Diagon Alley Question - One Day At Universal

[jsrj21]

Hello everyone-

Planning on a one-day trip to Universal this summer before heading to WDW. Never been to Universal so I apologize for my naivety. I'm just so confused as to where Diagon Alley is and if there's enough to do for an entire day? I saw that the WWHP is actually broken down into two parks which require separate tickets or a special ticket, I should say. I am not interested in seeing both...just Diagon Alley...unless someone convinces me otherwise. I'm up for anything and really just want to use this opportunity to scout/check out Universal for the first time.
I will be staying at a Holiday Inn across the street from Universal. How's the parking? Do these nearby hotels offer shuttles? Any help will be greatly appreciated. I'm doing my research too trying to figure this all out but when I get answers from Dis'ers, it's always comforting. Thanks!

 

[macraven]

DA is located in the studios park.
when you go thru city walk, veer to the right to the entrance of the studios.

pick up a guide map after you enter with your ticket into the park.

i'm not a potter fan and could not spend an entire day in that section but for those that are, it seems like one day is not enough.
you have the one main ride of Gringotts in DA.
shops, stores, food eateries.

the outside shows are brilliant.
you don't have to be a pothead to enjoy them or the ambiance of this entire section.

if you have time left after exploring everything in DA, move on to some of the rides and shows in that park.

the HE is not accessible unless you have a 2 park ticket.
this would drop you off at IOA potterville.

i haven't stayed offsite in years.
google that hotel or call them in regards to their park shuttle service.

it is walkable from that hotel to the darkside parks.
not a quick walk but not more than 15 minutes.

parking at the garage is a day price.
garage is at the end of city walk which you must travel thru on foot to reach the UO parks.

www.universalorlando.com wil give you the lay out and all that is in the DA section.
look thru it to get directions in advance before you go.

hope someone with more help will post to guide you better than i have.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am not interested in seeing both...just Diagon Alley...

Why?


We went for Wizarding World (Hogsmeade) and fell in love with the whole place. But we gave it a chance, with a 3 night stay and 2 partial and 2 full days planned. On our 4th day we delayed going back to WDW to the detriment of our dinner and enjoyment of AKLodge, because we LOVED all of US so much. FWIW.

And that's *before* Diagon showed up.

 

[pcstang]

Why?


We went for Wizarding World (Hogsmeade) and fell in love with the whole place. But we gave it a chance, with a 3 night stay and 2 partial and 2 full days planned. On our 4th day we delayed going back to WDW to the detriment of our dinner and enjoyment of AKLodge, because we LOVED all of US so much. FWIW.

And that's *before* Diagon showed up.

Agreed! Why would you only do one part of HP? I'm not a HP fan but the two areas are spectacular. I think you will be missing out if you only do one of the HP areas.

 

[Hunterr]

No, Diagon Alley is NOT an all day thing. It's a section of a huge theme park.
Not including wait times for ride(s) and if you eat at a restaurant there, you could explore it in less than an hour and get your fix of all the shops.

And Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley really go hand in hand with the train ride that takes you back and forth. Yes, it costs more for a 2 park ticket, but there's more to Universal than Harry Potter.

But if you're saving a few dollars, then I would suggest doing Universal Studios, exploring Diagon and riding Gringotts, and then exploring the rest of the park.

 

[RMulieri]

Diagon alley is equal to a small land at WDW MK..We are huge Potter fans and we cant spend all day there.We love it, but there is SO MUCH MORE to Universal then just one land in the themepark

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If experiencing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is your goal, splurge on the two-park ticket and plan to visit both Diagon Alley in Universal and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. You won't be disappointed. Devote all the time you wish to exploring both areas, dine at Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron, buy an interactive wand and enjoy casting spells, ride both Gringotts and Forbidden Journey, visit Olivanders wand shop, enjoy butterbeer in multiple forms (cold, frozen, hot and ice cream), ride the Hogwarts Express between parks, and really allow yourself to be immersed. If you still have more day left when you have had your fill of the Wizarding World, then you have the balance of two amazing parks in which to spend the remainder of your time.

I'm not a Harry Potter fan, per se, but the HP areas at Universal are not to be missed. Either of them.

 

[PrincessLou]

I agree with the comments definitely purchase the two park ticket if you can, you can ride the train between each area and I completed both in a day when I was there at Christmas which was a peak time.

 

[elaine amj]

If i was spending that much on one day already, I would just do both parks and really see it all. We're not Potterheads but just returned from a weekend in Universal and enjoyed it. BTW, Gringotts was absolutely an amazing ride - we ended up riding it 4 times and i could have gone for more.

Lots more cool stuff to see as well. ET and the Cat in the Hat were awesome dark rides (very Disney-esque).

To go to ONLY Diagon Alley for an entire day and spend $100 pp for the privilege? I'm not a Potterhead so it wouldn't be worth it for us. (even if Gringotts is now my favorite ride anywhere on earth!). You would basically ride Gringotts, have a butterbeer, maybe eat in Leaky Cauldron, check out the Ollivander's show (which is cute), watch the shows (which we never ended up making time to catch - next trip!), and do the magic spells (if you are into that).

Holiday Inn is close enough. We stayed at Doubletree right across from Holiday Inn. The walk is about 15-20 mins. The first time we did it, we felt it wasn't as clearly marked as we expected. We walked in the afternoon so no one to follow but it all eventually made sense.

 

[bumbershoot]

If experiencing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is your goal, splurge on the two-park ticket and plan to visit both Diagon Alley in Universal and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. You won't be disappointed. Devote all the time you wish to exploring both areas, dine at Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron, buy an interactive wand and enjoy casting spells, ride both Gringotts and Forbidden Journey, visit Olivanders wand shop, enjoy butterbeer in multiple forms (cold, frozen, hot and ice cream), ride the Hogwarts Express between parks, and really allow yourself to be immersed. If you still have more day left when you have had your fill of the Wizarding World, then you have the balance of two amazing parks in which to spend the remainder of your time.

I'm not a Harry Potter fan, per se, but the HP areas at Universal are not to be missed. Either of them.

I think your answer should be THE answer for this sort of question. It's perfect.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

To me Diagon Alley was about a half day area if you plan on seeing all the shows (the 2 puppet shows and Celestine), riding Gringotts and exploring the stores. To ride Hogwarts Express you must have a park to park ticket.

There is a lot more to explore that you can easily take up a full day if you look outside Diagon Alley.

 

[jsrj21]

Thank you all so much for the replies. I'm now convinced that I should explore both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade - makes alot of sense since we'll be there. I watched a YouTube video that has the train station and it just seemed silly to not do it. Thanks again for the help. Your answers made all the difference.

 

[mom2lillie]

Also note that the Hogwarts Express is different each way. It is truly amazing and one of our faves!