I’ve always been a huge fan of Harry Potter; Has read all the books, seen all the movies over and over again, has merchandise, you name it. It had always been a dream of mine to get to go to Harry Potter World in Orlando, Florida and I finally got to! Of course, I wore my Weasley Wizard’s Wheeze shirt and my Marauders Map shirt to get in the spirit.
Diagon Alley
When we walked into the first part of the park, Diagon Alley, it was hard to find. We had to go under a building and there were two brick walls, one that was open that you go through and one you had to go around. Once you got past the brick walls, you see Diagon Alley and it looked just like the movies. It feels magical as soon as you step foot on the streets. You can go in all the shops and do stuff in them and buy things.
One of the coolest shops is Olivander’s Wand Shop. You go in and it feels and looks exactly like the first movie. The walls are lined bottom to top with wand boxes that all have wands in them and there are shows and kids test out wands. Things either brake or the room lights up just like Harry’s experience. OF course the first things to do was get a wand. The lady who helped me asked my birthday, writing hand, and other questions. She pulled down wand and I got to test them out until I found a cool one that I liked that is completely unique. The cool things about the wands are that they are interactive. Spread out in Diagon Alley (and Hogsmeade) are metal plaques on the floor with wand motions outside buildings. You get to point your wand, so the spell, and then different things happen.
Some of the other buildings to go are Weasley’s Wizard Wheeze, Gringots Bank (which has a ride), the robe shop, book shop, Nocturne Alley, and so many more. All of the buildings look exactly like in the movies, inside and out. As an extra awesome thing to see is the fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringots. There are also street venders who sell Butterbeer and I had to get one! They have hot, frozen, and normal. All of them were awesome and taste like you imagine it to.
Hogsmeade and Hogwarts
After exploring Diagon Alley, we exited back into the streets of London (where you can snap a picture with the Knight Bus) and went to Kings Cross Station to hop aboard the Hogwarts Express. At first, we went through the normal train station, but then we got to walk or run through a projected brick wall onto Platform 9 3/4. It was AWESOME to ride the train especially because the windows are animated so it looks like you’re actually on the train tracks in London going to Hogwarts, and the doors are animated. Sometimes Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk by, the and lady walks by, Dementors touch the glass, students walk by, and more.
When we got off the train, we went to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. The buildings are topped with snow and it looks just like the movies. Again, you get to go in Honeydukes, Zonko’s, an ice cream store, Hogshead, and many others. There are rides here too that are a lot of fun. As you’re walking through the town, you have an amazing view of Hogwarts on top of the hill. You do get to go in because there is an awesome ride to go on, but the line is the coolest part. As you go through the line, it weaves you around the castle, through hallways, classrooms, and other rooms that are in the books and movies.
Things To Do
List of Rides: Hogwarts Express, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Escape from Gringots, and Dragon Challenge
Food: Three Broomsticks, Hogshead, Leaky Couldron, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, the Hopping Pot
Stores in Diagon Alley: Borgin and Burkes, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Olivanders, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Weasley’s Wizard Wheeze, Sugarplum’s Sweetshop
Stores in Hosgmeade: Dervish and Banges, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Owl Post
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