Diagon Alley
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Hogsmeade
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Rides
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Shops
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Food
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Shows
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@Follow-The-Magic
Follow The Magic
@Follow-The-Magic
Disclaimer: All literature was written and composed by Poppy Barker for a course module at the University of Kent. I do not own the majority of pictures in this magazine, please tweet me @PoppyBlogger for more information. This is a fictional magazine.
A little bit of London in Orlando! Here, you can stop for a chat with the Knight Bus driver and have your photo taken at 12 Grimmauld Place- can you see the curtains twitching? It seems like someone’s inside… Step through the magical gateway, as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and marvel as Diagon Alley unfolds before your eyes! The centrepiece of Diagon Alley, framed by a wealth of magical shops, is the guard dragon sat atop Gringott’s Bank. Every few minutes, he will breathe a powerful blast of fire- make sure you’re there to take a picture! Take a wrong turn and you could find yourself in Knockturn Alley, a favourite haunt of those practising the dark arts. Be on your guard… Pick up an interactive wand, and you can cast your own spells at certain points of the town. Just don’t let the Ministry of Magic catch you casting spells outside of Hogwarts! Scan here for a virtual tour of Diagon Alley!
A town much-loved by the students and staff of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade is awash with enchanting shops and rides. Gorge yourself on the sweets in Honeydukes, pick up a refreshing tankard of Butterbeer in the Hog’s Head pub, and battle dementors in The Forbidden Journey. You may go home to the muggle world, but while they family’s here, you’re all wizards and witches! With plenty of photo opportunities, such as Hagrid’s Hut, the Hogsmeade sign and the towers of Hogwarts itself, even those who aren’t partial to the thrilling rides will have plenty of exciting attractions to see. It’s also one of the only places in Florida that has snow-topped roofs! Scan here for a virtual tour of Hogsmeade!
At the heart of any theme park are the rides, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has no shortage of thrilling attractions. Even the queues are full of wonders, meaning the magic never stops! Escape from Gringotts - Diagon Alley Come face-to-face with goblins, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Voldemort himself as your carriage spins through the vaults of Gringotts Bank. Will you make it out alive? The Forbidden Journey- Hogsmeade Hold on tight as Hermione’s enchanted seats whiz you around the grounds of Hogwarts in an innovative mix of 3D animatronics and on-screen simulation. Whilst little wizards may find this ride frightening, the rest of the family will not want to miss it! Flight of the Hippogriff- Hogsmeade One for the kids, or just the young at heart! Hagrid guides you through this coaster, and a life-sized animatronic Buckbeak bows to you as your flight begins.
The Hogwarts Express All aboard the iconic steam engine, departing from London’s Kings Cross (British tourists have never been so excited to see the station!). While you’re queueing, make sure to watch yourself as you pass the luggage trolley for a magical surprise! The train stops at Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and the journey features cameos from our very own Golden Trio, and some unwanted guests… Dragon ChallengeHogsmeade Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire? Put your wizarding skills to the test in a duel between a Chinese Fireball and a Hungarian Horntail. Watch out for the close encounter between both coasters!
Such a unique day out calls for unique gifts and souvenirs! There’s a plethora of shops Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley for all your magical needs, but these are the ones you definitely can’t miss! Ollivander’s Wand Shop-Hogsmeade The wand chooses the wizard- will it choose you? Step into the famous wand shop and re-enact the iconic scene from the Philosopher’s Stone in which Harry buys his very first wand. One lucky audience member will be picked by the Ollivander’s employee to find the right wand. After a few mishaps (hopefully there’s some house elves to clear up all the mess), they’ll find the right wand, and a golden light will shine upon them- their journey as a wizard begins here! Should you end up with your own wand, you can take it home with you for a small fee. If you’re not lucky enough to be the chosen one, don’t worry! You can still buy one after the mini-show. There’s also an opportunity to purchase a replica of your favourite character’s wand. Expelliarmus! Honeydukes Sweet Shop- Hogsmeade Journey to the most magical sweet shop around, where you can pick up chocolate frogs, cauldron cake, and the world-famous Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans! Are you brave enough to try them? Even if you’re not interested in buying sweets (although you’d be mad not to), it’s worth visiting the shop just for the sights and smells. Check out the Puking Pastilles statue in the shop window! Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes- Diagon Alley Situated in the centre of Diagon Alley is the wizarding world-famous joke shop, run by the Weasley twins. Hardcore Harry Potter fans will appreciate the wealth of movie replicas, such as the cycling Dolores Umbridge toy screaming ‘I will have order!’ at passers-by, the Decoy Detonators,
and the cuddly Pygmy Puffs. Visiting wizards and witches are unfortunately unable to look around upstairs, but guests can keep an eye out for magical mischief from the ground floor. Outside the shop is the iconic animatronic Weasley twin, who performs magic tricks with his hat. The explosion of colours both outside and inside the shop make this a spectacle you do not want to miss. Perfect for pranksters!
After you’ve earned a wand like a wizard, dressed yourself like a wizard, and battled dementors like a wizard, you’ll need to eat like a wizard! The Three Broomsticks- Hogsmeade Homesick Brits and aspiring Hogwarts students will love dining in the Three Broomsticks, where you can pick up classic British food, such as fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. An extensive children’s menu is also provided for mini wizards and witches. Whilst you’re eating, look up to the rafters- you can see the shadows of house elves hard at work. Outside the restaurant is a window to the kitchens, where the enchanted pots and pans can be seen cleaning themselves. This makes for a truly charming dining experience. Hog’s Head Pub- Hogsmeade Ever wondered what the drinks of the wizarding world would taste like? Well, wonder no more! Drop into the Hog’s Head, where you can purchase two varieties of Butterbeer- a frozen version for the summer heat, and a regular chilled version. can even choose to have your drink in a souvenir tankard. If you don’t fancy a Butterbeer, you can opt for pumpkin juice, or choose from a selection of regular muggle sodas. For the adults, a range of imported beers, wines, and spirits are available.
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The Leaky Cauldron- Diagon Alley Harry’s first glimpse into the wizarding world was the rustic British pub with a magical twist- now you can experience the wonder for yourself! Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can dine like a sorcerer at any time of the day. Similarly to the Three Broomsticks, classic British gastropub food is served here, with smaller plates for the kids. Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour- Diagon Alley In this enchanted ice-creamery, guests can choose from soft-serve or scoop ice creams in a variety of flavours. For those who want a slightly warmer sweet treat, pastries and continental items are served at breakfast time. Here, you can also enjoy a selection of teas and pumpkin juice.
After all the excitement of the coasters, shops and food, you might want to kick back and watch a show. There is a total of four shows, so there’s something for everyone! Triwizard Spirit Rally- Hogsmeade Students from Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbaton show off their wizarding skills in a display of dancing, acrobatics and ribbon twirling. Which school will you support?
Tales of Beedle the Bard- Diagon Alley In a dynamic and enchanting re-enactment of the Bard’s Tale of the Three Brothers, puppeteers and actors unravel the legend of the Deathly Hallows. A touching story with a memorable lesson- who could ask for more?
Frog Choir- Hogsmeade A journey through the music of the Harry Potter films, featuring four Hogwarts students and two giant singing frogs! A modern twist on the classical music of the films, the students (and frogs) sing a capella- and even beatbox! Musically and magically gifted- now that’s talent!
Celestina Warbeck- Diagon Alley Gather in Carkitt Market to listen to the Singing Sorceress serenade you with original music, written by J. K. Rowling herself. Accompanied by her Singing Banshees, Celestina Warbeck is one act you will not want to miss.