The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans 2 parks in Universal Studios Orlando. Diagon Alley/London are located near the back of the Universal Studio Park. Across the way from Springfield (the Simpsons area) it feels as if you are walking through an English neighborhood. In London you can head to Kings Cross station to take the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade on the Islands of Adventure side.
Before you enter into Diagon Alley be sure to takin in the sights in London. You can visit the Knight Bus – the only real interactive character greeting in the Wizarding World. Even more fun this bus was actually one of props from the movies! The kids will have fun talking with the drivers shrunken head.
When you enter Diagon Alley you are surrounded by the row of wizard shops. At the end of the street atop Gringotts sits a fire-breathing dragon. My little one dislikes this part the most, he goes off about every 15 minutes but you can hear a small rumble right before the fire as a warning.
Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is a nod to Fred and George Weasleys joke shop. The Quidditch store has school house jerseys and the quidditch trophies on the shelves are props from the movies. In the back of these 2 shops there is a sweet shop where you can find chocolate frogs and butterbeer fudge.
The Leaky Cauldron is the table service restaurant here. They serve up traditional English food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast does have more American foods if you have picky eaters. You can’t go wrong with some fish and chips.
If you are looking for a robe or other find wizard clothing you must visit Madam Malkins robes for all occasions. You can find complete Hogwarts school uniforms and even a talking mirror who might give her honest opinion about your outfit choice.
The fountain of fair fortune serves up butterbeer and other drinks and the line can get quite long on hot days. Next door you will find a wizard ice cream shop.
Florean Fortescue’s ice cream parlor offers both traditional flavors such as vanilla and mint but also unique ones like stick toffee pudding and Earl gray with lavender. You can get your ice cream in a cone or a souvenir sundae glass.
Escape from Gringotts is the only ride you will find in Diagon Alley. This is combination roller coaster and 3-D motion simulator and has a height requirement of 42″. The ride takes you through the Gringotts wizard bank vaults, fighting off Voldemort and a fire breathing dragon.
Inside Diagon Alley you might stumble into Knockturn alley, a place devoted to the dark arts. There are interactive spells spots inside including a window of singing shrunken heads and a small nod to the old Jaws ride that used to be part of this area in the park.
In Knockturn alley you can also find Borgin and Burkes, which is the store Harry accidently ends up when using floo powder for the first time. The shop is the perfect place for witches and wizards who fancy the dark arts.
The Magical Menagerie shop is home to all magical creatures. This is essentially a toy shop featuring pygmy puffs of all sizes, the 3 headed dog, unicorns and of course owls. Outside there is a large python in the window that will speak to you in parseltongue (snake language).
Every wizard needs a wand and there’s no finer place than Ollivanders. You have the option to participate in a wand choosing ceremony or just choose from a large selection of wands inside this shop.
You can purchase both interactive and non-interactive wands both at Ollivanders and a small cart across from the Weasleys joke shop near the entrance. Wands include those of famous wizards like Harry and Dumbledore and a collectable one that changes every year. The interactive wands are worth the investment if you are planning to visit for more than 1 day. There are more than a dozen different interactive spells and a few hidden ones as well.
The Gringotts money exchange is where you can trade US currency for Gringotts bank notes. These can be used like money in both the Wizarding World but I think most get them as souvenirs. They can be purchased in either 10 or 20 notes. You can also talk to a Gringotts goblin while in the shop. On the stage you can see live shows with Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees or the Tales of Beedle the bard, like wizard fairy tales.
For readers of the books or those who enjoy watching the movies this is a must visit. Every time we walk through the entrance it feels like we are in Diagon Alley from the hidden details to the noises of the near by train its such a magical experience.