Ultimate Guide to Diagon Alley

Universal Studios, Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter located at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida is broken down into two sections- Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Diagon Alley is located in the park Universal Studios while Hogsmeade is located in the park Islands of Adventure and they are both connected by the Hogwarts’s Express train.

Diagon Alley is home to Gringotts’s and is located in Universal Studios park in Orlando, Florida. The Diagon Alley section has a wide variety of rides, shops, shows and eateries to explore!

It’s important to understand before you visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that if you intend on visiting the entire “world” you’ll need to purchase a 2 park or park to park ticket-ask your travel advisor (ME) because the “world” is in both parks and separated by Hogwarts’s Express. The ONLY way to ride Hogwarts’s Express is to have a park to park ticket. The Hogwarts’s Express is one of the highlight’s of the Harry Potter lands so it something you do not want to miss!

The rides you’ll find in Diagon Alley ….

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hogwarts Express: Kings Cross Station

It’s important to note that all Universal thrill rides have test seats which you can try before getting in the line. If you are tall OR heavy set you should definitely try the test seats before waiting in line. The seat light must turn green in order for you to be able to ride. There’s no use in your waiting in line only for you to be turned away at the ride. Each ride has a separate ride seat so if you’re wondering at all I recommend you test every seat. Also many rides are 3D so if you get motion sickness you should bring sea sick patches with you.

Escape From Gringotts’s– The ride que is a beautiful remake of Gringotts’s bank complete with fire breathing dragon on top and animatronic Goblins inside. If you chose not to ride you can ask a cast member for a walkthrough tour or simply walk through the line and exit before the ride-it’s absolutely worth it just to see all the detailing! The ride is a 3D simulation thrill ride so keep that in mind of you get motion sickness.

Hogwarts’s Express King’s Cross Station-The train ride that will get you back and forth between the two parks. You should ride it both way since each way has a different experience. You must have a park to park ticket to ride this ride. Tickets will be scanned before entering the train.

Dining in Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley has one restaurant, grab and go kiosks and a several shops with some goodies so let’s explore those a bit!

Leaky Cauldron-This sit down dining options is a quick serve restaurant that offers a mobile order options which I recommend using to save yourself from waiting at the register. You will still have to wait in the line but once you get to the front of the line you can show your server your order number and they will seat you. A server will then bring your order to your table. The restaurants at both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley have the same exact menu so don’t worry about missing something at one of them-simply pick one! You cannot make reservations but you can mobile order!

Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor– This small little ice cream shop hosts some unusual Harry Potter themed flavors so it’s worth a stop!. You’ll find soft serve, hard packed and sundae style options. Oh and yes they do have a butterbeer flavor!

Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment-This small kiosk can be found in the middle of the walkway. The kiosks sells small elixirs that can be combined with bottles of water to create colorful, flavorful beverages!

The Fountain of Fair Fortune-This kiosks sells a variety of drinks and quick grab and go snacks.

The Hopping Pot-Nestled within Carkitt Market is this walk-up counter where you can cool off with a variety of drinks including Butterbeer (regular or frozen, and ice-cream), Pumpkin Juice, Tongue Tying Lemon Squash, Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, Peachtree Fizzing Tea, Fishy Green Ale, our Wizard’s Brew and Dragon Scale beers, and more.

Shopping-

There are several shops in Diagon Alley….

• Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes: Puking Pastilles and other prank items devised by the Weasley twins. This is such a fun store to stop by! There are so many details inside.

• Gringotts Exchange: Trade U.S. currency for Gringotts bank notes, which can be used in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Such a fun souvenir or experience.
• Borgin & Burkes: Death Eater masks and movie replicas, plus you can walk down Knockturn Alley to find it. Make sure you check out the night sky above the entry way and see if you can see the Death Eater signal.

• Globus Mundi: Passport holders, luggage tags, and other necessities for your magical travels. My personal favorite!

• Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions: Clothing and jewelry. Get your wizard robes. You can even have them personalized.
• Magical Menagerie: Plush toys featuring magical creatures, including fan fave Buckbeak
• Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment: Unique house merchandise.

Entertainment…

Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees-Sway and groove to the dulcet tones of wizarding world sensation (and Molly Weasley’s favorite singer), Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. The swinging show features never-before-heard songs including ‘A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love’, ‘You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart’, and ‘You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me’. Check you app for up to date times.

The Tales of Beetle the Bard-Gather ’round for a stage show presented by the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts. These adept players perform a trunk show using stylized scenic pieces, props and puppetry. See them retell two famous tales of Beedle the Bard, a 15th-century author of wizarding fairytales, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Tale of the Three Brothers. Check your app for up to date times.

Other things….

*Interactive Wands-if you chose to purchase an interactive wand at either Ollivander’s or another store you can stop by windows throughout both Harry Potter Lands to make magic happen!

*Knight Bus– Make sure you stop by the Knight Bus and see if you can’t ask the conductor and shrunken head some questions.

*The Dragon-Watch for the dragon to spray it’s fire one the hour and then every 15 minutes, weather permitting. She will not breathe fire if it’s windy.

*Kreacher the House Elf-look for him peeking out of Grimmauld Place…..

Part of the fun of being in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter World is also dressing in robes! I recommend purchasing those ahead of time to save money. You can find all my favorite Universal park must haves here.

Need help planning your trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? You can find me on Facebook at Callie at Wanderkeep Travel or on Instagram at Wanderingwithcallie or you can email me at callie@wanderkeep.com and as always my services are complimentary when you book through me!

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