Taryn's Mad Hatter Adventures

11/16/20

One of my main goals was to spend some time in Diagon Alley. This whole area is like a page out of the book! There are so many details, that with each trip I notice something new.

To enter this area, it’s not really marked. You have to just walk in doorways and find it! It’s located next to King’s Cross Station.

This is King’s Cross Station, where you can board Hogwart’s Express to travel to Islands of Adventure and the village of Hogsmeade.

Once you walk through the doorway, you are immediately transported to a magical place!

Keep walking straight ahead and there are a variety of shops, and one of the coolest parts…

The dragon that sits atop Gringotts Bank is a true fire breathing dragon. It goes off every so many minutes. You will know it’s gearing up to breathe fire when you hear the rumbling starting.

I love walking through the different shops. There is one called Eyelop’s Owl Emporium/Magical Menagerie. Here you can purchase owls, and all of the other magical pets, as well as items to take care of them.

If you walk outside of this store, in the window you can see a snake who will speak Parseltounge to you.

Also located in this area is Knockturn Alley. This is a very dark, walk through area. The theming is amazing! You can see these singing heads:

Borgin and Burkes shop is located here.

Everything was decorated for Christmas!

If you are a super Harry Potter fan, there is no shortage of merchandise depicting your “house.”

Be sure to visit Gringotts Money Exchange! Behind the counter you will see a goblin. You can ask him a question and see what he has to say. You can trade US currency for Gringotts bank notes. These bank notes may be used for purchases within Diagon Alley at select locations.

There is no shortage of Butterbeer! There are a few locations that serve it.

This is also a fun shop! Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes has apparel, toys and other souvenirs.

You can find all kinds of goodies at Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop!

Possibly my favorite snack in all of Universal is ice cream from Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor! They have soft serve, hard pack, and a special feature of Butterbeer ice cream!

I’m sorry this is partially eaten, but it was hot and melting and I had to start eating it immediately! I can never decide on just one flavor, so I get two…Chocolate Chili and Strawberry and Peanut Butter. SO GOOD! (So good that I went back and got it the next day too…)

Just outside of Diagon Alley you can find the Knight Bus! There is usually a bus conductor there that you can have conversation with, as well as a shrunken head.

Overall, we had a great time in Diagon Alley! It was not crowded at all, and the weather was perfect. This is for sure a don’t miss for me!