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Theme Park Review: Shops in Diagon Alley

Rebecca walking in Diagon Alley Universal Orlando

Hokey or Realistic?  Over-Priced or Worth Every Penny?

Revised 4/2021

Dear Polite Traveler,

I’ve always been the mature one, the one to be counted on to be responsible.  However, when I turned 50, I decided that I needed more fun and color in my life.  Out came the purple hats and coffee with friends three times each week.   

As I was about to turn 60, my hubby asked where I’d like to go for a special vacation.  Instead of considering a much more “mature” vacation of sitting on a beach somewhere or visiting a museum-laden city, I decided to give in to my inner Potter Head and venture across the country to Orlando Florida.  Universal Orlando and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for me baby! 

Note: Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.  

Since there is so much to see and do in Diagon Alley, I will focus on just the shops in this article.

Stocking up on wizarding supplies in Diagon Alley.

Weasleys Wizard Wheezes is difficult to miss as we entered Diagon Alley.  It’s bright orange, topped with a huge Weasley head lifting his stovepipe hat up and down as a rabbit appears and disappears.  It’s quite clever.    

    Weasleys Wizard Wheezes inside Diagon Alley Universal Orlando

Inside the store is exactly what a fan would expect, as it remarkably similar to the movie, including the multiple staircases.  However, it’s not all about the look of the shop that is important, this is a joke shop after all.  Many items mentioned in the movies, like $23 Extendable Ears, $15 Pygmy Puffs and Sneakoscopes—plus, many more—adored the shelves.  

Note: Many items mentioned are not available at this time but most likely will when you visit.  Prices could be higher.

Affordable candies such as Puking Pastilles and Fainting Fancies ($7 each) brought a smile to my face as I remember them so well from the movie, Order of the Phoenix.  Clothing items, like Weasley t-shirts, can be found here as well.  These sell for $27; a bit pricy for a regular t-shirt.

Quality Quidditch Supplies

Quality Quidditch Supplies store Universal Orlando

Quality Quidditch Supplies is directly next door.  It was a particularly chilly day when we dove in to warm up.  I desperately needed a sweatshirt and found the very one for $55 (after a 10% discount—mention American Express mobile app).  I am now an honorary Gryffindor.  

Gryffindor sweatshirt Universal Orlando

In addition, we found everything a Quidditch player needs and then some.  There were brooms, apparel, and equipment.  Fanwear for our favorite Quidditch team (shirt $33) was available as well—go Chudley Cannons.  The item that really caught my eye though was a very detailed, very expensive chess set, over $300.   

Note: Please read my review of the sweatshirt.  Additionally, we experienced excellent customer service in this store.  A young assistant took the time to talk to us for quite some time.  I’d return in a heartbeat with service like that.   

Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions

Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions is a one-stop-shop for house robes—around $110—and various other apparel choices, like the “H” and “R” sweaters knitted by Ron’s mother each Christmas (high quality, but expensive $85).  Also on display were perfect reproductions of gowns from the movies, including the elegant choice of our favorite witch, Hermione Granger for the Yule Ball

Upon closer inspection, the robes appear of good quality polyester and cotton.  The cleaning tag does suggest dry cleaning, which could be an issue.  However, I noticed many children—and adults—wearing these around the park.  I tried one on and it was comfortable.    

Ollivanders

Rebecca performing spells Universal Orlando

Continuing down the main street, we came to the place I’ve dreamt of—Ollivanders!  As this was my birthday celebration, I sported an “It’s my birthday” badge and the biggest smile possible by a human being.  So, obviously, I was chosen for the “Wand” experience.  And, what an experience it is.  It’s very much like the scene from the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, including some realistic special effects.

Those who want to share in this experience enter the second Ollivanders’ doorway.  A witch or wizard guards this door, so it’s easy to spot.  Those just wand shopping enter the main store.  It’s full of replica and interactive wands—boxes and boxes of wands.   

Interactive wand I purchased Universal Orlando

I chose Dumbledore’s interactive wand for $55 (replica wands are $40).  All interactive wands come with a very nice map of the two Wizarding areas indicating where the wand will work and what spells to perform.  It would have been good to know what is supposed to happen during these spells though since some aren’t so clear.  

Wand map of the two Wizarding areas Universal Orlando

My wand is lovely and made of resin—remarkably detailed.  There is a strip of runes around the part of the wand where one would hold it.  There is no information available on what these runes mean.  The map is printed—on both sides--on golden-colored paper making it appear older.  (Please read my wand review)  

Tip: Go early in the day if you want to experience the wand choosing.  There’s a better chance at being chosen and there isn’t much of a line—we had none.  In addition, this store is less busy than the one in Hogsmeade.  Go figure.   

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

Large globe that fills a sizable ceiling area of Wiseacre's Universal Orlando

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment is the gift shop we found as we exited the Escape from Gringotts ride (right of Gringotts).  This is one impressive place!  The giant star-chart globe and telescope adoring the ceiling alone held my attention.  
Goodies inside Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment Universal Orlando

Replicas inside Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment Universal Orlando

A few unique items caught my eye, like $49 crystal balls—I dearly want one—compasses, hourglasses, and ornate chess sets ($300).  We also found smaller keepsakes, like collectible key chains ($19).  The Hogwarts house emblem adorned mugs and glasses were intriguing as well.   

Magical Menagerie (to the left of Gringotts)

Nope, these Hegwigs didn’t fly.  They, and all the other animals from the books and movies, lined the shelves awaiting a new home, like Fluffy (the three-headed dog), Scabbers, Buckbeak...all of them.  The fluffy cutie I fell in love with was Fawks.  Nevertheless, the $25 price tag halted that impulse.  Most stuffed items cost $17-$32 depending on the size.   

Scribbulus Writing Instruments

To the right of Gringotts’ Bank is Scribbulus.  It didn’t really interest us much at all, since the focus is on stationery supplies.  Quill pens for over $14 were a bit much.  The glass inkwells were interesting but cost over $20. 

Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio

For fifty dollars, visitors can have a scrapbook-type DVD created for them.  The magic makers of this shop use stock photos and the visitor’s image projected onto a blank screen to create this piece of magic.  We didn’t partake, but maybe we will next time we visit.  Now that I’m home, I miss my Universal adventures making the expense seem worth it. 

Gregorivch’s Wand Shop

This very small wand shop sells the exact same wands as Ollivanders and most often there is no crowd.  

Borgin and Burkes (Knockturn Alley)

Borgin and Burkes. Knockturn Alley. Universal Orlando

Crowded!  This is a very small, claustrophobic store.  Nevertheless, it is an imperative visit for all Potter Heads.  It’s best to visit this store early, late, or during mealtimes.    

Me listening to someone in the Vanishing Cabinet Universal Orlando

Vanishing Cabinet

Surrounded by dark-art objects, I inched my way past skulls, jewelry (probably cursed), and many collectibles.  Best of all were the items from the movies and books, like the hand that grasped Harry’s when he mistakenly landed in the shop, a trunk with what appears to be a Bogart, and the vanishing cabinet from the “Half-Blood Prince”.  Listen carefully and you can hear a bird chirping.  This place was worth the price of admission! 

The Death Eater robes are more than twice the price of the others, although I doubt these are any better quality than one sporting a house color.  I’d just visit this store to immerse myself in the atmosphere, not to shop.

All in all, I would say that many of the items are a bit overpriced.  However, some items are so unique and of good quality that most fans will overlook the price tag.  The shops?  A work of art, simply marvelous, albeit very small.

Please Read

Exploring Diagon Alley Universal Orlando

Theme Park: Universal Orlando The Forbidden Journey

Restaurant Reviews: Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Diagon Alley



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