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6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819-7610, USA
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Few places are as magical for Harry Potter fans as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley. The jaw-dropping detail of the park immerses you into a nearly perfect replica of the sets seen in the Harry Potter films. Here, dragons breathe real fire, goblins talk, and you can make things move with a swish and flick. The experience is enough to forget for a minute you’re a muggle.
Seeing everything Diagon Alley has to offer, however, takes some planning. Here’s what you need to know before taking a trip to the Wizarding World in Orlando.
When to Go
Diagon Alley is one of the most popular spots in the entirety of Universal Studios Florida. Consequently, it is almost always packed. The best time of the year to visit is in early December or late January when the weather is cool, and there are fewer crowds. Other low-traffic times include September just after the school year has started and in May before school lets out.
If you can’t visit during a slow time of year, the best way to avoid long lines and crowded shops is to plan your trip timing carefully. The area gets busier as the day goes on but then empties out again closer to closing time. Therefore, try to arrive at Diagon Alley as soon as the park opens, leave in the middle of the day to relax or explore other parts of Universal Studios Florida, and then return in the late afternoon to enjoy the rest of what the area offers.
Pro tip: A perk of staying at some of the Universal Orlando Resort properties is early admission. Guests staying at the hotel can enter the park a full hour earlier than those staying off-site.
How to Get There
Diagon Alley is located in the very back of the Universal Studios Orlando theme park. The entrance to the area isn’t marked, but you’ll know you’re close when it looks like you’ve arrived in London. There’s a significant sign announcing King’s Cross Station, and a red British phone box sits just outside.
There are three entrances to Diagon Alley, the most popular being the one lined with red brick, similar to those seen in the Harry Potter films. The other two entrances are also nondescript, located just to the right of the main brick entrance near Grimmauld Place.
Buying Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at Universal Studios Orlando, but they’re more affordable if bought online or through the Universal Florida app. Visitors to Diagon Alley typically choose between two types of tickets:
- One Park: This ticket grants admission into Universal Studios only. It’s suitable if you just want to see Diagon Alley, but you won’t be able to ride the Hogwarts Express or visit Hogsmeade.
- Park-to-Park: A Park-to-Park pass allows you to enter both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the same day and ride the Hogwarts Express.
Note: Unless you buy a multi-day ticket, the pass is only valid for one day.
Universal also offers an Express Pass that allows you to skip the regular line (and longer wait times) for the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Hogwarts Express rides.
What to Do in Diagon Alley
While the rides are a thrilling aspect of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they aren’t the only attractions in the area. These are some of the biggest highlights you’ll find in Diagon Alley.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
It’s tough to determine what is more impressive about this attraction: the ride itself or the wait. Similar to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in Hogwarts Castle, making your way to the main event means passing through a series of breathtaking rooms that transport you into a magical world—complete with lifelike goblins and moving photographs. When you finally experience the ride, it’s not for the faint of heart. The indoor roller coaster combines 360-degree motion and 3D screens to make you feel as though you’re fleeing dark wizards when escaping the bank’s vaults.
This ride is exceedingly popular. Even on low-traffic days at the park, wait times may exceed an hour or more. Pro tip: To avoid the crowds, visit during the offseason and rush to the ride as soon as the park opens or just before closing.
Ollivanders Wand Shop
If you’re eager to get a wand during your visit (and who wouldn’t be?), Ollivanders is the place to find one. Part show and part shop, the experience begins with watching a master wandmaker select a witch or wizard from the audience to find their wand. Following the show, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase your own wand, including interactive wands that can be used throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Pro tip: While children are often chosen to participate in the show, adults may also be selected—especially those who show great enthusiasm.
Interactive Wands
Casting “spells” is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable experiences in Diagon Alley. Wave an interactive wand at one of the spell locations throughout the park to make umbrellas rain, suits of armor fall apart, or shrunken heads sing. These locations are marked on a map that accompanies your wand, as well as indicated with bronze medallions at each site. While some spell motions can be a bit challenging, park employees dressed in wizarding attire are usually available to assist.
Wands can be purchased at several locations within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in various styles. You can opt for a wand resembling a favorite character’s or find an “unclaimed” one that suits you better. While they aren’t inexpensive (around $50 each), you can reuse them each time you return to the park. If your wand stops working in the future, wandmakers at Ollivanders will repair it for you at no cost.
Pro tip: For a quicker experience, if you prefer skipping the show at Ollivanders, Wands by Gregorovitch—conveniently located across from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes—typically has shorter lines.
Gringotts Money Exchange
At the money exchange, you can trade muggle money (U.S. currency only) for Gringotts bank notes. These notes can be utilized to purchase items available in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. If you don’t spend it all, you can exchange any leftover amount back at guest services in either park.
While the wizard money is a fun experience, the real attraction here is the goblin. Feel free to ask the irritable creature questions, and he will respond with witty remarks.
Shopping
Experiencing Diagon Alley wouldn’t be complete without shopping. There are ten shops in the park, many modeled after those from the films, including:
- Borgin and Burkes
- Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
- Magical Menagerie
- Ollivanders
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
- Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
The various shops provide a great opportunity to purchase Potter-themed gifts or merchandise; however, they tend to be small and can become crowded, particularly during the summer months when the Orlando heat drives everyone indoors.
Pro tip: If you try on anything at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, be sure to stop in front of the talking mirror!
Watching Shows
The shows in Diagon Alley differ from those you’ll experience in Hogsmeade. Instead of singing toads and Beauxbatons, visitors here can enjoy puppeteered presentations of the Tales of Beedle the Bard and the melodious performances of Celestina Warbeck.
Outside the Diagon Alley entrance, near Universal’s replica of Leicester Square, you’ll also find the Knight Bus. While stepping inside the towering, purple, triple-decker bus isn’t an option, a driver and a humorous talking head engage passersby with entertaining banter.
The Hogwarts Express
You can literally take a train to Hogwarts by riding the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station. The station entrance is located just outside Diagon Alley (past the Leaky Cauldron and the red telephone box—you can’t miss it). Like the other rides, the queue offers its own enjoyment. Be sure to observe as guests ahead of you vanish through the wall at Platform 9¾—a fascinating trick that can be easily missed amid the rush to board the train.
Once aboard the train, you’ll be escorted into a compartment and experience a storyline true to the canon, alongside stunning digital scenery as you travel to Hogsmeade over at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park. The storyline differs on the return journey to Diagon Alley; therefore, take the train in both directions to appreciate both experiences.
Pro tip: Since the train transports you between the two theme parks, ensure you have a Park-to-Park admission ticket to ride.
Eating in Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley features several options for dining and refreshments, including some establishments seen in the Harry Potter movies. These include:
- Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment: If you’ve ever fantasized about being a potions master, this kiosk can help. It offers bottled Gillywater and “elixirs” that can be combined (like magic!) for a colorful, fruity beverage.
- Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour: This ice cream shop is inspired by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In addition to standard flavors, they serve signature treats like Butterbeer soft serve and Pumpkin Juice.
- Leaky Cauldron: In the books and films, the Leaky Cauldron served as a gateway to the Wizarding World and a popular stop for Harry and his friends on their way to Hogwarts. Here, it operates as a sit-down restaurant offering a variety of British cuisine and adult beverages.
- The Fountain of Fair Fortune: Positioned next to Florean Fortescue’s, this spot provides adults the chance to enjoy a Butterbeer or other traditional alcoholic drinks without waiting in line at the Leaky Cauldron.
- The Hopping Pot: This walk-up counter serves all of the park’s branded beverages, including the Wizard’s Brew and Dragon Scale beers.
