Movie Theaters, Trolley Schedule Adjust For 'Harry Potter'

By Amber Lester Kennedy Thursday, November 18, 2010

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is the first part of a two-part final installment in the series.

The wizard-in-training has been keeping readers and movie fans up way past their bedtimes for a decade now, with midnight parties heralding the release of every book and film. Tonight, fans of the series will flock to the movie theaters for the first movie in a two-part final installment – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

The fever over the film’s release has led movie theaters in the area to devote the majority of their screens to showings of “Deathly Hallows.” Half of the Regal New Town Cinema’s 12 screens will be devoted to “Harry Potter.” The theater sold out of tickets to six midnight showings by Tuesday; the theater has added a 3 a.m. showing, to which a handful of fans had purchased tickets by Wednesday afternoon.

Movie Tavern at High Street will be showing the film on six screens at midnight. At Regal Kiln Creek, tickets are sold out for the midnight showing, but as of Wednesday, were available for shows at 12:20 a.m., 12:40 a.m. and 1 a.m.

Williamsburg Area Transport Authority is also getting into the Harry Potter spirit by extending trolley service from 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday morning. The trolley route will remain the same, including stops at both High Street’s Movie Tavern and New Town Cinema. WATA spokesman Gary Cosman said the city of Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary were concerned about the safety of students traveling to and from the movie theater, and also hoped to alleviate any parking constraints. The college’s Student Assembly and the city each paid half of the total cost of $488 for the extended hours; the service is available for riders of all ages, however.

For those who just can’t be up that late, the film will open Friday with several showings at area movie theaters. For tickets, click here for Movie Tavern, here for Regal New Town and here for Regal Kiln Creek.

For the trolley schedule, click here.