Today we have a bunch of new updates on the Diagon Alley expansion at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. Thanks to SnitchSeeker for all the news! We’ve been on our way to Orlando all say so we missed the days events.

• Zonko’s joke shop, located in Hogsmeade, will close after the Diagon Alley park opens this summer. The items currently sold at Zonko’s will be incorporated into the Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes shop at the new Diagon Alley venue.
• Honeydukes sweet shop will expand into the Zonko’s location.
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is going to be the main attraction in Diagon Alley
• Thierry Coup of Universal confirmed to SnitchSeeker that there will be actors featured on the Gringotts attraction, but it will be “new faces this time.”

New shops have also been announced and are as follows, again thanks to SnitchSeeker.

• Borgin and Burkes, the only shop announced so far for Knockturn Alley, will feature death eater masks, skulls, and other novelty items
• Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, which will offer Hogwarts school ties, scarves and jumpers, wizard robes and character costumes.
• Magical Menagerie, which will offer plush animals like owls and hippogriffs.
• Quality Quidditch Supplies, where guests can buy Quidditch sweaters, brooms, snitches, bludger bats, quaffles, etc.
• Scribbulus, which will sell feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards.
• Previously announced shops include: The Leaky Cauldron restaurant, a three-story Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, and a larger Ollivanders wand shop.

Goldcrest Films has just announced that Daniel Radcliffe is set to star in their upcoming film Brooklyn Bridge. The film is set to shoot in August 2014 and subsequent casting announcements, including the lead actress, are anticipated to follow swiftly.  According to the press release sent to us this morning,

Inspired by true events, the brilliant but inexperienced engineer Washington Roebling (Radcliffe) is left to oversee the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge when his father passes away. Besieged by calamity, danger and doubt, Washington’s obsession threatens his health and to drive his family apart until he discovers he has an improbable ally… his charming and shrewd wife Emily.

Notes Pascal Degove, Managing Director Goldcrest Films: “Having Daniel’s involvement is a massive coup for the film, not only is he perfect for the role, but he’s consistently proved himself to be one of the very few actors who is genuinely a massive draw for audiences of all ages.”

“We love Doug’s extraordinary script and working with Daniel is one of the rare treats in the business …this is thrilling for everyone at Killer” comments producer Christine Vachon.

The Celebration of Harry Potter mini-site has been updated with new details on the weekends events such as timing and what to expect. Evanna Lynch, James & Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams and Matthew Lewis will be in attendance at the event as well as some of the crew members from the Potter films. See the new information below:

Harry Potter™ Tribute
Friday, January 24 at 7:30pm
Universal Studios® – Music Plaza Stage
On January 24th, the celebration’s festivities officially kick off with a special Friday evening event starring several of the cast members of the Harry Potter™ film series and award-winning illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, who recently reimagined the Harry Potter™ book covers. You’ll enjoy film clips, Q&A sessions with the cast members, and a first glimpse at exclusive new details about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™, opening Summer 2014.

My Life on the Harry Potter™ Film Set: Talent Q&A’s
Saturday, January 25 at 10:00am & 2:00pm
Sunday, January 26 at 3:30pm
Universal’s Islands of Adventure® – Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Enjoy a fascinating and entertaining panel discussion featuring some of your favorite actors from the Harry Potter™ films. Learn what it’s like to work on a major motion picture and be part of film history.

Duelling Demonstrations & Wand Combat Masterclass with Paul Harris
Saturday, January 25 at 3:30pm
Sunday, January 26 at 11:30am
Universal’s Islands of Adventure® – Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Discover the art of duelling and delve into the world of wand combat as Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter™ presents a spellbinding masterclass with the world’s only Wand Combat Choreographer Paul Harris. Paul choreographed the epic battle scenes in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and will be on hand to teach you the technique behind wielding a wand – with the help of a special guest.

Graphic Design for the Harry Potter™ Films with MinaLima
Sunday, January 26 at 11:30am
Universal’s Islands of Adventure® – Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, from the graphic design studio MinaLima will share insights into their role as Graphic Prop Designers, and how their paths crossed at the WB film studios to work for ten years on the Harry Potter™ movies. They will discuss and show some of the iconic props they created for the Harry Potter™ films including the Marauder’s Map, the Daily Prophet™ and The Quibbler, amongst others.

Bringing the Harry Potter™ Films to the Theme Park – Set and Prop Design
Sunday, January 26 at 10:00am
Universal’s Islands of Adventure® – Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Harry Potter™ film and theme park Set Designer Alan Gilmore and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Prop Master Eric Baker present a look at how ideas move from the books to the silver screen, and then become real life theme park experiences.

Go Behind the Scenes of Pottermore.com™ from J.K. Rowling
Saturday, January 25 at 11:30am
Universal’s Islands of Adventure® – Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater
Pottermore’s Creative Director gives an exclusive insight into the creation of Moment artwork for Pottermore.com, and a look at the next installment of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Plus, get ready for an exclusive reveal as he shares his favorite upcoming new entry from J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Friday, January 24 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26 from 9:00am to 7:00pm
Universal Studios® – Soundstage 33
Costumes
Get an up-close look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter™ film series. The costumes on display are provided by Harry Potter™: The Exhibition, currently on tour in Edmonton, Canada.

The Sorting Hat™ Experience
Are you a Gryffindor™, or a Slytherin™? A Hufflepuff™? Perhaps a Ravenclaw™? At the beginning of each school year The Sorting Hat™ sorts new Hogwarts™ students into their house, and you’ll have the opportunity to get sorted in a Great Hall setting…sponsored by Harry Potter™: The Exhibition.

Universal has released the 4th teaser trailer for the Diagon Alley expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. This trailer shows us Gringotts, which leads us to believe that there will be a themed ride based on the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II.

The official Harry Potter twitter account revealed this afternoon that Matthew Lewis and Mark Williams will be joining Evanna Lynch, James Phelps and Oliver Phelps at “A Celebration of Harry Potter” this weekend!  They are asking for fan questions that will be answered throughout the event.

Magical-Menagerie will be in attendance at the event to bring you all the news!

Last year, Daniel Radcliffe appeared in the West End production of ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’, a comedy about a young man (Daniel) with a sea of troubles who tries to become a movie star. The play will be coming to New York this April through July. According to The New York Times:

The production, which was mounted in London last summer by the Tony Award-winning director Michael Grandage (“Red”), will begin running at the Cort Theater on April 12, less than two weeks after the closing performance of the Cort’s current double-bill, “Waiting for Godot” and “No Man’s Land.”

Such a quick turnaround is relatively rare for a Broadway theater, but the timing accommodates the schedules of Mr. Radcliffe (best known from the “Harry Potter” movies) and Mr. Grandage while allowing for an official opening at the play’s April 20 matinee — just in time for the April 24 eligibility cut-off for Tony award nominations. Mr. Radcliffe was a surprise Tony snub in 2011 when he was passed over for a nomination for his lead performance in the Broadway revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” He has also starred on Broadway in the 2008 revival of the play “Equus.”

[…]

The new production, which is scheduled to run through July 20, will feature the same cast from London. The Broadway run is being mounted by Mr. Grandage’s producing company as well as Arielle Tepper Madover and several other New York theater producers.

Thanks to SnitchSeeker for the tip!