a Thousand Wizards
The Kid’s Track
The Kids Track is managed by Miss Nava and The Fantastic Party Factory of South Florida.
Kids will meet notable authors, listen to presentations by experts and by their peers,
have fun crafting, playing games, discussing the Harry Potter books and films, and
more.
It is not a day-care situation, and at least one parent or legal guardian of any
child in the Kids’ Track program must remain at the Royal Pacific Resort Hotel while
said child is in the Kids’ Track program. Kids’ Track volunteers are subject to a
background check; they are not able to change diapers or assist children in the restroom,
and accordingly all children attending the Kids’ Track must be fully capable of using
the lavatories on their own.
What times do the Kids’ tracks run?
Friday (July 16): 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and
1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday (July 17): 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:30-6:00 p.m.
Please note that kids must be picked up at the precise end of each session; late
pickups will be assessed a $5 fee per minute late if the parent or legal guardian
is not in the pickup line by five minutes after the end of said session. Each child
must have his or her parent or guardian sign the Kids’ Track Agreement when first
checking in to the Kids Track. The Kids Track can be found in the Timor Sea rooms.
Programming
Updates
We’ve posted our menus for the feasts and add-on luncheons! Check ‘em out here: http://infinitus2010.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/menu/#more-823
If
you find the luncheon menus as tempting as we do, we’ll have tickets for the both
the Friday and Saturday luncheons at the Registration Desk. Friday’s lunch, “FTW!
Fandom-Trained Writers” features novelists Naomi Novik, RJ Anderson, Ali Wilgus,
Peg Kerr, Karen Healey and Sarah Rees Brennan, as they discuss going from writing
fanfic to writing best-selling and award-winning novels. Saturday’s luncheon features
Franchise Creative Director for Electronic Arts’ Bright Light studio, Kelvin Tuite
and EA marketer Brendan Docherty, who will give a behind-the-scenes look at the Harry
Potter video games.
Wizards of the Wardrobe: Designer Dress Robes Formal Fashion
Show
The Night of Frivolity Ball promises to be a night of fun, frolicking, and, most
importantly FORMAL FASHION!! And we at Wizards of the Wardrobe invite you to show
off your Formal Dress Robes and Outfits on the runway at this high profile, high
fashion event!! This is YOUR opportunity to make your mark by presenting your Night
of Frivolity Ball Ensemble on the catwalk before the event. Hosted by two of the
Wizarding World’s snappiest dressers, Lucius and Draco Malfoy, this event will set
the standard for what Wizards and Witches will be wearing this season! Gucci, Tommy
Hilfiger, Gladrags Wizardwear, Calvin Klein, Madam Malkin. These names define the
epitome of fashion in the Wizarding and Muggle World. And now your name can take
its rightful place alongside these Rulers of the Fashion Runway after you strut your
stuff in the Wizards of the Wardrobe: Designer Dress Robes Formal Fashion Show!!
Steam up the Catwalk on Saturday, July 17th at 1:30 p.m. in the Common Room (Presented
by Perseus & Draco LePage)
Wizards of the Wardrobe: Muggling Makeovers Fashion Competition
For the first time
ever, the Muggle Liason Department in conjunction with the wizards from Muggling
Makeovers will be hosting a live Muggling Fashion Show and Competition at Infinitus
2010! Win fabulous prizes by impressing our Celebrity Judges with your muggle-inspired
attire! Show the wizarding world what to wear when you walk in the non-wizarding
world! We want to see what you’ve got, so pull off those robes, don your most absurd
accoutrements and blend in if you can! Don’t forget to accessorize, accessorize,
accessorize! Make like a Muggle and be in the Common Room on Friday, July 16th at
1:30 p.m.!! (Presented by The Order of the Dragon)
Live at Infinitus!
Can’t attend
the MuggleCast during Night of a Thousand Wizards, or want MORE MuggleCast? Join
the podcasters Friday at 5 p.m. in Pacific 6* for a meet-up that will also be recorded!
They’ll be discussing recent Harry Potter news, your thoughts on the park, and more.
Now how awesome is that?!
Speaking of podcasts, don’t forget that on Saturday, July
17 at noon (in the Java Room) there will be a live PotterCast recording will feature
Melissa, John, and Frak at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, talking Potter, the Wizarding
World, the upcoming "Deathly Hallows" film, and much more. There’ll be free coffee!
(the Java Room, get it?)
And on Thursday, the Podcast!Palooza will take place from
5-6 p.m. in Pacifica 6 and feature Spinnerscast and Hogwarts Radio . Don’t miss
out on the fun!
And don't forget, we're all over the web so friend us, follow us and join us!
I would personally like to thank Jenn Clack, Heidi Tandy, Mary Markovinovic, Mazel
Jones, & Hedwig and The Squee Squad for their assistance with The Infinitum. You
guys are all-stars.
Do you have questions about anything in the Infinitum? Email us.
Trouble viewing the pictures in this file with Gmail? Make sure when it asks you
if you want to see the file in “https” format that you select “no”.
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