Diagon Alley Universal Studios Orlando

Diagon Alley, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is the newest addition to the Harry Potter experience.  Diagon Alley is a street in old London containing shops, eateries, and other places of interest located at the far end of Island of Adventure.

The latest addition is the Hogwart's Express that you can take from Universal Studios and get off at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  You can see it from miles because Hogwart's Castle looms high in the sky above the area which is out of sight of the "muggle" world.

Young and old alike can visit London and explore places such as Ollivander's wand shop and get a demonstration from a wizard or dine a 3 Broomsticks across the street.  There are all sorts of little shops with oddities such as Broomsticks (you guessed it) and Sugarplums Sweet Shop where they sell old world confections.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Diagon Alley

Bands, Brew, & BBQ Sea World Orlando

courtesy of www.seaworldorlando.com

Bands, Brew, and BBQ is an annual spring festival held at Sea World Orlando that includes 5 weeks of outdoor fun that is unique to Central Florida.  Beginning February 1st and continuing until March 9th, this event begins at 11:30 AM each day while bands begin paying at 4:00PM.  The event is free with a regular admission.  Sea World teams up with numerous restaurants and caterers in the Orlando area to provide the best food in the south for a superb southern style festival that you can only get down here.

Unfortunately, this year's celebration is in danger of being a flop due to controversy created by an independent documentary film called "Blackfish" which was critical of Sea World's treatment of killer whales.  The film was inspired by the death of whale trainer Dawn Brancheau.

Entertainers like Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, Martina McBride, and 38 Special, have all withdrawn in recent weeks.  Not all claimed it was a result of the movie but it is widely speculated that they didn't want to be associated with the negative press.

Surprisingly, Sea World hasn't said much publicly about the withdrawals or the movie that prompted them.  All told, it seems the festival is still planned and they expect to go forward with the plans but something will have to bring all these acts back to invite the public to participate.  I will withhold my opinion about this turn of events but to say the least I think it's a sad image of a great organization.

Reference: DeWayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel.

Halloween at the Parks

courtesy of www.easywdw.com

Not surprisingly, all the major parks inn Orlando celebrate the festivities in their own style.  Walt Disney World, for example, presents the "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" geared for the family but targeting the children specifically.  This is typical Disney so the entire family can enjoy themselves without somebody getting in over their heads. 



courtesy of UniversalOrlando.com

Universal Studios, Orlando, on the other hand, is in total control of your fear.  Using an "in your face approach" to preying on your fears, Universal flexes it's muscle by showing off why they make movies and have done so for over 100 years.  It's intense, it's scary, and it's awesome.  Might not be recommended for kids under 12 years old, but hey, they're your kids! Have fun.

Sea World and Busch Gardens do it more like Disney but add a more interactive twist for the kids.  Lighter and less scary, they are easier than Universal if it's the family experience you're looking for.