Harry Potter fans are fuming after they showed up to a themed event that was so disappointing it's being compared to the embarrassing hot mess that was Fyre Festival.
When you think of the magical world of Harry Potter, it doesn't really feel like something that can be half-a**ed. You think of fire-breathing dragons, mysterious hidden train platforms, headless ghosts and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
But those who attended the adults-only Harry Potter event in Montreal, Canada last Friday - run by a company called LOL Events - have said the experience that awaited them was far from magical, saying the whole thing felt like a 'total scam'.
In a now-deleted event description, the organisers promised to turn Montreal into a 'world of magical wonder', adding: "Indulge yourself with speciality themed alcoholic 'adult' drinks like Boozy Butterbear, Polyjuice Potion, Unicorn Blood, Hair Of The Multi-Headed Dog, and More!
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"Sample themed bites like Luna Love's Pudding, Ron Family Sweater Cookies, Cauldron Cakes, and Butterscotch Beer Popcorn."
It continued: "There will be lots of great food, magical photo opportunities, live music from DJ Dobs an the Porter Party Band, prized trivia, cornhole snitch toss, and much more."
The CA$50 (£29/US$37) ticket apparently included a 'free themed alcoholic drink', along with 'samples of wizard themed treats, unlimited access to photo opportunities, games, prized trivia, live music, debauchery and mischief'.
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However, what people found inside the venue wasn't quite what was billed.
Attendee Georgiana Elias told CBC she was one of the first in line for the event, which was supposed to begin at 6pm.
As guests started to enter half an hour later, Elias explained there was 'nothing magical' about what they found inside.
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She said: "It felt like we had our own little Montreal Fyre festival," referring to the 2017 music festival that left hundreds of people stranded in the Bahamas with limited water supplies.
She added: "It felt like a total scam."
The themed drinks turned out to be the likes of rum and coke and gin and tonic, while snacks were room-temperature pasta and beige supermarket appetisers speared with cocktail sticks.
As for being able to visit 'cobblestone alley to pick your wand (have it choose you)', attendees were faced with a table of wooden takeaway chopsticks still in their paper sleeves, which they could decorate with glitter.
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Elisa continued: "It was just so shockingly bad.
"I wouldn't even make an activity like this for children."
Many guests from the Montreal event and other versions of the event elsewhere have said attempts to have their tickets refunded have proved unsuccessful.
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A Facebook group called 'Cheated by LOL Event Group' has even been set up for people to discuss their issues with both the event itself and in trying to get their money back.
A YouTuber called NerdEJackie also documented her time at the event with a video, writing in the upload's description: "It seemed like a legitimate event and even the pictures LOL Event Group provided to MTL blog looked like Harry Potter pictures.
"They were even promoted as Harry Potter inspired, and never once contested or corrected the blogs that promoted them. This has taught me to now be suspicious of events and check social media before committing. Interestingly enough, this event took place in other cities before mine..."
She added: "What bothers me the most is that people spent their money making fabulous costumes, signs, travel expenses, babysitters, etc... to come and be scammed. We should be compensated for damages, not just ticket prices."
LADbible has reached out to LOL Events for comment.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/NerdEJackieTopics: Harry Potter, World News, News
