Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando

Disclaimer: I was provided with incentives for this post; however, all opinions are mine and mine alone.

Diagon-Alley-Universal-Orlando-Mama-Luvs-Books

The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando is completely worth the visit. In fact, it was my kids’ favorite thing at Universal Orlando, and the place we spent most of our time while at the parks. We had visited Universal Orlando previously (before Diagon Alley was open), and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade at the Island of Adventure was definitely a hit, but we also enjoyed all the other rides that both parks had to offer (Transformers, Spiderman, ET, Despicable Me, etc.). If you are planning a visit to Universal Orlando, then you definitely need to get the two-park pass (and Express Pass too if possible). This will make it so you can fit everything in, as well as take the Hogwarts Express train from King’s Cross Station and hop from one area of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the other. While we throughly enjoyed the park at Island of Adventure with  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Dragon Challenge, we loved the new Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida even more. 

Kings-Cross-Diagon-Alley

Diagon-Alley-Universal

Diagon-Alley-Universal-Mama-Luvs-Books

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is the highlight of Diagon Alley. It’s the new 3D multi-dimensional ride that takes you through Gringotts on an adventure you won’t forget! You will even encounter “He Who Must Not Be Named” and see your favorite characters from Harry Potter as well. It’s an amazing ride and well worth the wait. As you are in line you get to navigate Gringotts and see the goblins at work. This makes for a fun experience as you wait. As for the ride itself, it was fast-moving, dark, and 3D action packed. However, it was a very smooth ride. It did not seem overly jerky, and there were no huge drops. My 7-year old son, 10-year old daughter, and my 75-year old father rode it with me. As you can see, it can be for everyone! We all enjoyed it!

Diagon-Alley-Universal-Mama-Luvs-Books

Diagon-Alley-Universal-Mama-Luvs-Books

Escape-From-Gringotts

Diagon-Alley-Universal

Other exciting things in Diagon Alley include Ollivander’s Wand Shop, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Money Exchange (where you can verbally interact with a goblin). While at Ollivander’s Wand Shop, my daughter was lucky enough to be selected out of the crowd to participate in the wand matching ceremony. As we know, the wand chooses the wizard. She was able to try out different wands (mostly ones that didn’t seem to be working out well), and then once the correct wand for her was placed in her hand, light shone down on her and her hair was blowing in the wind. The wand keeper said, “This looks like a perfect fit!” We ended up purchasing that exact wand. This experience was the highlight of our entire trip to Orlando for my daughter. Of course we had to find a “perfect fit” wand for my son as well, and after that we spent hours in Diagon Alley using our interactive wands to create spells and see them come to life before our eyes! There are about 40 golden plaques on the ground throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, each that shows it’s own pattern to wave the wand and make magic happen. Once my kids discovered this we only rode a few more rides in the park and then it was Frozen Butterbeer and wands for the rest of the day! Their two favorite things about Universal Orlando!

Ollivanders-Wand-Shop

Ollivanders-Wand-Shop

Ollivanders-Wand-Shop

Ollivanders-Wand-Shop

We tried eating at Three Broomsticks at Island of Adventure on our first trip to Universal Orlando, and the food was absolutely delicious. You don’t usually find such quality food at a theme park, but you do here at Universal. This time we tried eating at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. It was just as good as our meal at Three Broomsticks. I would recommend eating at either. You literally feel like you are eating at Hogwarts in the dining hall with Harry and his friends. Also, if you have never tried Frozen Butterbeer, then it is an absolute MUST! Add it to your list of things not to miss. Another cool drink you can get as well is the GILLY WATER. It looks like plain bottled water, but then you add magical and colorful elixirs for a slightly sweet taste. The names of the elixirs are: Draught of Peace, Babbling Beverage, Elixir to Induce Euphoria and Fire Protection Potion. We tried two and they were FUN to make a delicious to drink!

Leaky-Cauldron-Universal

Leaky-Cauldron-Universal

Frozen-Butterbeer-Universal

Gilly-Water-Universal-Harry-Potter

Gilly-Water-Universal-Harry-Potter

Diagon Alley is like entering the Harry Potter series. You feel just as if you are in Harry’s world experiencing what he did. From wand and robe shopping, to catching the train at 9 3/4 platform at King’s Cross Station to head over to Hogsmeade, you really are immersed his this world. You even see people walking through the brick wall while entering platform 9 3/4, as well as feeling just like you are on the Hogwarts Express as you head from park to park. It’s truly amazing, and an experience you will not want to miss! It’s definitely something to add to your bucket list of things to do in your lifetime. Live as Harry Potter did and become part of his adventure. This escape into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade will make you dream of coming back to Universal Orlando again and again. We are certainly dreaming of the next time we can return.

Universal-Orlando-Harry-Potter

Universal-Orlando-Harry-Potter

Universal-Orlando-Harry-Potter

Kristin

Comments

  1. I am dying to get there. I haven’t been to Universal in about 10 years.

  2. It really is amazing how real that place feels!

  3. Those building are huge! And the detail put into Universal is amazing. I plan to check it out as soon as we can get down that way.

  4. I visited universal this summer, and I have to agree Diagon Alley was amazing! I loved re-living my trip through this post.

  5. This looks just so amazing! I cannot wait to visit with my kids!!!

  6. I SO want to go there – with or without the kids. It looks so cool!

  7. My kids would flip over this. This looks so amazing.

  8. I simply cannot wait to see this for myself one day – I’ve heard great things, now to experience it all with my family!!

  9. How cool, this would totally be my dream come true! I sure hope I get to bring my family here one day!

  10. What a neat place. I like all the ways they bring the story into the food and restaurants!

  11. Pauline Cabrera says:

    This one! Thanks for letting us in (somehow)! I’m a total Harry Potter fan.

  12. I have heard so much about this but I just know when I’m there in person I will have my own opinion to share. Looks like you had an awesome time. I haven’t been to universal in about 10 years.

  13. This looks SO freaking cool. It wasn’t finished when we were there a few years ago but they were in the process. I can’t wait to check it out. It looks fantastic and fun.

  14. That Gilly water looks like fun! I didn’t get to try that when I was there this Spring!

  15. That looks like such a fun place! And there are so many activities! I want to go so bad haha! My daughter would love to as well, but I think I would be the one to act like a kid! I’d like to find a wand for myself!

  16. Ann Bacciaglia says:

    This is on the top of my list of places i need to go. I love Harry Potter and would love to spend the day wandering around.

  17. This place looks super exciting! My kids would love to visit and so would I!

  18. Anything Harry Potter is sooo COOL! I just love it! Fortunately, I had the chance to visit Universal Studios last June, & had a blast!

  19. This is super high on my must travel list! I can;t wait to introduce my babes to HP when they are a little older! Amazing!

  20. Okay, that is super-cool… I haven’t been to Universal in years and totally want to go again. Especially now that I have kids.

  21. Love Harry Potter! I would love to be able to go with my daughter. It sounds like a blast!

  22. I have not been to Universal Studio’s in years. It looks like it’s changed so much, fun!

  23. I have only been to Universal Studios in California. I really want to see the one in Florida. Sounds like a TON of fun that my family would enjoy.

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