Universal Studios Food Guide: From Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley
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Universal Studios Orlando is like Disney’s more mature older sibling. From dinosaurs to dancers, everything at Universal has a bit more of an edge to it. But of course, the real reason I love Universal Studios is for one very magical reason…
Hogwarts: The Heart of the Wizarding World
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of Universal’s biggest draws. It’s an essential destination for most Potterheads like myself.
The Harry Potter themed parks at Universal Studios have become a must-visit destination for fans of the beloved book and film series. The creation of these immersive worlds, known as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, marked a significant expansion for Universal Studios and set a new standard for theme park experiences.
The Beginning
The journey began in May 2007, when Universal Studios announced a partnership with Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling to bring the world of Harry Potter to life. This ambitious project aimed to recreate the magical settings and experiences of the Harry Potter universe, offering fans a chance to step into the world of their favorite characters.
Hogsmeade: The First Phase
The first phase of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, on June 18, 2010. This section of the park, known as Hogsmeade, features iconic locations such as Hogwarts Castle, the Forbidden Journey ride, the Three Broomsticks restaurant, and various shops like Ollivanders and Honeydukes. The attention to detail and faithful recreation of the Harry Potter universe received widespread acclaim, drawing huge crowds and boosting park attendance.
Diagon Alley: The Expansion
Building on the success of Hogsmeade, Universal Studios announced plans for an expansion. On July 8, 2014, Diagon Alley opened at Universal Studios Florida. This new area includes famous locations like the Leaky Cauldron, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. One of the highlights is the Escape from Gringotts ride, a thrilling adventure that combines 3D projections and live-action elements. The Hogwarts Express train connects Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, providing a seamless and immersive experience for guests traveling between the two areas.
Rumors are, the Harry Potter areas will be expanded or even have a whole new area made for them by 2025.
We started our day in Hogsmeade. After being sorted before the Forbidden Journey and helping Hagrid round up some blast-ended skrewts on the new Magical Creatures ride—which is totally worth the hype, by the way—we found ourselves famished in front of the Three Broomsticks.
Lunch at the Three Broomsticks
With a wide array of traditional British dishes available, we settled to try the beef pasties with a fresh salad on the side. The beef pasties were small but filling, and the fresh salad was probably the first vegetable I had eaten in days.
I paired my lunch with a pumpkin fizz, which I honestly think is better than butterbeer. But of course, I had to have something butterbeer-flavored, so for dessert I had butterbeer-flavored potted cream, which turned out to be one of the best things we had on our entire trip.
Sweet Treats at Honeydukes
After the Three Broomsticks, we made our way to Honeydukes to fill our pockets with magical sweets. From chocolate frogs to U-No-Poo pellets, Honeydukes’ candy selection is a dream come true for any Harry Potter fan who ever wanted to get candy off the trolley on the Hogwarts Express.
I truly felt like a kid in a candy shop while I picked out my treats and happily exclaimed, “We’ll take the lot!” as I checked out. There’s also an assortment of magical bakery items such as their chilled flaming cauldron cake and never-melt ice cream, both of which really hit the spot on a hot Florida afternoon.
With all the snowcapped buildings, it’s easy to forget it’s 90 degrees out.
Off to Diagon Alley
After Hogsmeade, we headed to the train station and boarded the Hogwarts Express, bound for Diagon Alley.
Did you know that Diagon Alley is named because it is built diagonally to the Muggle world roads? It’s true! It’s just some clever wordplay on J.K. Rowling’s part, but it took me nearly 25 years to make that connection.
From the magical menagerie of animals to making magic in the streets, there’s a little something for every Harry Potter fan in Diagon Alley.
My favorite part of Diagon Alley is the dragon escaping from Gringotts—and if you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see him release a blast of dragon fire!!
Mischief Managed at Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
Our next stop was the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes joke shop where I picked up a Skiving Snackbox packed with nosebleed nougats, fainting fancies, fever fudge, and puking pastilles.
Dinner at the Leaky Cauldron
After the joke shop, we decided to pop into the Leaky Cauldron for dinner. If you didn’t know, it’s named the Leaky Cauldron because it’s got this big cauldron that… leaks. We’re just learning all the magical facts today!
For dinner, we dined on the specialty chicken sandwich, which I recommend for muggles. I had the scotch eggs and pickled beet salad, which turned out to be just as delicious as it looks. The beet salad was surprisingly tangy—and something I’ve been craving since we left!
For my drink, I tried the insanely sweet and sour tongue-tying lemon squash, and for dessert, I had the Cranachan, which is essentially a little fruit parfait with granola.
Dessert Round Two at Florean Fortescue’s
After dinner, we made a quick stop at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour for a second dessert. The ice cream shop offers a range of magical flavors, but their most popular, and one of Harry Potter’s favorites, is the chocolate strawberry peanut butter sundae. Despite the somewhat unusual combination of flavors, this ice cream works!
A Spooky Detour Through Knockturn Alley
While trying to find our way back to the Hogwarts Express, we turned down an alley we thought was a shortcut. Instead, we found ourselves in the darkness of Knockturn Alley. After scoping out Borgin and Burkes, we managed to escape back into the daylight of pretend London.
Back to Hogwarts
Finally, I made my way through the invisible entry of Platform 9 3/4, chit-chatted with my girl Hedwig, and boarded the Hogwarts Express to return to school. Disney may be the most magical place on earth, but Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.
