Diagon Alley Universal Studios, Orlando

The Dragon Guarding Gringotts

Universal Studios Orlando’s Harry Potter Diagon Alley

We had the pleasure of spending the day at Universal Studios and had a wonderful time. We especially loved the Harry Potter section of the park.

Note: The best time to visit any of the theme parks in Orlando, Florida is in the months of September and January. There are not as many people, it is a bit cooler in the temps and the lines are not as long which makes for a more enjoyable visit.

UNIVERSAL

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The nice thing about visiting Universal Studios in mid September is that they have a few of their Halloween decorations up for the Halloween Horror Nights that takes place after dark.

It starts to put me in the mood for Halloween.

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As you approach the back of the park you will come across big buildings like these. If you recognize them they are sets from the Harry Potter movies.

The Lovely Square

Gordon taking a nice break by the fountain.

Now unbeknownst to the people walking by that in back of these beautiful buildings you will find the hidden Diagon Alley.

The Purple 2-Decker Bus from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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Now, On to Diagon Alley

Now let me see, I believe it is behind one of these stores…….

Hmmmm…. What about that corridor over there?

Yes, That’s it!

Welcome to Diagon Alley

The Weasley’s Shop

This is a sweets candy shop but beware of the prices!

Quality, Style, Ease, Value, Variety

Inside the Weasley’s Shop

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Most of these store front’s are just props. But there are some great shops where you can buy your Harry Potter souvenirs.

They do have some little carts of Harry Potter merchandise around the park.

I do love the pins!

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But before we go any further it’s time for lunch.

Hey, how about that place?

The Leaky Cauldron

Here is the menu as well.

Fish and Chips

Banger Pub Style Sandwich

Specialty Chicken Sandwich

Ploughman’s

Bangers and Mash

Toad in the Hole

Cottage Pie

Fisherman’s Pie

Mini Pie Combination

Beef, Lamb and Guinness Stew

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Children’s Menu

Fish and Chips

Macaroni and Cheese

Cottage Mini Pie

The Prices

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Entering The Leaky Cauldron Tavern

This is truly lovely.

The atmosphere is of course that of an English pub.

Whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not this is a really great place to eat.

The Art on the Walls

Gordon and I shared a Dragon Scale ale and Gordon ordered a Fire Whiskey for himself.

We also shared a Butter Beer in the souvenir cup.

We did bring a little treat from home.

Our Dragon Eyes

Actually, they are just dates stuffed with peanut butter with a raisin for an eye. It was our very nutritious dessert after our wonderful meal of Fish and Chips and a Banger Pub Sandwich.

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Now with lunch behind us it’s time to take in the Diagon Alley atmosphere.

How About A Wand?

This is where I would love to be!

Globus Mundi Photography Studio

Top Notch Shots. The Owls.

Gordon doing some shopping. Is that Hermoine’s cat?

There really is some nice shopping in Diagon Alley but the prices are a bit high.

Beautiful Dragons

Oh, I did mean to buy a new broom!

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With shopping and strolling out of the way it’s time to enjoy the new Gringott’s thrill ride.

ESCAPE FROM GRINGOTTS

Waiting in line to ride Escape from Gringott’s.

This is a roller coaster ride but a very nice one. Gordon and I are both in our 50’s and we are getting a bit sensitive to these rough rides but we did really like this one and ended up riding it twice.

This is an exact duplicate of the bank from the movie. It looks wonderful!

Beautiful Chandeliers Everywhere

For all your banking needs.

I do think that I would like to make a deposit in my vault.

My Vault at Gringott’s

Now as we start to descend down into the chambers.

The Daily Prophet

A bit of light reading as we wait.

A bit of magic to find the key.

In the bowels of Gringott’s. Just follow the stairway to get on the ride.

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Now with the excitement out of the way, it’s time to explore more of Diagon Alley.

The old buildings are great. Right out of Harry Potter.

Perhaps a visit to The Daily Prophet?

Shopping for books? Knitting needles?

Perhaps it’s time to stop in for an ice cream cone?

Now, before we leave Diagon Alley would you care for an elixir of sorts?

Well, if not then what say we visit the rest of the park?

I am starting to get hungry for dinner. What do you recommend?

How about Mel’s Drive-In?

You know, I can remember as a child eating at places like with with my mother. I even remember the radio where we can choose our own music to play as we eat. Kinda brings back memories.