Exchange Money At Gringotts
You’ll find Gringotts in Diagon Alley , but the Gringotts building itself is home to a ride. Not far away, though, you’ll find the Gringotts Money Exchange, where you can exchange your Muggle money for Gringotts bank notes.
I was slightly disappointed that you don’t get handed a bag full of galleons, but it was fun nonetheless, especially since there’s a goblin inside to interact with .
And don’t worry, this isn’t something you spend any money on. You actually exchange money for Gringotts money, and you can use the Gringotts money just about everywhere within the Universal parks.
Warner Bros Studio Tour: Making Of Harry Potter
Despite Harry Potter essentially being a British creation, theres actually no such thing as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Londonor even the UK! For now, its the USA and Japan that get the glory of that particular attraction. However, London does have the Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros Studio Tour!
Leavesden Studios in Watford is where the majority of filming for the Harry Potter movies took place. When filming finished, the studio opened its doors to visiting guests! It showcases some of the real sets and props used during the filming of the Harry Potter series.
Other than the first 10 minutes or so, the rest of the time at the Warner Bros Studio Tour is self guided or with the help of an audio guide for an extra charge. Ive been twice and both times it took around 3 hours to go around. It could easily take longer if you were to stop and look at every little prop on display.
You even get the opportunity to sit on a broomstick rig in front of a green screen background and watch as you fly through the streets of London or around the castle! It has recently expanded, they have now re-created Kings Cross train station complete with the Hogwarts Express and the Forbidden Forest! They also hold themed evening meals in The Great Hall for special occasions, such as: Christmas and Valentines Day
Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley: Sizing Up 2 Potter ‘worlds’
In the tradition of the “Harry Potter” movies, Universal Orlando has come up with a sequel. On Tuesday, Universal Studios will open Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley, a follow-up to the blockbuster boy-wizard attraction that debuted in 2010.
The original, built at Islands of Adventure, now is known as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade. Although the two attractions have elements in common rides, shops, wands, butterbeer, fish-and-chips they are in two distinct settings: a village with a castle and a big city’s bustling retail district.
The two Worlds are connected by the Hogwarts Express, a train on which visitors see a “virtual” countryside between the lands and a Harry situation in the hallway.
Here’s a guide that will help you know your Hogsmeade from your Diagon Alley.
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Hogsmeade: The skyline of Hogsmeade Village is dominated by snow-capped roofs and dramatically curved chimneys. The British town’s gray block buildings stand on cobblestones. Windows of stores some functional, some faux including Scrivenshafts Quill Shop, Gladrags Wizardwear and Dogweed & Deathcap are found in J.K. Rowling’s Potterverse. Butterbeer is sold from a barrel-shaped truck and other outlets.
Rising from the far end of Hogsmeade, past a gateway guarded by gargoyles, is a stone castle representing the home of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The big ride
The icons
The restaurants
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Spend Time At Citywalk
CityWalk is the area kind of in between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Itâs where Universalâs main parking deck is, and also where all the shuttles will drop you off if you get transported from your hotel.
CityWalk is also an entertainment hub in and of itself.
There are tons of restaurants , a movie theater, a mini golf course, shops, and theaters where groups like The Blue Man Group perform.
CityWalk is open much later that the theme parks, meaning this is a great place to hang out and grab drinks with friends after dark.
So what do you think? Which Universal Orlando park would YOU most want to visit?
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*Note: Thanks to Universal Orlando Resort for inviting me to the opening of Volcano Bay, and for providing support during previous visits to Universal. As always, all opinions and tips are 100% my own.
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Is The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter A Separate Ticket
It is important to know if youre planning a trip to Harry Potter World, access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is included with any valid Universal Orlando ticket. It is important to know that, if you purchase a one day ticket ticket to Universal Studios, then your entry to Diagon Alley will be included in that ticket. If you purchase a one day ticket to Islands of Adventure, your entry to Hogsmeade will be included in that ticket.
If you want to visit both parks in the same trip, consider buying a park to park ticket to Universal Orlando. That will allow you unlimited access between the two parks for the length of your ticket.
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Universal Studios For Kids
Full disclosure: I do not have children, so I canât speak from experience as to what kids would like the most at any of these parks. BUT, I can tell you what there is to do for kids at Universal, along with what I think I would have loved as a kid.
At Universal Studios, kid-friendly rides include Kang & Kodosâ Twirl nâ Hurl, Woody Woodpeckerâs Nuthouse Coaster, the Hogwarts Express, E.T. Adventure, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. For littler kids, there are themed play areas , and plenty of character encounters, including ones with Shrek and Donkey, the Transformers, SpongeBob SquarePants, and more.
You can also book a character breakfast a Despicable Me character breakfast if the kids are in love with the Minions the breakfast happens every Saturday morning at Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Where To Buy Needed Merchandise
There are shops on both lands. In Hogsmeade, Honeydukes sells candy and other treats, Ollivanders Wand Shop is for wands, Dervish and Banges is where you can get brooms, Hogwarts clothing, Golden Snitches, and accessories. Theres also an Owl Post for mailing letters with spooky Hogwarts stamps to your friends.
In Diagon Alley, you can shop for portions, bombastic bombs, and other naughty prank items at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. Mugs, glassware, and other souvenirs can be found at Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment.
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Why Universal Studios Florida Is Better
There are many different lenses that we can look at this which-is-better question through: selection of intellectual properties, food, character meet-n-greets, park layout, even music, if we really wanted to. But, inarguably, the biggest and most important one is attractions, the array of experiences that one can have at either location.
The themed area that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley is quite simply a marvel to behold and could honestly take up half a day all on its own, particularly if youre interested in spotting every Easter egg and soaking up every last corner of its immaculate theming. It is impressive on a scale like none other. Potter fans will be thrilled, and if you werent a fan of the series before you went into Diagon Alley, you almost certainly will be a fan by the time you leave. Springfield, USA is a boat-load of fun and similarly not to be missed. And then there are the individual attractions of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Universals Horror Make-Up Show, Men in Black: Alien Attack, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and, our personal favorite, Revenge of the Mummy. Its hard to go wrong here.
Is The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Orlando
If youre visiting Universal Studios Orlando, be sure to read this ultimate guide to visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Unlock the secrets and find out how to save money on your stay and get the most out of your time in this magical place. For Abbis 12th birthday this year, I knew I wanted to do something epic.
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Harry Potter Universal Studios Orlando Photos Video
Too wildly imaginative and expansive to be contained by any one theme park, the wizarding world of harry potter is split between diagon alley at universal studios florida and hogsmeade at universals islands of adventure, with the hogwarts express connecting the two. for a tour that could take around 3 hours. This park is better for rides overall as you have access to 3 rides within the wizarding world of harry potter along with roller coasters and plenty of child friendly rides.
The first one is diagon alley. Even the basic park entry is expensive, but then you do get access to everywhere in the park, not just the harry potter area. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for gringotts bank notes. This is, by far, the best way to not only see all of.
Even the basic park entry is expensive, but then you do get access to everywhere in the park, not just the harry potter area. Islands has better rides and if you have the chance, kong skull island is an amazing ride. I think diagon alley and knockturn alley are very cool places for a potter fan to see and gringotts.
This is a tough choice if you’re a huge harry potter fan! The hogwarts express is key. Hogsmeade is the first and much larger of the two universal harry potter parks. The first one is diagon alley. However just doing universal you would miss out on seeing hogwarts & .
What About Thrill Rides
If the particular thrill subset of attractions is what youre most after, Islands would probably be your first choice once again. Some of the theme parks massive attractions, The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster and Dr. Dooms Fearfall, are imposing and, also, a great deal of fun, which will go a long way to satiating the adrenaline junkies in your family. And then theres the aforementioned Jurassic Park: River Adventure, which caps off its mostly-docile ride experience with a 40-foot drop thats every bit as memorable as it sounds.
Lets not completely discount Universal Studios here, however. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is even more intimidating than Hulk to many guests, thanks to the fact that its first hill is a straight 90-degree incline, and the indoor-coaster Revenge of the Mummy has many twists and turns in the dark thatll leave you breathless. .
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Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley: Based On The Shopping
No one goes to a theme park just to shop. But once youre there, its hard to say no to a souvenir or three. This is especially true at Universal, with all of its exclusive Harry Potter merchandise! And if youve been sorted into a Hogwarts house, you can choose from everything from hoodies to backpacks to school supplies in your colors.
Similarities Between Universal Studios Orlando And Universal Studios Hollywood
Like Walt Disney World and Disneyland there are certain aspects that are the same. This can be from the theme of the park to the rides and even the food choices available.
These are the similarities that you can expect to find at both Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Keep in mind that some of these may differ in size, style or duration.
Transformers The ride is very much the same from park to park.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Revenge of the Mummy The Ride
The Simpsons Ride The ride is the same from park to park and is a motion simulation ride.
Jurassic Park: The Ride One of the best rides on offer at both parks and often very popular with guests. The Area of Jurassic is better at Universal Studios Hollywood compared to Orlando.
King Kong: 360 3-D The ride is very similar but the experience getting to and from and while on the ride is different as Orlando is a stand-alone ride compared to Hollywood where the ride is part of the World Famous Studio Tour.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Both Hollywood and Orlando have a Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle but Hollywood doesnt have Diagon Alley.
Fast & Furious Supercharged
Lard Lad Donuts Though each part has a Lard Lad Donuts I have heard that there are more flavours available at Universal Studios Hollywood in comparison to the single flavour at Universal Studios Orlando.
Krusty Burger Both Universal Parks have the famous Krusty Burger and full menu to choose from.
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Is Diagon Alley And Hogsmeade The Same Thing
With the Harry Potter movies, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley offer travelers the opportunity to explore two distinct wizarding worlds at the same time. Universal Harry Potters main park, Hogsmeade , opened in the year 2000. Diagon Alley , meanwhile, is a new addition to the Harry Potter world that premiered in 2014.
Awards Honours And Recognition
The Harry Potter series has been recognised by a host of awards since the initial publication of Philosopher’s Stone including a platinum award from the Whitaker Gold and Platinum Book Awards , three , two Book Awards , the inaugural , the , among others. In 2000, was nominated for a , and in 2001, won said award. Honours include a commendation for the , a short listing for the , and numerous listings on the notable books, editors’ Choices, and best books lists of the , The New York Times, , and .
In 2002, sociologist Andrew Blake named Harry Potter a along with the likes of and . In 2003, four of the books were named in the top 24 of the BBC’s survey of the best loved novels in the UK. A 2004 study found that books in the series were commonly read aloud in elementary schools in . Based on a 2007 online poll, the U.S. listed the series in its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children”. Three of the books placed among the “Top 100 Chapter Books” of all time, or children’s novels, in a 2012 survey published by : Sorcerer’s Stone ranked number three, Prisoner of Azkaban 12th, and Goblet of Fire 98th. In 2012, the of the in featured a 100-foot tall rendition of Lord Voldemort in a segment designed to show off the UK’s cultural icons. In November 2019, the listed the Harry Potter series on its list of the .
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So Which Has The Best Shops When Comparing Diagon Alley Vs Hogsmeade
The Verdict: As tempted as you may be by the chocolate frogs, theres really no contest here. When it comes to which Harry Potter park is better at Universal, Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure is the clear winner. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for Gringotts bank notes. Plus, the younger kids will love the stuffed animals at the Magical Menagerie!
The Rides At Islands Of Adventure :
If youre going to determine which Harry Potter world is best solely on rides, well have to give it to Islands of Adventure! For starters, there are three rides, compared to Universal Studios having just one. And of the three, two are actual roller coaster type rides. For this reason we also recommend starting your day here for anyone looking to buy discount Harry Potter world tickets.
The most exciting of the three is Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Visually, it isnt nearly as stunning as Escape from Gringotts. But once the ride starts, whoa! On Hagrids motorbike or in its sidecar, youll twist, turn, drop, and roll onto your side. The 1-mile track makes it the longest coaster in Florida. If youre an adrenaline junkie, this ride alone could decide the question of which is the best Harry Potter theme park for you.
Next up is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, another mostly 3-D ride. This time, Harry, Ron, and Hermione save you from a boring lecture about the Defense of the Dark Arts and take you on an adventure through Hogwarts. The ride is fun, but the really exciting part is entering Hogwarts. Its a dream come true for any Potter fan, and for many people this alone settles the question of which Harry Potter world is the best.
For younger riders, or those who prefer a milder ride, the Flight of the Hippogriff is ideal. Its a bit of a kiddie coaster, but it does go high enough to give you great views of the Hogwarts castle.
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Tips For Visiting Diagon Alley At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Orlando
Your Harry Potter Orlando experience actually begins outside of Diagon Alley in the London waterfront area of Universal Studios Florida. Its worth spending a few minutes in this area adjacent to the Harry Potter world to chat with the Knight Bus conductor and search for Kreacher the house-elf in the upstairs window of 12 Grimmauld Place before heading into Diagon Alley.
When youre ready to enter the Wizarding World, you may be wondering where to find the entrance to Diagon Alley. To better keep out muggles, its hidden behind a brick wall just past Leicester Square Station.
Once inside the Harry Potter theme park, youll be staring right at the large Ukranian Ironbelly dragon that sits atop Gringotts Bank. It really does breathe fire . If you want to catch a photo or video of the fire-breathing dragon in action, listen for the dragons low growl and youll know hes warming up for his next performance.
Turn right after you enter to visit Carkitt Market or go straight back toward the bank and youll hit Horizont Alley. You can also see the seedier side of Diagon Alley if you follow the dark pathway past the Leaky Cauldron into Knockturn Alley. Each has shops, dining, and magic wand spots , and Carkitt Market has a stage where you can watch live entertainment from Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees or The Tales of Beedle the Bard throughout the day.
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