Diagon Alley Preview Week - Wrap-Up Video
FINAL DAY OF THE VIP DIAGON ALLEY PREVIEW EVENT AND 3RD WEBCAST EPISODE
In the concluding Universal webcast series, Universal finally reveal the iconic brick wall and the wizarding realm that lives beyond it. With Harry Potter cast members Matthew Lewis who plays Neville Longbottom, Tom Felton who plays Draco Malfoy and Alan Gilmore, Art Director of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Harry Potter Films, Universal finally shows off its piece de resistance, the highly anticipated Diagon Alley.
*****SPOILER ALERT********
The webcast begins with the trio walking through the brick wall and onto Diagon Alley - carefully concealing where exactly this wall is located in the London waterfront. Although we already know that the opening wall can be found hidden behind the Leicester Square Station facade! ******However, Universal aren't signposting the Diagon Alley entrance to keep its whereabouts secluded from muggles, like it is in the books and movies*********.
Matthew, Tom and Alan take a tour of Diagon Alley, which you will see from the webcast is impressive in size - a theme park in itself. On their tour they visit Gringotts Bank where they demonstrate how to exchange muggle dollars for wizarding bank notes, they catch a snippet of the live props and puppetry show Tales of Beedle the Bard and sample Butterbeer ice cream, exclusive to Diagon Alley, at Floreans Fortescue.
However, Universal have been careful to leave lots of the wizardry to the imagination. So, although we see the dark and eerie Knockturn Alley, just off Diagon Alley, Universal don't unveil what's lingering in the darkness of this chilling alley . Although the spectacular Gringotts hall and its stunning crystal chandelier is shown and we see the looming dragon that sits atop of the bank breathe fire there's still lots more to explore with your Universal tickets.
DAY 2 OF THE VIP DIAGON ALLEY PREVIEW EVENT AND 2ND WEBCAST EPISODE
Harry Potter's Weasley twins James and Oliver Phelps hop on board the new Hogwarts Express train in Universal Orlando's second Diagon Alley webcast of the three part series. The video reveals even more detail about the journey guests will enjoy aboard the Hogwarts Express from Hogsmeade to London Kings Cross. Universal have created a fully immersive journey that becomes so much more than travelling between two theme parks, they have emulated the journey entirely. On this train ride not only will you come across a number of familiar Potter characters, including Hagrid and the the Weasley twins themselves, you'll also be able to enjoy scenic views of Hogwarts and the English countryside. You'll ride past the dark and looming Malfoy Manor, before reaching the familiar streets of London. Arriving in Central London you'll see iconic landmarks like the 30 St Mary's Axe (aka the Gherkin) and a certain Knight Bus ducking bridges and squeezing through alley ways!
Take a look and enjoy the ride!
The third webcast will be on its way to you shortly, so be sure to come back for more!
DAY 1 OF THE VIP DIAGON ALLEY PREVIEW EVENT AND 1ST WEBCAST EPISODE!
As promised, the first webcast in the three part Diagon Alley webcast series is here for you to catch up on! Broadcasting live from the red carpet, complete with an impressive line up of Harry Potter cast members, even more detail and never before seen footage revealed and insightful commentary from Universal's familiar big wig creatives Mark Woodbury and Thierry Coup - this webcast will make you wish you were there!
'Ever since we opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Hogsmeade in 2010, we knew there were other great places to take people within J K Rowlings fiction. Diagon Alley was at the top of the list,' says Mark Woodbury, as he talks passionately about the new Potter destination Universal are now able to transport their guests to.
On the red carpet are Bonnie Wright who plays Ginny Weasley, Evana Lynch who plays Luna Lovegood, Domhnall Gleeson who plays Bill Weasley, James and Oliver Phelps who play Weasley twins Fred and George, the one and only Robbie Coltraine who plays Hagrid and none other than Helena Bonham Carter who has her own starring role in the signature Diagon Alley attraction Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
We've spoken enough - enjoy the video and come back soon for webcast number two! Enjoy!
THE LEAD UP TO THE DIAGON ALLEY VIP PREVIEW EVENT
The first of three Universal Diagon Alley webcasts goes live tonight at 12pm! Attraction Tickets Direct will be tuning in and reporting on all the news and wizardry revealed in this three part webcast series via our social media over the next three days, so stay in touch and watch this space!
And if that's not enough, our very own Oliver Brendon, founder of Attraction Tickets Direct is in Orlando as we speak, readying himself for the preview of a brand new Wizarding experience at Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, Diagon Alley! His account on this spellbinding new realm is on its way to us tomorrow!
Our Twitter is going to be hot over the next few days, so for wizarding news on the minute follow us here:
Just announced! Wizard World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley opens July 8!!! #DiagonAlleyPreview
— ATD (@ATDAttractions) June 18, 2014 Waiting for the @UniversalORL press conference... pic.twitter.com/T24IRc2SZy
— ATD (@ATDAttractions) June 18, 2014 ATD Owner, Oliver Brendon is on his way to #Orlando for the #DiagonAlleyPreview are you excited to hear all about it? pic.twitter.com/PLD1z1edF5
— ATD (@ATDAttractions) June 17, 2014 Or join the discussion with us on Facebook! If you're not able to catch the webcasts, they'll be arriving on this page once they are made available online, so be sure to come back to us!
Now the date has been unveiled, it's time to get those Universal tickets in and go and set your inner wizard free at Universal Studios Florida's Harry Potter expansion, Diagon Alley!
Come back for more wizarding news with Attraction Tickets Direct!
