It's official: Universal Orlando Resort's newest addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, is opening to the public on Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

We're taking you for an inside look at the newest addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

We got to ride the new Hogwarts Express at Diagon Alley, which is due to open next month.

Before this week, only the Harry Potter film actors and cast members got to ride the train, but that has changed.

We got access, and are bringing our viewers both online, and via broadcast, for a closer look at our experience at Diagon Alley, and what happens when you pass through Platform "9 and 3/4."

Before entering Diagon Alley, visitors will travel through a pretty modern London, so Muggles, you will recognize it.

Make sure to check out the video of us interacting with a goblin inside Gringotts bank, he makes eye contact and responds to our questions. 

Universal invited us to take a tour inside Diagon Alley for a two-day media preview event. Check out our impressions and videos from around the new area below.

Story and LIVE Blog continue below ▼

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LIVE updates from Diagon Alley, Day 2

6:05 p.m.

We've just uploaded over two dozen photos from our brief trip to Diagon Alley. Here's some things we learned about this new magical land.

  • We were told by Universal workers that the new interactive wands will slowly replace the original wands in Ollivanders. Right now they only have the Celtic calendar wands and the character wands for Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Professor Dumbledore. They are about $40 each.
  • Diagon Alley took over the Amity area and the Jaws ride. But Jaws is still seen throughout the park. For instance, if you look at the records in the record shop, one of them is titled "Amity 4." And some of the telescopes in Wiseacres were actualy created with pipes from the filtration system. There are more references too.
  • There are little touches throughout the park that tie directly to the Harry Potter film protection. The benches inside Hogwarts Express cars are upholstered with the same fabric created for the actual Hogwarts Express in the films. And the school sweaters sold in the stores are made from the same company that made the sweaters for the films.
  • There are all new joke products inside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, including the famous Skiving Snackboxes, U-No-Poo, Fever Fudge and Puking Pastiles. The candies, however, are not designed to get you sick. People say they are quite delicious.
  • Within Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, if you "adopt" a Pygmy Puff, there is a special announcement made in the store where you name your puff, they ring the great bell, and the staff applauds you for adopting. This is only done inside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
  • Desperately in need of a Diet Coke? There are no "Muggle" drink products in Diagon Alley. There are also no "diet" drinks in Diagon Alley.
  • If you are interested in buying costumes, there are some new ones for sale, including Lucius Malfoy's, Bellatrix Lestrange's and a generic death eater outfit or those who prefer the dark side. Pieces for that are sold separately, so if you just want a death eater mask, you can buy one.
  • Knockturn Alley is a covered area, with a ceiling that is "bewitched" to look like the night sky. It's very cool inside. A good place to get out of the summer heat.
  • Also, we found at least one overflow area for a store that is indoors: Inside Eeylops Owl Emporium is the overflow room for Madame Malkin's. There is a nod to the store's original purpose: animatronic owls hang overhead. There are very few queues that are outside the stores.

That's all for now. Diagon Alley opens July 8. We are still waiting to hear about soft opening possibilities. Stay tuned.

3 p.m.

Universal Orlando is wrapping up its preview event of Diagon Alley, but we still have much more to share. Keep checking back tonight as we add more pictures and impressions.

2:40 p.m.

Inside the Gringotts Money Exchange, the goblin bankers interact with you! Here, we ask one a simple question:

2:30 p.m.

We use our interactive wand to cast a dark detectors spell outside Wiseacres.

1:50 p.m.

We test out our new interactive wand inside a dark shop in Knockturn Alley.

1:23 p.m.

12:05 p.m.

Fireworks going off inside Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

12:01 p.m.

The giant Weasley (is it Fred or George? We may never know) in the front of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes tips his hat to customers.

11:50 a.m.

How's this for a wedding dress? Inside Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

11:10 a.m.

"Rawr! I breathe fire now!"

11 a.m.

Universal Creative art director Alan Gilmore talks to us about the fire-breathing dragon perched atop Gringotts.

10:30 a.m.

Turn up your speakers for this one. Hear the Gringotts dragon roar!

Thursday, June 19, 2014 — 9 a.m.

Rise and shine, Potter fans! Get ready to get up close and personal with Diagon Alley.

First, we are heading in to talk to the celebrities and the people behind the new land in a panel-style format. Ask your questions on Twitter and we will try to get them answered. Be sure to use the #DiagonOn13.

Then we will be roaming around Diagon Alley, searching round every corner to bring you all the details.

Stay tuned on Twitter and right here.

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Day 1 in Diagon Alley

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 — 10:55 p.m.

Whew! That was a whirlwind!

We will try to post more pictures and video later, but here's a brief recap:

The actors started down the red carpet and slowly made their way to us. We were posted near the Diagon Alley entrance.

Naturally we had to ask them about what they've experienced in Diagon Alley so far.

"The detail is just out of this world," said James Phelps, who plays Fred Weasley. "Even to the fact that there's a tunnel, which is based on a tube station in London. And the lighting is exactly the same as in London… so it is mind-blowing the detail they've gone into."

"Here I think they've surpassed themselves once again," said Warwick Davis, who played Prof. Flitwick. "It's bigger, it's bolder, it's more immersive, I think, if you can believe that."

"It's funny to actually see the costumes available in the shops," said Helena Bonham Carter, who played Bellatrix Lestrange.

After that there was a special opening ceremony, and Robbie Coltrane, who played Rubeus Hagrid, opened Diagon Alley with a wave of Hagrid's umbrella wand.

One other big piece of information we learned -- when Diagon Alley opens on July 8, the whole area will open -- including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

That's all for now. Thursday we go in-depth, exploring the looks and crannies of Diagon Alley. Stay tuned.

4:45 p.m.

We're getting ready to head to the red carpet area for the big event. It's a closed event, so the public won't be able to be part of it. But we'll will live tweet from the Red Carpet, and you can follow along with our LIVE chat starting at 7 p.m.

So what can we expect? Well according to a Universal spokesperson some of the big wigs from Universal and Warner Bros. will be first down the carpet, followed by the stars of the films, including Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix LeStrange) and Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid). Scroll further down to see a complete list of stars you may see.

After that there will be a "special moment." What that special moment is though, Universal is not divulging. What comes after that? We were told "you'll have to wait and see."

Stay tuned.

4 p.m.

What do you most want to see in Diagon Alley?

Judging from our Viewer Poll, it seems most people want to see "Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts." Fifty-five percent in face.

But if you could see anything else, what would it be?

There is a lot to see besides the ride and the shops. There are the live performances in Carkitt Market, the ice cream flavors at Florean Fortescue's, or the elixirs at Eternelle's. Then of course there's the Hogwart's Express.

So tell us, if you could see anything BESIDES Gringotts, what would it be?

Check out our overview story, Diagon Alley: What to Expect, for a quick primer, then head to Facebook or Twitter and tell us. If you're on Twitter, be sure to use hashtag #DiagonOn13.

3 p.m.

The London section is where everyone will go to enter Diagon Alley. The facade includes a some famous (and not so famous) sights around London.

But while King's Cross Station and Grimmauld Place are well known Harry Potter landmarks, what about the other places -- Wyndham's Theatre or Leicester Square Station?

Well they actually do have a Harry Potter connection.

Wyndham Theatre and Leicester Square Station are on Charing Cross Road. That is the location of The Leaky Cauldron, the entrance to Diagon Alley.

You can see them pretty prominently in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," in the beginning of the movie when the Death Eaters swoop through the city.

The Fountain of Eros is located in Picadilly Circus. One of the roads that goes through that is Shaftesbury Avenue. That's where Hermione Granger took Ron Weasley and Harry Potter to as they tried to escape from the wedding in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1." She said she went there to catch a play with her parents once. Shaftesbury Avenue is home to a number of West End theatres.

1:25 p.m.

Viewers asked us if there was only one Hogwarts Express train or more than one, pointing to a Google Maps satellite view showing a split in the tracks:

Universal representatives confirmed the tracks do split, but claimed there is only one train.

However, our crew at the media event witnessed two Hogwarts Express trains, one pulling into King's Cross Station while the second pulled out of the same station.

11:53 a.m.

Universal releases its official statement on the July 8 opening of Diagon Alley:

Today, Universal Orlando Resort announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will officially open on July 8 – allowing guests to experience even more of Harry Potter’s adventures in an all-new, magnificently-themed environment.  

Located in the Universal Studios Florida theme park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley will feature shops, dining experiences and the next generation thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. The new immersive area will double the size of the sweeping land already found at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, expanding the spectacularly themed environment across both Universal theme parks.

Guests will enjoy new experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. They will see the Knight Bus as they stroll through London, walk the streets of Diagon Alley and explore iconic shops like Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, dine in the Leaky Cauldron, embark on a thrilling adventure through the Gringotts bank vaults – and much more. 

Guests will also be able to board the Hogwarts Express and enjoy a unique journey as they travel between London and Hogsmeade. 

Vacation packages to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and Universal Orlando Resort are available now. For additional information, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/WizardingWorld.

11 a.m.

Scott Fais got a chance to talk to the "Harry Potter" actors at the Diagon Alley media event. Here is his report:

In a press conference this morning, stars from the "Harry Potter" films announced the highly anticipated opening of Diagon Alley. The new area will bring new places to eat, new ice cream treats and more Harry Potter merchandise sure to please every fan.

Two new rides will also be part of the new area: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, an indoor roller coaster ride through the debts of the Gringotts Bank vaults, and the Hogwarts Express train ride from London to Hogsmeade and back.

Earlier today, I had a one-on-one interview with James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the film series. He said the level to detail on the train ride made him feel as if he was back home in England.

"It's just like the train. You feel the bumps on it. You feel it when it goes around the corner. It's just to a T," James said. "They set the bar so high last time, with Hogsmeade, but this is better."

James also shared with me one painter would come along and add paint to the train station, while another would come by and then chip the paint to make King's Cross Station look aged.

Tonight, our entertainment reporter/anchor, Allison Walker, will be on the red carpet as the stars of the film arrive at Diagon Alley. Join us later tonight for more coverage. Then, on Thursday, we'll get into Diagon Alley for the first time.

9:30 a.m.

9:22 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

9:05 a.m.

It's official: NBC's "Today" Show announces Diagon Alley is opening July 8. That's the Tuesday after the Independence Day weekend.

The official grand opening date of July 8 is, indeed, different from the June 30 date spotted Friday in an ad Universal Orlando's own website. The theme park quickly removed the ad, calling the June 30 date "wrong information" that was possibly used as a placeholder in the ad.

Universal's website also has its own virtual tour of both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade for guests to check out before the new half of the Wizarding World opens.

9 a.m.

Our day at Universal Orlando starts with a "State of the Universe" presentation by Universal executives. There will be tours, and then the big Diagon Alley red carpet event tonight.

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Harry Potter stars at media preview

We know some of the film's stars will be visiting the park and be at the Red Carpet event Wednesday, but we have not had any confirmation as to who that will be. However, Universal released a list of people on their blog to follow via social media. Here it is:

Also confirmed -- Helena Bonham Carter will be at Diagon Alley for the media preview.

So why do we have to follow these you men and women? And who ELSE will be there? We'll know soon.

We have a detailed look at the different aspects of Diagon Alley in our "What to Expect" article.

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Timeline: The Wizarding World's Growth