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Amidst the brightly colored streets of Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando lies a mysterious passageway labeled Knockturn Alley, where the darker side of “Harry Potter” magic resides.
No matter day or nighttime, Knockturn Alley’s winding paths transition into darkness with ominous clouds overhead as a chill runs through the air (literally – it’s colder in there). The area features windows lined with skeletons, spiders, and is home to sinister spells. Animated wanted posters for Death Eaters populate the walls of the dimly lit area, indicating it’s perhaps not the safest place for young wizards to be around.
Video: A walk through Knockturn Alley with interactive wands in Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando
The new interactive wands that make animations come to life throughout Diagon Alley do so with a sinister, but somewhat silly twist in Knockturn Alley. An “incendio” spell can make a bird burst, another makes a skeleton dance, and yet another offers a surprise blast of air for a good scare. Talking heads hang in Knockturn Alley, endlessly chatting until a wizard puts a stop to them via a magic spell and flick of a wand.
A store for the dark arts is also in Knockturn Alley, Bourgin and Burkes, selling apparel and other mysterious merchandise. The store also has Death Eater masks and a full size vanishing cabinet, complete with the sounds of a chirping bird inside.
There’s no doubt fans of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights will fall in love with Knockturn Alley, offering the same type of fiendish feeling while walking through. It’s easy to get lost inside and though there are no actors scaring, there is an overwhelming spooky sense to it all. The area’s ability to turn day into night is impressive and definitely welcome on a hot day. But when large crowds descent upon Diagon Alley, it will be tough to get through its narrow passages, though perhaps the claustrophobia will increase the heightened sense of fright inside.
More photos from Knockturn Alley at Diagon Alley:
(Photos by Michael Gavin)