You’re in for a Real Wizarding Treat at Diagon Alley!
As you approach this section of Universal Studios, you are first greeted by the muggles world of the London Embankment.
There’s a welcoming courtyard, complete with bright red telephone booths imported from London.
Step inside one of the phone booths, dial the alphanumeric equivalent of M-A-G-I-C (62442) on the authentic round dial and you’ll hear a secret message from the Ministry of Magic.
Pick up a traditional British souvenir from one of the Cabmen’s Shelters. Any Muggles who were around London in the 1800’s will distinctly remember these Cabmen’s Shelters. Cabbies (Hackney taxi drivers) used these drive-thru shelters for a cup of tea and some food.
And you thought McDonalds invented the drive-thru.
Take close look at 12 Grimmauld Place. It’s the ancestral home of Sirius Black’s family and the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. You might get a glimpse of Kreacher the house-elf peeping through the curtains every few minutes. Look at the second floor window, he’ll appear eventually.
Unlike in the movies, at Universal you’ll easily spot number 12 – it’s the discolored house in the row of homes that are Grimmauld Place.
Parked up next to the The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus, is the triple-decker Knight Bus. Emergency transport waiting for wizards and witches to flag it down.
You can’t climb aboard but you can peek inside to see the ornate decor. The bus conductor and shrunken head are the only passengers on the Bus, but they are both happy to have a chat.
Do stop by for some fun and laughs as the conductor and head interact with each other and passersby.
Kings Cross is the iconic train station and home to the famous Platform 9 3/4. Hop aboard Hogwarts Express for a fascinating journey to Hogsmeade.
This is a great way to reach the other Harry Potter section over at Islands of Adventure.
Even if you don’t plan to visit both parks, you will need a 2 park ticket to board the Hogwarts Express.
Diagon Alley is reached through Leicester Square, opposite the Knight Bus
As you enter Diagon Alley through the secret brick wall, you are immersed in a jaw dropping two block scene that transports you to right into the very heart of the movies.
Complete with a 60 foot fire-breathing Ukranian Ironbelly dragon teetering on Gringotts Bank snarling over the muggles who have dared to enter this mesmerizing hidden world.
Regular muggles, who just happen to be passing by and pop in and see what all the fuss is about, will be rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Die hard wizard wannabes will be totally transfixed and rewarded with a sensory overload and mind-blowing attention to detail. There are hidden gems and references in every single nook and cranny.
Don’t make the mistake of rushing by everything and making the Gringotts ride the main attraction. You’ll miss out on a wealth of fascination.
It’s even more atmospheric in the dark if you get the chance to visit on the occasions Diagon Alley is open at night.
Check out the wait time for Escape from Gringotts and work your time around that.
Stroll around the cobbled streets and take time to browse.
Look everywhere, then look again. Look up, down, right, left, over, above and beneath.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
This super-hyped, one-of-a-kind, 3D thrill ride had fans waiting in line for up to 7 hours when it opened. It’s innovative and exciting. It perhaps even surpasses Harry’s brilliant Forbidden Journey over at the Islands of Adventure.
From the end of the line till climbing onto your seat at the start of the mega-thrill ride, you’ll discover plenty to keep you entertained.
The story goes that you are at Gringotts to meet Ron Weasly for a tour of the bank vaults. As you enter Gringott’s Wizarding Bank to open your account, the Goblin bank tellers are possibly one of the best of the “Wow” factors. These extraordinary life-like animated creatures are busy with their work as you wind your way down the line. They are scarily real. Especially when they look up and stare you straight in the eye, before looking back down and carrying on with their all important banking business.
It’s a little bit creepy and a little bit cool!
The stacks of gold and coins displayed in the bank were used in the actual movies.
You’ll be entertained all the way along the line with two pre-shows and plenty to look at before you reach the ride.
Escape From Gringotts will put you right in the middle of the action and will awaken every sense you have and some you didn’t know existed. It’s a 3-D fully immersive steel hybrid coaster and motion-based ride system.
As you attempt to return to the safety of Diagon Alley, the fast-moving, spinning, whirling, twirling cart that bends and dips with hairpin turns is surprisingly smooth.
There are no personal items allowed on the ride at all. Any loose articles must either fit into a pocket or be put in a locker. Lockers are free to use while you take the ride, but don’t plan on leaving stuff there all day, it might work out expensive.
The lines might be long and there’s no express pass at the moment. If you don’t mind zooming along alone, take advantage of the single rider line. Although you’ll miss the lobby and pre-shows. If it’s your first time, the wait in regular line is worth it.
Lines for the ride are usually longest in the mornings, especially when the park first opens. It can be a little quieter around lunchtime or later in the afternoon.
Universal Orlando offers a package pickup service at the front gate so you don’t need to carry all those wands and wizard capes around with you.
There’s a second branch of Gringotts Bank located in Carkitt Market where you can exchange US$ for $10 or $20 Gringotts Wizarding Bank Notes. The notes are legal tender throughout Universal Orlando, but no refunds are given on exchanges and change will be given in $US.
Live Shows in Diagon Alley
Carkitt Market is home to the Celestina and the Banshees show. No set times posted, but it’s pretty much hourly so try not to miss it. Even the odd person on the planet who has never heard of Harry Potter will be foot tapping. Great singing and choreography plus audience participation. Celestina is of course the sensational favorite singer of Molly Weasley.
Also in Carkitt Market is Tales of Beedle the Bard – a fascinating puppet show telling wizard fables. For performers from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts will keep you completely entertained for 10-12 minutes.
Shopping in Diagon Alley
Shopping in Diagon Alley isn’t quite up to Rodeo Drive standards but there are enough outlets to put a smile on the face of most happy shoppers. And a grimace of acceptance on the partners who are not shop till you drop fanatics.
The stores themselves are almost in the entertainment category, so do pop in and take a look around. There’s so much Harry Potter memorabilia in every corner of every store.
If you need props for a game of quidditch, be sure to stop by Quality Quidditch Supplies. If you head right to the back of the store, you’ll discover some artifacts from the Harry Potter movies.
A new pen? Scribbulus Writing Implements is the place for you.
Pop into the three-story Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes if you’re stuck for one a kind gifts for folks back home. You can pick up some U-No-Poo constipation pills, or how about a Disastrous Delight Bombastic Bomb? Do you know anyone who needs some Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder?
At least now you know where to shop for that special someone who has everything. When you enter the store, make sure you look up and see the firework display in the ceiling.
If it’s the latest in fashionable wizard wear you are after, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions will be the perfect choice.
Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment is the place for crystal balls and time turners.
Pop into Magical Menagerie for furry or scaly creatures to replace the dog or cat and terrorize the neighborhood.
For all you JK Rowling diehards, this is where you can take a sneak peek at some of the creatures that may well be used when her book “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” brings Harry Potter in the next chapter of his life.
It is said the store is the first visualization of what some of the mythical creatures from the book may look like.
While you’re here, make sure you peek up at the windows and you’ll see Nagini, the iconic serpent that will speak to you in parseltongue.
Buying a Wand in Diagon Alley
If your wannabe wizards have mastered their wand wielding skills, be sure to call into Ollivander’s Wand Shop.
This is where you can see the Wand Selection Ceremony. You may even be chosen to be the lucky one. There are 3 choosing chambers and groups of 24 can enjoy the ceremony. A random guest (wearing Harry Potter regalia might give you more chance) is chosen. The Wandkeeper then begins the ceremony of sizing up and letting the chosen one try out wands for suitability. Often with amusing results. You will be required to purchased the wand if you are ‘Chosen’.
Great entertainment even if you are not selected.
This impressive family run business has been creating fine wands since 382BC. The collection is huge and the shop itself is fascinating to wander around.
No self-respecting wizard would be seen with any other brand.
Or would they? There’s a Wands by Gregorovitch store here too and everybody knows Mykew Gregorovitch was an expert in wand making.
Rumor has it he tried to replicate the powers of the Elder Wand when it was in his possession and we all know that’s the most powerful wand in existence.
There are 25 interactive spells that can be cast with your wand in Diagon Alley, so look out for the metal markers in the street paving.
With a steady hand and a quick flick of the wrist direct your wand in the pattern instructed then stand back in awe at your spell binding achievement.
A muggle has to start somewhere and practice makes perfect.
Dining and Drinking in Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley’s flagship restaurant, the Leaky Cauldron offers some traditional British fare.
This whimsically atmospheric iconic restaurant has stepped right out of the movies. Complete with a barely noticeable frontage. Exactly as the movie.
On the menu you’ll find good old fish and chips, bangers and mash, toad in the hole and cottage pie to name just a few.
To wash it all down, take a swig of the Butterbeer, a non alcoholic drink all ages will love. You can also have it hot and topped with a delicious cold froth. It’s available in The Leaky Cauldron, The Hopping Pot and The Fountain of Fair Fortune.
Or maybe try one of the signature drinks such as Tong Tying Lemon Squash which is gloriously refreshing. Or the mouth popping Fishy Green Ale which, thankfully, does not list fish as a main ingredient. There’s Pumpkin Juice and Otter’s Fishy Orange Juice too.
If you’ve still got room for dessert, try the delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Or take a stroll up Diagon Alley to Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor for some Butterbeer Ice-cream. It’s possibly even better than the Butterbeer itself.
If you fancy dabbling at mixing potions, then head over to the Elixir Fountain
For real ale AND butterbeer, head over to Fountain of Fair Fortune.
Fantastic, imaginative, unbelievable and out of sight are only a few ways of describing Diagon Alley, the atmosphere, shops, street theater and especially the rides.
Now you’ve explored Diagon Alley, discover the rest of the amazing attractions at Universal Orlando:
Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter Hogsmeade
Hogwarts Express
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