Today, Universal Orlando Resort officially opens Diagon
Alley, its meticulously detailed expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry
Potter. I'm sure those of you who've already visited the Wizarding World on the
Islands of Adventure side of Universal are all "been there, done
that," but you couldn't be more wrong. It's time to plan a return trip back
to Orlando, just for the experience of stepping from the streets of "London"
into the magical streets of Diagon Alley, where fellow Harry Potter fans can
geek out in their Gryffindor/Ravenclaw/Slytherin/Hufflepuff glory.
I'll admit, it's easy to sell Harry Potter-crazed fans on
anything related to the series, but even if you can't tell a Hufflepuff from a
Pygmy Puff, the new attraction is ridiculously impressive and sure to warm even
the stoniest of Death Eater hearts. Here are seven reasons (it's a magical
number!) the new Diagon Alley is made of awesome.
1. Hogwarts Express: After
exploring Diagon Alley, visitors with a two-park ticket ($136 per adult for one
day, $176 for two) can enter King's Cross, step through the wall into Platform
9 ¾ (courtesy of a special effect), and board a replica of the Hogwarts Express
as it travels from London to Scotland (or in this case, Islands of Adventure),
where the village of Hogsmeade is located. I took the ride solo, but you're
locked into an eight-passenger compartment, just like the ones our favorite
teen witches and wizards rode every year to and from boarding school. The ride
is a thrill, whether you stare out the window or just listen to Harry, Ron, and
Hermione (you see them in silhouette) as they walk by in the corridor. It's
also the perfect place to cool off and unwind after walking around in the
Florida sun. The ride offers two different experiences -- both in the sights
outside the window and the Golden Trio's conversations -- depending which way the Hogwarts Express is
traveling. The only downside is that since Emma Watson didn't provide new voice
material (neither did Dan Radcliffe, but he has fewer lines on the ride) for
the expansion, the voice actress doesn't sound like the Hermione we know and
love. At least Ron is still Rupert Grint!
2. Wand Action: One
of the coolest new experiences is courtesy of the interactive Ollivanders
wands, which allow users to recite spells at select spots throughout Diagon
Alley (and Hogsmeade!) that do everything from turn on water features to make
funny sounds (we don't want to spoil you too much, but at Weasleys' Wizard
Wheezes a spell makes a prop toilet flush). I really wanted Ron's wand, but so
far only the 13 original Ollivanders wands (determined by your birthdate on the
Celtic calendar) plus Harry's, Hermione's and Dumbledore's "hero
wands" are available with the interactive feature. After much deliberation,
I purchased my 12-year-old son the Harry wand for $44.95 (that's $10 more than
the regular wands, for those of you on a budget). It was definitely worth the
extra $10 to be able to wave my wand, practice spells, and actually see
something "magical" happen.
3. Gringotts Bank: The bank is every bit
as opulent as you'd expect from both the books and the movie, and here it
serves as the setting for the queue to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from
Gringotts, the new state-of-the-art ride loosely based on Harry, Ron, and
Hermione's daring "Deathly Hallows" break-in to swipe a horcrux from
Bellatrix LeStrange's vault. Sadly, I can't comment on the ride, because there
were technical difficulties during the press preview, and only a lucky few were
able to ride it before it shut down! BUT, just the bank itself is amazing, with
animatronic goblins working in the lobby. They're a bit creepy up close, but
hey, goblins aren't exactly known for being cute and cuddly (for that see Pygmy
Puffs in #6). The best part of the bank is the dragon sitting atop it. If you
happen upon it at the right time each hour, it will breathe fire (we're not
making this up!).
4. See You at the
Leaky: In Hogsmeade, you can grab a bite to eat at the Three Broomsticks or
a quick pint (of beer or butterbeer) at Hog's Head, but Diagon Alley offers a
chance to dine at the Leaky Cauldron and several other shops (Florean
Fortescue's, Fountain of Fair Fortune, the
Hopping Pot) where you can get your grub on… but be warned, this isn't exactly
light and healthy fare. The Leaky Cauldron menu includes traditionally British
fare (Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Lamb and Guinness Stew, cottage pie,
etc.), custom beers like Wizard Brew and Dragon Scales, and of course Butterbeer,
Pumpkin Juice, and bunch of new non-alcoholic drinks: Tongue Tying Lemon
Squash, Otter's Fizzy Orange Juice, Fishy Green Ale, Peachtree Fizzing Tea, and
Gillywater. Fellow parents take heart – there is a kids' menu ($6.99), and most
dishes are a reasonable $9.99-$13.99.
5. Take a Walk on the
Dark Side: No trip to Diagon Alley would be complete without a stroll to
the dark strip of Knockturn Alley, where the atmosphere is dark and foreboding,
just as a Death Eater or other Friends of Voldemort like it. The highlight in
Knockturn Alley (besides the considerably cooler weather thanks to the
structure obscuring the sun) is Borgin and Burkes as well as Universal staff
encouraging visitors to indulge in the Dark Arts. Inside Borgin and Burkes,
you'll find dangerous magical artifacts, Death Eater masks, costume replicas,
the Hand of Glory, horcrux jewelry, and even the infamous Vanishing Cabinet. If
you pay attention to the walls of the Alley, you'll see moving
"Wanted" posters and an exhibit case that shows the skeletons of
various magical creatures. Want to know what a thestral skeleton looks like?
This is the place for you. Those with little Harry Potter fans may want to
breeze through, as the vibe is pretty eerie.
6. Weasleys' Wizard
Wheezes: One of my favorite parts of "Half-Blood Prince" is when
Fred and George finally open their joke
shop thanks to silent partner
Harry's investment. Universal's three-story replica is remarkably similar to
the WWW of the movie, complete with an animatronic Weasley tipping his hat out
front, a girl throwing up from Puking Pastilles, and an array of canon jokes,
toys, and treats such as the Skiving Snackbox, Fever Fudge, and Extendable Ears
for sale. My favorite part – and anyone with a child or significant other who
loves cuddly creatures will agree – was the Pygmy Puffs, which come in pink or
purple. When you buy one of the fluffy stuffed animals, the staff performs a special
naming ceremony: they ring a bell and ask you for your new adoptee's name,
which gets announced across the shop. Although visitors can only shop on the
main floor, you can still look up and admire all the set decorations on the
other levels.
7. Butterbeer Softserve: If you thought regular
or frozen Butterbeer is delicious, wait until you've tried Butterbeer softserve
ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, where the staff can also
hook you up with even more adventurous ice cream flavors like Chocolate Chili,
Earl Grey & Lavender, Strawberry & Peanut Butter, Clotted Cream, Chocolate
and Raspberry, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. I got a little misty eyed remembering
what happens to poor old Mr. Fortescue in the books (particularly since you can
see the entrance to Knockturn Alley from the shop), but the ice cream made it
all better. Extra house points if you remember which of the above flavors
Hagrid gives Harry on his first visit to Diagon Alley!
You don't need to spend loads of cash on souvenirs for a
trip to Diagon Alley to be magically delicious. I just bought a wand, a Pygmy
Puff, and Bludger set for my kids, as well as some postcards to send via Owl
Post in Hogsmeade. Whether you're in Diagon Alley on a quest for collectibles
or just to browse, the experience of walking in and out of the various shops
throughout the village is equally as amazing. The level of attention Universal
Creative paid to the littlest of details is going to make Harry Potter fans
extremely happy. So the next time you're in Central Florida, spend a day exploring
the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley; it will immerse you in J.K.
Rowling's universe in an unforgettable way.
