Harry Potter Actors Tour the Wizarding World

James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid),  Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) get a sneak peek at Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

They visited Ollivander's where a wand chose Emma, the Three Broomsticks where they sampled butterbeer, and got a ride on HP and the Forbidden Journey.

photo: Matt / Orlando Attractions Magazine

Star Wars Weekends Are Back

Star Wars Weekends return to Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 21-23,  May28-30, June 4-6, and June 11-13.

This year they're saluting the 30th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back" ( the best of the series, IMHO).


And this year you can meet a new character:

 R2-MK

Jedi Mickey's new droid

And the Jedi Training Academy, always fun to watch, will 'double the villainy' as the young Padawans face off against Darth Vader and Darth Maul.


Photo:
Orlando Attractions

Pop Goes the Pop Century Legendary Years

WDW's Pop Century Resort has been half-built since 2003.

Phase I, The Classic Years, opened in December, 2003, but the unfinished buildings of Phase II, The Legendary Years, which can be seen across the lake, have been moldering away for years.

Until now.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts unveiled plans May 12 for Disney's Art of Animation Resort featuring quality family suites designed around four themes: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars and The Little Mermaid ... and will be "located adjacent to Disney's Pop Century Resort".


It's a pretty good guess that the Legendary Years will become ....

Disney's Art of Animation Resort, the 26th resort at Walt Disney World Resort ... one-of-a-kind, with themed building exteriors and room interiors, and larger-than-life icons from the animated films in the courtyard areas. 

Er. It's not exactly one-of-a-kind. Hello? Pop Century. The All-Stars.
Still, it will be a good thing to finally complete those buildings.

All of the themed suites and rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort are expected to open by the end of 2012.

 

Spilling the (Bertie Botts) Beans

Sandy Klim, writer for "Going Places", AAA members' magazine, reveals some very cool secrets about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I guess you could say she spilled the (Bertie Botts Every Flavor) Beans!

In the village of Hogsmeade, be sure to check out Gringott's bank and its ATM. "No one protects money like a Goblin!"

You can buy a Firebolt at Dervish and Banges.
Also check out the 'Monster Book of Monsters' (grrrr) on display.

At Honeydukes, try the licorice clippings, a candy "dispensed in a very unique and unusual manner".


You can choose from 13 kinds of wands at Ollivander's shop.
But remember, the wand chooses the wizard.
"A mismatched wand creates havoc". and the right one ... you'll know".
(Hint: the wandkeeper will ask specific questions to determine the correctness of your wand).

While in the queue for the big ride, 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey', you'll meet the never-before-seen founders of Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw.

And ... something about Moaning Myrtle, but that's still a secret.

Wizarding World opens June 18th.

Captain EO Returns

 
On July 2nd, Captain EO, the 17-minute 3-D space-fantasy film featuring Michael Jackson (and directed by Francis Ford Coppolla), is returning to WDW after 17 years.

It will replace "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" at the theatre in the Journey Into Imagination building (EPCOT).