Complete Guide to Knockturn Alley at Universal Orlando

Complete Guide to Knockturn Alley at Universal Orlando

Complete Guide to Knockturn Alley at Universal Orlando

This article is your complete guide to Knockturn Alley in Universal Studios Florida! Although it’s more of a walkthrough attraction, this hidden area is designed to replicate the infamous dark and mysterious alley from the Harry Potter franchise and offers guests the opportunity to shop at the famous Borgin and Burkes shop and cast secret interactive spells. It’s by far one of our favorite parts of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley, and something we believe every family visiting Universal Orlando should visit.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

So if you’re ready to learn all about Knockturn Alley at Universal Studios Florida read on!

What is Knockturn Alley in Universal Studios?

Knockturn Alley at Universal Studios is a themed area found within the Diagon Alley section of Universal Studios Florida. It has been themed after the dark and ominous alley from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter books and movies. This hidden area is considered more of a walkthrough attraction as it doesn’t have any of the Harry Potter rides, but instead has some of the famous shops and offers different immersive experiences from the Harry Potter franchise such as being able to cast spells with your Universal Harry Potter wand. 

What can you do in Knockturn Alley?

• Borgin and Burkes shop
• Interactive wand spell locations
• Hidden easter eggs for the Harry Potter Franchise

Related Page: Discount Tickets to Universal Orlando

Where is Knockturn Alley at Universal Orlando?

The next most important question on the list is, where is Knockturn Alley at Universal Orlando? Knockturn Alley is located in the Diagon Alley section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside Universal Studios Florida. There are two entrances once you enter Diagon Alley with the first being a few feet after you walk into your left right next to the Leaky Cauldron Restaurant. The second entrance to Knockturn Alley can be found after you walk up Diagon Alley and make a left once you hit the fire-breathing dragon located above Gringotts Bank. Once you turn left you will see a dark sinister-looking alleyway that will lead you right towards Knockturn Alley.

What are the two entrances to Knockturn Alley?

• Directly next to Leaky Cauldron
• To the left of Gringotts Bank

Related Page: Complete Guide to all Universal Orlando Harry Potter Rides 

What are the Shops at Knockturn Alley in Universal Studios, Florida?

The one main shop that can be found in Knockturn Alley is Borgin and Burkes which is a replica of the dark arts shop found directly in the books and the movies. It’s one of the things that we love about visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as each store within the Wizarding World offers unique items, souvenirs, and experiences, that are designed to fit the specific theme of the book and movie. Borgin and Burkes is geared towards the dark arts and allows guests to shop for some of their favorite dark arts merchandise including Harry Potter shirts, notebooks, keychains, and other cursed items that one might expect a Death Eater to wear.

Related Page: Complete Guide to all Harry Potter Restaurants 

What are the Hidden Spell Locations in Knockturn Alley in Universal Studios Florida?

As discussed some of the coolest experiences in Knockturn Alley are for guests who have upgraded and purchased an interactive Harry Potter wand for their Universal Orlando trip. To start, there are a few interactive wand locations located inside of Knockturn Alley which are some of our favorite spell locations within both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Not only that but some guests might not even realize that there are even more hidden spell locations that can be found on the spell map provided by Universal Orlando, and the only way to see these hidden locations is to use the black lights found in Knockturn Alley. So, as you can see Knockturn Alley is simply a must-visit especially if you have plans to take full advantage of everything the interactive wand experience has to offer!

What are the Knockturn Alley spell locations?

• Chimney Sweep Elf Sign: Make sure to look up to find a red sign in the shape of a chimney. The spell will cause a chimney sweep to sweep the chimney
• Noggin and Bonce: Shush the talking heads in the window
• Dystal Phaelanges: Have some fun dancing as the skeleton in the window mimics you
• Trackleshanks Locksmith: Brace yourself for a windy spell
• Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers: The birds in the cage will be sure to react

Related Page: Complete Guide to Harry Potter Wands 

What’s the difference between Knockturn Alley and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida?

The biggest difference is that Knockturn Alley is a hidden area located within the Diagon Alley section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Based on the books and the movies, Diagon Alley is a vibrant and bustling wizarding shopping district where guests can enjoy the popular ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, shop for their favorite Wizarding World merchandise, and enjoy some authentic British Fare. Knockturn Alley, on the other hand, is based on the dark, underground wizarding alley from the Harry Potter universe. It is designed to be a more ominous and creepy environment, with a shop selling Dark Arts artifacts, such as cursed objects.

Related Page: Complete Guide to Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley 

Is Knockturn Alley at Universal Studios Florida Scary?

And in general, the atmosphere in Knockturn Alley is themed to be dark and suspenseful just like in the Harry Potter books and movies. Although it is darker than other areas of the park, it’s not meant to be scary, and there will be no one jumping out of hidden corners during your visit. Of course, guests who do feel overwhelmed or frightened can be sure to go to the nearest exit or just look for a Universal Orlando team member for assistance.

I like to retreat into Knockturn Alley when Diagon Alley is getting overwhelming. The cover from the Orlando sun, fewer crowds and low lighting make it ideal to take a break.

Related Page: The Best Universal Orlando Thrill Rides 

When is the Best Time to Visit Knockturn Alley?

One of our favorite times to visit Knockturn Alley at Universal Studios Florida has always been during early park admission or as soon as the parks open. One of the main reasons is that Knockturn Alley can become very busy later on in the day, especially during the hot Florida summers. So we typically like to enjoy this section of Diagon Alley as early in the morning as possible, especially when trying to get the most out of your interactive wand as there will be very little wait for the spell locations. Overall we also find this to be the perfect time for families looking to grab the perfect photos from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Related Page: Discount Universal Orlando Tickets 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs buying direct, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits that can help save you up to three hours in the parks! 

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