Last year, the Today Show’s Al Roker, Natalie Morales, and Willie Geist carved out some time to chat with me (Read Blog) while visiting Universal Studios on their Great American Adventures tour in support of the opening of the Transformers attraction. This week (6/18/14), the Today Show is once again broadcasting live from Universal Studios in preparation of the July 8th opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ─ Diagon Alley, the first multi-park experience. Orlando Family Magazine checked back in with Natalie Morales and Willie Geist on family life, parenting advice, summer bucket lists, and Today Show adventures.

NATALIE & WILLIE ON DIAGON ALLEY…

OFM: When you taped at Universal last year, you didn’t bring your kids. Did they make the trip with you this time?
Natalie: Yes, I was here this weekend with my kids, so I got an early sneak peek. (See Natalie’s visit hereand learn how to save money and time in the park.)

OFM: What do you think of the new Diagon Alley?
Natalie: It’s incredible. It’s spot on. If you’ve read the books or seen the movies, it’s everything ─ from the dragon on top of Gringotts Banks, which actually blows out fire and smoke. In fact, the engineer told me that your body temperature goes up one degree. It’s magical and unexpected.

OFM: What are your thoughts on seeing fans in the park dressed as Potter characters?
Willie: I love to see the enthusiasm because, at its root, it’s enthusiasm for reading. You see kids reading voluminous books and at such a young age. If Harry Potter has done anything to turn one kid, a thousand kids, or a million kids to read, then that’s awesome. So, if you want to dress up and be part of the culture, then I think it’s cool.
Natalie:My sons’ love for reading came from reading the Harry Potter books. While reading the books, it’s in your imagination, but this (attraction) lets it come to life.

OFM: You cover so many stories and world events. How does something like this compare in the scope of events that you cover?
Natalie: Well, we have fun. One of the things that we love about our job is the variety. There are world events and something like this, which is a great opportunity for Central Florida…great jobs, great economic boom ─ it’s pretty significant in what’s happening around here.
Willie:The thing that I love about the Today Show is that at 7 o’clock you might be interviewing the secretary of state; at 8 o’clock, you might be on a roller coaster. And that’s the today show!

OFM: What’s your favorite character from the book?
Natalie:Hermione…strong girl power! Love her.

OFM: Will you be bringing home a personalized wand?
Natalie:I have a couple at home already. But I’ll bring home Puking Pastille (candy). My kids love it!

OFM: I know you’ll be sharing more about Diagon Alley on the Today Show, but I heard that you two thrill seekers also took on some other Orlando attractions…
Willie: Yeah, we went to Gatorland and did the zip line and swung over alligator pits! When you get up on top of the tower, the gators all turn from their pool and look at you because they think something is about to be dangled in front of them. So you are basically lunch to them on the zip line. But, we’re standing here now and have all of our limbs, so we’re good.
Natalie:I wasn’t worried about the gators as much as I was about the little bridge that you have to walk on to get from one tower to the other. It’s pretty intense. I was scared!

NATALIE & WILLIE ON LIFE…

OFM: One of our readers wants to know how you maintain a private life because you are always “on” as a public figure. How do you manage that?
Natalie: Well, I think we all shut it off pretty much when we get home. Although we’re working all the time, I value my time with my family more than anything else. I’m “mom” first. We try to make sure that they (children) have the upbringing and the life that we want them to have.
Willie:We work a lot and we work hard, but when I am home with my kids ─ I am home with my kids. You have to give them your full attention. The one upside that I would stay to our crazy morning hours is that, often times, you’re home in the evening, and I’ve always had that. I’ve had this job as long as I’ve had kids, so I am home sometimes for dinner, bath, reading books, and to tuck them in at night. A lot of dads don’t get that, so I don’t take that for granted.

OFM: You’re currently away working a big morning event and other times you need to work during the evening. How do you adjust to an alternating schedule and manage sleep?
Natalie: We’re going on adrenaline! Think college and late nights…and go back to that mode.
Willie:I don’t think you quite get used to it, but you learn how to manage and cope with it. You have to keep moving. If I go home and sit down in a chair, I’m done. So you have to do something…go to the gym, keep working, keep going until you hit Friday and then you can collapse on Friday night.

OFM: Willie, speaking of the gym…are you going to become a marathoner like Natalie?
Willie: NO, I am not! I don’t have it in me. But I am happy to support Natalie in whatever she does
Natalie:(Laughs) I keep trying to push it onto him. We’ll get you to a half-marathon maybe…

OFM: Natalie, congratulations on your Boston Marathon. How did you have time to train for that with this (work) schedule and your family?
Natalie:As Willie said, you have to carve out your time. Instead of taking a nap, I would just go for a run. But, then, there are days when you do just take the nap. You just have to figure out the work–life balance and find those moments…an hour a day where I could get out and go for a run and exercise.

OFM: Why aren’t Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb (hosts of Today’s 4th hour) visiting Universal with you?
Natalie: They wanted to get their hands on that butter beer, but they found out that it was non-alcoholic and decided that it was a waste of time! (Laughs) But we drew the big straw and got lucky…it’s a fun assignment! This is the first time the (Today’s) “Take” as we call it, our third hour, is traveling on the road, so it’s fun to get out as a group to do things. Like yesterday…we played Whirlyball.

OFM: Who won?
Natalie:Well, that is debatable. (Laughs) It was a tie with overtime and rigged from the start.

OFM: For the next Brian Williams & NBC team rap on Jimmy Fallon, what would the best song be? This week’s was really funny to Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Natalie: Yes, it was “Baby Got Back!”
Willie:We need to go “In D Club” by 50 Cent. I’d like to see Brian Williams go bumping in the club. (Laughs)

NATALIE & WILLIE TALK “FAMILY”…

OFM: I have some more “family” questions for you…what’s your favorite family meal?
Natalie: Pizza! Any time you can order a pizza, the kids love it.
Willie: Chicken parm. My wife is a good Italian cook.

OFM: What’s on the summer bucket list to do as a family this year?
Natalie: I think we are going to California to do the San Francisco Bridge and the PCH Highway.
Willie:I hope it’s not a “bucket list” because I’d like to still be alive in the fall! (Laughs) We just bought a 12-ft row boat, so we’re going to do a lot of fishing out on the lake.

OFM: What did you want to be when you were little (before knowing that you would become a famous anchor)?
Natalie: Veterinarian.
Willie: As a little kid, I had completely unreasonable goals…so either centerfielder for the Yankees, Michael Jordon, or Mick Jagger. None of those have worked out YET.
Natalie:(Laughs) But he has the moves like Jagger!

OFM: Any parenting advice for your colleague Savannah Guthrie (who is expecting her first child)?
Natalie: Where do we start? Just enjoy it! As they say ‘the days are long but the years are short’ ─ it’s so true. Live in the moment…even when the baby is crying, you’re pulling your hair, and you don’t even know what you are going to do with yourself.
Willie:It’s easier said than done and easier for me to say now, but just relax. You are going to be fine even though you think you don’t know what you are doing in the beginning, but your instincts are going to be good. Savannah is a great, caring person and she’ll be such a great mom. There are nervous moments, but take deep breaths.

Hey OFM readers…what advice would you offer to Savannah or any first-time parent?