NBC Invades Disney’s Backyard

By Chris Ariens 

fallonorlandoBoth the “Today” show and the “Tonight Show” are heading to Orlando this week as NBC’s corporate cousin Universal opens Diagon Alley, a new attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Willie Geist and Tamron Hall will broadcast the third hour of “Today” from the park on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon is bringing “The Tonight Show” to Universal Orlando Resort for a week of shows. Several stars of the Harry Potter movies will guest on “Today,” while Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Buffett, Rosario Dawson, and Pitbull are among the guests on “Tonight.” Fallon and announcer Steve Higgins also get in on the Miami Vice action for tonight’s opening credit sequence (above).

Universal opened its first Orlando theme park in 1990. NBC merged with Universal in 2004. Orlando is most famous for the theme parks operated by Disney, the first of which opened in 1971. Disney owns NBC rival ABC.

Advertisement

Advertisement