The New 'Harry Potter' Theme Park Is So Well Hidden In Universal, It's Someone's Job To Tell People Where To Go
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
We recently visited the park and unless you know where it's located (or have a park map), it could be slightly difficult to find. Universal must think so too, because an employee stands outside of the area at all times shouting and pointing to the attraction's entrance.
At least that was our experience during our 3-day stay at the parks.
Here's where the entrance to Diagon Alley is. Can you spot it?
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
It's right in there.
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
This may sound like a problem, but it's not. The park entrance does a great way of staying true to the books, making fans very happy.
In the novels, one way into Diagon Alley is by tapping a specific brick in order to unveil a hidden alleyway.
In the same vein, Universal's Diagon Alley is hidden behind a giant brick wall in its London section of the park.
If you're a fan of the series you're blown away by the immense detail that went into recreating the scene. If you're a mere muggle (non-magical folk) who isn't familiar with the world of Potter then you'll probably wonder why Universal went to the trouble of hiding its biggest money maker in the park.
Here's what it feels like walking into the new park area:
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
Here's a quick GIF of what it's like to walk into Diagon Alley.
Kirsten Acuna/Business Insider
According to NPR, the first Harry Potter park, Hogsmeade, helped increase attendance by 30% and more than doubled visitors after it was added in 2010.
NPR reports Diagon Alley cost Universal around $400 million, according to analyst estimates.
It appears well worth the investment. The area is the most popular attraction (other than a new Simpsons' ride close by) in the parks. Both are so crowded it's often difficult to walk down the streets.
- Markets climb as retail inflation eases in April
- Death toll rises to 14 in Mumbai hoarding tragedy; search and rescue ops still on
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset to debut in India with the Poco F6
- 10 best kid-friendly vacation spots near Delhi
- Devyani International posts net loss of ₹48.95 crore in Q4
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market