Grab your cauldrons and broomsticks — and make sure your Floo powder is ready — because today, we're heading to Diagon Alley! Home to Ollivanders Wand Shop, the Leaky Cauldron and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort is an enchanting way for witches, wizards and muggles of all ages to spend an afternoon. Wands at the ready — let's see all there is to explore!
Overview of Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley — or "diagonally" if you're Harry Potter — is located in Universal Studios Florida (all the way at the back of the park) at Universal Orlando Resort. Once you've entered the park, the quickest way to get there would be to make a right at the park entrance and cut through Hollywood, Springfield, U.S.A. ("The Simpsons" area) and World Expo — home to MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack. Alternatively, you can continue through the New York and San Francisco areas.
Keep walking, and eventually you'll come across the famous Knight Bus that debuted in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" on your left.
Meanwhile, to your right is a seemingly ordinary-looking King's Cross Station. However, behind those innocent brick walls lies a magical secret! Walk behind them and — poof — you're in Diagon Alley, a wizarding shopping district. Here, you (and other wizards and witches) will find famous wizarding stores from the books and films, such as Borgin and Burkes (complete with vanishing cabinet), Scribbulus Writing Implements and Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
The coolest — and probably most popular — landmark in Diagon Alley is Gringotts Wizarding Bank. This is the first thing you see upon entering Diagon Alley. Make sure to keep a watchful eye on the dragon atop the building — he breathes fire every 10-15 minutes! Pro tip: You'll hear the Ukrainian Ironbelly growl before he breathes fire. Couple these experiences with Bangers and Mash from the Leaky Cauldron, live shows such as Tales of Beedle the Bard and ample photo spots for the 'gram, and you can easily spend hours in Diagon Alley! Just don't lurk too long in Knockturn Alley — it's associated with the Dark Arts.
Attractions in Diagon Alley
We frogs consider everything in Diagon Alley an attraction. However, when it comes to rides, there are only two: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Hogwarts Express. Let's talk about Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts first (we'll never turn down an invitation to talk about one of the best rides in Universal Orlando).
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a thrilling experience that doubles as a roller coaster and motion simulator ride. The queue takes you through Gringotts Wizarding Bank — a toadally immersive experience, if I say so myself!
Once you make your way through the bank and go downstairs, the real fun begins. As you navigate the subterranean vaults below the bank, you'll join Harry, Ron and Hermione as they battle and escape the clutches of Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is generally considered to be a tame coaster, especially compared to the others at Islands of Adventure. Still, guests must be at least 48" to ride and have a companion to accompany them. Guests are required to put backpacks, diaper bags, purses and other loose items in the storage lockers near the entry of the ride. Child Swap and Single Rider lines are available.
Hogwarts Express
Have you ever wanted to take a ride on the Hogwarts Express? Well, you can when visiting Diagon Alley!
The Hogwarts Express is a magical method of transportation between Diagon Alley (Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure). That said, you will need a Park-to-Park ticket in order to hop aboard (we can help you with that!). To access the Hogwarts Express, just head on over to King's Cross Station. Look for Platform 9¾! You'll even get a chance to "walk through" a brick wall. The platform reveal is truly something else!
Once onboard, you'll overhear some familiar voices ordering from the trolley (they'll take the lot, of course) and outside, come across some Dementors. The ride isn't long — a little shy of five minutes. Still, it's one of the more unique experiences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Entertainment and Experiences You Can't Miss in Diagon Alley
There's no shortage of fun entertainment and interactive experiences available in Diagon Alley. After all, the streets are alive with magic! If you're planning your itinerary, you may want to consider the following:
Choose Your Wand at Ollivanders
Or should we say, let the wand choose you? Ollivanders Wand Shop is brimming, floor to ceiling, with wands. Browse and buy your own replica of wands from your favorite characters, including Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Sirius Black, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Remus Lupin, Bellatrix Lestrange, Professor Dumbledore and plenty of others!
Newly available are second-generation interactive wands. These wands light up and vibrate, immersing you even more into the magic. Check out our spellbinding guide to the new wands at Universal Orlando for more info.
Take a Photo on the Knight Bus
You can't miss the Knight Bus — it's right outside Diagon Alley! Take a photo with this iconic bus that picks up stranded witches and wizards (be sure to peek around the back of the bus), and interact with the Knight Bus conductor and the shrunken head.
Exchange Money at the Gringotts Money Exchange
Exchange your muggle money for wizarding currency at Gringotts Money Exchange. Here, you can exchange your money for $10 or $20 banknotes that can be used as currency at select locations throughout the park. If you don't spend it all, don't worry. Just head to Guest Relations. They'll work their magic to restore your bank notes to muggle cash.
Catch a Live Show with Tales of Beedle the Bard
In Tales of Beedle the Bard, the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts puts on a puppet show, retelling the story of the Tale of the Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune. Catch them daily in the Carkitt Market.
Watch a Live Performance of Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
Watch a live performance of Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees — Molly Weasley's favorite singer — several times a day in Carkitt Market. She performs some of the top hits in the Wizarding World, including "You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me." Performance times vary throughout the year, but there are usually between six and nine performances per day. Plus, if you visit during the holidays, she has a special festive setlist.
Learn more about all the enchanting entertainment in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort to plan your perfect day!
Restaurants at Diagon Alley
Witches, wizards and muggles have four dining options while visiting Diagon Alley. For example, the main restaurant — The Leaky Cauldron — serves traditional British food. Indulge in a traditional English breakfast featuring fresh scrambled eggs, black pudding, English bacon, baked beans, sausage links, sautéed mushrooms, breakfast potatoes and a grilled tomato for $19.99. For lunch and dinner, fill up on Shepherd’s Pasty Pie, Fish & Chips or Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew.
Afterward, there’s no better place to indulge in a sweet treat than Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour. The menu is full of unique flavors, including Clotted Cream, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Lavender. For an additional $1.19, you can add fun toppings such as chocolate chips and shortbread crumbles.
Oh, and did we mention they even serve Butterbeer ice cream? Speaking of Butterbeer, you’ll find it at The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot, among other "Harry Potter"-inspired beverages.
These are all quick-service locations, so no advanced reservation is required.
Shopping in Diagon Alley
Whether you’re looking for dress robes for your first day at Hogwarts, Death Eater masks or some fun "Harry Potter"-themed apparel, Diagon Alley has you covered.
Here are the stores available in Diagon Alley and an overview of what they sell:
- Borgin and Burkes: Costume replicas, apparel, jewelry, accessories, toys, collectibles and Death Eater masks.
- Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions: Hogwarts uniforms, including robes, sweaters, scarves, ties and jewelry.
- Ollivanders Wand Shop: Wand replicas, including interactive wands.
- Quality Quidditch Supplies: Quidditch team apparel, Quidditch brooms and Quaffle balls.
- Scribbulus: Wizarding writing supplies, including feather quills, postcards, journals and parchment paper.
- Shutterbutton’s: Moving photographs.
- Sugarplum’s Sweetshop: Sweets, including Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.
- Wands by Gregorovitch: Film replica wands, including interactive wands.
- Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes: Toys and assorted magical jokes and tricks.
- Wiseacre's Wizard Equipment: Hogwarts apparel, crystal balls, telescopes and other wizarding wares.
- Globus Mundi: T-shirts, luggage tags, travel mugs and more.
- Magical Menagerie: Plush toys.
Even better, that Muggle money you exchanged at Gringotts Money Exchange? You can use it at select stores, including Sugarplum's Sweet Shop and Ollivanders Wand Shop.
Diagon Alley has something unique and fun to offer everyone who visits (even if you don't have magical abilities). With thrilling rides, ample shops to show off your Harry Potter pride and ability to snag a Butterbeer, there's no shortage of fun to be had when shopping the Wizarding World's busiest shopping district. Have you spent time in Diagon Alley? What was your favorite thing to do? Let us know in the comments.
Related: Where (and How!) to Use Wizarding Wands at Universal Orlando Resort
Related: Our Complete Guide to Butterbeer at Universal Orlando (and Where to Find It!)
Related: Hidden Gems of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort
Stay cool!
