Visiting Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley

Last month I was in Orlando and we visited Universal Studios for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion. Diagon Alley is really exciting in the books and I wish we got to spend more time in it. Luckily, Universal knew this and the expansion did not disappoint. In fact, we spent almost an entire day at Diagon Alley, even though there is only one ride. There is just so much eye candy everywhere for the Harry Potter fan that you can be there for hours and feel like you've not seen much. {If you missed my Hogsmeade post, you can go back and read it here.}

Coming into Diagon Alley, the first thing you see is the giant white dragon perched atop Gringotts. The dragon breathes fire every 10 minutes and is simply amazing from every angle. She is the major landmark here and leads you right to Escape from Gringotts, which I'll get to in a minute. First, let's look at the London street where you go from Universal into the immersive world that is Harry Potter.

I always loved the idea that you enter the Wizarding World though a seemingly normal part of Muggle London. There's a record shop and a book shop and the Leaky Cauldron is just sort of hiding in plain sight. Unfortunately, you can't make your way into the magical world through the pub here, because it is an actual eatery. Instead, you head past the closed tube station and through a wall that hides the open brick wall that opens onto the quirky and bright wizarding street. Before you go in though, enjoy other Harry Potter landmarks, like King's Cross Station, the phone booth that lets you into the Ministry (dial 6-2-4-4-2 to hear a special message from them), the Knight Bus and King's Cross Station, where Harry and his friends went to get onto Platform 9 3/4 to take the train to Hogwarts. 

You'll also get the chance to visit Grimmauld Place. You can't go in, but you can plainly see Number 12, unlike those Muggles that live around the place, and if you look up at the windows you might just catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the crazy old Black house elf that inhabits the place. (It was an especially good place to enjoy a big ice cream cone from Fortescue's, which I will talk about in a separate post.)

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes is the largest building in Diagon Alley, though it also houses Quality Quidditch Supplies, and has tons of wizarding gear, candy and joke goods. The building is super colorful and inviting, as well as bendy and fun. I doubt even the people who work there have seen all there is inside and out. I love the adverts on the outside of the building for the products you can find inside.

 I don't think Lockhart's charm worked on Eric. He was more interested in choosing which of his dragon pics was the best for checking in. 

I adored the conservatory-esque dome over part of the Alley. It is reminiscent of  a London market and is also a nice respite from the blazing Orlando sun. Under the dome you can do some shopping, visit the money exchange for Gringotts, get a cool drink and watch several shows that happen every half hour.

The lovely actors from W.A.D.A. (Wizard Academy of Dramatic Arts) perform a tale from Beedle the Bard every hour and on the alternate half hours you can catch Celestina Warbeck sing her heart out, along with the help of her Banshees. If you don't want to be part of the show, possibly stand a little further back than we did, as Celestina will pick a guy from the audience to sing to and then to dance with the Banshees. Luckily, Eric is a good sport. Here is a quick video of some of her performance.

Everywhere you turn there are wizarding gems and amazing details. One of my favorites was this mermaid fountain that recalls Harry's time in the Black Lake in Goblet of Fire.

Gregorovitch sold his wands to the Bulgarians in the books (Viktor Krum has one), though other wizards bought from him as well. We never learn where he actually set up shop, but a small outpost is snuggled into a corner in Diagon Alley, enabling you to purchase a wand without going all the way to Ollivander's. There's no show here and the shop is quite small, but they have a good selection and it's not packed with people like Eyelops is.

Are you actually a Parselmouth? If not, how could you understand these gorgeous snakes that call Magical Menagerie home? This is just one of the cool things you'll find in Diagon Alley if you take the time to look around and poke in the nooks and crannies.

Some store fronts are just that. Store fronts. There's probably a storage room back there, but in order to mask it, they've put something wizardy there for your enjoyment, like this fun deli that sells stewed eels and some sort of fish pie.  

Ever since Harry's first trip into the wizarding bank Gringott's, I've longed to go inside and see just how awesome it was. Well, with the Escape from Gringotts ride, you get to experience the awe that Harry felt when he first stepped inside. The ride itself makes you wonder how angry those first riders were after waiting 5-7 hours for it. I mean, what? We were lucky that the lines on the days we were there were pretty short. We never waited longer than 30 minutes. The best part is seeing all the goblins working, walking by the vaults and offices and checking out the Daily Prophets and ledgers. After you make it past those points, you are ushered into an elevator that'll take you to the deeper vaults. It's a ride all on its own. Make sure you stand near a wall and hold onto the handrail, then look up!

So, once you've had your fill of Diagon Alley, you'll want to make your way out and into King's Cross Station. It looks just like it does in London, only smaller. I love the arrivals and departures board, plus there are ads along the walls just like the underground stations in London. You'll catch sight of that awesome perfume ad from Half Blood Prince, walk through a tube shop that sells snacks and beverages, head through the magical barrier between platforms 9 and 10 and then you're on the train to Hogsmeade. Again, you will need a park-to-park ticket to ride the train, as it goes to the other park, so make sure you have it handy before you head into the station. 

I'll be focusing on the foods and snacks of the Wizarding World in another post, as well as Knockturn Alley. Learn more about Hogsmeade, the train and the interactive wands here.

What's your favorite part of Harry Potter?

Visiting Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hogsmeade

As you all know by now, I'm a crazy Harry Potter fan. I throw a huge party every July for Harry Potter's birthday and my house is decorated like Hogwarts from then through January 1st. That said, we finally made our way back to Universal Studios Orlando to check out the expansion to Wizarding World. This is the second time we've been since they opened Hogsmeade and the additions were something to behold. Obviously, you want to start there, because that's where Hogswarts is. 

The castle looms over Hogsmeade and is very dramatic, especially when you head inside to get in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The ride is a 4D journey through Hogwarts and the castle grounds with Harry, Ron and Hermione, but the line itself is worth waiting in, because there's so much to see. You'll come in through the Greenhouses, pass through the potions classroom, Dumbledore's office, walk past the house hourglasses and many other staples of the books and movies. 

Watch the portraits talk to each other, meet the Fat Lady, check out the class notice board and listen to the wisdom of the Sorting Hat. I know he should be in Dumbledore's office, but his prominent place in the hallway gives you a chance to really appreciate him and his songs and rhymes. The ride itself can be scary for younger visitors, as Dementors and Acromantulas make an appearance and come pretty close to you. The car dips, swerves and flies and may not be great if you get motion sickness easily. In fact, I wouldn't suggest eating right before you get on it, because it can make even the most stable of us ill feeling. The way the car is situated, you are locked in like a roller coaster, but you have separators between you and the other three riders, so you can basically only see what's right in front of you, which can be disorienting, especially when you're turned nearly upside down. If that doesn't bother  you, you're going to have a great time.

You'll end the ride in a gift shop, because why wouldn't you? In this case, it's Filch's Emporium, which combines some awesome Harry Potter merch that you can't find elsewhere in the park and all those confiscated goods from Hogwarts students throughout the years. It's like a combination of Filch's office and the Room of Requirement, with piles of books, student files and cages full of things those kids aren't likely to get back (see them up along the ceiling?). Across the hallway, you'll find complimentary lockers where you can put your loose articles, which aren't allowed on the ride.

 Looking for a wand or some Harry Potter souvenirs? Check out the Owl Emporium, which is attached to Ollivander's Wand Shop. Here you can see the owls that deliver post all over the Wizarding World, along with heaps of packages waiting to be sent. You always want to look up when you're in the Wizarding World, because if you don't, you'll be missing out on a lot.

Hogsmeade is permanently cloaked in a blanket of snow, just as you see it in the movies. Of course, when it's 108 degrees out, it's a bit misleading, but maybe that's how people are walking around all day in their wool blend wizard cloaks. I know I couldn't do it. I barely wanted to wear sleeves.

Are you in the market for a wand? I certainly was, especially since you can buy an interactive wand that will work at over 25 places in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to perform real magic. Well, you know "real" is subjective, but the beauty of Wizarding World of Harry Potter is that it feels like you're actually in the books. Head to Ollivander's to watch a wizard get chosen for a wand to choose them. Maybe it'll be you. The show is short and the shop is very small, but there are wand boxes from floor to ceiling here. The actor that plays Ollivander chooses several wands for the volunteer to try out and only stops when they find the perfect one. Cue whirlwind, sparkling lights and swelling music.

Once the show is over, everyone else is ushered through the door to the Owl Emporium where you can purchase your own wand if you choose. Pick a replica of your favorite character's wand, let your birth date choose for you or do what I did and get the one that feels perfect in your hand. Mine turned out to be hazel. My birthday would have given me a Death Eater wand with a skull on the handle. It seemed really large and unlike me, so I passed. The interactive wands are only $10 more than the regular wands, so there's really no reason to not get one if you're buying a wand anyway.

 I adore the Wizarding World and the shops are phenomenal from the outside. Many of them blend into one another and are cramped on the inside, but that doesn't stop you from wanting to check out all their goods, especially in Honeydukes where there are tons of delicious sweets, including giant Chocolate Frogs and boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

With your newly acquired wand, look for gold medallions on the ground outside shops to know where you can do magic. Each medallion (as well as the map that comes with every interactive wand) shows you the spell to use and the movements to do with your wand to accomplish it. If you're having trouble, usually there is a lovely wizard nearby to help you out. Like with all spells, some are more complicated than others, but practice makes perfect.

Though there aren't a lot of rides in the Wizarding World, there are three in Hogsmeade (not including the train to London and Diagon Alley). Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff. Dragon Challenge is a traditional roller coaster that pits two "dragons" against each other (when the crowds are large) and is themed for the Triwizard Tournament. View the Goblet of Fire, the chapion's tent and the Triwizard Cup. This, too, is housed in a castle like structure, which can get dark and spooky. I saw more than one person jump when a person came around a blind corner or remark on the low light levels. You can't bring anything with you on this ride, though there are a ton of photo opps inside and out, You'll go through a metal detector to ensure your pockets are empty of anything that would fall out and hit someone else.

To make up for the lack of rides in Hogsmeade, you've got the opportunity to see a few live shows including the singing Frog Choir. They showed up in line for Dragon Challenge and I was unable to snap a pic, but it was a fun surprise. The Triwizard Challenge is another live show. It's not long or involved, but you can see the students of Durmstrang and Beauxbaton showcase their skills. The Beauxbatons dance and twirl while the Durmstrang guys show off their fighting techniques. Obviously, they aren't well-matched, but it was still fun to watch.

Once you've seen everything you can see in Hogsmeade, head to the train station where you can take the Hogwarts Express to London and Diagon Alley. Make sure you make the return trip, too, because both ways are different (as you would expect on the actual train).

 We adored the train. It was like actually getting on the real Hogwarts Express, without the option of making a purchase from the food trolley. You board your own compartment (up to 8 people will fit in one) where you'll see the landscape change outside the "window". 

Sorry I look like a crazy

Throughout your journey, only about five minutes, you'll see some famous Harry Potter friends and scenery, plus you'll also see shadows walk by out in the corridor. It can be hard to know what to focus on, so I suggest making a few trips back and forth. Also, you'll need a park-to-park ticket to ride the train, since it actually goes to the other park and you have to get off. Make sure to have your ticket ready. If you don't have a 2-park ticket, you can buy one at the train station. Here's a bit of train goodness:

Stay tuned for the Diagon Alley portion of my trip and a post all on foods and treats. What's your favorite character, place or food from Harry Potter?

Dressing Up With Mickey & Friends

Happy Halloween, everyone! I hope you're all out being someone, or something, else while it's acceptable, getting your candy on. I know I am, for more than the first time this season. My first Halloween outing was earlier this month at Walt Disney World. There's nothing like a Disney party, because everyone's a kid, whether you're 2 or 102. As you know, barely a year goes by without us making some pilgrimage to some Disney park and this year, Orlando win out. It was 100% so we could check out the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion at Universal, but I'll get to that goodness in another post.

If you've never visited Disney on a holiday, drop everything you're doing and start planning, because it is everything. I prefer Halloween, because school is in, it's less crowded, you get to dress up, the weather normally doesn't suck and everyone gets to trick or treat. Yup, everyone! Here are some other reasons:

Characters Dress Up

Mickey and the gang get in on the Halloween fun, too. Your normal characters come out in full costume (more so than usual) for pictures, making then highly sought after opportunities

Villians and Other Rare Character Sightings

Ever wonder why you never see Jafar or the Evil Queen or those nasty stepsisters? They're reserved for precisely these events. You'll also see characters like Tarzan, the cast of The Country Bear, Brer Fox and Captain Jack Sparrow.

Lines to meet and greet these characters can be loooooong, so be prepared to wait and possibly pick and choose. This year, I saw much less than normal, but it was also the very start if the partying for the season. Sometimes you get lucky and you can swoop in, get some photos and be on to the next thing before the crowds start up again. That's happened to me with the Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Piglet group.

Did I Mention Candy?

Everyone with a MNSSHP ticket gets a candy bag upon entry. There are treat stations set up all around the park. Your map will tell you where and cast members have special Mickey light-up signs to guide you. We don't necessarily even want to eat all the candy, but it's included and it's fun and then we don't have to buy candy for trick-or-treaters.

Awesome Seasonal Shows

I'll admit it. Sometimes just the shows are worth the price of admission. They always center around the villains and this year WDW had a Hocus Pocus theme. The Sanderson sisters were back and calling on their "friends" to help throw the biggest, baddest bash ever. From where I was standing, I would have sworn the real Winifred, Sarah and Mary were there. That's how good the costumes were.

Aside from the castle show (strategize ways to get around that don't involve the castle, because you aren't getting in there), there is a fantastic parade. The Boo To You Parade always starts off with the Headless Horseman. I see they've gotten him to slow down his horse, so people can actually see him and get pictures. Alas, I was still to slow. Everyone gets a spot in the parade: the villains, your face characters and even obscure ones like the traveling ghosts. It's not to be missed. Wait out the night and do the second parade later in the evening and stake out a spot near the start. You won't have to jostle as much for s place to stand or wait to get across the road. Plus, when others are just seeing the beginning, you can be riding rides, getting pics or collecting candy.

Shorter Lines

Because everyone's there for candy, dance parties and Rare Character photo opps, the lines for the rides that are open are usually super short. Sometimes they add a Halloween twist to rides, like Space Mountain.

Special Magic Photos

You can always get some pretty special photos throughout the year, including the ones where they magic in a Disney thing into your photo. During Halloween, these magic pics take on a fun and sinister feel.

The Decorations

I love Halloween and harvest season. Disney overhauls their park every night the party is on by putting out an obscene amount of jack-o-lanterns, Disney-fied scarecrows, orange bunting and so much more. There are quite a few funky Halloween projections throughout the park as well. The more you look, the more you see. Plus there's a fantastic score of Halloween music in the background.

The Halloween Fireworks Are (Ooh) AHHmazing

Okay, yes. The fireworks are always amazing, but the Halloween ones are particularly awesome. They revolve around those sinister villains you rarely see, giving them a ghoulish vibe. The castle is used as a backdrop, so you'll want to get front and center for them, because the castle projections are half the fun.

If you decide that Halloween at Disney is for you, and I think you should, find a costume that isn't super involved, but still creative (you'll have to pack it) and plan to spend the morning and afternoon doing something else, because staying there for 16 hours is super tiring. You can get in a few hours before the party starts with your ticket, so you can enjoy the park before some of the rides close and get in a quick dinner before the fun starts.

What's your favorite time of year to visit Disney?