Must do things to do in Wizarding world

[Jenn504]

Hi, we will be in universal in a week. I purposely stayed away from most sites regarding Diagon Alley because I want to be surprised. I am regretting this now. Now I am thinking I should have read more about because I will miss all the little unadverstised things. I am the big Harry Potter fan in my family but 8 year old son is just starting to get into it because we have began reading book 1.
I was hoping you guys could give some tips and must do's while we are there so we don't miss the little touches. I have read they have interactive wands now, but I don't know anything about them. Do we get them at Ollivander's. Do they work at both parks. We were to Hogwarts 3 years ago, but we were pretty rushed.

 

[damo]

Yes, the interactive wands can be purchased at both Ollivanders. They work at both parks.

I would take the interactive tour of Diagon at www.universalorlando.com to get the lay of the land. Make sure you don't miss Knockturn alley!

 

[Kivara]

I waited to see it, didn't want any spoilers, and it was awesome!

I'm sure I missed some things, but hey, that means something new to see next time we go.

 

[Robo56]

Like Kivara don't want to spoil the first impression. Just make sure to explore all the areas outside the shops and make sure to enjoy every crevice. I had the unique opportunity while family was in Gringotts ride to take in Diagon Alley while it was basically just me walking around. There was no one else there. We had early admission and everyone was on the ride. I was able to walk through all the shops and look at everything in Diagon before it started filling up with people. Had a great time. Within an hour it was packed with people and I can say it would be easy to miss somethings when it's packed.

At the Ollivanders show they pick someone out of audience. Would be nice if it was your son. If not you can buy the interactive wand in Ollivanders or at The Universal store in Citywalk, or the Universal stores right inside both parks. There is a map included in the wand box for the sites in both parks where the magic spells can be done as well as a medallion marking the spot on the ground in front of the magic spell spots. Hope this helps. Enjoy Universal

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

Butterbeer, get both the frozen and non-frozen. Delicious!

 

[Jessica0711]

Butterbeer, get both the frozen and non-frozen. Delicious!

I definitely agree with this one! They also have Butterbeer ice cream, but I liked a couple of the other flavors more.

I would also suggest eating at their Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron - it's some of the best food in the parks in my opinion.

 

[georgina]

DD and I enjoyed the puppet shows in Diagon Alley. The ice cream parlor was great. We also spent a lot of time in Knockturn alley. The shrunken heads are a hoot!

 

[kbelle8995]

Knockturn alley is a neat area in Diagon Alley. And don't forget to check out Celestina Warbeck and her banshees. A wonderful show.

 

[Chaitali]

The puppet show was really well done! Also, take some time to explore outside Diagon Alley in the "muggle" area. There is a phone booth, dial "magic" for a message. Look up at the windows at Grimauld Place as Kreecher peeks out at times. The night bus driver is really fun to interact with. As others have said, knockturn alley is really cool. And when you hear some loud rumbling, the dragon is about to breathe fire so try to get a good vantage point if you want a photo

 

[GaryDis]

www.univeralorlando.com

The typo in the URL leads to a squatter's site. The correct link is https://www.universalorlando.com/ .

 

[cissy]

I read in UG that many rides Require lockers but that some wands don't fit in them? Is that correct? What do people do?

 

[JayDubs]

You'll get different opinions about this from everyone, but I definitely thought that the HOT Butterbeer was the best of the lot. As far as the Ice Cream goes, the Butterbeer Ice Cream was good, but the hard-pack flavors were better, I think.

If you're choosing a place to eat, Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade is definitely the counter service in Universal. You can get the wands just about everywhere---the interactive wants (as opposed to the model/replica wands...the differences are marked) can be purchased in several places. They come with a map of where and how to use them

I particularly enjoyed the short shows in Hogsmeade better than Diagon Alley. Frog Choir and Tri-Wizard Pep Rally were both entertaining.

Get their early and just soak it all in. Don't worry too much about needing to plan it out. Enjoy it as you experience it and you'll get plenty.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Here is a list of some of the "little details" that I wanted to make sure I pointed out to the first time visitor I brought with me. I'm leaving most of these a little cryptic so that you can still discover them on your own.

• Listen while you are in the restrooms next to the Hogshead in Hogsmeade.
• There are some hidden wand locations that aren't on the wand map. We didn't seek these out, but you could.
• Take a picture in the door to 12 Grimmauld Place. Be sure to spend a few minutes looking at the building.
  
• Dial MAGIC in the phone booth.
• Prepare some questions for the goblin in the Money Exchange. I asked him about the dragon on top of Gringotts.
• Prepare some questions for the Knight Bus driver and the shrunken head.
  
• Spend a minutes admiring yourself in the mirror in the robe shop in Diagon Alley.
• In Knockturn Alley, try opening the door with the eye.
• See if you can find the match to Draco's vanishing cabinet in Borgin and Burkes. Reread this description of B&B from the book to find some other things to look for.
• This is something I didn't discover the first time - a team member was at this location and showed the girls. In Knockturn Alley, there is a wand interaction in front of a display in the alley. There is a small fence - the wand holder needs to be in front of the fence. This is one of the coolest wand interactions, IMO.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I read in UG that many rides Require lockers but that some wands don't fit in them? Is that correct? What do people do?

We fit 2 wands with wand boxes and 3 purses in all of the lockers. You might have to put the boxes in catty-corner, but when the girls were carrying just the wands, we always put them flat in the right side and make a point to make sure we had both of them when we cleaned out the locker, because they would be easy to leave.

 

[nkereina]

Butterbeer, get both the frozen and non-frozen. Delicious!

And try the hot one! My favorite of all of them!