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 faux 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 sights throughout two parks. You may discover the land of Harry’s magical London in Diagon Alley at Common Studios Florida, whereas Hogsmeade — the place you will discover the well-known Hogwarts Fort, Hagrid’s hut and the Three Broomsticks pub — is about inside Common Islands of Journey. The Hogwarts Categorical prepare journey will carry you between the 2 parks, however provided that you’ve got bought a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.
If this seems like your cup of frozen (or sizzling) butterbeer, know that even one of the best spells cannot zap away the lengthy strains for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey or assist you select between a one- or two-park ticket. Nonetheless, TPG’s theme park consultants can assist you out with some magical suggestions for the right go to.
Here is what you want to 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 positioned at Common Studios Florida, so you will want a ticket to this park to go to. To get there, stroll straight by way of Manufacturing Central and switch proper if you attain the New York part of the park (in entrance of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction). Proceed on till you see a reproduction 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 a signal, however if you see a gap in a brick wall, you’ve got discovered it.
Diagon Alley rides: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
As soon as you’ve got 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: While you hear a low growl, that is your sign that the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some hearth. The dragon doesn’t carry out on a schedule, however spend an inexpensive period of time in Diagon Alley and you will notice its fireworks.
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There are free and paid lockers to the correct of the road so you possibly can stash your belongings earlier than the journey.
Kids should be 42 inches to journey; be certain your celebration meets that requirement so you do not get to the top of the road solely to be turned away. There’s additionally a “baby swap” room the place mother and father can take turns alternating driving or ready with kiddos not tall sufficient (or prepared) to journey. Let the workforce member on the journey entrance know that you simply plan to make use of baby swap and they’re going to instruct you on the protocol.
There’s additionally a take a look at seat in entrance of the constructing the place you possibly can verify whether or not or not the seating configuration will work to your physique fashion.
Wait instances can get lengthy for this journey, however it does have an Express Pass line all through many of the day. There’s additionally rather a lot to have a look at whereas in line since you will 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.
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What’s neat about Escape from Gringotts is the motion-based 3D projections that make you are feeling as in the event you’re interacting with characters like Invoice Weasley and the goblin Blordak.
Diagon Alley reveals and sights: 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. Be aware that there’s an similar Ollivanders wand expertise at Hogsmeade, so be happy to skip the expertise right here in the event you’d choose 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.
In case you weren’t fortunate sufficient to be chosen for the present, you possibly can select and buy your personal wand. Interactive wands at the moment value a minimal of $65. You can also order an interactive wand in advance of your journey or choose one up within the resort reward store at most on-site motels.
You’ll improve your Wizarding World expertise in the event you spring for an interactive wand that helps you make “magic” at many places in each Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Search for brass medallions set into the pavement that mark the spots the place you possibly can solid spells and make magic. A map that plots every spot the place you possibly can solid spells is included together with your wand buy (together with just a few unmarked “secret wand spots”).
Wands are reusable and Ollivanders workers will fortunately “re-magic” your dying wand without cost if it will get scratched or damaged. Meaning you possibly can carry again a wand from a earlier Common Studios go to or borrow one from a good friend to economize.
Customary, non-interactive wands are additionally obtainable if you’re seeking to save somewhat money or your youngsters are too younger to know the distinction.
Different reveals in Diagon Alley happen on an out of doors stage within the Carkitt Market space. Exhibits embody “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 will come across 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 change muggle cash for Gringotts financial institution notes that can be utilized to make purchases inside Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and at choose places elsewhere at Common.
One other easy-to-miss attraction in Diagon Alley is Knockturn Alley. It is darkish, feels seedy and is so nicely hidden that you simply would possibly miss it. There are two entrances — one subsequent to the Leaky Cauldron and one subsequent to the Fountain of Honest Fortune.
The enclosed house 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 solid spells; do not miss them. The store right here, Borgin and Burkes, oozes darkish magic and is the place you should buy souvenirs paying homage to Dying Eaters and the darkish arts.
Diagon Alley eating places: The Leaky Cauldron
One in every of Harry’s first stops in magical London is The Leaky Cauldron, and it may be one among 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 will be lengthy, however you possibly can 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 embody a small beverage (sure, you possibly can have butterbeer for breakfast). The youngsters 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, equivalent to fish ‘n’ chips ($17.99), bangers and mash ($16.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($17.99). Children entrees embody issues like mac ‘n’ cheese and fish ‘n’ chips for $8.29. Desserts — equivalent to sticky toffee pudding and butterbeer potted cream — should not be missed.
Different Diagon Alley spots to get a refreshment embody Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, the place you possibly can strive butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. You may as well seize a drink at The Fountain of Honest Fortune or The Hopping Pot.
Purchasing in Diagon Alley
Purchasing choices are plentiful in Diagon Alley. Together with the right memento, be alert for just a few “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 decisions.
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One phrase of warning: Harry Potter souvenirs are fairly costly. You would possibly wish to set a price range together with your youngsters earlier than exploring the retailers or clarify to them why you will not be buying sure gadgets.
Outlets in Diagon Alley embody Borgin and Burkes for extra sinister souvenirs, Ollivanders for wands, High quality Quidditch Provides to assist your favourite groups and Sugarplum’s Sweetshop for impulse buys of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Each-Flavour Beans.
Harry Potter sights outdoors Diagon Alley
As soon as you’ve got seen all the pieces on Diagon Alley, depart this a part of The Wizarding World by way of the opening within the brick wall. Immediately throughout you will see the Knight Bus. Right here you possibly can 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 pay attention in and be prepared for fun.
Then, look throughout the way in which, and you will see a reproduction of a London road. Upon nearer inspection, you will 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 ground and also you would possibly catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black household house-elf, peering at you from the window.
While you’ve totally explored Diagon Alley and the streets of Harry Potter’s London, it is time to make your strategy to King’s Cross Station, the place you will board the Hogwarts Categorical and journey the prepare to Hogsmeade. You possibly can solely journey the Hogwarts Categorical you probably have a Park-to-Park ticket. In case you’ve acquired one-day, one-park tickets, there isn’t any strategy to expertise this attraction, however there’s a ticket desk within the prepare station the place you may make a last-minute improve in the event you so select.
The Hogwarts Categorical is each an immersive expertise and precise transportation. Do not miss the neat mirror trick within the queue that makes it seem like of us are strolling by way of a brick wall to entry Platform 9 3/4. While you’re able to board, eight passengers can slot in every prepare compartment. Greet your fellow Hogwarts schoolmates after which flip your consideration to the home windows, the place you will watch because the prepare leaves London on the way in which to Hogwarts College of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Be ready to see some Dementors on the four-minute journey to Hogsmeade. The present is barely totally different on the return journey, so followers will wish to journey it each methods.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
The way to get to Hogsmeade
You may discover Hogsmeade contained in the Islands of Journey theme park. Right here, you possibly can go to each the city of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts College of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This space has three rides, plus the Hogwarts Categorical.
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 Categorical skip-the-line go. Wait instances will be longer than an hour and generally as much as two hours or extra.
You probably have your coronary heart set on driving this thrill coaster, get in line as quickly as you arrive in Hogsmeade; you must see workforce members directing you towards the beginning of the road earlier than you even attain Hogsmeade from The Misplaced Continent. You probably have early park entry, you will wish to make this journey your first cease as quickly because the park opens. Have somebody maintain your spot in line whilst 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. You have to be at the least 48 inches tall to expertise it. You may 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 is likely to be nervous.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the journey that takes you inside Hogwarts Fort. The queue itself is crammed with attention-grabbing scenes from the books; take into account skipping the Categorical Move line to have time to take all of it in. You probably have youngsters who wish to see the sights however not journey the journey, you possibly can undergo the road after which bail out earlier than boarding the journey.
On this journey, you “journey a broomstick” in and round Hogwarts Fort. The attraction is a “robocoaster,” the place a robotic arm holds your seat above a monitor and also you pivot in a large number of instructions. It makes you are feeling as in the event you’re flying by way of the air and, if you’re susceptible to movement illness, would possibly make you are feeling queasy.
As well as, in case your waist is bigger than 40 inches, you may not be capable of journey. In case you’re unsure, take a look at out the pair of seats in entrance of Hogwarts Fort 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 will 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 citadel entrance to retailer your belongings.
Hogwarts Fort can be the important thing picture op on this land. You may discover one of the best views from the bridge leaving Hogsmeade for Jurassic Park. That is the place you possibly can seize that quintessential picture of the citadel
On choose nights all year long, Common reveals “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Fort.” Gentle projections are beamed onto the citadel partitions, celebrating the 4 Hogwarts homes. It is an ideal 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 Fort. Kids need to be simply 36 inches tall or taller to journey.
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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 monitor 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 will acknowledge the Care of Magical Creatures class website.
In case you’re a thrill-seeker, you possibly can simply give this journey a miss, however if you’re visiting with younger youngsters they may adore it.
Hogwarts Categorical — Hogsmeade Station
While 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 Categorical.
The prepare will take you again to “London” at Common Studios. The expertise is a bit totally different in every path, so you should definitely hop on — even in the event you rode the prepare from London to Hogsmeade earlier within the day.
Exhibits and sights at Hogsmeade
In case 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 the event you do not have already got one. Hogsmeade additionally has magical spots the place you possibly can solid spells together with your interactive wand. (It is a nice exercise you probably have early park entry however do not wish to journey Hagrid’s Bike Journey; strains can get lengthy on the spell-working spots.)
For extra reveals, head to the out of doors stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Fort. Right here you possibly can attend showings of the Frog Choir (songs by human and amphibian singers) and the Triwizard Spirit Rally (cheer in your favourite magical faculty). The stage is small however you may get a close-up spot in the event you arrive a couple of minutes earlier than showtime.
Hogsmeade eating places
In case you’re hungry at Hogsmeade, you possibly can 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 rooster, 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 choose from fish ‘n’ chips, rooster fingers, rooster legs and mac ‘n’ cheese — every entree is $8.29 and served with grapes and applesauce.
Desserts embody 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 each day till 10:30 a.m. with choices much like The Leaky Cauldron’s.
In case you simply need a Butterbeer to go, search for the crimson kiosks with big wood casks arrange in the course of the road. You possibly can order common and frozen Butterbeer to go.
Hogsmeade retailers
You may 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 crammed with 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 every kind of writing implements (suppose quills and seals) in addition to owl-themed souvenirs.
In case 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 the event you’re in search of 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 correct 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 will be discovered at Common Studios. Splitting this land into two sections was a superb transfer on Common’s half because it means you want to buy the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket in the event you want to see each elements of Harry’s world on the identical day.
You should use single-day one-park tickets to go to every land individually, however there is no manner to make use of these tickets to board the Hogwarts Categorical. 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 wish to select the Park-to-Park ticket.
When shopping for Common tickets, have a look at all of the mixtures and costs to find out which is one of the best deal for your loved ones. We discover all of the choices in our complete guide to Universal Orlando. You must also search for limited-time Universal Orlando deals that might prevent cash.
The suitable bank card and transferable factors can assist 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’ve gotten the choice to take action by way of the Chase Travel℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Factors or by way of Citi Travel.
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In case you’re paying money, you will wish 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 resort and charged to the resort room have coded as “journey,” however tickets and VIP excursions bought instantly from Common have coded as “leisure.”
If your cost will code as journey, you will do nicely to make use of any of the best credit cards for general travel purchases, however in the event you suppose your buy will code as leisure, you will wish to use one of many best cards for entertainment spending.
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And, in fact, you should utilize factors and miles to cowl your airfare or resort keep in the event 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 yr, the sights in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley might 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 want to be strategic.
First, you should utilize Universal’s Express Pass. It is a skip-the-line go that works on most sights at Common’s two theme parks, except for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey.
There are 3 ways to get an Categorical Move. The simplest manner is to e-book one among Common’s on-site Premier motels equivalent to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room price comes with a free Categorical Move Limitless to make use of all through your go to.
You probably have a Premier-level Universal annual pass, you are entitled to Categorical Move entry starting at 4 p.m.
In any other case, you should buy Categorical Passes. The Common Categorical This go helps you to skip the common line one time per taking part journey at each Common Studios and Islands of Journey theme parks. The Common Categorical Limitless go helps you to skip the common strains at taking part rides as many instances as you need.
The most effective 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 Categorical Move for all the opposite sights.
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 basic admission.
Which park opens early varies by day and generally each parks open early. Verify the Common Orlando web site for essentially the most up-to-date data.
Regardless of which park is opening early, plan to reach on the entrance gates at the least 45–60 minutes earlier than the Early Park Admission opening time. It is the one strategy to beat the crowds and take advantage of your additional time.
Solely sure sights open throughout Early Park Admission, however this usually contains the entire Wizarding World sights. Those you’ll most certainly wish 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.
In case you’re spending a number of days within the park, or have of us in your journey celebration who do not like thrill rides, you can too 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.
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A pricier strategy to skip the strains is to e-book a VIP tour. You possibly can e-book a small-group or private VIP experience at Universal, which is able to package deal collectively walk-on journey entry throughout the tour, Categorical Passes and complimentary meals at designated Common eating places. These excursions will get you on rides like Hagrids that in any other case haven’t got 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 sights are incredible. It is enjoyable to look at the each day performances that each one relate to a side of Harry’s magical world, and you need to 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 Categorical Move. Solely then will you be capable of get in early and (with somewhat magic) skip the worst of the strains. The added expense is value it for a day or two of immersion into Harry Potter’s magical world.
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