Lately, everyone who has been talking about Universal Orlando has been talking about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Why? As well as having media preview week behind us, the final opening date has been announced: July 8th. Now, a full tour of Diagon Alley has been revealed, thanks to Orlando Insider. Here we go!
London Waterfront
First, let's start with Muggle London. The recreation of London includes the waterfront, King's Cross Station, which is the exit for Hogwarts Express riders, Charing Cross Road's bookstore, Leicester Square, which holds the entrance to Diagon Alley, Wyndham's Theater, and 12 Grimmauld Place. You will also be able to see Eros Fountain from the Picadilly Circus and the Knight Bus, in full detail, parked next to it.
Muggle London
Kreacher looking out on of the windows of Grimmauld Place.
View of the fountain and Knight Bus
The Knight Bus
Diagon Alley
Next is Diagon Alley, the main event. When you first enter the Alley, you will find the Leaky Cauldron, which will serve traditional English food, and across from LC is Quality Quidditch Supplies. Next to Quality Quidditch Supplies is Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, which is said to be identical to the shop in the movies.
Diagon Alley--the main stretch
The Leaky Cauldron
Weasley's Wizard Wheezes
If you continue walking down the alleyway, you'll find an entrance to Knockturn Alley, which we'll talk more about in a bit. Right next to the door is Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Across the alley is Ollivander's Wand Shop, which is said to have a much better-planned queue than the one in Hogsmeade (and no, the one in Hogsmeade will not be taken out).
Ollivander's Wand Shop
Lastly, at the intersection where the Alley ends and Gringotts sits, you'll find Florean Fortescue's Ice Parlor, which is the second eatery in the Alley.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor
Before moving on with the tour, one detail must be acknowledged. In between the stores, you'lll find that there are some stores that you can't enter. These are storefront-only stores, put there for decoration. These stores include Potage's Cauldron Shop, Eeylop's Owl Emporium, Slug and Jigger's, Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary, Flourish and Blott's, the Daily Prophet offices, and Broomstix.
Gringotts
Next, you'll find Gringotts Wizarding Bank, which is nearly half the size of the whole alley. This bank houses the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott's ride. While walking through the queue, you'll find that the whole bank was designed to look exactly like the one in the movies.
Gringotts Bank ride building---not the structure you'll find in the park
Escape from Gringotts concept design
And yes, there will be a fire-breathing dragon on top of the bank.
Next in the Gringotts area, you'll find Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, the gift shop for the Escape from Gringotts ride. To the left of Gringotts is Magical Menagerie, and to the right of Wiseacre's is Scribbulus Writing Implements.
Knockturn Alley
For all of you who love the sinister tones of Harry Potter, this next area is for you. Finally, you'll be able to explore Knockturn Alley. The only real store in the Alley is Borgin and Burke's, where dark magic-related merchandise will be sold.
The Alley and the Market
This is probably the most surprising piece of the park: a new alley. This is the alley that Knockturn Alley opens up to. This new alley is a street that runs perpendicular to Diagon Alley, called Horizont Alley. On Horizont Alley, you'll find some aforementioned stores: Magical Menagerie, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, and Scribbulus Writing Implements. You'll also find that the third section of the expansion, Carkitt Market, begins in Horizont Alley.
What is Carkitt Market? Carkitt Market is a large, covered market that runs parallel to Diagon Alley, and has a shortcut past Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Here, you'll find a covered shopping area and entertainment, including stage productions of "The Tale of Three Brothers" and "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" from the Tales of Beedle the Bard, as well as a song-and-dance show featuring Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.
JK Rowling, the author of the series, has helped to design these areas,
and, with the help of these new sections, the new expansion of the park
has almost (if not completely) doubled in size.
The Hogwarts Express
Finally, you'll find the Hogwarts Express, a real train-and-track system that transports guests from King's Cross Station (mentioned above) to Hogsmeade Station, which is located on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, the other area of the park on the Islands of Adventure.
While riding the Hogwarts Express, guests will not be able to see outside. Instead, "windows" will project new Harry Potter stories to give the illusion of an authentic magical ride to Hogsmeade.
There has also been talk about a surprise on the express that may require some chocolate (anybody else thinking Dementors?), but this news has not been confirmed, as far as we know, so we're just waiting to find out.
NOTE: You must have a Park-to-Park ticket to access both parks.
King's Cross Station
Hogsmeade Station
Want more?
Check out the Official Virtual Tour to see what's in store for the park.
