A Day in Diagon Alley (part 1)
Lisa Perna
8.17.21
As you wander through the jagged brick archway into Diagon Alley, you are completely emerged into a different world. This area of the theme park feels as if you have stumbled onto a movie set. The attention to detail is amazing. In order to truly understand the level and depth of detail that surrounds you have to be familiar with the Harry Potter books or movies.
I decide to have an early lunch and dine at the Leaky Cauldron. Outside the restaurant above me hangs a metal sign of a witch stooped over a cauldron. The sign has a few drops of water on it and at my feet is a puddle of water. This is just one of the tiny often overlooked details form the Wizarding World. Once inside the restaurant you can gaze around the massive cauldron at the front of the room. I had the fish and chips which were fresh and crisp. I sipped on some delicious butter beer throughout my lunch. I have tried all three types of butterbeer: hot, frozen, and original. My favorite type is the original.
One of the most popular things to do in Diagon Alley is to use the interactive wand. You can purchase wands at either Ollivanders or Wands by Gregorovitch. I suggest going to Ollivanders because you will experience more of an interactive experience when you purchase your wand there. There are two types of wands you can purchase: ones that do “magic” and ones that just act as props. I purchased a replica of Hermione’s wand that did “magic” and it came with a map of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade that showed some locations I could use my wand. When you stand in the proper spot and carefully wave your wand at the specified object, some sort of transformation will occur. At one place a plant grew and at another a quill levitated. Although I will not ruin how the “magic” works, I will say that the technology behind the Wizarding World is very fascinating. If you cannot figure out how to do a particular “spell” a witch or wizard who was a past Hogwarts Student (and is a Universal employee) can help you with your wand movements.
Eating lunch at the Leaky Cauldron and using a wand are just two of the many things you can do in Diagon Alley! Stay tuned for more information on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
For more information on Universal Studios contact me at lperna@wishesfamilytravel.com Follow me on Facebook and Instagram