What are the best reasons to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
In this post, we talk about everything the Universal Orlando resort offers for Harry Potter superfans.
Like me!
Growing up, I could not put the books down and I waited with anticipation for all the movies. I am a major geek for both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.
This made it impossible to say no when Amanda, from A Dangerous Business, asked if I would be interested in spending a weekend at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Orlando to cover the Harry Potter Celebration.
And we learned a lot of harry potter tips that will help you get the most out of your time in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida.
Best Things to do in a Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Muggles
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an immersive experience. You can shop, eat and drink your way through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, ride the Hogwarts Express between the two, and even get sorted into a house at Hogwarts Castle.
DIAGON ALLEY
Universal Studios Florida has spared no expense when recreating one of the most popular locations from Harry Potter. Strolling on the cobblestone of Diagon Alley transports you into the magical world of Harry Potter as seen in Warner Bros’ famous films.
There are shops to go into, butter beers to drink, and even the Leaky Cauldron to dine in. In the distance, you can see a tormented fire-breathing dragon looming on top of Gringotts Bank.
One of the coolest things about the wands is that they are interactive with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter………but more on that later. But let’s just say the Universal Creative team has outdone themselves for muggles in the Harry Potter world.
Ollivanders Wand Shop
Both muggles and aspiring wizards rush to the Ollivanders Wand Shop. Walls of wands are overflowing from all sides.
They have wands from popular wizards and witches for sale. A unique twist is finding a wand that fits your personality.
Hanging on the walls are charts describing the personality traits that correspond to different wands not seen in the movies.
INTERACTIVE WANDS
Ready to have your mind blown? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is so magical, it has places you can cast spells. No joke!
Throughout both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, are little gold emblems on the ground giving directions on how to cast a spell.
Wave the wand and magic happens before your eyes! A few spells include making it rain, lighting chandlers, and shooting water out of a fountain.
STREET PERFORMANCES
I wish I would have caught more than just a few fleeting glimpses of the performances.
In Diagon Alley, they were telling the story of the Deathly Hollows with puppets that resemble the cartoonish style from the movie. In Hogsmeade, they also had the Hogwarts Frog Choir putting on a show.
On the main stage, you can catch performances from Harry Potter characters like Celestina Warbeck.
EXCHANGE MONEY FOR GALLEONS
A nice touch is that you can exchange money for galleons. However, they’re not the coin galleons from the movies, but galleon notes.
Before walking in, I imagined myself walking out of the money exchange with a bag full of galleons ready to spend them in Diagon Alley. Instead, I walked out slightly disappointed with a handful of bills that resemble Monopoly money.
The money is accepted throughout the park, and while it is not as cool as I thought, it was still a nice little touch for a muggle like me to enjoy.
KNOCKTURN ALLEY
A small offshoot from Diagon Alley is Knockturn Alley, where the evil wizards and witches hang out. Nocturne Alley also lives up to its name and is completely pitch black.
You can also visit the infamous Borgin and Burkes to see the vanishing cabinet.
HONEYDUKES
Eat a chocolate frog, try and popping Fizzling Whizbee, and test your bravery by eating a handful of Every Flavour Jelly Bean.
Honeydukes candy shop has treats for young wizards and older muggles that will satisfy every sweet tooth, and in some cases, like when I got an earwax-flavored jelly bean, distort your face.
Honeydukes was my favorite Wizarding World of Harry Potter Gift Shop.
HOGWARTS CASTLE
Hogwarts is both a ride and an attraction in the Universal Islands of Adventure.
As I am discussing the rides, later on, we will just focus on the attraction part of the castle, which takes place as you are waiting in line.
Hogwarts is very entertaining. As you walk through, the pictures on the wall talk.
In one room, there is a light snowfall from a misplaced spell. Harry, Ron, and Hermione use the cloak of invisibility to sneak onto the balcony and talk to you.
It is the only time in my life where I have been disappointed because the line was moving too fast.
MOANING MYRTLE
In the Harry Potter Universe, Moaning Myrtle is a ghost that hangs around the bathrooms bothering people.
The bathrooms in Hogsmeade are no different. As you use the bathroom, Moaning Myrtle nags you endlessly.
It is not a massive part of the park but just shows you how much detail Universal Studios put into making this experience memorable for Harry Potter fans.
The Three Broomsticks Restaurant
The Three Broomsticks Restaurant. This restaurant serves traditional British fare like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes). They also have Butterbeer on tap!
Florean Fortescue’s
The parlor serves many frozen treats, including Butterbeer ice cream. What is not to love?
Knight Bus
This purple, three-storied Knight Bus. And this bus, Universal Parks is one of the actual buses that they used in the film Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.
Owl Post
The Owl Post is a must-see attraction in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In Hogsmeade Village, just outside Honeydukes, the Owl Post is a magical post office that offers packages and letters from the wizarding world.
Weasleys Wizard Wheezes
Weasleys Wizard Wheezes is a shop that sells magical tricks and jokes in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando. The store is based on an old joke shop in the Harry Potter books called Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
This is Fred and George’s joke shop, and one Harry Potter Shop you have to go into. Walking into the vibrant atmosphere of the shop, they are practical jokes lining the walls, including a Cycling Dolores Umbridge and Extendable Ears.
The best part about this store is that there are lots of interactive displays that let you use your imagination to create your magic. And you can also stock up on all your favorite prank items. It is a must-do when visiting the Universals Island of Adventure.
RIDES AT THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
HOGWARTS EXPRESS
This isn’t so much a ride as an experience. It also is the easiest go between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village. This mini ride starts like you are walking through Kings Cross Station. And take you to Hogsmeade Station. Which, of course, is the gateway to Hogwarts School. Which any true harry potter fan knows!
As a bonus, it is also the quickest way to get from Universal Studios to the Islands of Adventure. The ride is simple and entertaining.
HARRY POTTER AND THE ESCAPE FROM GRINGOTTS
This was my favorite ride in the park. Rides nowadays are much cooler than when I was a kid.
In 3D, you rush through the Gringotts vaults; feel the heat of a dragon as he fights to free himself, and rush through the vaults with Voldemort hot on your tail.
HARRY POTTER AND THE FORBIDDEN JOURNEY
This is another insanely immersive ride. You are taken on a magical journey flying around Hogwarts while being chased by a dragon.
Both the Hogwarts castle ride and the Gringotts ride are a mixture of a roller coaster and an interactive experience.
This was Amanda’s favorite ride at Harry Potter World!
FLIGHT OF THE HIPPOGRIFF
This is a roller coaster right outside of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is a roller coaster meant for smaller kids.
DRAGON CHALLENGE
A fast and entertaining roller coaster for kids and adults.
Note: Entering the roller coaster also lets you see Hagrid’s house, which you can’t enter, but the view from the outside.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is an additional attraction at Harry Potter World Orlando. In this ride, you’ll take a motorcycle adventure through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s motorbike, while battling against giant spiders and baby dragons!
More Questions Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort
Is one day enough for the wizarding world of harry potter?
If you choose to visit Harry Potter World during the summer months, expect crowds. The park has reached capacity as early as 9 am. Because of the long lines, one day is not enough time to see everything in Harry Potter World, while still having enough time to explore the rest of Universal Studios.
What to pack for a trip to the wizarding world of harry potter?
Harry Potter fans who plan to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida, need to bring along a few things.
For starters, they’ll want to wear comfortable shoes because you will walk a lot.
Second, you’ll want to wear comfortable clothing, depending on the weather. In summer, the weather is hot. Sunscreen might also be needed.
Also, they’ll want to bring along a camera so they can take pictures of themselves inside the castle.
Finally, they’ll want to remember to bring money for food and souvenirs. To remember your time as a muggle in Harry Potter Orlando.
Where is the wizarding world of harry potter?
Currently, there are 3 different places to experience Harry Potter World.
There is the one we have been talking about at Universal Studios Florida.
There is a Harry Potter world at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka
And Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Hollywood. And Universal Hollywood has a lot of other great attractions as well.
Where to Eat At the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
There is no special place to eat for muggle Harry Potter fans, otherwise the Three Broom Sticks. But universal Citywalk has a range of great restaurants.
What Else is There to Do in Orlando Florida?
There are endless things to do in Orlando Florida. You could head to another theme park, like Walt Disney World, or explore Jurassic Park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a fantastic experience for fans of Harry Potter Books. American Backpackers, and families on vacation in Florida. Universal Studios does a fantastic job of magically transporting you into both Hogwarts and Hogsmeade village.
Warner Bros entertainment inc. has outdone itself. And this is a great place for any witch or wizard to have a blast. Unless you are one of those that are drawn to the dark arts. Then stay away from me.
These were just a few things I loved about Orlando. Now I’ll just have to wait till the Harry Potter Wizarding World California opens up to explore more of the world created by JK Rowling. Maybe I’ll just camping in Big Sur while I wait.! Because it will be one of the best places to visit in the United States.
I took the Hogwarts Express the first time I went there, and I’m going again sooooooooon, so I don’t know what I’ll do this time. I still need to try butter beer. I’m so excited!
I have read all of the books and seen all of the movies. I love the series and would love to visit.
I love was really into Lord of The Rings. I read all three books before seeing the movies too, like a good girl. Harry Potter not so much, but hey it totally got kids reading again for fun! Which is great!
I am going there on Wednesday and I can’t wait. It will be my first time there since they built the HP part.
I have never wanted to go somewhere so bad! I love Harry Potter!
The first thing I would do is get a wand–then a glass of butter beer and go on from there!
I just adore Harry Potter! I would love to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and become a wizard for a day.
You had me at Butter Beer! Looks like so much fun.
Yay to Butter Beer! I’ve never seen any of Harry Potter movies, but I know a thing or two about Butter Beer!
My son is almost old enough to read about Harry Potter and I can’t wait to share it with him!
I would like to try Butter Beer. I wondered what it tasted like, and now I know it’s sort of like cream soda. I like cream soda. 🙂 I think I’d try it hot on a chilly day or frozen on a hot day.
That looks SO FUN! How much is an interactive wand, if I may ask?
http://littlewanderess.com
It turns every adult into a kid again. 🙂