The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a multi-park experience, spanning Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios in Florida. Capturing the fantastical elements of JK Rowling’s world, with scenes and locations that even a Muggle would recognise from the Harry Potter films, you are certain to have a spellbinding time exploring these magical lands.

With so much to see and do, we can’t explore the whole of the Wizarding World in just this blog, so make sure you head over to the second part which covers Hogsmeade - the magical village near to the famous Hogwarts School, in Islands of Adventure!

To reach each part of the Wizarding World, guests who have same-day tickets for both parks (make sure that you do – as they will check!) can hop onboard the iconic Hogwarts Express steam train at either King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios, or Hogsmeade Station when in Islands of Adventure (all of the Debbie’s Villas ticket bundles have the Hogwarts Express included).

The Hogwarts Express is a full-size replica of the locomotive seen in the Harry Potter films. In fact, there are two replicas of the train operating at Universal, taking guests back and forth between the lands, through the production backlot of the two parks. If you board the train in Universal Studios’ King’s Cross Station, you’ll have to pass through Platform 9 ¾ – when you are in the queue, watch carefully for those ahead of you disappear into the platform’s wall!

While onboard, look out of the carriage windows and watch the hallway for some familiar characters and sights from the films, including Dementors and Arthur Weasley’s famous blue flying Ford Anglia. If you get the chance, try to take the return journey to the other park, as each direction offers a different ride experience travelling to and from Hogwarts School.

Diagon Alley

Today we will start the journey in Universal Studios’ Diagon Alley, where you will take in all of the sights of the magical London setting! Stroll along the Muggle world’s waterfront as you pass 12 Grimmauld Place, and see the house elf Kreacher peeping out of the window! A version of Piccadilly Circus’ iconic Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain is also along the waterfront, not to mention the façade of King’s Cross station. On the Embankment you will also see the three-level Knight Bus, which is waiting to pick up any stranded witches and wizards. As you roam the streets of Diagon Alley, you’ll see many familiar and quirky locations from the Potter stories, including Ollivanders wand shop, Gringotts bank – complete with a fire-breathing dragon perched on the roof, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes joke shop and the Leaky Cauldron pub.

This is one of two prop buses that was used during the filming of The Prisoner of Azkaban; peek in the window where you’ll see the beds and listen to the Shrunken Head chatting from above the steering wheel; it might even start a conversation with you!

DID YOU KNOW: If you dial MAGIC (62442) in the phone box at the waterfront area, you’ll be put through to the Ministry of Magic?

Wizarding World Shops

Take the opportunity to explore all that the shops here offer – though you might want to pay a visit to Gringotts Money Exchange first! Trade your US currency for Gringotts bank notes; you can spend these throughout the Wizarding World, as well as at select locations around the resort.

Borgin and Burkes is the go-to vendor of all dark arts products – their mysterious shop even holds the Vanishing Cabinet used by Draco Malfoy to sneak the Death Eaters into Hogwarts School! Make sure that you are dressed for your visit to Hogwarts – show your support for your favourite quidditch team with kit from Quality Quidditch Supplies, or complete your wizarding outfit with clothing from Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions.

Before starting the term, remember to stock up on quills and parchment at Scribbulus, and choose a plush companion from Magical Menagerie; with cuddly versions of Crookshanks, Fang, Hedwig, Buckbeak and others waiting to join you on your magical journey. While looking in the window of the shop listen out for the snake speaking to you in Parseltongue, as well as English! You can also pick up plenty of magical paraphernalia at Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, including hourglasses and crystal balls.

Indulge your sweet tooth and grab some goodies for your journey on the Hogwarts Express – Sugarplum’s Sweetshop offers plenty of sweet treats, while over at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes you will find the shelves stacked with delightfully tricky jokes, treats and toys, including the very cute Pygmy Puffs!

No self-respecting witch or wizard will be without a wand! Fortunately Diagon Alley offers two shops – the renowned Ollivanders, where the walls are piled high with boxes of wands waiting to choose their owner! If you are lucky, you might be selected to be part of the magic during the in-store wand-choosing ceremony. It isn’t only children who get picked either – even adults get selected to live their Harry Potter dream!

Interactive Wizarding World Wands

If Ollivanders is too busy, his rival wandmaker Gregorovitch is keen to pick up your trade! You can even buy an interactive wand at either shop which will allow you to interact with parts of the Wizarding World, and cast your own magic spells! At various locations around the world (these are listed on the map you get with your wand), you will see gold medallions marking spell spots in the pavement, indicating which direction to face, the wand movement that will require to cast the spell – as well as the words to say! Practise your spell casting – as some are easier to activate than others. Don’t worry if you have trouble – as most locations have a spell-caster nearby to help with your efforts!

Food and drink in the Wizarding World

After all that magic, you’ll need to grab some refreshments. Fortunately there are plenty of places around Diagon Alley to choose from. Grab an ice-cream from Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, and enjoy taste sensations like Butterbeer, Earl Grey and Lavender, or Chocolate and Raspberry. If you are there in the morning, you can even try out a selection of pastries and cakes! Eternelle's Elixir of Refreshment is a small kiosk offering potions which, when combined with water, transform before your eyes into a refreshing drink! Buy some as souvenirs, or enjoy them right there – you can choose from the Babbling Beverage, Draught of Peace, Fire Protection Potion or Elixir to Induce Euphoria!

Don’t forget to check out Diagon Alley’s most famous pub – the Leaky Cauldron. You can order breakfast, lunch or dinner here, with traditional British dishes, such as fish and chips, cottage pie as well as bangers and mash on the menu.

More drinks are available over at The Hopping Pot in Carkitt Market. Beverages include Butterbeer – which you can enjoy either as a regular drink or a frozen treat if it’s an extra-warm day! Other yummy drinks include Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, Peachtree Fizzing Tea, Tongue Tying Lemon Squash and Fishy Green Ale as well as a choice of beers (don’t forget your ID if you want to get an alcoholic drink in the parks!). You can also enjoy a beer at The Fountain of Fair Fortune, which takes its name from a wizarding fable in The Tales of Beedle the Bard – you can buy a range of non-alcoholic drinks here including Butterbeer.

Wizarding World Shows

Talking of the Bard, make time to watch the stage show The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Talented performers from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts bring these mythical bedtime stories to life, as they perform a puppet show, retelling two of the Bard’s famous tales – The Tale of Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune.

If you love live entertainment, be sure to catch a performance from Molly Weasley’s favourite singer, Celestina Warbeck and her backing group the Banshees. Modelled after Shirley Bassey, you’ll get to hear hits such as You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart, and A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

With so much going on around the streets of Diagon Alley, don’t forget to pay a visit to the area’s flagship attraction, the rollercoaster ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Drawing on the story told in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, this ride is set deep beneath the bank, and makes use of state-of-the art projections. Meet with our heroes Harry, Hermione and Ron as they try to retrieve the Horcrux from the vaults, and watch out for the villainous Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange, as well as a host of trolls and even a fire-breathing dragon!

With Halloween around the corner, and Christmas looming on the horizon, what special events are lined up during these festive periods at Diagon Alley?

During the Halloween period, Universal Studios transforms for the Halloween Horror Nights event, and if the last four years are anything to go by, Diagon Alley will remain open for guests during this event (although the Hogwarts Express won’t be operational, as Islands of Adventure is closed for the night). Take the opportunity to browse the shops, and head to the vaults on the Escape from Gringotts ride. This would be a perfect chance to get away from the scares around the park and hopefully the whole land will be a little quieter, though don’t expect the area to be decorated in any seasonal trimmings.

Christmas is a different matter though, as Diagon Alley and the London waterfront are transformed with festive decorations and stunning fairy lights. Enjoy seasonal treats and drinks, such as warming hot Butterbeer, and listen to buskers singing Christmas carols at King’s Cross Station, as well as a special yuletide show from Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.

You could spend hours exploring every part of Diagon Alley, which makes it such a special land to visit. With so much attention paid to detail, this is the perfect destination for anyone who is a fan of the Potter stories!

In our next blog, we’ll catch the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade, where we’ll explore everything that the magical village setting in Islands of Adventure has to offer. If you can’t wait to start planning your holiday take a look at the choice of Orlando ticket packages that Debbie’s Villas offer!

Have you been to Universal Studio’s Diagon Alley before? What was your favourite experience? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so get in touch using the normal social channels!