A go to to Universal Orlando to expertise The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is on most Potterheads’ journey want lists.
Right here, followers don wizarding robes (even within the Florida warmth), wave interactive wands to work magic spells and fake that they’re following within the footsteps of Hermione, Ron and Harry. They will additionally get pleasure from some epic themed rides, fill their tummies with butterbeer and pub favorites, and wander the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, immersing themselves throughout the magical world of “Harry Potter.”
Common divides its Harry Potter points of interest throughout two parks. You will discover the land of Harry’s magical London in Diagon Alley at Common Studios Florida, whereas Hogsmeade — the place you may discover the well-known Hogwarts Fortress, Hagrid’s hut and the Three Broomsticks pub — is about inside Common Islands of Journey. The Hogwarts Specific practice journey will carry you between the 2 parks, however provided that you have bought a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.
If this feels like your cup of frozen (or sizzling) butterbeer, know that even the most effective spells cannot zap away the lengthy traces for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey or assist you to select between a one- or two-park ticket. Nonetheless, TPG’s theme park specialists may also help you out with some magical suggestions for the right go to.
Here is what you could learn about every of the Harry Potter-themed lands, your ticket choices and our greatest recommendation to make the journey to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando a hit.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
The way to get to Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is situated at Common Studios Florida, so you may want a ticket to this park to go to. To get there, stroll straight by way of Manufacturing Central and switch proper while you attain the New York part of the park (in entrance of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction). Proceed on till you see a duplicate of King’s Cross Station in your left.
Watch out to not overshoot and stroll previous the considerably hidden entrance to Diagon Alley. There isn’t any signal, however while you see a gap in a brick wall, you realize you have discovered it.
Diagon Alley rides: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
As soon as you have entered Diagon Alley, stroll straight to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts indoor metal curler coaster journey. You possibly can’t miss it; it is the constructing with the fire-breathing dragon perched on the roof. It is also the one journey discovered inside Diagon Alley.
Tip: If you hear a low growl, that is your sign that the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some fireplace. The dragon doesn’t carry out on a schedule, however spend an affordable period of time in Diagon Alley and you will notice its fireworks.
Every day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
There are free and paid lockers to the proper of the road so you may stash your belongings earlier than the journey.
Youngsters should be 42 inches to journey; make sure your get together meets that requirement so you do not get to the pinnacle of the road solely to be turned away. There’s additionally a “little one swap” room the place dad and mom can take turns alternating using or ready with kiddos not tall sufficient (or prepared) to journey. Let the staff member on the journey entrance know that you just plan to make use of little one swap and they’ll instruct you on the protocol.
There’s additionally a take a look at seat in entrance of the constructing the place you may affirm whether or not or not the seating configuration will work to your physique fashion.
Wait instances can get lengthy for this journey, nevertheless it does have an Express Pass line all through a lot of the day. There’s additionally quite a bit to take a look at whereas in line since you may snake by way of the Gringotts Financial institution foyer and see a large number of goblins at work. The 4 chandeliers that cling contained in the financial institution’s foyer are made up of 62,000 particular person crystals.
Associated: TPG’s complete guide to Universal Orlando
What’s neat about Escape from Gringotts is the motion-based 3D projections that make you’re feeling as in case you’re interacting with characters like Invoice Weasley and the goblin Blordak.
Diagon Alley exhibits and points of interest: Ollivanders and Knockturn Alley
After exiting the Gringotts journey, you are simply throughout from Ollivanders Wand Store, the place you may get in line to see the present that depicts how a wand chooses its wizard. Word that there’s an equivalent Ollivanders wand expertise at Hogsmeade, so be at liberty to skip the expertise right here in case you’d desire to see the present there later in your go to.
Through the present, one visitor is picked from the viewers, and the wizard in residence facilitates the wand selecting. The visitor then has the choice of buying the wand (or one other of their selecting) on the wand store subsequent door.
When you weren’t fortunate sufficient to be chosen for the present, you may pick and buy your personal wand. Interactive wands at present price a minimal of $65. You can also order an interactive wand in advance of your journey or decide one up within the lodge present store at most on-site motels.
You’ll improve your Wizarding World expertise in case you spring for an interactive wand that helps you make “magic” at many areas in each Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Search for brass medallions set into the pavement that mark the spots the place you may forged spells and make magic. A map that plots every spot the place you may forged spells is included together with your wand buy (together with a number of unmarked “secret wand spots”).
Wands are reusable and Ollivanders workers will fortunately “re-magic” your dying wand free of charge if it will get scratched or damaged. Which means you may deliver again a wand from a earlier Common Studios go to or borrow one from a pal to economize.
Normal, non-interactive wands are additionally out there in case you are seeking to save a bit money or your youngsters are too younger to know the distinction.
Different exhibits in Diagon Alley happen on an outside stage within the Carkitt Market space. Exhibits embrace “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” — full with puppets — and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (tune and dance). Discover a close by bench or simply sit or stand on the bottom by the stage.
From the stage, stroll towards the Gringotts journey and you may encounter the Gringotts Cash Trade. Go inside (it is a retailer) and you may chat with the Gringotts goblin standing behind a teller’s desk. It is a neat expertise — particularly for curious youngsters. You may as well trade muggle cash for Gringotts financial institution notes that can be utilized to make purchases inside Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and at choose areas elsewhere at Common.
One other easy-to-miss attraction in Diagon Alley is Knockturn Alley. It is darkish, feels seedy and is so effectively hidden that you just would possibly miss it. There are two entrances — one subsequent to the Leaky Cauldron and one subsequent to the Fountain of Truthful Fortune.
The enclosed area is darkish and a cool break from the warmth. It additionally has a number of enjoyable spots the place you should utilize your interactive wand to forged spells; do not miss them. The store right here, Borgin and Burkes, oozes darkish magic and is the place you should purchase souvenirs paying homage to Loss of life Eaters and the darkish arts.
Diagon Alley eating places: The Leaky Cauldron
One in all Harry’s first stops in magical London is The Leaky Cauldron, and it may be considered one of yours, too. The Diagon Alley pub is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to a refreshing butterbeer (common, frozen or sizzling). Traces to get in may be lengthy, however you may place orders on the Common app to hurry up service.
Breakfast is costly, however the place else are you able to dine amongst witches and wizards? Breakfast plates for adults all ring in at $18.99 and embrace a small beverage (sure, you may have butterbeer for breakfast). The children breakfast plate is $13.49. You possibly can select choices like an English-style “Conventional Breakfast” with scrambled eggs, sausage, black pudding, English bacon and baked beans or go for the extra American pancakes.
The lunch and dinner menu is filled with pub favorites, similar to fish ‘n’ chips ($17.99), bangers and mash ($16.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($17.99). Children entrees embrace issues like mac ‘n’ cheese and fish ‘n’ chips for $8.29. Desserts — similar to sticky toffee pudding and butterbeer potted cream — should not be missed.
Different Diagon Alley spots to get a refreshment embrace Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, the place you may attempt butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. You may as well seize a drink at The Fountain of Truthful Fortune or The Hopping Pot.
Purchasing in Diagon Alley
Purchasing choices are plentiful in Diagon Alley. Together with the right memento, be alert for a number of “magic moments.” Amongst them is a snake talking Parseltongue within the window of the Magical Menagerie and a speaking mirror in Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Events. Be forewarned, she is not at all times complimentary of your wardrobe selections.
Associated: Unlock more magic: 16 Universal Orlando secrets to know before your next trip
One phrase of warning: Harry Potter souvenirs are fairly costly. You would possibly need to set a funds together with your youngsters earlier than exploring the retailers or clarify to them why you will not be buying sure objects.
Retailers in Diagon Alley embrace Borgin and Burkes for extra sinister souvenirs, Ollivanders for wands, High quality Quidditch Provides to help your favourite groups and Sugarplum’s Sweetshop for impulse buys of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Each-Flavour Beans.
Harry Potter points of interest exterior Diagon Alley
As soon as you have seen every little thing on Diagon Alley, go away this a part of The Wizarding World by way of the opening within the brick wall. Straight throughout you may see the Knight Bus. Right here you may meet the conductor and the shrunken head that hangs on the entrance of the bus. Children and adults love interacting with these two. Sit by the fountain to hear in and be prepared for fun.
Then, look throughout the best way, and you may see a duplicate of a London road. Upon nearer inspection, you may see 12 Grimmauld Place, the house of Sirius Black (Harry Potter’s godfather). He gifted the property to the Order of the Phoenix, which used it as a headquarters. Lookup towards the second flooring and also you would possibly catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black household house-elf, peering at you from the window.
If you’ve completely explored Diagon Alley and the streets of Harry Potter’s London, it is time to make your technique to King’s Cross Station, the place you may board the Hogwarts Specific and journey the practice to Hogsmeade. You possibly can solely journey the Hogwarts Specific in case you have a Park-to-Park ticket. When you’ve received one-day, one-park tickets, there is no such thing as a technique to expertise this attraction, however there’s a ticket desk within the practice station the place you may make a last-minute improve in case you so select.
The Hogwarts Specific is each an immersive expertise and precise transportation. Do not miss the neat mirror trick within the queue that makes it seem like people are strolling by way of a brick wall to entry Platform 9 3/4. If you’re able to board, eight passengers can slot in every practice compartment. Greet your fellow Hogwarts schoolmates after which flip your consideration to the home windows, the place you may watch because the practice leaves London on the best way to Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Be ready to see some Dementors on the four-minute journey to Hogsmeade. The present is barely completely different on the return journey, so followers will need to journey it each methods.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
The way to get to Hogsmeade
You will discover Hogsmeade contained in the Islands of Journey theme park. Right here, you may go to each the city of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This space has three rides, plus the Hogwarts Specific.
To get there, take a proper after passing by way of the Port of Entry and head towards Seuss Touchdown. Proceed by way of Seuss Touchdown to The Misplaced Continent and on to Hogsmeade.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey is a well-liked thrill coaster, and the attraction doesn’t settle for the Common Specific skip-the-line move. Wait instances may be longer than an hour and generally as much as two hours or extra.
If in case you have your coronary heart set on using this thrill coaster, get in line as quickly as you arrive in Hogsmeade; you must see staff members directing you towards the beginning of the road earlier than you even attain Hogsmeade from The Misplaced Continent. If in case you have early park entry, you may need to make this journey your first cease as quickly because the park opens. Have somebody maintain your spot in line when you put belongings within the lockers subsequent to Hogsmeade Station and the journey entrance.
That is by far the quickest journey in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It reaches speeds as much as 50 mph and contains each spikes into the air and quick drops. It’s essential to be not less than 48 inches tall to expertise it. You will both journey Hagrid’s motorbike or get within the sidecar. Both spot will make your coronary heart pound, however I feel the journey within the sidecar is a bit simpler for anybody that may be nervous.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the journey that takes you inside Hogwarts Fortress. The queue itself is full of attention-grabbing scenes from the books; contemplate skipping the Specific Move line to have time to take all of it in. If in case you have youngsters who need to see the sights however not journey the journey, you may undergo the road after which bail out earlier than boarding the journey.
On this journey, you “journey a broomstick” in and round Hogwarts Fortress. The attraction is a “robocoaster,” the place a robotic arm holds your seat above a observe and also you pivot in a large number of instructions. It makes you’re feeling as in case you’re flying by way of the air and, in case you are vulnerable to movement illness, would possibly make you’re feeling queasy.
As well as, in case your waist is bigger than 40 inches, you may not be capable of journey. When you’re unsure, take a look at out the pair of seats in entrance of Hogwarts Fortress on the entrance for this journey or one other pair about midway by way of the queue.
The journey is darkish at instances, with encounters with risks like Aragog the spider within the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow and a gang of Dementors. However you may additionally screech across the Quidditch discipline. You should be 48 inches or taller to journey Forbidden Journey. There are lockers to the left of the fortress entrance to retailer your belongings.
Hogwarts Fortress can be the important thing picture op on this land. You will discover the most effective views from the bridge leaving Hogsmeade for Jurassic Park. That is the place you may seize that quintessential picture of the fortress
On choose nights all year long, Common exhibits “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Fortress.” Gentle projections are beamed onto the fortress partitions, celebrating the 4 Hogwarts homes. It is an excellent finale to your day on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff, dubbed a “family-friendly coaster,” is throughout from Hogwarts Fortress. Youngsters need to be simply 36 inches tall or taller to journey.
Associated: 7 magical places every ‘Harry Potter’ fan should visit
This journey is tremendous fast, and the twists, turns and drops would possibly remind you of a barely tamer Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad from Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The observe is elevated so that you get a pleasant view of Hogsmeade. The queue is neat, too, as you stroll by Hagrid’s Hut and on to an open space the place you may acknowledge the Care of Magical Creatures class web site.
When you’re a thrill-seeker, you may simply give this journey a miss, however in case you are visiting with younger youngsters they are going to like it.
Hogwarts Specific — Hogsmeade Station
If you’re prepared to go away this a part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, stroll by way of the arch towards Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Specific.
The practice will take you again to “London” at Common Studios. The expertise is a bit completely different in every course, so make sure you hop on — even in case you rode the practice from London to Hogsmeade earlier within the day.
Exhibits and points of interest at Hogsmeade
When you did not see the “wand picks a wizard” present on the Ollivanders location at Diagon Alley in Common Studios, you may get in line to see it right here. After the present, store for a wand in case you do not have already got one. Hogsmeade additionally has magical spots the place you may forged spells together with your interactive wand. (It is a nice exercise in case you have early park entry however do not need to journey Hagrid’s Bike Journey; traces can get lengthy on the spell-working spots.)
For extra exhibits, head to the outside stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Fortress. Right here you may attend showings of the Frog Choir (songs by human and amphibian singers) and the Triwizard Spirit Rally (cheer in your favourite magical college). The stage is small however you may get a close-up spot in case you arrive a couple of minutes earlier than showtime.
Hogsmeade eating places
When you’re hungry at Hogsmeade, you may sit all the way down to a meal on the Three Broomsticks or seize a drink on the Hog’s Head bar subsequent door (serving butterbeer, beer and spirits).
At Three Broomsticks, many households go for The Nice Feast, which features a mixture of rotisserie smoked hen, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes and greens. (A platter for 4 is $74.99; extra servings are $19.99.)
You may as well purchase British favorites like fish ‘n’ chips, beef pasties and shepherd’s pie, plus soups and salads. Children ages 9 and youthful decide from fish ‘n’ chips, hen fingers, hen legs and mac ‘n’ cheese — every entree is $8.29 and served with grapes and applesauce.
Desserts embrace Butterbeer ice cream, apple pie and chocolate trifle ($5.49 to $6.99).
Nonalcoholic butterbeer (common, sizzling or frozen) is $8.99. Draught beers on faucet are Hog’s Head Brew, Daisyroot Ale, Darkish Forest Ale and Dragon Scale ($13).
Three Broomsticks additionally serves breakfast every day till 10:30 a.m. with choices much like The Leaky Cauldron’s.
When you simply desire a Butterbeer to go, search for the crimson kiosks with large wood casks arrange in the midst of the road. You possibly can order common and frozen Butterbeer to go.
Hogsmeade retailers
You will discover loads of locations to buy inside Hogsmeade, together with this space’s outpost of Ollivander’s. Many souvenirs repeat amongst shops, however every presents one thing distinctive.
Honeydukes is a candy store full of confections like Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Muffins, Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott’s Each Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs.
You possibly can mail postcards or letters from the Owl Submit, full with an official Hogsmeade postmark. You may as well buy all types of writing implements (suppose quills and seals) in addition to owl-themed souvenirs.
When you did not journey Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you’ll have missed Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Items for the reason that journey empties into this store. It is a terrific store in case you’re on the lookout for home crest banners, T-shirts, hats or scarves.
Get your Hogwarts uniforms and robes, Sneakoscopes, Quaffles and Golden Snitches at Dervish and Banges.
Shopping for the proper ticket for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade is a part of Common Orlando’s Islands of Journey whereas The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley may be discovered at Common Studios. Splitting this land into two sections was a superb transfer on Common’s half because it means you could buy the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket in case you want to see each components of Harry’s world on the identical day.
You should utilize single-day one-park tickets to go to every land individually, however there isn’t any method to make use of these tickets to board the Hogwarts Specific. A one-park ticket is your least expensive choice, however you’ll miss out on a key Harry Potter attraction. For the total Wizarding World expertise, you actually need to select the Park-to-Park ticket.
When shopping for Common tickets, have a look at all of the combos and costs to find out which is the most effective deal for your loved ones. We discover all of the choices in our complete guide to Universal Orlando. You also needs to search for limited-time Universal Orlando deals that would prevent cash.
The suitable bank card and transferable factors may also help prevent cash or earn you factors towards future free journey together with your Common Orlando reserving.
If you would like to buy Common tickets with factors, you have got the choice to take action by way of the Chase Travel℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Factors or by way of Citi Travel.
Associated: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando
When you’re paying money, you may need to use a bank card that offers you additional factors or miles to your theme park purchases. Nonetheless, information factors from many vacationers inform us that tickets purchased at an on-site Common lodge and charged to the lodge room have coded as “journey,” however tickets and VIP excursions bought straight from Common have coded as “leisure.”
If you realize your cost will code as journey, you may do effectively to make use of any of the best credit cards for general travel purchases, however in case you suppose your buy will code as leisure, you may need to use one of many best cards for entertainment spending.
Associated: The best credit cards for Universal vacations
And, after all, you should utilize factors and miles to cowl your airfare or lodge keep in case you’re coming from out of state to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The way to see extra of The Wizarding World in much less time
I will not misinform you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will get very crowded.
Even at slower instances of 12 months, the points of interest in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will probably be jammed. If you wish to see as a lot of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as potential within the shortest period of time, you could be strategic.
First, you should utilize Universal’s Express Pass. It is a skip-the-line move that works on most points of interest at Common’s two theme parks, apart from Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey.
There are 3 ways to get an Specific Move. The best method is to ebook considered one of Common’s on-site Premier motels similar to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room charge comes with a free Specific Move Limitless to make use of all through your go to.
If in case you have a Premier-level Universal annual pass, you are entitled to Specific Move entry starting at 4 p.m.
In any other case, you should purchase Specific Passes. The Common Specific This move allows you to skip the common line one time per taking part journey at each Common Studios and Islands of Journey theme parks. The Common Specific Limitless move allows you to skip the common traces at taking part rides as many instances as you need.
The very best technique to make sure you do as a lot as potential throughout the World of Harry Potter is to hurry straight for Hagrid’s when the park first opens after which use your Specific Move for all the opposite points of interest.
If you’re staying at any of the on-site Universal hotels, you may get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour sooner than normal admission.
Which park opens early varies by day and generally each parks open early. Test the Common Orlando web site for essentially the most up-to-date data.
Irrespective of which park is opening early, plan to reach on the entrance gates not less than 45–60 minutes earlier than the Early Park Admission opening time. It is the one technique to beat the crowds and benefit from your additional time.
Solely sure points of interest open throughout Early Park Admission, however this usually contains the entire Wizarding World points of interest. Those you’ll most certainly need to knock out are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey at Islands of Journey and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Common Studios Florida.
When you’re spending a number of days within the park, or have people in your journey get together who don’t love thrill rides, you may also use these early, much less crowded hours to make use of your interactive wand on the designated spots with out having to attend behind different budding wizards.
Associated: How to get the most out of 1 day at Universal Orlando
A pricier technique to skip the traces is to ebook a VIP tour. You possibly can ebook a small-group or private VIP experience at Universal, which is able to bundle collectively walk-on journey entry through the tour, Specific Passes and complimentary meals at designated Common eating places. These excursions will get you on rides like Hagrids that in any other case do not have short-cut entry.
Backside line
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando is an unimaginable place to go to for muggles and wizards alike.
The rides and points of interest are implausible. It is enjoyable to look at the every day performances that each one relate to a side of Harry’s magical world, and you should elevate a pint of butterbeer (or one of many beers specifically brewed for The Wizarding World) in one of many themed institutions throughout the land, such because the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks.
To get essentially the most out of your go to, splurge on Park-to-Park tickets and pair that with an Specific Move. Solely then will you be capable of get in early and (with a bit magic) skip the worst of the traces. The added expense is value it for a day or two of immersion into Harry Potter’s magical world.
Planning a visit to Common Orlando? Begin with these tales:
Trending Merchandise
