It’s no secret that I like Harry Potter a lot. I’ve written about going to Hogsmeade in California, how to see the Cursed Child in London, and taking a Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh. So you can imagine that I was quite excited to visit Diagon Alley when we went to Universal Studios in Florida. In fact Diagon Alley was the only reason I went to Universal Studios at all. Meagan has written about other things that you can do there, but for me Diagon Alley is the only part of the park really worth visiting.
At first you might think that there wouldn’t be a lot to do in Diagon since there is only one ride located inside, and that might be true if you are going for the rides (in which case you probably shouldn’t be here at all, you should probably be in Islands of Adventure), but if you are coming because you are a Harry Potter fan then you will find plenty to do. I have ten things here, and I haven’t even listed everything you could do!
1.Enter Through the Wall
Maybe it is cheating to say that entering a place is one of the things to do there, but I think the entrance to Diagon Alley is an experience in itself. Sure it isn’t exactly the same as the movie, but you still get the feeling that you are walking through a brick wall complete with side effects, and when you get to the other side you will be blown away by what you find there.
One of the things that sets the Harry Potter World sections of the Universal Parks apart is an attention to detail that is almost as good as Disney’s. When you come into Diagon Alley you really feel like you are entering another, more magical world. Soak it in.
2. Feel the Fire from the Gringotts’ Dragon
As you enter Diagon Alley you will see shops craming the sides of the road and at the end of the road a the domed roof of Gringotts wizarding bank. And on top of the roof a dragon. It’s pretty epic, and the dragon breathes out a burst of flame and you are pretty sure you are really actually in the magical world.
You can see the dragon breathe fire from almost anywhere on the main road, but if you stand near the entrance of Gringotts then you can actually feel the heat as the flame shoots from its mouth.
3. Ride Escape From Gringotts
As I mentioned before there is one ride in Diagon Alley. Now you probably remember if you have read my other theme park posts that I am not really into rides, so I sent Meagan and our friends on this ride first to see if I could handle it. Like the Hogwarts ride this ride is partly mechanical (you are in a cart on a track) but mostly it is the “4D” type ride. After they road it they decided I would be able to handle it, and I did, so it’s not too terribly jarring (I’m looking at you Jimmy Fallon).
The real reason I decided to ride Escape from Gringotts though was that it is the only way to see the inside of the bank. Basically the line is the best part of this ride (same with the Hogwarts ride). If you can’t handle 4D rides but you love Harry Potter you should still go through the line and just treat it as a walkthrough experience.
4. Hear the Tale of the Three Brothers
Just around the corner from Gringotts is a stage and a common area where you can watch performances. A troupe of players will reenact Tales of Beetle the Bard. The only one we saw while we were there was the Tale of the Three Brothers, which is of course the story of the Deathly Hallows. I thought the show was really great, and it is very much worth sticking around for.
5. Drink Butterbeer at the Hopping Pot
Just to the side of the stage you will find the Hopping Pot, which functions like a little snack and drink shack. Here I suggest getting Butterbeer. There are some tables out in front of the Hopping Pot where we drank our Butterbeer and ate the lunch that we had brought in with us.
6. Cast Spells with an Interactive Wand
Near the Hopping Pot there are two places you can cast spells if you have one of the interactive wands that are sold at all the Harry Potter World locations. I have had my wand since we went to the one in California a few years ago, so of course I brought it with me on this trip. Near the Hopping Pot you can assemble a suit of armor and cause water to come out of a fountain.
These spell points are located throughout Diagon Alley, so keep your eyes open for them if you have a wand with you.
7. Wand Fitting at Ollivander’s
Whether or not you have a wand or are looking to buy one you will want to attend the wand fitting experience at Ollivanders. Of course we had been to a wand fitting before in Hogsmeade, but I went again here because Diagon Alley is where Ollivander’s is actually supposed to be, and where Harry got his wand.
Because they choose a random person from the visitors to have their wand fitted the experience is a little different every time. It is always fun to see an eager kid get picked and go through the experience of trying out different wands.
Of course, the point of the experience is to get everyone to buy wands, and after you go through the show part you pass into the actual retail shop. Interactive wands cost $50 when we were there. I only suggest buying a wand if it is going to make you happy to have your own wand, because the interactivity for them is still not superb yet.
8. Sneak Down Knockturn Alley
One of my favorite things is when a recreation really gets it right in the details. All the Harry Potter World locations we have visited do an amazing job at this. I particularly like it when I am surprised by the details, I really was not expecting them to put Knockturn Alley in so we found out you could actually go there I was really pleased.
There are two entrances to Knockturn Alley, one at each end. Little signs point to them so you have to watch for them. Be aware that Knockturn Alley is very dark, which is to be expected. Small children, and adults like me, might be scared going down the alley. There are a couple spell points in Knockturn Alley, and you can visit Borgin and Burkes shop, which is an actual shop selling all things death eater.
9. Eat in the Leaky Cauldron
So of course I was little disappointed that you don’t have to walk through the Leaky Cauldron to get to Diagon Alley, but I understand why that would be difficult logistically. But of course it still has to be there, and no trip to Diagon Alley would be complete for a fan if they didn’t eat at the Leaky Cauldron.
Try and go at a non-meal time, the restaurants in Harry Potter World are always popular (being the only good food in Universal Parks, and an important part of the Harry Potter series), but during meal times you can be left standing in line for a long time.
The Leaky Cauldron is a great recreation, not quite as great as the Three Broomsticks, but still pretty great. The food there is also great, especially if you remember you are in a theme park.
10. Visit Number 12 Grimmauld Place
Like I said, I love surprising details, and the fact that outside of Diagon Alley in Universal’s “London” you can find the door to Number 12 Grimmauld Place was just a great moment for me. Of course, I wish you could go inside, but for now it is just a photo op. It could easily be missed though if you don’t realize it is there, so make sure to get you picture on the doorstep Harry, Ron, and Hermione had to apparate on to so many times.
A Note About the Hogwarts Express
In Universal’s “London”, right next to Diagon Alley is the iconic Kings Cross Station. Having been to the real Kings Cross Station I can say that it is pretty good job from the outside. I can only talk about the outside, because you a can only go inside and catch a ride on the Hogwarts Express if you have Universal’s two park tickets.
Unfortunately we elected to get two separate day tickets, which I think was a mistake. I think that riding the Hogwarts Express was probably an important part of the experience, and I am sad that I did not get to. My suggestion to those going is to get single day two park tickets. Start off in Universal Studios and just do Diagon Alley, nothing else there is really worth your time. Then take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. Take your time in Hogsmeade and then spend the rest of the day in the other areas of Islands of Adventure. Then take the train back (apparently both directions are different experiences).
