Hello Diagon Alley! Wizarding World — Part 2

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When I first walked out of Leicester Square Station in Universal Studios Orlando, I was met with a view of the lagoon and a London street front. I turned left heading straight for the triple-decker Knight Bus on the waterfront next to the Eros Fountain. The interactive show features a Universal Studios actor as conductor who fed information about current visitors to the shrunken head hanging in the bus window. This is a great photo op location.

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Walking to the street’s end, I was disappointed until I realized I had not found the entryway to Diagon Alley. Turning back, I located a “misdirected” doorway and went inside. 

On first entry — walking through a darkened and lackluster pathway, the scenery opened up to an amazing scene — four-plus story buildings populated Diagon Alley and seemed to go on forever. The somber colors and quirky architecture were intriguing and pulled me in to explore.

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At the first building on the right was the Owl Post where a boy was writing a letter to be sent via owl. Just past this was the blacksmith — another opportunity to use your wand to make the bellows operate within the shop. Next was The Hopping Pot where you can eat outside and enjoy the Tales of Beedle Bard featuring Celestine Warlock and the Banshees from the books.

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My favorite ride in The Wizarding World was “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts”. The wait was about 45 minutes as the single rider lane was closed at that time. Once inside the bank, you could watch the animatronic goblin tellers and the head goblin work solemnly. They are quite creepy in the way the work and keep an eye on visitors. The teller gave information about the ride including safety instructions. Winding on to the ride entry, there was an opportunity to purchase photos and a walk along areas to the left where visitors could read The Daily Prophet newspapers and see the feature story photos come to life just like in the movies. There were office doors with titles on the right and shadow figures of goblins at work. The ride itself was a big cart emulating the ones in the movies. This simulator/rollercoaster 3-D ride was thrilling and plunged deep into the depth of Gringotts’ vaults — everything you would want in a thrill ride that made you feel a part of the story. Bellatrix LeStrange and the Gringotts dragon played a big part.

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Catty-corner from Gringotts was the The Fountain of Fair Fortune where you could purchase regular or frozen Butterbeer or an actual draft beer selection. The etched glass in the shop was beautiful.

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Knockturn Alley was just outside the shop to the left. This attraction offered “wizards” the opportunity to work there magic and had several active displays on your way to the dark and mysterious Borgin & Burkes, a shop where the full line of Harry Potter merchandise is sold. I picked up a pricey but unique t-shirt with a wanted poster for Bellatrix LeStrange.

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Most of the shops in Diagon Alley were ones visitors could walk into, buy candy, ice cream, and more. You could even visit Gringotts Money Exchange to trade U.S. money for Gringotts Bank Notes to spend anywhere in the park.

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Exiting to the London street front was a sad thing, but then you’re on to buy a delicious Jacket Potato at the street vendor outside and head back to Universals Islands of Adventure for a different ride on The Hogwarts Express. 

While in line, you can watch the riders in front of you walk through the brick wall of Platform 9 3/4 with a trick of reflection. Look for this…it was not as obvious as you might think. The ride itself had different scenery, different shadows and conversations in the train’s hallway. 

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I wish I’d had more time to explore every inch of The Wizarding World and hope to come back one day to ride Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure and see what I missed this time (especially The Three Broomsticks/Hog’s Head eatery where you can see the shifting staircases of Hogwarts as you eat, ghostly visitors and the snarling Hog’s Head over the bar).