There are few things more exclusive than an academic acceptance letter that gives you access to a secret Kings Cross Station platform––unless it’s this week’s family Escape to Orlando, Florida for a VIP after-hours romp through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Orlando Resort©, courtesy of Beyond Boundaries Travel.

Don your robes and pack your spell books when you spend four days and three nights in a one-bedroom suite at the Meliá Orlando Suite Hotelfrom June 1 through June 4, 2012 for $875 per person.

Think of your luxurious one-bedroom suite as your very own Great Hall. The room sleeps four and includes a living room, free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, and a furnished balcony. Its modern kitchen––house elves not included––earns house points for its utensils, stainless-steel appliances, and full-size refrigerator where you can store your haul from Honeydukes Sweet Shop™. An included breakfast materializes each morning.

During your stay, fly from park to park with an included day pass to either Universal’s Islands of Adventure© Theme Park or the Universal Studios Florida® Theme Park and a day pass to any one of the Disney© theme parks. Coach transfers between parks and to and from a lavish gala at the end of your stay are at your beck and call.

On the final night of your epic adventure, your family will be living larger than the Minister when you visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ after-hours for unrestricted park access as the guests of honor at an exclusive private party closed to the public.

Conjure up more fun than taming a dragon on rides and attractions like Harry Potter and the The Forbidden Journey™, Dragon Challenge™, and Flight of the Hippogriff™. Or, buy up some baubles at stores such as Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™, Zonko’s™, the Owl Post™, and Dervish and Banges™.

Such a wickedly good time is sure to work up a giant-size appetite; just snap your fingers and partake in an included buffet dinner loaded with puddings and Butterbeer™ before flying home with a commemorative gift.

A getaway this golden only flies your way once in a lifetime; get on the stick and catch it before some evil gnome snags it first.

You can pretend that you believed your beloved when she said that all she wants for Valentine’s Day is to cuddle up with a movie and pizza, or you can give her what she really wants: jewelry. Worry not if you’re still broke from her holiday gift, because today’s deal from Blue Nile has you covered: Pay $50 for $100 or $100 for $200 worth of jewelry with shipping included from the leading online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry for more than a decade. Blue Nile is the go-to for everything from big-ticket items like the perfect engagement ring to surprises like a sharp pair of onyx cuff links or a classic pearl necklace. Even if your V-Day turns into a cozy night with a rom-com, we’re sure she won’t mind the sparkle that reflects from the TV glow.

Without a cake, a party is just a bunch of people who showed up at the same place. Put the icing on next social gathering when you pay $20 for $40 worth of custom-made cakes from The Cake and The Frog. Headed by an architect who can (literally) shape your ideas into artistic reality, The Cake and The Frog can create designs fit for children’s birthday parties, holidays, engagement parties, and all occasions. Simply tell owner Maggie Remudo the size, theme, and look that you’d like to convey, and she can work with you to create a fondant-topped celebratory, mini, or sculpted design that suits your sweet tooth. With many a forkful of flavors to choose from, this half-off deal lets you have your cake (exactly as you want it) and eat it, too.

They say a good book is like a good friend: It’ll make you laugh, cry, and you can always pick up where you left off. But what if that book is customized, filled with photos of friends and family, and costs just $10? Today’s deal from Picaboo is your new BFF: Pay $10 and receive a 20-page 8.5×11 Classic Custom hardcover photo book (a $40 value), or pay $20 for an 11×14 version (a $60 value). Start by choosing from a variety of professionally designed themes — such as wedding, travel, or baby — then drag and drop your photos and captions anywhere on the page. Choose from a wide variety of beautiful backgrounds, page layouts, and fonts to make your pages truly unique, then finish with a customized cover in a variety of designs and colors. It’s the best friend money can buy — for less than half the price.

Your sweetheart deserves the best for Valentine’s Day, and today’s deal from FannieMay.com is sure to make her Meltaway: Pay $15 for $30 to spend online on chocolates, gifts, and more. Make a customized assortment of her favorite chocolates from this charming confectionery, which has churned out milk and dark delights since 1920. Choose a heart-shaped box with decadent truffles, toasted-coconut Trinidads, chocolate-covered caramel-pecan Pixies, and more. Romantics will swoon over hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries, peanut butter-filled chocolate hearts, pink-and-red-striped Pixies, or a teddy bear hugging a box of assorted chocolates. For a truly extraordinary gift, present her with ultra-premium delicacies from the FM Artisan by Norman Love collection. She’ll want to keep the handcrafted double-shot espresso and bourbon-vanilla pieces all to herself, but we’re sure she’ll be generous with the thank-you kiss.

What do Grammy-award winning musicians all have in common? Answer: They weren’t born stars, but became them through hard work and instruction. And with today’s deal, you help your loved one find the path to stardom: Pay $85 and receive four private 30-minute piano, guitar, or vocal lessons from the musical maestros at Just Rock Enterprises in Hyattsville — a $240 value. Committed to the idea that each child learns differently, Just Rock’s talented teachers will tailor each lesson to help students hit all the right notes. Whether your child has yet to learn a guitar or piano chord or is a seasoned singer looking to pursue a professional career, Just Rock encourages each rising star to express himself while also providing students with the fundamentals needed to succeed. All that at a 65% savings? Sounds like music to our ears.

Say, “Be Mine” to your snookums with something more novel than candy hearts with today’s deal for designer goodies from Overstock.com. For $10, you’ll get $20 to spend on this online retailer’s massive inventory. Featuring brand-name merchandise at steep discounts, Overstock boasts department after digital department of jewelry, home décor, men’s and women’s apparel, furniture, luggage, and more. Catering to all tastes — and all price ranges — Overstock is sure to have something that’ll make your sweetheart whisper, “U R Cute.” Whether it’s a diamond bracelet, those brown boots your babe crooned over, or a pragmatic comforter set, your out-of-the-chocolate-box thinking this Valentine’s Day will warrant plenty of “XOXO”s.

Whispering sweet nothings into your significant other’s ear is a lovely gesture, but you’re better off providing sweet somethings this Valentine’s Day. Lavish your beloved with many a splendored thing from RedEnvelope.com: Pay $15 for $30 to spend on unique gifts that are sure to please whether you are crushing, head over heels, or decades deep in love. Select personalized jewelry, like a birthstone necklace or an engraved charm bracelet, or showcase your decorative flair with personalized wall art or custom-embroidered throw pillows. If you’re feeling playful, try a romantic game where your darling cashes in “tickets to love,” which include sweet and spicy deeds, plus one wildcard. Whether you want to wow your love with personalized gifts or gourmet chocolate-dipped strawberries and fresh flowers, this deal lets you put your own special stamp on the sweet occasion.

Want more? Check out RedEnvelope.com on Facebook.

Like New Orleans, Adams Morgan is often associated as a spot for raucous Mardi Gras-style partying. But that’s not where the parallels end. Enter today’s deal to Bardia’s New Orleans Cafe, where $15 gets you $30 worth of Cajun and Creole-spiced food and drink. With rave reviews from the Washington Post and Urbanspooners, this laid-back, pint-sized cafe has been looking out onto 18th Street from its oversized bay window since 1992 while dishing up some of the hottest po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya entrées, and meat-topped etouffée this side of Lake Pontchartrain. Too spicy for you? Andouille yourself a favor and order one of the many Nola brews (think: Abita Amber, Abita Turbodog, and Abita Restoration Pale Ale) or house wines. Just try and keep your shirt on.

Combining items like tuna, lump crab meat, cucumbers, and wasabi ginger soy sauce, sushi rolls are a feast for the senses that are as much fun to make as they are to eat. Turn fresh fish into edible art when you pay $70 to attend a two-hour sushi-rolling class with a sake tasting taught by chef Ron Choi from Sticky Rice DC at LivingSocial’s new 918 F Street location. Classes take place on select Friday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday afternoons 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. between February 24 and May 13. Chef Choi will walk you through the steps to create the kind of innovative rolls that have propelled this hip H Street spot to become a Washington Post Editors’ Pick. After learning what to look for when buying fresh fish and veggies you’ll learn the basics of sushi rolling, rice cooking, and knife skills. With ingredients like tagarashi, nori, and avocado as part of your palette, your palate’s in for a sensory overload.