Wordless Wednesday: February 18, 2015
Wordless Wednesday: Fire In The Alley
Category: Diagon Alley
A Celebration of Harry Potter Begins Tomorrow At Universal Orlando
The Second Annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Begins tomorrow at Universal Orlando Resort
Beginning tomorrow, fans from around the world will come together to celebrate Harry Potter’s adventures at the second annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter.”
Hosted by Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros., this three-day event will allow fans to enjoy incredible experiences from Q&A sessions with some of their favorite Harry Potter film talent to exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and more.
A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort will include unforgettable experiences, such as:
· Q&A sessions with film talent and other special guests, including Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Michael Gambon (AlbusDumbledore), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
· A special opening event on Friday evening starring the Harry Potter film talent, MinaLima, and award-winning artist KazuKibuishi and more.
· A live duelling demonstration and wand combat masterclass hosted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, featuring the world’s only Wand Combat choreographer, Paul Harris
· A live demonstration with award-winning illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, who will be drawing some of the Harry Potter characters on stage in this interactive panel hosted by Scholastic.
· A look behind the scenes of the graphic props of the Harry Potter films with graphic designers, MinaLima
· A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo with unique and interactive exhibits from Warner Bros., Pottermore, Scholastic, MinaLima, Harry Potter: The Exhibition and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, including the opportunity to try on the Sorting Hat
· Special kids’ discussions and interactive experiences such as an exciting duelling demonstration and wand combat masterclasswith Paul Harris, an interactive ‘Dance Like a Beauxbatons and Battle Like a Durmstrang’ experience, as well as Harry Potter film trivia
· Park guests can enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and TheWizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida plus the iconic Hogwarts Express that transports guests between the two lands if they have a park-to-park ticket
· And more!
Access to select events within “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included in regular admission to Universal Studios. Admission to panel events will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the event and tickets, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/Celebration. To join the conversation, use #HPCelebration.
Follow us for more updates: Wordless Wednesday: The Tale Of The Three Brothers
Wordless Wednesday: January 28, 2014
Wordless Wednesday: Hidden Entrance
Wordless Wednesday – December 31, 2015
Wordless Wednesday – Celestina Takes The Stage
Wordless Wednesday – September 17, 2014
A Celebration of Harry Potter Event Announced
A Celebration of Harry Potter event will be returning to Universal Orlando Resort January 30 – February 1, 2015
The Universal Orlando Resort is again partnering with Warner Bros. to host the second annual A Celebration of Harry Potter event from January 30 to February 1, 2015.
Harry Potter fans from around the world will once again come together to spend three days celebrating the Boy That Lived’s story!
While All general admission park guests will have the chance to experience the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo, attend Q&A sessions with Harry Potter film talent, and visit the all-new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley you will have to wait in lines for the presentations and manage your time at the Expo. However the Team Members at the Universal Orlando Resort were super helpful!!!
If you want to make sure that you get the opportunity to attend all the presentations and want the chance to attend exclusive events, a limited number of exclusive event vacation packages—including annual passholder packages—will go on sale at noon (EST) on August 21.
These packages offer hotel accommodations, theme park tickets, and exclusive benefits including:
An exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
An evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade (one per person)
Reserved seating for select Celebration events
A specially themed Welcome Parcel
Complimentary commemorative merchandise item
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Packages for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort On Sale at Noon EST on August 21, 2014 |
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| On-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $219 per adult per night, tax inclusive |
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| On-Site Deluxe Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $285 per adult per night, tax inclusive |
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| Universal Partner Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $185 per adult per night, tax inclusive |
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To book special annual passholder event vacation packages, please call
1-888-343-8991 starting August 21, 2014 at noon EST.
Last year, these packages sold out within days!!! So if you want to be in the center of this celebration, make sure to set your alarms for noon (EST) on August 21, or buy your general admission theme park tickets for those dates now!
Check out the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” page for more details.
Last year’s A Celebration of Harry Potter was a blast, and I am really looking forward to the event returning to the Universal Orlando Resort!
An Introduction To Diagon Alley At Universal Orlando Resort
DISCLOSURE: I was an invited guest of the Universal Orlando Resort, and I was provided with admission, lodging, and promotional items for sharing my opinions, experiences, and thoughts.
An Introduction To Diagon Alley
At The Universal Orlando Resort
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley has been open at the Universal Orlando Resort for a short bit of time, and I was lucky enough to have a few days to take a a look at this amazing new area as an invited guest of the Resort!
In Diagon Alley you can dine at the Leaky Cauldron, watch as the wand chooses the wizard at Ollivanders, see some amazing Wizards perform, shop for wizarding supplies, and more as you walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter in his Wizarding World.
So let’s see if I remember this correctly…Three up…two across…
Welcome to Diagon Alley!
Diagon Alley Attractions
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Height Requirement: 42 inches
While all of Diagon Alley is stunning, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is truly the area’s crown jewel!
As you approach Gringotts Bank, you are greeted by a 60ft, seven-ton, fire-breathing Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon who breathes fire every 15 minutes!
Inside the archway, you walk through the bank’s grand marble lobby and see several goblins hard at work.
Then you grab a pair of 3D glasses for your journey through cavernous passageways that lead deep underground as you climb aboard the mine trains of Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
You’ll encounter Harry, Ron, and Hermione along the way, but you’ll have to evade the wrath of malicious villains Voldemort and Bellatrix as well as trolls and other creatures who stand between you and a safe return to Diagon Alley.
The Hogwarts Express
If you have a Park-to-Park admission ticket, you can pass through Platform 9 ¾ and board the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station in London, located inside Universal Studios Florida theme park, and travel to Hogsmeade Station, located inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park (right next door to Universal Studios). Or you can ride the train in the other direction!
This is the first time that Muggles have been allowed to board the Hogwarts Express, and it was quite the amazing trip!
Before you can board the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station, you’ll have to get to Platform 9 ¾ just like Harry Potter did so make sure you have your cameras ready for this fun photo opportunity! Once you are on the platform, you will be waiting to see the famous scarlet engine that will take you on a trip through the British countryside to Hogsmeade.
During the trip to Hogsmeade, and back to London, make sure that you keep your eyes peeled for cameos from characters from the books in the windows and compartment corridors. This is the part that really makes you feel like you have jumped into Harry Potter’s adventure!
To board the Hogwarts Express from Hogsmeade, you just need to travel right outside of the Village of Hogsmeade to the stone station for your return trip to London and Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley Dining
Leaky Cauldron
Cuisine: Cottage pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, stew, & much more.
Children’s Menu: Fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, and more.
Service Type: Pub Style
Dining Hours: Lunch and Dinner daily
The Leaky Cauldron offers a wide variety of British fare, Butterbeer, and the new specialty drinks of Diagon Alley in a setting that is fantastic.
The famous inn appears just as it does in the movie, including the amazing ceiling, so make sure you take a few moments to take in all the detail.
Pub Style of service means that once you order, you will receive your drink and be escorted to a table where you can relax and eat among fellow muggles!
Just in case you have a less than adventurous eater, the children’s menu is full of familiar favorites.
Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour
Cuisine: Scoop and soft-serve ice-creams, breakfast items, and drinks
Service Type: Counter
Hours: From park open to one hour before park closing
Magical displays of ice-cream cones welcome guests into this colourful, quaint ice-cream parlour where they can enjoy scoop and soft-serve ice-creams.
In the morning Florean Fortescue’s serves a continental breakfast with pastries, bottled Pumpkin Juice, teas, and water available.
There are some truly amazing flavors at Florean Fortescue’s!!! My next flavors to try are Chocolate Chili and Clotted Cream.
The Fountain of Fair Fortune
Cuisine: Diagon Alley Specialty Drinks, Custom Beers, and Muggle beverages
Service Type: Counter
Hours: From park open to one hour before park closing
The Fountain of Fair Fortune is also a great place to grab a Butterbeer, Frozen Butterbeer, Fishy Green Ale, Gillywater, Wizard’s Brew, Dragon Scale, Strongbow, Fuller’s London Pride, and Amstel Light.
The line to head into Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour are often times long, so if it is Butterbeer Ice Cream you seeking ducking into the Fountain of Fair Fortune is a better bet for grabbing this delight.
The Fountain of Fair Fortune, located across from the Magical Menagerie near Knockturn Alley.
The Hopping Pot
Cuisine: Diagon Alley Specialty Drinks, Snacks, and Muggle beverages
Service Type: Counter
Hours: From park open to one hour before park closing
Looking to grab a quick specialty Harry Potter drink and a light snack? Then The Hopping Pot is where you want to be!
This is an ideal location for a quick visit, because the line moves quickly and there are a ton of Team Members to speed things along!
While you are enjoying your beverage make sure you look up at all the advertisements!
Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment
Cuisine: Diagon Alley Specialty Gilly Water and Specialty Potions
Service Type: Counter
Hours: From park open to one hour before park closing
Water in Diagon Alley is ‘Gilly Water’, and it is available at several locations however you can take your Gilly Water experience to the next level by adding one of four potions to it for an additional $4.25.
The Four potions that you can purchase (with their corresponding flavors) are:
Fire Protection Potion: Watermelon
Babbling Beverage: Fruit Punch
Draught of Peace: Mixed Berry
Elixir to Induce Euphoria: Pineapple
Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment, located in the arcade across from the Carkitt Market stage.
Diagon Alley Shopping
Ollivanders
Ollivanders, makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, Ollivanders, is one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops and their Diagon Alley location is even bigger and better than ever!
You walk through hallways of thousands of towering wand boxes to be able to witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard in a larger area.
You are also able to purchase your own unique Ollivanders wand, select one of the many Harry Potter character wand replicas, as well as interactive wands.
I will be sharing more about the interactive wands soon, but they are awesome and add a layer of amazingness to your visit to both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes
Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes is exactly what you have ever wanted and more!!!
Here in Fred and George Weasleys’ shop you will find magical jokes, tricks, toys, treats (including Skiving Snackboxes), Pygmy Puff naming ceremonies, and more in a fantastic and colorful setting!
You will find all kinds of mischief and fun in Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, but make sure you look up to find the never-ending fireworks and an appearance by Dolores Umbridge!
Magical Menagerie
First years who are looking for an owl, toad, or toad have all made their way to the Magical Menagerie!
The Magical Menagerie is full of amazing animals such as Hippogriffs, unicorns, a crumple horned snorkack, and other magical creatures depicted in the Harry Potter books and movies.
You can purchase a variety of plush toys including Crookshanks, Fang, Buckbeak, Fluffy and Scabbers, cats of every color, ravens, sleek black rats, and fat white rabbits that transform to and from a silk top hat.
Again, make sure you spend some time looking around the store and their windows of exotic animals!
Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
Looking for wizardwear to represent your Hogwarts house? At Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions you will find a selection of authentic wizard’s robes, character costumes from the movies, and more.
Here is where you can buy your Hogwarts school uniforms, ties, scarves, sweaters, and cardigans. YOu will also find apparel, jewelry, and fashion items inspired by the four school houses of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin.
There are also new wizard hats that are super fun!
I am seriously thinking that I may need some Ravenclaw wizardwear….
Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
Located at the exit from Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment is full of wizarding wares and supplies in a celestial backdrop.
Crystal balls, telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses line the shelves of this unique selection of apparel and accessory products from your favorite Hogwarts house!
Quality Quidditch Supplies
If you are looking for a place to purchase Quaffle balls, Quidditch brooms, Quidditch apparel and team souvenirs you have come to the right place!
Quality Quidditch Supplies is the destination to find everything you will need to play and be a fan of the most popular sport in the wizarding world!
Borgin and Burkes
When you head down into the darkness of Knockturn Alley, you can find shelves of Dark objects and Death Eater merchandise lining the shelves of this antiquated Borgin and Burkes.
The store is packed full of a fascinating, eclectic collection of Dark Arts objects and racks of Death Eater masks, skulls, and costume replicas.
The shop also sells apparel, accessories, jewelry, collectibles, and gifts.
It is definitely one of my favorite spots to explore in Diagon Alley!
Diagon Alley Special Places
Money Exchange
The Gringott’s Money Exchange is a separate location, next to Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment and across from Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment under the arcade in Diagon Alley, where you can exchange Muggle money for Gringott’s Bank Notes.
This is a really cool experience, because you get to interact with animatronic goblin who oversees the exchange of currency.
These Bank Notes can be spent anywhere, but I have a feeling that most people will save them instead of spending them.
Carkitt Market Stage
The Carkitt Market Stage under the arcade in Diagon Alley is where you can find some amazing entertainment options!
Guests will be able to watch as two of the The Tales of Beedle the Bard are performed by a troupe of four students from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts.
The Tale of the Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune will be presented as a trunk show utilizing stylized props and puppetry from award winning designer Michael Curry.
Also, the Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees will perform never-heard-before songs “A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love,” “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart” and “You Charmed the Heart Right Out Of Me”.
As you can see Diagon Alley is full of some really unique and amazing places, and I can’t wait to share more about my adventures!
What are you most excited about seeing on your visit to Diagon Alley?
Make sure you keep up with our adventures as we are On the Go on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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Wordless Wednesday: Magical Luggage
Wordless Wednesday – August 6, 2014
Diagon Alley: The Tale of the Three Brothers
The Tale of the Three Brothers can be seen at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite entertainment options in all of the Orlando area Theme Parks .
On the Carkitt Market Stage, you will find daily (weather permitting) live performances from a singing sorceress and watch as The Tales of Beedle the Bard come to life.
There are no published performance times for these shows, so when you see technicians setting up the area make sure you pop on over to see who will be performing!
A troupe of four from the esteemed Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts perform two fables from The Tales of Beedle the Bard – The Fountain of Good Fortune and The Tale of the Three Brothers that was in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
The Tale of the Three Brothers is a Puppetry Trunk Show that utilizes special effects, scenic pieces, props, and fantastic puppets.
The props and puppetry for this show have been fabricated by Emmy-Award-Winning designer Michael Curry. They are truly spectacular!
And now lets join Beckett, Virginia (You can call her Virg), Samuel, and Darcy for The Tale of the Three Brothers from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter Twenty-One, with pictures from their The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley performance.
Diagon Alley: The Tale of the Three Brothers
“There were once three brothers who were traveling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across.. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts, and so they simply waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure.
And Death spoke to them. He was angry that he had been cheated out of three new victims, for travelers usually drowned in the river. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate the three brothers upon their magic and said that each had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade him.
So the oldest brother, who was a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death! So Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river, fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there, and gave it to the oldest brother.
Then the second brother, who was an arrogant man, decided that he wanted to humiliate Death still further, and asked for the power to recall others from Death. So Death picked up a stone from the riverbank and gave it to the second brother, and told him that the stone would have the power to bring back the dead.
And then Death asked the third and youngest brother what he would like. The youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers, and he did not trust Death. So he asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death. And death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility.
Then Death stood aside and allowed the three brothers to continue on their way, and they did so, talking with wonder of the adventure they had had, and admiring Death’s gifts. In due course the brothers separated, each for his own destination.
The first brother traveled on for a week or more, and reaching a distant village, sought out a fellow wizard with whom he had a quarrel. Naturally with the Elder Wand as his weapon, he could not fail to win the duel that followed. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor, the oldest brother proceeded to an inn, where he boasted loudly of the powerful wand he had snatched from Death himself, and of how it made him invincible.
That very night, another wizard crept upon the oldest brother as he lay, wine-sodden, upon his bed. The theif took the wand and, for good measure, slit the oldest brother’s throat.
And so Death took the first brother for his own.
Meanwhile, the second brother journeyed to his own home, where he lived alone. Here he took out the stone that had the power to recall the dead, and turned it thrice in his hand. To his amazement and his delight, the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry, before her untimely death, appeared at once before him.
Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him as by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, killed himself so as truly to join her.
And so Death took the second brother for his own.
But though Death searched for the third brother for many years, he was never able to find him. It was only when he had attained a great age that the youngest brother finally took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son.
And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life.”
ALL THE GOOSEBUMPS!!!!
I hope that you enjoyed this post, and I cannot wait to share more of my favorite details from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley!
To keep up with all of our adventures, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!!!
My pal John from BigFatPanda.com has an AMAZING video of the show, so make sure you check it (and his other videos) out!
httpv://youtu.be/Jc0QiyuT9lY
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Pick Six: Diagon Alley Tips and Tricks
Pick Six: Diagon Alley Tips and Tricks
With the Grand Opening of Diagon Alley today, I thought I would share some of time saving tips and tricks!
1. The Dragon’s Fire
The a 60ft, seven-ton, fire-breathing Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon breathes fire every 15 minutes, and there is a loud build up so you have plenty of time to get your camera ready!
It was awesome!
My favorite spot to watch from is the stairs to nowhere, just behind Hagrid’s Motorbike next to Gringott’s. It was great seeing the expressions on people’s faces as they watched for the first time!
2. Potions
Water in Diagon Alley is ‘Gilly Water’, and it is available only at a few Diagon Alley food and beverage locations for $4.00.
But to take your Gilly Water experience to the next level, you can add one of four potions to it for an additional $4.25 at Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment, located in the arcade across from the stage.
The Four potions that you can purchase (with their coresponding flavors) are:
Fire Protection Potion: Watermelon
Babbling Beverage: Fruit Punch
Draught of Peace: Mixed Berry
Elixir to Induce Euphoria: Pineapple
If you want to try a potion, but want to skip out on the Gilly Water you can purchase the vial and add it to your own water.
3. Gringott’s Money Exchange
At the Gringott’s Money Exchange, you can exchange Muggle money for Gringott’s Bank Notes.
The Gringott’s Money Exchange is a separate location, next to Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment and across from Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment under the arcade in Diagon Alley.
This is a really cool experience, because you get to interact with animatronic goblin who oversees the exchange of currency.
These Bank Notes can be spent anywhere, but I have a feeling that most people will save them instead of spending them.
4. Pram Parking
There are several adorable signs that say ‘Pram Parking’ throughout the arcade in Diagon Alley.
With the streets being uneven, large crowds, tight walkways, and stores with intricate displays, having a place to park your pram out of the way is a great idea.
Pram parking is located just to the right of Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, and you will find a helpful witch or wizard there to help you.
5. Butterbeer Ice Cream
Butterbeer Ice Cream is my everything! In my eyes, it is the perfect ice cream of all time.
That being said, the line to head into Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour are often times long.
But if it is Butterbeer Ice Cream you are seeking, you can head over to the Fountain of Fair Fortune, located across from the Magical Menagerie near Knockturn Alley.
The Fountain of Fair Fortune is also a great place to grab a Butterbeer, Frozen Butterbeer, Fishy Green Ale, Gillywater, Wizard’s Brew, Dragon Scale, Strongbow, Fuller’s London Pride, and Amstel Light.
6. When it rains it pours
When it rains, and often times it does rain in Orlando, Diagon Alley is my new favorite place to visit!
With an arcade over most of the open areas, tons of shops, and ample covered spaces there are a lot of great places to duck into while you wait out the storm.
My favorite place to go though, is Knockturn Alley! This sinister place is completely covered, and is home to what might be my favorite shop Borgin and Burkes!
Plus, there are a lot of interactive wand experiences in this area to keep little ones occupied as you wander the dark alley ways.
We will be covering more about Diagon Alley at the Universal Orlando Resort, so make sure you keep up with our adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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