England, Home of Holmes - Sherlock, That Is

Clever title, yes?

So aside from tea and biscuits, when you think England you might think Sherlock Holmes. After all, that's where the famed detective is from and where his stories were first published in The Strand magazine. If you're a lover of Sherlock Holmes in any of his forms - short stories, movies, theater, television - there is lots for you to discover in England.

First of all, is there a 221B Baker Street? Yes, and no. On Baker Street you will find a Sherlock Holmes Museum with a plaque displaying that they are 221B Baker Street, but technically they are located between 237 and 241 Baker Street. But if you don't tell anyone, no one will know the difference.

So the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B/237-241 Baker Street has been converted into Sherlock Holmes' imagined residence. (Just a reminder to all that Sherlock Holmes was not a real person - it seems to be an issue that people get confused) On a self guided tour you'll walk through three floors encompassing the sitting room, laboratory, bathroom, study, and bedrooms of the beloved characters of Holmes and Dr. Watson. The rooms are beautifully decorated to reflect a Georgian townhouse between the years of 1881 and 1904 (the years Holmes and Watson would have lived there) and follow descriptions of the home from Doyle's stories.

The Study in the Museum

Throughout the house are nods to many of the stories of Sherlock Holmes (hand written notes on cases such as the Hounds of Baskerville) as well as personal belongings of the two residents. In the sitting room you can have a seat by the fireplace or at the dining table for some photo ops.

The gift shop next door is the world's largest and you'll find gifts related to the original Holmes' stories all the way up to books and posters plastered with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman (NOT a bad thing!).

Tickets are 15 pounds (about 22.50 USD) and yes I agree that is expensive. You'll probably only be in the museum for around 30 minutes. The house is quite small so small groups of people are let in at a time, which can result in a fairly long wait. Our wait was around 30 or 40 minutes. Most importantly...You must get your ticket from the gift shop BEFORE you get in line to enter the house.

Sherlock Holmes Pub

Once you've visited Sherlock's house at 221B, you'll probably be getting a bit hungry. So head over to 10 Northumberland Street to the Sherlock Holmes Pub. The bottom floor is a typical pub, but a sit down restaurant upstairs makes you feel like you're dining in Sherlock's house (or at least in a room decorated by the same decorator...Mrs. Hudson?). The walls are covered with Sherlock photos and a small room off to the side is set up as Sherlock's laboratory.

The food was good, prices were average...and I refuse to believe that the Sherlock drawing on their menus hasn't been updated in the wake of the BBC's Sherlock to look like Benedict Cumberbatch.

Speedy's Cafe and 221B

Lastly, for you lovers of BBC's Sherlock, you can't miss out on some filming locations. If you head over to 187 N Gower Street you'll find the film location for 221B and Speedy's Cafe. When filming isn't occurring the door, unfortunately, doesn't say 221B. And someone does live there, so be nice. But you can still grab a pastry or breakfast from Speedy's and sit right outside Benedict's...Sherlock's...door. There are some cool pictures of the actors inside the Cafe as well.

St. Bart's - Sherlock's Fall

You've seen where he lives, you can see where he "dies." If you take the 56 bus it'll drop you off nearly at the point where Benedict Cumberbatch hits the pavement after jumping off the roof of St. Bart's in the Series 2 finale. I mean, get off the bus, walk left for about twenty feet and heads up.

You'll see the Ambulance Bay that blocked John's view to your left and you can imagine the whole scene playing out. There's also a phone booth there covered in funny comments and drawings related to Sherlock Holmes and his supposed demise. Funny reading.

So have fun walking in Sherlock's footsteps...

The game is on.

Harry Potter - Magic in England

Although Hogwarts is technically located somewhere in the hills of Scotland, London holds plenty of its own magical secrets - The Ministry of Magic, The Three Broomsticks, Diagon Alley. There are lots of ways to experience Harry Potter fun during a trip to London and the surrounding areas.

The biggest and best way is to visit Leavesden Studios, now home of The Warner Brothers Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter.

The Great Hall

Much of the Harry Potter film series was filmed at the studio at Leavesden. When movies wrapped an entire building was built on the site to house all the amazing sets, props, and costumes that were left over. Entire sets were taken down and re-built in their original entirety at the Studio Tour building. You can see exactly as it was in the movie The Great Hall, Gryffindor Common Room and Boy's Dorms, Dumbledore's Office, the Potions Classroom, the Weasley Kitchen, and so many more sets you'll instantly recognize. They're filled with the props used in the movies, and the costumes used by actors. All original, all authentic.

Potions Class and Snape's Costume

You'll also see Creature Effects where goblin masks, life size dummies, Dobby, and all other sorts of creatures live. See how they were made and how much work went into every detail. About midway through your tour you'll find the Hogwarts Express - the actual train used. Take a walk through and see the different cars that Harry and his friends rode in, then step across the platform to film your own Hogwarts Express journey. You'll get a chance to walk down Diagon Alley, step into the Ministry of Magic, and get a great look at the scale model of Hogwarts that was built for many of the exterior shots of the castle.

If you want to immerse yourself even more, make sure you take a digital ride in the Weasley's Ford Anglia and on a broomstick that takes you from London to Hogwarts. Although filming on a green screen, you can purchase a video of yourself or just fun photos from the experience. The line might look like it fills the whole room, but it goes quite quickly.

The tour wouldn't be complete without a walk through the backlot where No. 4 Privat Drive, the Potter's House, the purple Knight Bus, and part of the Hogwarts bridge have been transported and rebuilt. A cafe can hook you up with lunch or a snack, and of course Butterbeer. When touring the backlot you are outside, so keep weather in mind.

Hogwarts Scaled Model

The official website suggests at least 3 hours for this tour. I was there for 6 and only had to rush out because it was closing. The record is 13 hours...whoa. Keep in mind that although it closes at 10 or 8 pm depending on the year, the last bus back to the train station leaves 15 minutes prior.

Adult tickets are around $65 and must be purchased for a particular time. You can only begin the tour during your ticketed time. You are with a group for a short time, but then tour the rest at your own pace.You can rent an audio guide for the duration of the tour, and/or purchase an official guide. Throughout the tour there are video screens that run short interviews or film clips. The screens might just say what you're looking at (for example when you get to the Common Room the screen might just say Gryffindor Common Room), but wait a minute and the video will begin. If you don't want to wait, all these videos are loaded onto the digital guide and can be viewed on those.

I highly recommend this tour for any die-hard Harry Potter fan, or even just a casual fan. It's quite immersive and completely authentic. There are also a lot of special occasions throughout the year where you might get to see something extra special - check here for a list of dates. If you can't make it out to London, check out the digital tour, here!

If you find yourself at King's Cross you'll find The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4. It's near the back of the shopping plaza. It's a small store selling a lot of Harry Potter merchandise. Just outside the store you can have your picture taken walking "through" the platform wall with a luggage cart. You do have to stand in line to take the photo, and a professional will take a photo that you can purchase, but you can also have a friend take your photo at the same time.

Filming Locations:

Now that you've seen the actual sets used in the movies, you can visit some real life filming locations. They're all over England, and Scotland so I'll just list a few here. You can find a long, and fairly complete list compiled by Rick Steves here.

Reptile House - The Sorcerer's Stone
In the first movie when Harry accompanies the Dursely's to the zoo he finds himself in the Reptile House talking to a boa constrictor. The Reptile House can be visited at the London Zoo.

The Leaky Cauldron Entrance - The Sorcerer's Stone
The entry way to the The Leaky Cauldron can be found just outside of Leadenhall Market in London. The exact address is 42 Bull's Head Passage, which is currently an eyeglass store and painted a rather bright blue.

King's Cross Station - The Chamber of Secrets

Pancras Station

When Ron and Harry miss the Hogwarts Express they steal the Ford Anglia from the parking lot. The car is actually parked in front of, and flies over, Pancras Station in London (which is right next to King's Cross).




Millennium Bridge - The Half-Blood Prince
Attacked by Death Eaters in the beginning of the 6th film, Millennium bridge stretches across the Thames from Bankside (near Shakespeare's Globe) to the City of London (near St. Paul's Cathedral).

Staircase at Christ Church, Oxford

Hogwarts Staircase - The Sorcerer's Stone
When the first years are first brought into the school by Professor McGonagall she leads them up a flight of stairs to await the sorting. Harry meets Draco and Neville finds his toad. This staircase is located in Christ Church, Oxford. You'll need a tour ticket to see it. The Church's dining hall also inspired the look of the Hogwarts' Great Hall.

Restricted Section of Hogwarts Library - The Sorcerer's Stone
When Harry looks for information on Nicholas Flamel in the Restricted Section he's inside the Duke Humfrey's Library, a part of the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Tickets are required to visit.

Hogwarts Infirmary - The Sorcerer's Stone and The Half-Blood Prince
The Divinity School of the Bodleian Library housed the Hogwarts Infirmary on two occasions. Tickets are required to visit.

Have fun entering the magical world of Harry Potter! I know I did!!

English Castles - Windsor and Leeds

Nothing quite says England like a castle. Except a cup of tea. A cup of tea in a castle? Anyway, I only had time to visit two castles - Windsor Castle and Leeds Castle - and admittedly neither one for very long.

Windsor Castle, The Queen's Home
19.20 Pounds (29.95 USD)

I only toured a little bit of the grounds of Windsor Castle and didn't go inside anything other than St. George's Chapel. But your ticket allows you to visit the State Apartments, decorated to reflect some of the older monarchs from the 17th and 19th centuries. You can also check out Queen Mary's doll house, the largest in the world built between 1921 and 1924, featuring electricity and running water. Between September and March the Semi-State Rooms are open, which are used by the Queen for official events and entertaining. Lastly you can attend service, or simply tour, at St. George's Chapel (except on Sunday).

As a residence of the Queen, Windsor does host the Queen's Guard. Changing of the guard takes place at 11:00 am every day and includes a small parade including the band. It takes about half an hour and takes place just outside St. George's Chapel. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to get a good viewing spot.

The hours of Windsor and its various rooms vary throughout the year, so it's best to check the website, here. Prices also vary slightly based on the time of year. Be prepared for a thorough, airport-style, search before entering the grounds. Allow 2-3 hours for a full tour.

The Queen's Guard at Windsor Castle

My favorite things about Windsor: You can get much closer to take a great picture of a Queen's Guard. The old moat has been filled in with a beautifully decorated and maintained garden. All of the lights on the lampposts have crowns. The town around the castle is very nice and could easily help fill whatever is left of the day after touring the castle.

Leeds Castle - The World's Loveliest Castle
24 Pounds (37.44 USD) - this ticket can be used repeatedly for an entire year

I wish I had had an entire day at Leeds. The castle and its grounds are stunningly beautiful and on a nice day you could spend an hour or so just sitting beside the lake, doing nothing.

The castle was built during the reign of William the Conqueror and after being passed down as a royal residence for 300 years it became a private residence. The castle remains in the style of the last private owner, Lady Baillie, who purchased the castle in 1925. Prior to her death she established the Leeds Castle Foundation which has owned the castle since her death in 1974.

Lady Baillie Mediterranean Garden Terrace

Aside from touring the castle there's a lot to do at Leeds. I'm deeply saddened that I didn't get to play in the maze - made of 2,400 yew trees. Finding your way out of the maze leads to the underground grotto. After the maze you can visit the Bird of Prey Center with 22 birds and free flying demonstrations. If you want some leisure time you can send the kids of to one of 2 playgrounds and take a float around in the moat, in a boat of course (called a punt and costing an extra 5 pounds). The grounds also house 3 beautiful and full gardens. If you're looking for something a little more out of the ordinary try the Dog Collar Museum (seriously) or the Go Ape! Ziplines.

Leeds also hosts a lot of special events and exhibits throughout the year - all posted on their website and changing through the seasons.

Open April - September 10:30 am - 6:00 pm. October - March 10:30 am - 5:00 pm.

My favorite things about Leeds: The gardens are amazing. Full of beautiful, and some strange, flowers it makes for great photos and offers some unique views over the lake. I'm pretty sure the maze would have been a favorite, if I had experienced it. The grounds are huge, and spread out so it never seemed crowded - in the castle or out.

England - My Random (But Useful) Thoughts

I covered the basics in a previous post - food, money, transportation, etc. But I keep having random thoughts pop into my mind about things that were fun, or odd, or just things I think I would want to know if travelling to England. So what follows is the most unorganized, straight from my head to this web page, blog ever. Enjoy.

• The windows at either end of the Underground cars open, so if it's really hot try and stand near the end of the car for some cool air.

Queen's Guard at Windsor Castle

• There is no where that you can go where you can get up close to the Queen's Guards (red coat, furry hat). They're quite far away at Buckingham Palace, and much closer but still roped off at Windsor Castle. Even if you could, don't touch them, taunt them, pick on them. They're standing in a place of honor, leave them alone. Plus, as this video shows, they will level a weapon at you. And you'll deserve it, for being a git.

• If you want a free glass of water, order tap water. Otherwise you're getting expensive bottled water. They'll probably ask if you want still or sparkling, but you want tap. Unless you don't want tap, then you want still. Unless you want bubbles, then you want sparkling.

• Free tours are not free. Well, they are, until the end. You'll be asked to pay what you felt the tour was worth, which is probably around 10 pounds per person. I'd still recommend maybe trying out a free tour. We did one for Jack the Ripper and it was accurate, informational, and entertaining. We felt it was every bit as good as the paid tour we had looked at taking, so we paid the same price - 10 pounds each.

• British food isn't bad. It's amazing.

• There are a lot of homeless in London. It's certainly not something I'm used to seeing, being from a small town. But I will say one thing, they weren't beggers. They just sat quietly, often said hello or wished people good days, or just talked with people. I always wished I had some extra snacks in my bag to hand out, but never seemed to. Anyway, give if you'd like, or just spare a 'hello' and smile.

• I thought people and tea cups would just be everywhere. So cliche. But I really thought I could just walk into someplace, somewhere, and have a cuppa. I only saw one place, in Harrods and it was expensive! Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. If afternoon tea is something you really want to have, scope out some places online first.

• Wi-fi is available pretty readily. Train stations, restaurants, public markets - most times when I needed it I could find it. If you're really having a hard time just find a Starbucks. The wi-fi was free everywhere I went except my hotel.

• Those signs everywhere, warning against pickpockets, are there for a reason. Don't freak out and think London is unsafe, but you do need to remain alert. Keep purses around in front of you if possible, be aware of what's in your pockets, especially if you're in a large crowd. If you're in a restaurant don't hang bags on the back of your chair. Don't leave money or your phone sitting on your table. Even if you're still sitting there! I watched two men come into a restaurant, lay a bunch of papers over a man's phone while they distracted him, and then try to pick the phone up with their papers. They didn't get away with the phone, but they did get away. All of this goes for Paris as well.

• The English like to rhyme. Just check out the public service posters around the Underground stations. They all rhyme. Cracked me up. Here's a poem for you:

Platforms are really rather long
Which is why it seems somewhat wrong
To stand together in one place
With someone's backpack in your face
By moving down a little more
You'll be much quicker through the door

• You can get tickets to West End plays for a discount on the day of the show. There's a box office in Leicester Square, very close to the Underground Station.

Elizabeth Tower, home of Big Ben

• Anyone important in British history was probably named Henry, Edward, or William. They were probably married to an Elizabeth, Anne, or Victoria. Try to keep up. British history also reads like a murder mystery thriller. It's some crazy and interesting stuff, with some of the most macabre occurring at the Tower of London.

• That big tower with the clock in it, is not Big Ben. The tower is Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben being the 13.7 ton bell inside, which tolls on the hour.

• Likewise, that big bridge with the two towers is not The London Bridge. It's Tower Bridge. London Bridge is a little more west on the Thames and is currently a rather unremarkable looking bridge. Sorry, London, but it is. The current bridge comes after original timber bridges, the "old" London Bridge that was falling down for 600 years, and a 19th-century stone-arch bridge that now lives in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA.

England - The Basics and What You Should Know

This is a long post, and I'm not sure why it's so long. England is an easy country to travel and navigate. I highly recommend it! So, even though it's long, and I can't figure out why, you should go on and read!


Language:
There's certainly something to be said for traveling internationally but not having to decipher another language while abroad. It makes maps, ordering meals, subway stations, and general life much easier when able to understand signage and those around you. However, there are over a dozen different British accents (for some fun on the different dialects check out Anglophenia's awesome video) and some of them are quite hard to understand for the untrained ear. I often had to ask people to repeat themselves, but no one seemed offended.

Another small hurdle can be the fact that although you can read the words, they might not mean anything to you. Do you know what nappies are? Not light periods of sleep. They're diapers. Don't tell someone you desperately need a nappy. (If you do need a quick bit of sleep, then you need a kip)

Other words and phrases:

lorry = truck

cuppa = a cup of tea

top up = refill

take away = take out food

knackered = tired

cheers or ta = thanks

pudding = dessert

biscuit = cookie

quid  = one British Pound

jacket potato = baked potato

chips = french fries

crisps = potato chips

underground or tube = subway

Transportation:
Surprisingly easy. Figuring out public transportation is what scares me the most about traveling. Even travel within the USA. It's horrifying to me. But the London Underground system is very easy to understand. Each line has a color and a name, the Central Line for instance is red. The trains either go north and south or east and west.

White circles joined by a white line means you will
have a bit of a walk from one line's platform to the other's.

I suggest figuring out your route in this manner:
1. Find an Underground map upon entering the station (they're always easy to find).
2. Find the station you need for your destination (you will need a London city map that shows Underground stations to figure out the closest one)
3. See if any of the colored lines go all the way to the station you're standing in
       3a. If there's one line all the way make sure you know which direction you're going (N, S, E, or W) then follow the signs to the correct platform (e.g. Central Line West)
       3b. If the two stations are not connected by one line pick a line leaving the station you're in and see where it intersects one of the lines going to your destination. There should be a white circle where the lines intersect with a station name - that's the station where you will need to get off and switch to another train. Again, make sure you know which direction you need to be headed for both trains.
4. As an added reassurance that you're getting on the right train, look and see what the last stop is on the line you're getting on. That last stop will be displayed on the front of the train when it pulls in*. Each platform also has a list of stops displayed on big signs. If you don't see your stop, you're on the wrong platform.
5. Signs in the tube cars will show the route and stops so you can keep track of where you are and how many stops you have to go.

*You'll notice some lines split, the Central Line for instance. This is where you really need to pay attention to the last stop on a line. If your stop is after the split,  you'll need to make sure the front of the train you get on has the right ending point on it. If you just get on the first Central Line train you see, it might take the wrong fork.

Can you figure out where all of the letters spelling
London come from?

You'll need an Oyster Card in order to get into Underground Stations. Although Oyster cards can be purchased at stations, you should get a Visitor Oyster card online prior to your trip so that you can use it on buses, the Overground Rail, and National Rail Services. You fill the card with a certain amount of money and any trips are subtracted from the balance. You just touch the card to the round yellow circles at the station turnstiles. If you get a red beep and the turnstile doors don't open, you need to top up your card (put more money on it). You swipe your card again to get out of any station, and the fare is calculated by the distance between your starting station and ending station.

Bus fare is also paid using your Visitor Oyster Card, but you only swipe the card once, when you board. Bus fare is flat no matter how long you're on the bus. Fare is 1.5 pounds and you cannot pay with cash. You must have an Oyster Card. If you have a regular Oyster Card and not a Visitor Card, make sure you've added the Bus and Tram Pass. Buses will take MUCH longer to get you anywhere.

I've made this all sound terribly difficult, but it really isn't. Visitor Oyster Card. Swipe at station turnstile or upon boarding bus. Top up when your money runs out.

Oh one last note, if you're planning on seeing a lot of London make sure your Visitor Oyster Card is good for zones 1-6. Otherwise, look at this map and see what zones you need the card for.

Walking as transportation is great, just remember they drive on the opposite side of the road in London. Pedestrians have the right of way at a crosswalk, but look right first! Then left. Every cross walk has written on the ground "look right" or "look left" though, in case you forget. Apparently a lot of foreigners were getting run over?

Money:

The measure of money in England is called a Pound (also sometimes referred to as a Quid). The pound comes in 5, 10, 20 and 50 paper notes as well as a 2 pound coin. The only other unit of money is pence. 100 pence make up a pound and these all come in coins - 1 penny (a singular pence is a penny), 2 pence, 5 pence, 10, 20, and 50 pence.

The symbol for pound is £ and prices are written as such,  £5.50 = 5 pounds and 50 pence. Something costing under a pound is often written as 50p. That's fifty pence but usually pronounced "fifty-pee". Currently the pound is worth more than a US dollar and the Euro - so things can get a bit expensive.

Food and Drink:
Bangers and Mash are sausages and mashed potatoes. Fish and Chips is fried cod and french fries. That's all you need to know.

That blue bar right under the windows
for people outside to put their drinks
on. Pubs get crowded and the crowd
spills outside.

No, not really. What you should know is that if you go to dine in a pub (which 9 out of 10 establishments are) there's a certain procedure to be followed. If someone doesn't meet you at the door to seat you, you're in a pub. Just find yourself somewhere to sit, figure out what you want from the menu, and find the table number of where you're sitting. Then go to the bar, order, and tell them you're table number. Someone will get your drink right then, and someone else will bring your food. You will pay when you order, so make sure you bring your money to the bar with you.

If there are a lot of people seated, just send one or two people to the bar to order and pay for everyone. Menus are posted outside most pubs, and you should check them out because some pubs don't offer much in the way of food. It's a pub, so it's mainly for drinking.

Do not leave or give a tip in a pub. If someone has seated you, taken your order, brought you a check, etc...then you're in a restaurant and you need to tip  - unless it is already added to your check. Check your check.


Well, I think you can now travel to England without looking or sounding like a ninny.

Don't Be a "Tourist"

On my recent trip to England only one thing ever got me down - not rainy weather, lost luggage, or a bad hotel room - tourists.

Yes, I know technically I was a tourist. But to me there are two definitions of the word tourist.

1. Someone visiting a place other than their hometown, taking in the sights, enjoying local culture, visiting historical sites, etc.

2. Someone visiting a place other than their hometown while remaining in their personal bubble oblivious to those around them while trying to be first at everything and not caring that they're in someone else's hometown

Don't be the second one. It's really easy not to be. I promise.

Don't Push. Crowds are unavoidable at most tourist destinations. Keep in mind you're not the only one there, and you're not the only one excited to see what's in front of you. So don't push in front of other people. If you're watching a show of some sort, and you get there late and can't see, don't push in front of other people. You should arrive to shows/parades/ceremonies early enough to find a spot. Just because there's an empty square foot of space in front of me, does not mean you need to occupy it. Nothing makes me madder then someone pushing their way to stand in front of me. It might sound childish (it does), but I was here first.

Don't Yell. I'll never understand why some people speak at the volumes they do when the person they're speaking to is a foot away. You especially need to keep your voice down if you're somewhere people generally like quiet - cathedrals, museums, public transportation.

Don't Selfie-Stick. The things were invented to take selfies of large groups. That's what they should be limited to. Don't shove that stick between people or hover it over other people's heads so you can get a better picture. The madness may not stop until someone is walloped over the head with their own stick, but just keep it out of other people's personal space.

Don't Break Rules. It's just rude. If it says no cameras, don't take a picture. If 98% of the visitors can follow the rule, so can the other 2%. If you're breaking rules, you're just a jerk. And don't whine about the rules, because you won't change them that way.

Don't Be a Dam. What I mean by this is, don't suddenly stop in the middle of a stream of walking people. Don't gather your group in the middle of a sidewalk to decide where to have lunch. Don't make people move around you. Also, don't walk slowly in the middle of a stream of people. If you'd like to take your time, move to the side.

Those are my biggest pet peeves. They all seem like obvious things to do, and yet I was confronted with them over and over. It's all about one thing - Respect! Give it, receive it, travel happy.

Universal Studios Orlando: Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade

Let's get right to it.

You can either enter Hogsmeade directly through Universal Islands of Adventure, or from taking the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross in Universal Studios. Much like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade is full of shops, rides, and treats. If you bought an interactive wand at Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, keep looking for the spells located all around Hogsmeade. If you haven't been to Diagon Alley yet, don't worry. You can visit Ollivanders in Hogsmeade as well, although the one in Diagon Alley is larger.

Honeydukes

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Honeydukes where you can fill a bag of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans, snatch a chocolate frog, or just take in the incredible amount of candy filling the shelves. If you're in the mood for a meal you can visit The Three Broomsticks, or grab a drink at The Hogs Head (interesting note that has nothing to do with much of anything...no soda is sold anywhere within the Wizarding World - pretty much Gilly Water, Pumpkin Juice, Butter Beer, and regular beer only). Behind the bar at The Hogs head look for the shrunken heads that told off Hermione for being under 21, and watch for the Hog's Head to move. In The Three Broomsticks look out for the shadows of house elves. If you watch in the window to the left of the door you can see pots and pans washing themselves.

Dervish and Bangs

If you're looking for wizarding supplies head to Dervish and Banges - stock up on quills, robes, sweatshirts, and watch out for the Monster Book of Monsters. At the register read up on the store's funny closing procedures. If you visit the Owl Post outside of Dervish and Bangs you can purchase postcards and have the Hogsmeade postal stamp stamped on. Make sure you ask for this when you checkout! Don't just put postcards in the mailbox and expect them to be stamped.


Near the exit of The Forbidden Journey (the far right of the castle), you'll find Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods. Aside from all sorts of goodies to take home, you can look around for Filch's files on students - particularly George Weasley's whose is bursting at the seams. Also find the Marauder's Map in a glass case and see who's wandering around. 

Mirror of Erised

Now the rides! The Forbidden Journey takes you on a flying adventure with Ron and Harry all around the castle grounds. Although technically you are never upside-down, be prepared to be rotated in every direction. This ride is part screen and part - well, flying every which way. The line may be long, but enjoy the stroll through the castle and the pre-ride show. Once you've done this once though, think about using the single rider line to save a lot of time. Once past the lockers look for the Humpbacked Witch and the Mirror of Erisad. As soon as you enter the castle you'll find the houses' point counters and the entrance to Dumbledore's office. You'll meet some characters along the way too and maybe even get snowed on while in Professor Binn's history lesson. Once you're in Dumbledore's office look for the Pensieve against the back wall. Lastly, it's impossible to miss the Sorting Hat giving ride safety instructions.

Hagrid's Hut

Across from the Hogwarts Castle is Flight of the Hippogriff. Although this looks like a kid's ride, it's incredible fun and packs a surprising punch. Getting in line for this ride is also the only way to see Hagrid's Hut and Buckbeak the hippogriff himself.

The Weasley's Ford Anglia

The last ride in Hogsmeade is The Dragon Challenge. Two tracks run cars simultaneously - although they are supposed to run at the exact same time as if dueling, they were way off when I rode this time. Still fun, and there's a special line if you want to ride in the front car. Getting in this line is the only way to see the Ford Anglia Ron and Harry crash, and the Tri-Wizard Cup. 

Several times a day you can take in shows from the Hogwarts Frog Choir and the Tri-Wizard Spirit Rally. The Frog Choir is an interesting mix of traditional a cappella and beatboxing. The Spirit Rally is a fun display of students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang doing what they do best - dancing and fighting respectively. And although not a show, if you want to take in Moaning Myrtle's complaining, visit the ladies' restroom.

The shop windows in Hogsmeade are terrific. In various shops look for a cat made of measuring tape that bats its paws, a self-playing cello, a screeching mandrake, and a self-writing quill taking notes (have to look hard for that one).

Universal Studios Orlando: Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to enjoy the 2nd Harry Potter Celebration Weekend at Universal Studios Orlando...and it was incredible. With film talent Q&A, a special evening event where Diagon Alley was closed to all except those with passes, and other goodies it was all that I could have hoped for. While it would take me ages to go into details, I thought I'd hit the highlights of the Wizarding World and the newly (ish) opened Diagon Alley. I'll tell you what you need to know, what special surprises to look out for, and a few tricks here and there.

A couple of important notes to start:
1. In order to enjoy Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley you will need a park hopper pass. Hogsmeade is a part of Islands of Adventure, while Diagon Alley is completely in the main Universal Park.
2. The Express Passes are currently not valid for The Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade, or Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley.
3. If you're just looking for special things to look out for around the park, scroll through to the purple text.
4. Most rides offer child swap where a parent can ride while another waits with the child and then the two parents immediately switch off without having to get back in line.
5. You will have to store ALL belongings before getting on The Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts. There are lockers near the rides that are free for a certain period of time. In Hogsmeade you might have an easier time using the lockers next to the model of the Hogwarts Express.

Diagon Alley (I know this is a lot of text...but there's A LOT to write about!)

Diagon Alley, which opened in 2014, is the newest addition to Universal Studios. When entering through the park you'll find yourself all of the sudden in London - complete with London souvenir stands, Kings Cross, and red telephone booths. But Harry Potter fans will recognize much more.

It's hard to miss the large, purple Knight Bus standing by for stranded witches and wizards. Take a picture with Stan Shunpike, have a conversation with the shrunken head (a true, real time conversation), and be sure to take in a 360 degree view of the bus and take a peak in the back windows.

12 Grimmauld Place

The Knight Bus

Continue on down the London Streets until you reach Grimmauld Place, specifically number 12. If you're patient you can see Kreacher peaking out of the lower window over number 12's front door.

Before entering Diagon Alley hop inside the telephone booth. Dial 62442 (magic) and hear a message from the Ministry of Magic. The message changes so feel free to dial a couple of times.

The entrance to Diagon Alley is not marked - after all, if it was any old muggle could find it. But if you pass through the brick archways you'll find it quickly enough.

Weasley Wizard Wheezes

 In Diagon Alley you can visit the Weasleys Wizard Wheezes shop and buy love potions, a pygmy puff, skiving snack boxes, or any other manner of tricks and candy. While you're inside keep an eye out for Extendable Ears and a Dolores Umbridge figurine on a tightrope, just like in the movie. Beside the Weasley's shop is Quality Quidditch Supplies where you can stock up on your favorite team's outerwear and pennants.

Across the alley you'll find The Leaky Cauldron, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many store fronts line the alleyway, although some are just the windows and you're not able to go in. Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occassions can set you up with actual robes, or other awesome shirts and accessories, including the dress Hermione wore to the Yule Ball. While you're checking out your new duds stand in front of the floor length mirror and hear the mirror's opinion of your outfit.

Ollivander's

 Across from Madam Milkin's is Ollivander's, the best place to get a wand. Enter the store directly or get in queue for the wand choosing experience. A group enters the shop where one individual then goes through the process of trying out a couple of wands with interactive and dismal results until the perfect wand is found. The show is short and worth seeing, as it's pretty neat. The person chosen doesn't have to buy their wand, but they can if they want and I think there are a few that you can only get by being picked for this.

Out in the store you can buy wand replicas of popular characters, or buy a unique wand. These unique wands and some of the replicas are now interactive. As you wander Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade keep an eye out for brass plates on the ground (usually in front of store windows, but not always). These plates will show a wand movement that when performed brings something in the area to life. Take note that the wands and/or sensors can be a bit finicky and it sometimes takes a minute or two of trying to get the spell to work. I recommend the interactive wands since they only cost a little bit more than a regular wand and it adds some magic to the trip.

When you're ready to pick up your pet cat, frog, owl, or even a hippogriff or cornish pixie head to the Magical Menagerie. When you find the giant snake in the window stand still to hear it speaking parseltongue.

You'll have to keep a sharp eye out for the entrance to Knockturn Alley. One can be found near The Leaky Cauldron, and the other to the far left of Gringotts. In Knockturn Alley you'll find Borgin and Burkes, which specializes in the darker arts of magic. Look for the vanishing cabinet, which must have a bird stuck in it, and the hand of glory. If you're wanting to bring home something with the dark mark or your favorite Death Eater, this is the place to find it.

A spell from your interactive wand will also turn what looks like a thestral skeleton in a display case into a human skeleton that reacts to your movements. And nearby a window full of shrunken heads will sing to you and tell jokes...not good ones. When you purchase the interactive wand you'll also receive a map, find the black lights in Knockturn Alley to shed some light on something interesting on the Diagon Alley side of the map.

The stage in Diagon Alley is host to the Tales of Beedle the Bard. Shows are acted out through large and intricate puppets telling the tales of the Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Tale of the Three Brothers (or the tale of the Deathly Hallows). Next to the stage is a Gringotts Money Exchange where you can change money into wizarding money. This money can be spent within the Wizarding World as if it were regular money. While you're in line ask the goblin a question - loudly though, as he seemed to be ignoring most people.

Inside Gringotts

The crowning point of Diagon Alley may be Gringotts Wizarding Bank. A large, escaped, white dragon sits on top of the building and every ten or fifteen minutes lets out a giant roar and ball of fire. Listen for the warning growls so you know when it's coming. Inside the bank is the queue for Escape from Gringotts. The queue goes through the main lobby where you can see goblins working at their desks. You'll have your picture taken for your Gringotts ID (which you can purchase after if you wish) and then have a brief pre-ride holographic show with a goblin and a surprise guest who offer to take you on a tour. Once you get onto the ride you'll need to keep 3D glasses on. The ride is an amazing combination of roller coaster and 3D screens where the roller coaster cars continue to tip and spin and move. Once you've been through the ride once and enjoyed the pre-ride show, consider using the single rider line. You may not be seated with your party, but the wait is very short (twice I waited less than five minutes).

Make sure you take some time to simply wander around Diagon Alley taking everything in. Look in every shop window for interesting displays including Professor Lockhart's books, self knitting needles, a muggle artifacts museum, and a multitude of potions and ingredients. When you enter a store be sure to look up and all around. Everything is decorated so ornately, you won't want to miss any of it. Have some butter beer ice cream, take a picture in Hagrid's motorcycle, and practice all the spells with your interactive wand.

When you've finished your riding, sightseeing, and shopping in Diagon Alley, exit back out into the streets of London and back down to Kings Cross to catch the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade. You will need the park hopper pass at this point. In the station look out for the perfume billboard for Magic as seen in the movie, and find Harry's luggage and Hedwig. You'll also be able to watch others walk through the wall onto platform 9 3/4. That's a cool trick.

Once on the train and seated in a compartment the door will be shut and the train starts off. A large screen takes the place of a window to show various scenes of London and the country side as you travel to Hogsmeade. There's even some cameos from your favorite characters. Don't only look out the window though, out in the hall you can see the shadows of people walking by, Harry, Hermione, and Ron talking, and the sweets trolley go rolling by. The scenery both out the window and in the hallway is different when you ride the train from Hogsmeade to Kings Cross, so I recommend riding it both ways.

Now you're in Hogsmeade and you'll have to hop over to my other post!