During the Diagon Alley Media & VIP Preview last week we got to participate in a bunch of Q&A sessions with cast members. Today we’re sharing one of the talent panels featuring on-screen relatives Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Felton.

Book your vacation to Diagon Alley now!

Scholastic has announced today that they will be having a month long celebration in honor of Harry Potter’s birthday on July 31st. Also, today marks the 17th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone being released in the UK. How time flies!

In honor of Harry’s birthday (July 31), The Scholastic Store is dedicating the entire month of July to Harry Potter and inviting fans and new readers of all ages to start their journeys to Hogwarts. For every copy of Harry Potter purchased in July, The Scholastic Store will donate a copy to The Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that provides books and pajamas to children in need.

To bring the magic of Harry Potter to a new generation of young readers, The Scholastic Store will hold daily activities from 1p.m. – 4 p.m. every day, including:

• Creature Feature Sunday: We’ll feature a different animal from Harry’s world every Sunday.
• Muggle Mondays: Muggles (non-magical people) can try Hogwarts classes such as Divination and Potions.
• Trivia Tuesday: Put your Harry Potter knowledge to the test. Answer a trivia question in store to win a prize.
• Wizard-Craft Wednesdays: Kids can use their own creative magic and get crafty!
• Three Broomsticks Thursdays: Visiting Muggles can sample specialties from the Three Broomsticks.
• Fun Fact Fridays: Check our Facebook page for a new Fun Fact video from the Harry Potter team of Scholastic editors including Arthur A. Levine and Cheryl Klein!
• House Party Saturdays: Each week ends with a celebration in the style of each Hogwarts house (Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor)!
  *Special Harry Potter birthday at the Gryffindor House Party on Saturday, July 26 with crafts, games, costumed characters, and more!

“Over the past 16 years, we’ve watched tons of children and adults discover the joy of reading through Harry Potter,” said Michael Strouse, General Manager of The Scholastic Store. “We’re excited to help share the magic of Harry Potter with new readers as they start their own journeys to Hogwarts. The Scholastic Store is thrilled to be working with The Pajama Program by donating Harry Potter books to join their mission to help kids in need.”

On July 31^st, members from The Pajama Program will visit The Store to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday and receive their books. Details for daily events are available at facebook.com/ScholasticStore.

Thursday morning after we had Q&As with all the cast members,  Ric Florell, Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations at Universal and Chef Jayson gave us an overview of Diagon Alley food and beverage experiences. Later at lunch we got to sample some of the food and, as always, I went straight to the Fish & Chips, one of my favorite meals. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  I also enjoyed Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, which had cinnamon around the rim of the cup. It had a very interesting flavor, but I enjoyed it.  Then, for dessert my group and I shared the sticky toffee pudding: so good!

If you want a more in depth review of the food, check out our friend Kat’s (of Mugglenet) food recap!

Book your vacation to Diagon Alley now!

During the Diagon Alley Media & VIP Preview last week we got to participate in a bunch of Q&A sessions with cast members.  Today we’re sharing one of the talent panels featuring Warwick Davis, Robbie Coltrane and Domhnall Gleeson.

Book your vacation to Diagon Alley now!

The new Diagon Alley expansion at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida will have various entertainment options available.  At the Preview event last week, we were able to view two of those performances.

First up is The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a puppet show performed by thespians from WADA (Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts). We really enjoyed this performance, especially since the Three Brothers scene in the movie was one of our favorite moments.

Next we saw Celestina Warbeck perform, while Celestina isn’t a huge part of the books she is mentioned a couple times as one of Mrs Weasley’s favorite singers.  With so little go on from the books the creators of the show did an AMAZING job.  It really feels like you are in the wizarding world watching one of their famous singers.  And, while the songs are about magic, we could picture ourselves singing along with these songs.

The Tale of the Three Brothers: The Tales of Beedle the Bard show in Carkitt Market – a new stage show that retells two famed tales from Beedle the Bard with props and puppetry.


The Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees Performance in Carkitt Market – a musical performance featuring the ever-popular singing sensation of the wizarding world, known from the books as Molly Weasley’s favorite singer.

Book your vacation to Diagon Alley now!

Throughout the week we will be sharing various videos from last week’s Diagon Alley Media preview.  First up is a panel featuring members of Universal Creative; Alan Gilmore, Theirry Coup, Mark Woodbury and Dale Mason. They were involved in the creative development for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley talk about the park.

Book your vacation to Diagon Alley now!