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5 Must-Dos at Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

October 30, 2015 Tania Lamb 11 Comments

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As my family was preparing to visit Universal Orlando for the Family Forward conference, my kids asked what we were going to do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Good question. Um, have fun? You see, we’re not huge Harry Potter fans. Whaaaaaat? I know. It’s not to say I don’t like Harry Potter. I really enjoyed reading all the books and watching the movies.  My oldest two children have read some of the books, but my young children are like, Harry Potter who?

So in preparation, of course I had to find some fun Harry Potter clothing to look the part.  Then I noticed Diagon Alley had only one attraction listed. One? What was I going to do with all my kids there?

I’ll tell you what. I started to geek the freak out.

Diagon Alley

I turned the corner, and it’s like the angels started singing. Diagon Alley is my favorite! I love me some Hogsmeade, too, but let’s focus on one thing at a time, people. Here are 5 things you must do in Diagon Alley!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

This is the one attraction in Diagon Alley, and I loved it! Walking through Gringotts itself is an attraction. You walk through the bank’s lobby all while keeping an eye on goblins, go through passageways, into Bill Weasley’s office, up an elevator and a winding staircase to board the attraction. My eyes were already wide from excitement, but then the multi-dimensional adventure through the vaults of Gringotts was thrilling and amazing.

This summer, guests can experience the next generation thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – the signature attraction found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando. Guests will become part of the iconic moment from the Harry Potter film series where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts bank to retrieve a magical object that will help defeat Lord Voldemort. The groundbreaking attraction combines the most innovative technology ever created, 360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems and live special effects with beloved characters and breathtaking moments from the final Harry Potter book and film. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. The new area will double the size of the sweeping land already found at Universal Orlando, expanding the spectacularly themed environment across both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. For more information, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/WizardingWorld. HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s14) © 2014 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.

Side note: I love Universal’s Child Swap service. Your children who do not meet the height requirement or who don’t wish to ride can walk with you through the line and then wait in a room close to the boarding area for the ride. They show clips of Harry Potter and you’re out of the heat and rain while you wait. Then when the rest of your party is finished, they meet you in that room, you switch, and you get right on the ride. It’s so easy!

Wands at Ollivander’s: Maker’s of Fine Wands since 382 BC

Ollivanders

It’s really fun to watch a wand choosing at Ollivanders. The wand chooses the wizard or witch. We went right before the store was about to close and our family was the only family in there. What were the chances one of my children would be chosen? 😉  Luckily my oldest was chosen, and she was very excited and old enough to understand the meaning and the importance of having a wand choose her. My other girls were thrilled to be able to choose the wands of famous wizards in Harry Potter. We had a Hermione, a Ginny Weasley, and a Professor McGonagall.

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My oldest daughter being chosen for a wand.

The wands are a little pricey, but for $8 more, you can buy an interactive wand. No brainer and worth every penny, because you get a map with the purchase of your wand, and my daughters had a ball finding all the interactive activities.

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Here your wand makes the eyeballs move as you move the wand a certain way.

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Here your wand makes the umbrella rain. Classic spell. We made it rain at least 30 times. It was that funny every time. So while the kids ran around Diagon Alley with their wands, I did this…

Watch Gringotts Dragon

No lie, watching the Dragon on Gringotts was hypnotizing. Every 10 minutes the dragon breathes fire, and every single time I would cheer like a school girl. I watched it from different angles, in the morning, afternoon, and night. I was addicted. There I said it, and admitting it is always the first step. But you know what they say, never tickle a sleeping dragon.

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Gringotts Dragon -Diagon Alley

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Gringotts Money Exchange

Gringotts Money Exchange is a separate building from the ride. You can bring in your dollars and exchange them for Gringotts Bank Notes. They are available in $10 and $20 increments and can be used to purchase merchandise around Universal Studios. They are a fun souvenir, but my daughters opted to spend theirs. The goblin at the desk speaks and interacts with you, too. So awesome.

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Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour

Eat all the ice cream! I like ice cream, but I can’t say it’s my jam. The ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour is my jam. First of all, hello Butterbeer ice cream! Yes, I’m going to have to say it’s more amazing than Frozen Butterbeer. I’m sorry. #SorryNotSorry You’ll have to be the judge though.

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Butterbeer ice cream

But not only is the Butterbeer flavor outstanding, I found other favorites, too. I’m looking at you pistachio, salted caramel blondie, and sticky toffee pudding. What? These are the benefits of having a large family, plenty of people to share. I won’t mention how many times we went back. But seriously, go. Try a flavor you wouldn’t normally try. You won’t regret it.

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So there you have it. We kept coming back to Diagon Alley, and nobody ever got bored or asked to leave. We waited until they kicked us out. Yes, you need Park-to-Park admission, because I can’t even begin to describe the awesome that is King’s Cross Station and the Hogwarts Express. All my children are now full-fledged Harry Potter fans and have come home wanting to read and watch Harry Potter everything. Something I can fully support, except when they start trying to cast spells on me.

 

 

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blog, Family Travel, Universal Butterbeer, Celebration of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, Family Forward, Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, Gringotts Dragon, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal, Wands at Ollivanders

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Comments

  1. Bonnie says

    October 31, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Oh my word. Butter beer ice cream sounds amazing!!! I can’t wait to go over to this park and see all the things. When we went There was only Forbidden Journey.

    Reply
    • Tania Lamb says

      October 31, 2015 at 11:39 pm

      Yes, you have to go and ride the Hogwarts Express, too!

      Reply
  2. Shannon Anderson says

    October 31, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    We went in January and LOVED it! This is making me not only want to go again, but maybe bring a kid or two with me next time! Your trip sounds completely amazing, I am so happy for you and your family. And now I need ice cream… thanks… 😉

    Reply
    • Tania Lamb says

      October 31, 2015 at 11:36 pm

      Ha! You’re welcome. 😉

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    October 30, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    Salted caramel blondie? I’m in. We love Harry Potter and I really need to make a trip to see this!! Thanks for the guidance!

    Reply
    • Tania Lamb says

      October 30, 2015 at 11:22 pm

      Yes, you need to go! Like now 😉

      Reply
  4. Suzanne says

    October 30, 2015 at 11:19 am

    One of our favorite places! Miss E and I spent a lot of time exploring while the boys rode Escape from Gringotts. She loved the shows by the money exchange.
    Salted Caramel Brownie and Sticky Toffee is the ice cream breakfast of champions. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tania Lamb says

      October 30, 2015 at 11:21 pm

      Thanks for the recommendations! It’s because of you that I tried new flavors, because I otherwise would have been Butterbeer all day long.

      Reply
  5. Patty says

    October 30, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Oh man- Diagon looks amazing! I can’t wait to see it myself. And grab some of that ice cream too. !!!

    Reply
    • Tania Lamb says

      October 30, 2015 at 1:30 pm

      The best!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Visiting Diagon Alley at Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Lola Lambchops says:
    May 27, 2016 at 9:49 am

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