Ankeny Theater Ready for Harry Potter Anticipation

The magic of Harry Potter is quickly spreading over movie patrons and theater employees alike this week.

Luther Gruike, 16, and Brett Hull, 17, both of Slater, purchased their tickets Monday for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," which debuts at midnight on Friday at Springwood 9 Theatres, located at 2829 S. Ankeny Blvd.

"We're just making sure we get our tickets before we miss our chance," Gruike said.

Assistant Manager Kelli Mostek said about 600 of 1,000 tickets for the midnight movie had sold by Tuesday evening, and "I have no doubt we'll sell out Thursday sometime."

Springwood 9 Theatres is showing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," in two theaters at 9 p.m. before playing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2", in six theaters at midnight.

Staff at the theater is preparing for the capacity crowd by scheduling extra employees to make popcorn and staff concessions registers. General Manager Adam Nihart said the theater was doubling its usual staff of seven or eight employees.

"It's going to be very late and tired," employee Megan Frazier said.

"It's always stressful, especially because it's such a big movie," Mostek said. "But it's fun, too, because it makes the time go so much faster ... It's hard not to have fun with (the audiences)."

Springwood 9 Theatres has hosted other midnight debuts, including the Twilight and Pirates of the Caribbean series.

However, Mostek said, the debut of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," is the first time the theater is also organizing activities in the parking lot before the double feature.

"We just thought let's make it a little more fun," she said.

Starting at 3 p.m., the theater will have music by a DJ, grill hot dogs and hamburgers and host trivia and costume contests.

"Harry Potter, we've definitely had people dress up for that, and I hope that it will happen again," Nihart said.

Mostek described some Harry Potter fans as "die-hards."

"I think last time we had people camp out pretty much," she said of crowds that started forming at 8 a.m. for the midnight showing of the last film.

"The atmosphere is always really positive and exciting for a midnight show. They laugh really hard at the funny parts and applaud," employee Kristi Omundson said.

Employee Cassandra Kendall said, "It's going to be very exciting, because afterward we get to see it."