Harry Potter... Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade first?

[glk2009]

We are going to be at Universal for nearly two full days and Harry Potter is our primary goal. Given that we will be there multiple days, is it better to start in Hogsmeade and race to the new coaster or should we start in Diagon Alley for our first view of HP? Our first day, we won't be there until mid-day, so wouldn't be able to get there super early for Hagrid's, so I'm just wondering which side is the best introduction. Our traveling party includes an 11 yo who loves HP and a 7 yo, if that makes any difference.

Any advice or insight would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I rode FJ first and ended up liking that plan as FJ is chronologically before Gringotts.

 

[only hope]

Since you’re not arriving til mid-day I would not rush to Hagrids. The line will probably be at its longest at that point.

Though the time frames are a bit wonky, generally, Hogsmeade is set earlier than Diagon. However, many people like to start at Diagon to replicate Harry’s experience from the book, starting with getting money (aka riding the coaster and maybe going to the money exchange), getting an owl, ice cream, a wand, etc.

On the other hand, starting at Diagon may leave you slightly disappointed in Hogsmeade. While both are amazing, Diagon is much better done. In Hogsmeade, the sight of two coasters and outside the area means its not totally insulated and “real” like Diagon is.

 

[bchbetha]

Since you’re not arriving til mid-day I would not rush to Hagrids. The line will probably be at its longest at that point.

Though the time frames are a bit wonky, generally, Hogsmeade is set earlier than Diagon. However, many people like to start at Diagon to replicate Harry’s experience from the book, starting with getting money (aka riding the coaster and maybe going to the money exchange), getting an owl, ice cream, a wand, etc.

On the other hand, starting at Diagon may leave you slightly disappointed in Hogsmeade. While both are amazing, Diagon is much better done. In Hogsmeade, the sight of two coasters and outside the area means its not totally insulated and “real” like Diagon is.

Agree but at least the rides over in Hogsmeads are really good as are the Hogs Head Inn (love the patio) and the 3 Broomsticks.

 

[mamacatnv]

My HP Fan chose the route and wanted Diagon first to follow the books.
I don't honestly think you can go wrong either way but we did Diagon first.

 

[glk2009]

Since you’re not arriving til mid-day I would not rush to Hagrids. The line will probably be at its longest at that point.

Though the time frames are a bit wonky, generally, Hogsmeade is set earlier than Diagon. However, many people like to start at Diagon to replicate Harry’s experience from the book, starting with getting money (aka riding the coaster and maybe going to the money exchange), getting an owl, ice cream, a wand, etc.

On the other hand, starting at Diagon may leave you slightly disappointed in Hogsmeade. While both are amazing, Diagon is much better done. In Hogsmeade, the sight of two coasters and outside the area means its not totally insulated and “real” like Diagon is.

Thanks for that insight. I am thinking that starting in Diagon Alley might be more awesome if it is more insulated and “real.”

Agree but at least the rides over in Hogsmeads are really good as are the Hogs Head Inn (love the patio) and the 3 Broomsticks.

If we end in Hogsmead, we’ll have some good spots for a break and a snack!

My HP Fan chose the route and wanted Diagon first to follow the books.
I don't honestly think you can go wrong either way but we did Diagon first.

I will probably ask my 11 yo which way she wants to go. But I’m also contemplating keeping it a “surprise” about how big HP is in Orlando.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[SG131]

So if you want to buy a wand the actual ollivanders is in Hogsmead. There is a wand store in Diagon Alley as well, but I wanted to get it from ollivanders so I started there to make sure I’d have it for the whole trip.

 

[bchbetha]

So if you want to buy a wand the actual ollivanders is in Hogsmead. There is a wand store in Diagon Alley as well, but I wanted to get it from ollivanders so I started there to make sure I’d have it for the whole trip.

It’s a real Ollivanders in Diagon Alley. I mean, that’s where it’d really be in the books anyway. There’s one in Hogsmeade because I assume when it was the only HP section, they needed a wand shop.

 

[SG131]

It’s a real Ollivanders in Diagon Alley. I mean, that’s where it’d really be in the books anyway. There’s one in Hogsmeade because I assume when it was the only HP section, they needed a wand shop.

The only store I could find with actual ollivanders label on the exterior of the shop was in hogsmead. The other one if I recall just said wand shop. I know it should be in diagon alley but since they built and named the one in hogsmeade years earlier they were sort of stuck with it.

 

[bchbetha]

The only store I could find with actual ollivanders label on the exterior of the shop was in hogsmead. The other one if I recall just said wand shop. I know it should be in diagon alley but since they built and named the one in hogsmeade years earlier they were sort of stuck with it.

On the official park map, it is Ollivanders. But I admit I don’t for sure what the sign says but I really think it says Ollivanders. Eta- just google imaged it- definitely says Ollivanders on the outside and our wand boxes say it too. https://www.universalorlando.com/we...niversal-studios-florida-park-map-english.pdf

 

[glk2009]

I guess we will just have to shop at two wand stores to cover our bases!

 

[elleherself]

I definitely prefer and recommend the Diagon Alley wand shop. The line is always shorter and moves faster. Part of it is that there is a lot to explore and do in Diagon Alley, that tends to spread people out a bit better than the Hogsmeade side. Also they used to have more wand rooms in Diagon Alley, although I know one of those was closed recently and transformed into the new Globus Mundi shop. I still find the Diagon Alley Ollivander's location to be better for wait times. Also the preshow room is more detailed in Diagon.