Step into the emerald-green fire, throw some Floo powder, state where you want to go in a clear voice and bam: you’re there!
If you’ve been following the contemporary magical fantasy scene in the past 10 (and more) years, then you’ve probably recognised the Harry Potter reference.
Travelling by fireplace, or to give it its proper name, the Floo Network, is a convenient mode of transportation in the wizarding world that forms the basis of J. K. Rowling’s bestselling literary series.
We see this fantastic service in full operation in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Harry and the Weasleys want to travel from The Burrow to magical shopping mecca Diagon Alley.
However, due to a bout of nervousness (according to the film) or because he inhaled soot (according to the book), Harry mispronounces Diagon Alley as “diagonally” and ends up in creepy Knockturn Alley nearby.
Now, here comes the great news for all Potter fans: Diagon Alley has become a real place and is opening at Universal Studios, Florida, on Tuesday.
It is the third instalment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction and complements the existing Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village within Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Another exciting attraction is the replica of the iconic Hogwarts Express train that carries visitors between the two parks.
Whether you’re an avid Potterhead or simply a regular fan, Diagon Alley will be a delight.
There’s nothing like a dish of bangers and mash washed down with a frothy Butterbeer to rev you up for some more magical action
How you get to Florida is up to you, but once you’re there, you can enter the fully realised four-storey shopping district via the streets of ‘London Embankment’.
Sadly, Muggles (people with no magical powers) cannot use the Floo Network, but Universal has reproduced King’s Cross Station, allowing you to find the secretive Platform 9¾ to board the Hogwarts Express: you’ll need to go through a brick wall, naturally.
The entire park is a replica of Diagon Alley as seen in the movies and even the actors were impressed.
“It’s absolutely brilliant. It totally takes you in,” said Warwick Davis, who played Professor Filius Flitwick in the films, during a recent press day.
The main difference is the park attractions have ceilings, which are missing from film sets, as Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the evil Bellatrix Lestrange, explained in a red carpet interview.
This is clearly seen when entering the breathtaking Gringotts Bank – the alley’s ‘oldest’ building – with its detailed architecture, grand marble lobby and beautiful chandeliers that adorn the intricate ceiling.
Gringotts is run by hard-working goblins, which have been reproduced as animatronics that will look straight at you if you ring their bell for attention – somewhat creepy.
Once you get over the eerie feeling of being scrutinised by a goblin, you venture on an intrepid 3D ride through cavernous passageways leading deep underground.
If you’ve watched the first Potter film (Philosopher’s Stone), in which Harry and Hagrid ride the mining cart to the vaults, then you’ve got a clear idea of what to expect.
Universal Studios describes it as a “multi-dimensional 3D thrill ride [that] puts you right in the middle of the action as you face the bank’s stringent security measures while navigating the perilous underground vaults.
“You’ll encounter Harry, Ron and Hermione along the way, but you’ll have to evade the wrath of malicious villains Voldemort and Bellatrix as well as trolls and other creatures that stand between you and a safe return to Diagon Alley.”
You’ve probably worked up quite an appetite after such an exciting adventure, so you can head to The Leaky Cauldron for some hearty British pub food.
There’s nothing like a dish of bangers and mash washed down with a frothy Butterbeer to rev you up for some more magical action.
For dessert, don’t miss out on a delicious ice cream from Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour.
He and Garrick Ollivander (the owner of Ollivanders Wand Shop) are two confirmed residents, so a visit to his shop wouldn’t go amiss either.
All young witches and wizards get their wand from Ollivanders, and you can too, even trying out a few spells, but be careful, the room may light up and the boxes may shake… if you know the right words.
For all fans of the Weasley twins and their collection of magic and mischief, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes sells great items from the series such as Pygmy Puffs and Skiving Snackboxes.
With such an array of places and rides, visiting Diagon Alley could be the holiday of the year for Harry Potter fans young and old – and the best part is, you don’t need any magic spells to get there.