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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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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