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You are here: Home / Archives for Harry Potter

Plan A Trip To The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley Universal Orlando Studios

January 23, 2014 by Momstart 1 Comment

Last year when I was at the Momitforward Family Forward conference we saw the earliest sneak peak of Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley Universal Orlando Studios. It looked amazing then and we saw where it’s being built behind fences. I mean, last year was our first time to go to Universal Orlando Studios period and we loved it. The kids loved it, so I’m super excited to be going back again this year to see a new addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I wish I was there for the opening of Diagon Alley!!!

But I know that my patience will pay off. I’ll be heading there with my family this August. I was looking on Universal’s website and prices are amazing right now, and they have some really great hotel packages too. Now is the time to book your vacation and you’ll get to check out the World of Harry Potter!

Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. Guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway from the films into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city.  There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.

Never before has a theme park created a guest experience like this: you climb aboard the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade and moments later arrive at King’s Cross Station – where the wonders of London and Diagon Alley unfold before you.  And it is all real.Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. There will be shops, dining experiences - including Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.

Reading all about this is really making me crave some butter beer, oh that stuff is delicious. And my husband wants to take his want back to Ollivanders and ask him if he could put more magic in it. The guys that work for him at work, just aren’t listening. Visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops. Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.

Universal Orlando launched a global phenomenon when it opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at its Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010.  That area includes the iconic Hogwarts castle – which houses the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction – and the village of Hogsmeade.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be located within Universal Orlando’s second theme park, Universal Studios, and will create new experiences based on the signature areas of London, Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. Just like in the books and films – guests will be able to board the Hogwarts Express and travel between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which opened in June 2010 at Islands of Adventure, and London when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley opens at Universal Studios Florida.  The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required.

Universal’s creative team has been working closely with Stuart Craig and the production team from the Harry Potter films to make the new area as authentic and spectacular as possible – just as it did with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.

Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. Just like in the books and films – guests will be able to board the Hogwarts Express and travel between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which opened in June 2010 at Islands of Adventure, and London when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley opens at Universal Studios Florida.  The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required.

After arriving at King’s Cross Station aboard the Hogwarts Express, guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway from the films into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city.  There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.  Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. Guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway from the films into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city.  There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will give visitors the exciting opportunity to: 

· Board the Hogwarts Express and journey between London’s King’s Cross Station (located in Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade Station (located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure). The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required. 

· Experience a groundbreaking new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which will place riders in the middle of an incredible adventure as they navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults

· Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops

· Discover the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley, the darkest of dark places that features Borgin and Burkes – a shop specializing in the Dark Arts that will offer a wide variety of Dark objects, such as Death Eater masks, skulls, and other sinister items

· Explore some of Diagon Alley’s famous shops, including: Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.

One of Diagon Alley’s shops is Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes - a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone.

o Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone

o Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where guests will find a variety of wizardwear from Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes

o Magical Menagerie, which features a collection of plush animals, such as owls and Hippogriffs

o Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses

o Quality Quidditch Supplies, offering a wide assortment of apparel and equipment including Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more

o Scribbulus, featuring authentic writing implements and products such as feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards

· Enjoy traditional British fare that includes favorite dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and more at the Leaky Cauldron

· Visit Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour for frozen treats in a variety of tantalizing and unique flavors such as strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice-cream and many others

· And more!

More details about the unique experiences that can be found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time.  For more information about the area, visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter .

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: Diagon Alley, Harry Potter, travel, Universal, Universal Studios, Wizarding world of harry potter

What Will You Watch Friday July 15th Harry Potter or Winnie The Pooh?

July 10, 2011 by Momstart 3 Comments

The final chapter of Harry Potter comes out the same day as a new chapter for Winnie the Pooh. So the question is will you be going to watch Harry Potter or Winnie the Pooh this Friday?

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I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and am truly excited to see the final movie, but I’ll be waiting until it comes out on DVD. We just don’t go to the movies anymore without the kids. I’m not going to try and talk you out of going to see Harry Potter. I’m not crazy, heck, if baby sitters were cheaper, parking was free, and popcorn was a dollar maybe I would go see Harry Potter myself. But it’s not and it’s much easier to take everyone to see Winnie the Pooh. But maybe, just maybe you could find a little bit of Harry Potter in Pooh?

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Disney knows what they’re up against, so much so that they put Winnie the Pooh in his own final battle.

 

My advice, avoid the long lines to see Harry Potter, wait until it hits redbox or onDemand and just watch Winnie the Pooh this weekend. I’ve seen it and I loved it. It’s super cute, and you might even learn how to spell something.

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: Harry Potter, movie announcement, Winnie the Pooh

Harry Potter Ultimate Editions Years 5 & 6

June 13, 2011 by Momstart 421 Comments

I’m almost a little embarrassed to say that I’m really into Harry Potter. I love watching the movies, I watch them over and over and over again. I’m a movie replay addict. If I wasn’t a mommy blogger I would be sitting on my butt watching movies all the time. Now I’m spending all my time being a mommy and then blogging in my spare time and movies’ well, that’s what I do when I can’t sleep. I’ll come down stairs and put on a movie and one of my favorites is Harry Potter.

You should know there are 7 books and I’ve read them all. You should also know that there will be 8 movies, because they split the last movie into two. The final movie installment to the Harry Potter saga comes out in November and it’s going to be so good! If you haven’t caught up on the Harry Potter Movies yet, now is your chance to watch Harry Potter 5, and Harry Potter 6 in an ultimate edition! Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ultimate Edition Includes over One Hour of Never-Before-Seen Bonus Content. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ultimate Edition Includes over One Hour of Never-Before-Seen Bonus Content. Creating an awesome set of DVD’s.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ultimate Edition Available on Blu-ray and DVD 6/14.

clip_image001[4]As the eight Harry Potter films trace Harry’s journey from innocent schoolboy to selfless hero, the series undergoes a transformation. Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 5: Evolution – packed with exclusive content only available here – takes you along for every exciting step of the 10-year filmmaking odyssey. Join the four directors, key members of the crew and cast, including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, as they explore how the creative vision for the films evolved to maintain the integrity and increasing intensity of J.K. Rowling’s expansive literary series. From the ever-changing architecture of Hogwarts Castle and expanding landscape of the wizarding world, to the darkening color palette of each successive film, to the young actors maturing along with their characters, it is a wondrous and spectacular adventure to experience.

ON DISC 1 – MOVIE with In-Movie Experience! Explore the People, Places, Creatures and the Moviemaking Magic Behind Them, All As You Watch the Movie
ON DISC 2 – SPECIAL FEATURES o Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 5: Evolution o Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Behind the Magic o Building the Magic: The Sets of Harry Potter o Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Rebellion Begins o Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Fulfilling a Prophecy o Additional Scenes in Hi-Def o Trailing Tonks: Natalia Tena (aka Nymphadora Tonks) Leads a Very Personal Film Set Tour o Harry Potter: The Magic of Editing: Director David Yates and Editor Mark Day Show What a Difference a Good Edit Makes o Theatrical Trailers

Collectibles include:

o 48-Page Book with Rare Images from Years 1-7

o Year 5 Lenticular Card

o Limited Edition Character Cards

o #9 Luna Lovegood

o #10 Dolores Umbridge

 

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ultimate Edition Available on Blu-ray and DVD 6/14!

In Harry Potter’s world, portraits come to life, potions transform, time reverses, Quidditch players soar, dragons attack and magic is everywhere. Explore the moviemaking magic that created the wizardry and wonder of the Harry Potter film series. Now, fascinating new insights, interviews and watch-it-happen footage let you experience the triumphs of technical wizards who conjured up an awe-inspiring alternate reality. Share the fun as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson negotiate the moving stairs. Marvel as an oversized water tank transforms into the depths of the black lake for the Triwizard Tournament. Discover which amazing sequence was filmed entirely using computer-generated imagery. Watch as blue- and green-screen backgrounds transform into towering structures and endless landscapes. You don’t know the magic until you’ve seen Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 6: Magical Effects.

ON DISC 1 – MOVIE Featuring Maximum Movie Mode. Daniel Radcliffe leads a unique, personal exploration of the movie while you watch! • Picture-in-Picture • Focus Featurettes • Scene Comparisons.

ON DISC 2 – SPECIAL FEATURES o Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 6: Magical Effects o Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Behind the Magic o Additional Scenes in Hi-Def o J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life: A Personal Look at the Journey in Creating and Launching the Final Book o Close Up with the Cast of Harry Potter: Cast Members Are Your Personal Guides to Aspects of Moviemaking That Include Editing, Makeup, Stunt, Set Design, Props, Costumes and More! o The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Get a Sneak Peak at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort o What’s on Your Mind?: Lightning-Round Q&A with Cast/Crew o One-Minute Drills: Cast Members Sum Up Their Characters o Gallery of Five Distinctive Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ABC Family Promo Spots o Theatrical Trailers

Collectibles include:

o 44-Page Book with Rare Images from Years 1-7

o Year 5 Lenticular Card

o Limited Edition Character Cards

o #11 Draco Malfoy

o #12 Albus Dumbledore

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Debbie.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: DVD, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Ultimate Edition

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

April 23, 2011 by Momstart 2 Comments

Walking around Costco and other stores this past week, all I could think about was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 . Warner Brothers released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part one on Blu-ray DVD on April 15th 2011. Seeing it on all the shelves made me want to watch it. I LOVE Harry Potter. I read all the books, I even read the last two to my daughter out loud when she was a baby. I didn’t read anything to scary, but reading out loud was the only way that I had time to actually finish the books. You know being a mom you just don’t have time for things like reading. harry potter and the deathly hallows

My husband and I had the opportunity to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 on blu-ray and I have to admit that I was actually in suspense in certain moments. I had forgotten how much had happened. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry is about to become of age and will no longer be protected under Dumbledore’s spells. Everyone that knows how important the “Chosen One” is helps to move him to a new secure location. Harry has no plans of staying there though, because he has work to do. He MUST find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them. Even though he has no idea where they are, what they are or where to begin, he sets off with Ron and Hermione to find them. In the middle of the search Harry becomes aware of the three most powerful items that exist in the magical world; the deathly hallows. If a wizard obtains all three objects then he will be able to defy death.

Now that I’ve seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 I’m ready to watch the finale. I can’t wait until July 15th when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 comes out.

 

Also soon to come is the final installment of the Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ – Part 2 the videogame the sequel to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 . Based on the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film, and featuring the most epic battles to date, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 the videogame promises an unforgettable interactive finale. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 the videogame, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, will be available for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3, Wii™, Nintendo DS and PC in July 2011.

 

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

Filed Under: Movie review, review Tagged With: Harry Potter, movie, Warner Brothers, Warner Brothers Games

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