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 take pleasure in 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 ready inside Common Islands of Journey. The Hogwarts Categorical practice 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 appears like your cup of frozen (or sizzling) butterbeer, know that even one of the best spells cannot zap away the lengthy traces for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey or enable you select between a one- or two-park ticket. Nevertheless, TPG’s theme park consultants can assist you out with some magical ideas for the proper 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 successful.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
The right way to get to Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is positioned at Common Studios Florida, so you may want a ticket to this park to go to. To get there, stroll straight by means of Manufacturing Central and switch proper once 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 is no such thing as a signal, however once 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’ll be able to’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 affordable period of time in Diagon Alley and you will note 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 have to be 42 inches to journey; ensure your celebration meets that requirement so you do not get to the pinnacle of the road solely to be turned away. There’s additionally a “youngster 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 youngster swap and they’ll instruct you on the protocol.
There’s additionally a check seat in entrance of the constructing the place you possibly can verify whether or not or not the seating configuration will work on your physique model.
Wait occasions can get lengthy for this journey, however it does have an Express Pass line all through a lot of the day. There’s additionally rather a lot to have a look at whereas in line since you may snake by means of the Gringotts Financial institution foyer and see a large number of goblins at work. The 4 chandeliers that hold 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 are feeling as should 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. Notice that there’s an an identical Ollivanders wand expertise at Hogsmeade, so be happy to skip the expertise right here should you’d choose to see the present there later in your go to.
In the course of 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.
Should 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 present store at most on-site motels.
You’ll improve your Wizarding World expertise should 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 forged spells and make magic. A map that plots every spot the place you possibly can forged spells is included along with your wand buy (together with a number of unmarked “secret wand spots”).
Wands are reusable and Ollivanders employees will fortunately “re-magic” your dying wand at no cost if it will get scratched or damaged. Meaning you possibly can convey again a wand from a earlier Common Studios go to or borrow one from a pal to economize.
Normal, non-interactive wands are additionally obtainable in case you are trying to save somewhat money or your children 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 (music 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 stumble upon the Gringotts Cash Change. Go inside (it is a retailer) and you’ll chat with the Gringotts goblin standing behind a teller’s desk. It is a neat expertise — particularly for curious children. You can too alternate 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 properly 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 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 use 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 Dying Eaters and the darkish arts.
Diagon Alley eating places: The Leaky Cauldron
Certainly one of Harry’s first stops in magical London is The Leaky Cauldron, and it may be certainly 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). Strains to get in might be lengthy, however you possibly can place orders on the Common app to hurry up service.
Breakfast is expensive, 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 possibly can have butterbeer for breakfast). The youngsters breakfast plate is $13.49. You’ll be able to 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, akin 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 — akin 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 possibly can attempt butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. You can too seize a drink at The Fountain of Honest Fortune or The Hopping Pot.
Procuring in Diagon Alley
Procuring choices are plentiful in Diagon Alley. Together with the proper 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 decisions.
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One phrase of warning: Harry Potter souvenirs are fairly costly. You would possibly need to set a price range along with your children earlier than exploring the outlets or clarify to them why you will not be buying sure gadgets.
Outlets in Diagon Alley embrace 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 points of interest outdoors Diagon Alley
As soon as you’ve got seen every part on Diagon Alley, depart this a part of The Wizarding World by means of the opening within the brick wall. Immediately throughout you may 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 may see a reproduction of a London avenue. 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.
While you’ve totally 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 Categorical and journey the practice to Hogsmeade. You’ll be able to solely journey the Hogwarts Categorical when you’ve got a Park-to-Park ticket. Should you’ve obtained one-day, one-park tickets, there isn’t a technique to expertise this attraction, however there’s a ticket desk within the practice station the place you can also make a last-minute improve should 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 means of a brick wall to entry Platform 9 3/4. While 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 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 completely different on the return journey, so followers will need to journey it each methods.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
The right way to get to Hogsmeade
You will 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 means of the Port of Entry and head towards Seuss Touchdown. Proceed by means of Seuss Touchdown to The Misplaced Continent and on to Hogsmeade.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey is a well-liked thrill coaster, and the attraction doesn’t settle for the Common Categorical skip-the-line move. Wait occasions might be longer than an hour and typically as much as two hours or extra.
When you have your coronary heart set on using this thrill coaster, get in line as quickly as you arrive in Hogsmeade; it’s best to see staff members directing you towards the beginning of the road earlier than you even attain Hogsmeade from The Misplaced Continent. When 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 good to be at the very least 48 inches tall to expertise it. You will both journey Hagrid’s bike or get within the sidecar. Both spot will make your coronary heart pound, however I believe 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 fascinating scenes from the books; contemplate skipping the Categorical Move line to have time to take all of it in. When you have children who need 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 Fortress. 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 should you’re flying by means of the air and, in case you are 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 to journey. Should you’re unsure, check out the pair of seats in entrance of Hogwarts Fortress on the entrance for this journey or one other pair about midway by means of the queue.
The journey is darkish at occasions, 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 area. You have to be 48 inches or taller to journey Forbidden Journey. There are lockers to the left of the citadel entrance to retailer your belongings.
Hogwarts Fortress can also be the important thing picture op on this land. You will 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 exhibits “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Fortress.” Mild projections are beamed onto the citadel partitions, celebrating the 4 Hogwarts homes. It is an awesome 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. 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 may acknowledge the Care of Magical Creatures class web site.
Should you’re a thrill-seeker, you possibly can simply give this journey a miss, however in case you are visiting with younger children they’ll find it irresistible.
Hogwarts Categorical — Hogsmeade Station
While you’re prepared to go away this a part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, stroll by means of the arch towards Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Categorical.
The practice will take you again to “London” at Common Studios. The expertise is a bit completely different in every route, so make sure to hop on — even should you rode the practice from London to Hogsmeade earlier within the day.
Exhibits and points of interest at Hogsmeade
Should 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 should you do not have already got one. Hogsmeade additionally has magical spots the place you possibly can forged spells along with your interactive wand. (This can be a nice exercise when you’ve got early park entry however do not need to journey Hagrid’s Motorcycle Journey; traces can get lengthy on the spell-working spots.)
For extra exhibits, head to the out of doors stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Fortress. 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 college). The stage is small however you may get a close-up spot should you arrive a couple of minutes earlier than showtime.
Hogsmeade eating places
Should 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 hen, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes and greens. (A platter for 4 is $74.99; further servings are $19.99.)
You can too 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, 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 each day till 10:30 a.m. with choices much like The Leaky Cauldron’s.
Should you simply desire a Butterbeer to go, search for the purple kiosks with big picket casks arrange in the course of the road. You’ll be able to order common and frozen Butterbeer to go.
Hogsmeade outlets
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 provides 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’ll be able to mail postcards or letters from the Owl Submit, full with an official Hogsmeade postmark. You can too buy all types of writing implements (assume quills and seals) in addition to owl-themed souvenirs.
Should 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. This can be a terrific store should 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 might 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 should 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 not any approach to make use of these tickets to board the Hogwarts Categorical. A one-park ticket is your most cost-effective 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 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 along with your Common Orlando reserving.
If you would like to buy Common tickets with factors, you could have the choice to take action by means of the Chase Travel℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Factors or by means of Citi Travel.
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Should you’re paying money, you may need to use a bank card that offers you additional factors or miles on your theme park purchases. Nevertheless, knowledge 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 may do properly to make use of any of the best credit cards for general travel purchases, however should you assume your buy will code as leisure, you may need to use one of many best cards for entertainment spending.
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And, after all, you should use factors and miles to cowl your airfare or resort keep should you’re coming from out of state to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The right way to see extra of The Wizarding World in much less time
I will not mislead you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will get very crowded.
Even at slower occasions of yr, the points of interest in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley can 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 use Universal’s Express Pass. This can be a skip-the-line move that works on most points of interest at Common’s two theme parks, except Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey.
There are 3 ways to get an Categorical Move. The simplest approach is to e-book certainly one of Common’s on-site Premier motels akin to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room charge comes with a free Categorical Move Limitless to make use of all through your go to.
When you 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 purchase Categorical Passes. The Common Categorical 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 Categorical Limitless move allows you to skip the common traces at taking part rides as many occasions as you need.
The perfect 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 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 basic admission.
Which park opens early varies by day and typically each parks open early. Examine the Common Orlando web site for essentially the most up-to-date info.
Irrespective of which park is opening early, plan to reach on the entrance gates at the very least 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 sometimes contains all the Wizarding World points of interest. Those you’ll most definitely need to knock out are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey at Islands of Journey and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Common Studios Florida.
Should 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 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.
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A pricier technique to skip the traces is to e-book a VIP tour. You’ll be able to e-book a small-group or private VIP experience at Universal, which can bundle 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 points of interest are unbelievable. It is enjoyable to look at the each day performances that every one relate to a side of Harry’s magical world, and you should increase 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 to get in early and (with somewhat 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.
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