#DiagonAlley in Universal Orlando OPEN – Tips, Details and Photos
Those lucky muggles in Universal Studios Orlando are finally getting to experience the Diagon Alley expansion. The Leaky Cauldron is cranking out magical meals, the Hogwarts Express is transferring passengers to and from Hogsmeade and the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Bank ride is delivering on its promise to amaze riders.
Guests began lining up for the opening around 5 a.m. this morning. The current wait time to get into accompanying Wizarding World is 2-3 hours at the time of this publication. The wait for Gringotts is currently sitting at 7 and a half hours.
So far, details and tips revealing themselves…
Tip 1 – Ride the Hogwarts Express both ways. The minds behind the magic wanted to provide a unique experience for passengers using the train to travel between the worlds. A different adventure awaits those traveling from Hogsmeade to Kings Cross and Kings Cross to Hogsmeade.
Tip 2 – The new improved wands are interactive within the park. With your purchase, you receive a map that details each location you can use the wand that has chosen you to create some magic of your own. There are 20 locations in Diagon Alley and 3 locations in Knockturn Alley.
Tip 3 – Use the single rider line if you and your travel companion don’t mind riding separately. It will cut wait times.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Bank ride experienced some technical difficulties during the media event. It appears it is undergoing another round of opening jitters. The wait is pushing 7 hours and growing thanks to a hiccup in the system. Hopefully they are able to swiftly fix it.
The experience of the ride is amazing according to one muggle who was able to ride it. He promised not to spoil it, but guests wear goggles that help riders get an intense experience. It is somewhat comparative to the Spider-Man ride currently housed in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
The food is getting good reviews. Fish ad Chips will cost you 13.99, the Ploughman’s serves two and will set you back $19.99. The Beef, Lamb and Guinness Stew is set at $12.99. Two different sandwiches are also offered at The Leaky Cauldron – Banger Pub Style is $11.99 and the Specialty Chicken is $10.99. Kids portions are $6.99. If you want something sweet, Sticky Toffee Pudding will run $6.99 for a decent portion, Chocolate Potted Cream hovers at $4.49.
Over at Florean Fortescue’s, cups of ice cream cost $4.99, waffle cones around $5.99 and a souvenir glass will set you back $10.99 unless you get the Eton Mess – Vanilla soft serve covered in strawberry topping, meringue bits and whiped cream in a glass runs $12.99.
Be prepared to pay for drinks – Gillywater will cost you $4, Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice iand Peachtree Fizzing Tea are $4.79 while Fishy Green Ale tops the scale with Frozen Butterbeer at $4.99.
