Like most people, I am a huge Harry Potter Fan. So, when Harry Potter World opened up at U.S Universal Studios, I was beyond thrilled.
The park makes you feel like you are in the middle of the wizarding world and has lots of things to do for the whole family.
The park itself is massive, and you could easily spend the day between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Here are some tips for planning a successful visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.
Overview of Universal
The two worlds are each located in a separate park. Hogsmeade is located in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley is in Universal Studios Park.
The two lands are connected by the Hogwarts Express, which will take you directly from one park to the other. If you do want to visit both, you will have to buy tickets for each park.
No matter what time of the year you go, plan for it to be quite crowded. I highly recommend getting an express pass to allow you to skip the lines for rides.
You could spend the whole day just in Harry Potter World and still not see it all, so anything to help you fit in more is worth looking into.
Download the Universal Orlando App
The Universal App allows you to purchase tickets, see wait times for rides, access maps, order ahead at restaurants, and much more.
Express Pass
Purchase the Universal Express Pass that allows you to skip the line for rides and attractions. There are a couple of different passes to choose from.
Staying at Universal Studios
If you book a Universal Studios hotel, you will have early access to Harry Potter World. The park opens at 9:00 am, but guests are allowed entrance at 8:00 am for a less crowded experience.
This is a great opportunity to take pictures and ride some of the rides before the line gets too long.
The hotel has a bus that will take you straight to City Walk. Try boarding around 7:00-7:15 am to guarantee you are close to the front of the line when the park opens.
Highly-Rated Universal Hotels:
Stop #1: Visit Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is absolutely amazing! You truly are made to feel like you have stepped into the wizarding world. The entrance is through the hidden brick wall that Harry originally walks through on his first visit.
Once you are in, enjoy walking around the different streets, admiring the whimsical store window displays, and exploring all the iconic shops that we have loved reading about in the books.
Hop on the Night Bus
Escape From Gringotts Ride
Escape from Gringotts is a 3D ride that takes you beneath the bank of Gringotts. You will have the chance to visit the beautiful marble bank and see the goblins that work there, before journeying to the passages underground for an unbelievably thrilling ride. Make sure to watch the dragon on top of Gringotts breathe fire!
Order a Butterbeer
No visit would be complete without purchasing a butterbeer. This deliciously sweet drink can be ordered hot, cold, frozen, or as fudge or ice cream! I’ve personally had it hot, and it was delicious. You can purchase it all over the park. There are street carts located in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade that sell it, but you can also purchase some in the restaurants. The drink is non-alcoholic so that kids can enjoy it as well.
Get Your Very Own Wand
If you are a diehard Harry Potter fan, then the first thing you are going to want is your very own wand.
You can purchase one at Ollivanders wand shop, which is packed to the ceiling with their wand displays. There are a few other places around the park that sell wands if you do not want to wait to get into Ollivanders.
I highly recommend choosing an interactive wand that allows you to interact with different displays around the park.
When you get your interactive wand, you will also receive a map that shows you all the interactive locations around both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
The locations are identified by a gold emblem on the ground that corresponds with the map. All that is left to do is perform your spell and see the magic happen! Some spells are harder than they look, but keep trying until you get it.
One of my favorite parts was watching both kids and adults getting so excited when they finally mastered their spells and caused something magical to happen.
Watch a Show
Enjoy a drink and some food while you listen to Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees perform some of their most popular songs.
You can also watch live performances from The Tales of Beedle the Bard during the day. The amazing puppet show is performed several times a day to different fairy tales from the book.
Diagon Alley Shops
Diagon Alley is my favorite part of Harry Potter World. There are so many different shops to explore and delicious foods to try.
Some shops that you can explore are Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, Magical Menagerie, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Gringotts Money Exchange, and Borgin and Burkes (located down Knockturn Alley).
Trade in Your Muggle Money
Head to Gringotts Money Exchange and trade in your Muggle money for Gringotts banknotes. You can use these to purchase anything within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Get Your Very Own Set of Wizarding Robes
For some of your very own Hogwarts uniform and accessories, stop at Madam Malkin’s Robes for all Occasions. You can also purchase replicas of some of the costumes worn in the movies.
If you want some quidditch supplies, Quality Quidditch Supplies has everything you need. Grab your very own set of quidditch uniforms and a broomstick and you’ll be ready to start playing in no time.
Purchase a Wand from Ollivanders
No matter what type of wand you want, the best place to get one is at Ollivanders Wand Shop. Make sure to participate in the interactive wand show where the wand picks one lucky person from the group.
You will be taken with a small group into a secluded room for this special event, then escorted into Olivanders for some fun wand shopping.
Explore Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
Explore Weasley’s Wizard WheezesFred and George’s shop is very hard to miss! It’s even harder to resist going inside for a peak. You will find all the magical toys that you have grown to love reading about in the Harry Potter books. You can even get your own Pygmy Puff there.
Places to Eat in Diagon Alley
Leaky Cauldron is the main restaurant in Diagon Alley. The food here was very good, and we didn’t have to wait too long to grab a table. The restaurant serves a traditional British menu, which you can enjoy while taking in the whimsical decor.
Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour has some delicious and unique ice cream flavors including toffee, early grey and lavender, and of course butterbeer! The parlor also offers teas, ciders, and breakfast pastries in the morning.
Grab a drink around the park. Stop into the wood-paneled Fountain of Fair Fortune pub for an adult beverage. They have a variety of non-alcoholic drinks as well. Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment kiosk also has some refreshing elixirs.
Drinks to choose from including the Babbling Beverage, Elixir to Induce Euphoria, and the Fire Protection Potion.
Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop has every sweet treat you could possibly need. They have everything from the popular Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans to Bonbons and Cauldron Cakes.
The Hopping Pot is yet another popular place to grab a beverage. They offer beer, wine, all styles of butterbeer, and additional delicious drinks. Their Peachtree Fizzing Tea is magical!
Ride the Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express is a great interactive ride, but it also serves as transportation between the two worlds. You will get to experience walking through King Cross station to hop on the train.
The train itself is nothing short of amazing. Passengers will enjoy an interactive experience through London and the surrounding countryside during their trip to Hogsmeade.
Stop #2: Visit Hogsmead Village
Hogsmeade is the second park in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here is where you will find the Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes Sweet Shop, Hog’s Head, and the impressive Hogwarts castle sitting high above the village.
The village does not have as much shopping as Diagon Alley does, but it is where the majority of the rides are located. I recommend coming to Hogsmeade at night to witness the dazzling light and music display at Hogwarts Castle.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the newest attraction to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The roller coaster ride takes you through the Forbidden Forest, where you will encounter some rare magical creatures.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an interactive 3D ride that is worth the trip to Hogwarts. This is a very popular ride, so expect there to be long lines. They move pretty quickly, though, and you are entertained the entire time.
The line queues take you through Hogwarts castle including the Defense of the Dark Arts classroom, Dumbledore’s Office, and the Gryffindor common room. There are so many little details around that you forget that you are even in line.
I was so focused on trying to take in everything that I was at the front of the line before I knew it.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff is a small family-friendly rollercoaster that is next to the castle. Enter through Hagrid’s hut where he will give you instructions on how to approach a Hippogriff before jumping onto the ride. It is a great ride for smaller kids or people who do not like the more extreme coasters.
Get Some Wizarding Attire and Souvenirs
Dervish and Banges and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods are two shops in Hogsmeade. They have everything from Harry Potter books to Marauder’s Maps, to clothing. Everything you could possibly want can be found in these two shops.
Places to Eat in Hogsmead
The Three Broomsticks is the main restaurant in Hogsmeade. The restaurant is a rustic and cozy place to enjoy a delicious meal and drinks.
Just like the Leaky Cauldron, it offers traditional British food. Honeydukes is full of delicious sweets. They have similar sweets to Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley.
Hog’s Head is another place where you can grab a butterbeer. The pub also offers a variety of beers, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Hidden Experiences
There are so many things to see and do in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that it can sometimes be hard to know where to look. Here are some fun magical experiences that you may not have known about.
- Take a stroll down Knockturn Alley into Borgin and Burkes for some dark magical objects.
- Jump into the phone booth outside of Diagon Alley and call the Ministry of Magic.
- Create your own moving photographs at Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio in Diagon Alley.
- Stand outside #12 Grimmauld Place for a glimpse of Creature. Every few minutes he will peek through the window down at you.
Conclusion
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a magical place that truly makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the movie.
I recommend spending at least two days at the park so you can explore all the nooks and crannies of each.
Harry Potter World at Universal is the perfect weekend getaway for couples, friends, and families.
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