For awhile, I just walked around and took in all the shops (btw, if you’re just now joining me–welcome! I’m discussing my visit to Diagon Alley in London Universal Studios in Orlando, FL as part my first Fabulous Not Forty Birthday Trip).
I really wanted to get a wand, but at some point practicality took over and by that I mean, whose wand would I buy? Of course, I’d want Dumbledore’s and Snape’s and Hermoine’s and maybe McGonagall’s…all I knew that I shouldn’t spend over $100 on wands that in NYC would probably be considered a weapon–so I left Ollivander’s empty handed. Although just FYI, the wands are interactive with various things throughout Diagon Alley so if you could actually pick just one–it would make a great addition to your collection and a great enhancement to your time at Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Aside from Ollivander’s, the next coolest place was Borgin & Bourke’s (don’t look at me, my parents are muggles and wouldn’t have known to tell me to ask to be in Griffindor, so I’m quite sure I would have been sorted into Slytherin!) in Knockturn Alley. Lots of fun and cool interesting stuff to buy.
Of course, NO trip to Diagon Alley would have been complete without stopping at Weasleys Wizard Weezes, complete with a tightrope riding Professor Umbridge screaming about having order! Skiving snack boxes, extendable ears, darkening powders, and a lot more of George & Fred’s wonderful creations right at your finger tips!
There was one ride in Diagon Alley, which was inside Gringott’s bank. Basically, you walk through the bank and then ride down into the vault area–just don’t mess with the goblins…or the dragon!
There are tons to do, see, eat, and drink in Diagon Alley–but if you get bored, then you can go find the Dursleys and hang out with them 😉
The Epicurious Texan 