What to Know Before You Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
So you're planning a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but you don't know where to start.
Friend, I've been there. I'm a Harry Potter fanatic, and I couldn't wait to immerse myself in all things magic with my sister, a fellow HP geek. I discovered that as I began to plan our trip, though, a lot of questions came up.
Which park is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in? What tickets to I need for Harry Potter world? Is it possible to do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day?
Now that I've experienced it for myself, I'm here to help. There are a few insider tips and tricks to know before you go.
The more you know, the easier it will be to plan your trip, from what kind of ticket to buy, to whether you need the express pass, to which rides, shops, and restaurants to prioritize.
My sister and I had one day to see all of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and that was plenty of time. Here are my top tips and things to know to prepare for your memorable trip to Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
(Stay tuned until the end of the post where I share a few valuable tips!)
>> UPDATED JUNE OF 2022 <<
Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Harry Potter World) At Universal Orlando: What to Know Before You Go
Which Park Has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is divided between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks, which means you'll want a Park-to-Park ticket (you may also see this called a 2-Park, 1-Day Ticket).
Diagon Alley, the Knight Bus, and 12 Grimmauld Place are located in Universal Studios. You'll take the Hogwarts Express between parks. Hogwarts and Hogsmeade are located in Islands of Adventure.
Remember, you MUST have a Park-To-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express which takes you between parks. If your goal is to see as much Harry Potter as you can, then the Single Park Ticket is not worth it!
Do I Need An Express Pass?
Now that I’ve visited Harry Potter World twice, I’ve done it with an Express Pass AND without, so I’ll give you my honest opinion.
The Universal Express Pass lets you skip lines at many of the rides and attractions in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You get to bypass much of the queue, but at some point, you will merge with the regular line and end up with a few minutes' wait (probably around 5-10 minutes).
Each rider needs their own Express Pass, and prices will vary by season. I also noticed that the price of the Express Pass increased as I got closer to my trip, so if you’re going to buy an Express Pass, don’t wait until the last minute to do it!
Is the Express Pass worth the money? Well, a 2-park 1-day pass starts around $89/person, but when you go to choose your date, the prices can go all the way up to $269.00 in high season. That seems like a steep price to pay, but if saving time and skipping lines is worth it to you, then definitely splurge on that!
On my first trip to Wizarding World of Harry Potter my sister and I both had an Express Pass, and we both gushed that the Express Pass was SO NICE to have, as we could just walk on almost any ride INCLUDING the Hogwarts Express. (This was before Hagrid’s Motorbike existed. You cannot use the Express Pass on Hagrid’s Motorbike).
It made our day so much smoother and we were able to fit in as much as we wanted to do.
On our second trip where I brought my daughter, I waited too long to book the Express Passes and I just felt like the price was too high, so we decided to visit the parks without them.
We waited in lots of lines, but it honestly wasn’t that big of a deal. We didn’t have young children with us, so that helped, too. If you are planning on bringing little ones who will get bored easily, I would recommend the Express Pass, but make sure you book it early so you don’t deal with the insane price increase!
Hot Tip: Stay at one of the Universal Orlando Resort Premier Hotels to get a FREE Unlimited Express Pass for each person in your group. These hotels include: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel®, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Where Do I Start?
On my first trip, I lived in Florida near the parks, so we didn’t end up staying in a Universal Hotel, which meant we didn’t have early park entry.
We decided to start in the Universal Studios park, home of the Knight Bus, Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, and Diagon Alley. I'm glad we did it, because we felt like Harry Potter himself, experiencing Diagon Alley and getting our wizard gold and supplies before heading to Hogwarts.
On our second trip, we flew in and stayed at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. For the dates we visited, we only had early park entry to Islands of Adventure, so our choice was made for us!
(I’ve also stayed at Loews Sapphire Resort and wrote a review on it! Both are awesome hotels).
That worked out nicely so we could get in line right away for Hagrid’s Motorbike, which typically has the longest wait times.
What to Do in Universal Studios
The Knight Bus
This is the giant purple bus from book 3 - Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s right outside of Diagon Alley, and you won't miss it - it's the giant three-story purple bus right across from King's Cross Station in what looks like downtown London.
You get to chat with Stan Shunpike and take a picture with him. Both times we did this experience we had a great time, and Stan was really funny. You’ll also hear some jokes from the talking shrunken head hanging from the door of the bus.
There’s usually no line or a vey short line for this attraction.
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place
From there we wandered over to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and noticed Kreacher the house elf peeking out of the top window when you knock loudly on the door.
Phone Booth
You can also find a red phone booth right across from the Knight Bus. Go inside and dial 62442 (MAGIC) to get the Ministry of Magic on the line!
Diagon Alley
Next, head into Diagon Alley. There's a brick wall next to King's Cross Station that looks very unassuming, but right behind it is a magical world filled with shops, restaurants, Gringott's Bank, AND the Escape from Gringotts ride.
Shops in Diagon Alley
Once inside, you'll find myriad shops straight out of the books and movies such as Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, and Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Really take some time to look around and notice all the attention to detail. I'm kind of regretting not buying a Gryffindor Quidditch shirt.
Take a stroll down Knockturn Alley (walk all the way to Gringotts then turn left. It's the dark alley at the end of the road) to find Borgin & Burkes, and be sure to find the disappearing cabinet Malfoy used to smuggle Death Eaters into Hogwarts!
Other shops in Diagon Alley include:
Magical Menagerie (magical pets!)
Scribbulus (writing supplies)
Sugarplum's Sweet Shop
Wands by Gregorovitch (I suggest you peek inside but get your wand at Ollivander's for the interactive show!)
Ollivanders
Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment
Where to Eat in Diagon Alley
Our favorite spot to eat in Diagon Alley was The Hopping Pot. It's kind of hidden off in a corner, so just look for all of the picnic tables behind Eternelle's Elixer of Refreshment kiosk.
We wanted to try butterbeer right away, (in fact, it was our main priority), so this walk-up counter was perfect for that. They offer butterbeer in 4 ways: hot, cold, frozen, and ice cream. We tried cold and ice cream, and loved them both!
You can also eat at:
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor (and pretend you're Harry in Prisoner of Azkaban)
Leaky Cauldron
Fountain of Fair Fortune
What to Do in Diagon Alley
Watch a Show
One of my favorite experiences in Diagon Alley is relaxing with a butterbeer and enjoying The Tales of Beedle the Bard acted out by members of the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts.
We caught the telling of The Tale of the Three Brothers (think Deathly Hallows), and I was honestly captivated. The story is performed as a trunk show using puppets and props, and it’s short and sweet.
Does anyone else get chills every time they hear that line about the youngest brother greeting Death as an old friend?
Gringotts Money Exchange
The other experience you'll want to take part in is exchanging your money for wizard gold at Gringotts Money Exchange.
This is different from Gringotts Bank with the dragon on top - that's where the ride Escape from Gringotts is. You can use the wizard gold anywhere in Universal Orlando parks, and the goblin inside the shop will even interact with you if you ask him a question!
Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter Rides
The only ride in Diagon Alley is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, a fun motion simulation thrill ride through the bank's underground.
We had a blast on this ride, and I would happily have ridden again if we had time. If you're with your kids, minimum height is 42", and they also have Child Swap available for this ride.
My 9-year-old daughter LOVED this ride, which was a huge relief after Hagrid’s Motorbike.
The Hogwarts Express
When you're ready to leave Universal Studios and head to Islands of Adventure, queue up at King's Cross Station to climb aboard the Hogwarts Express.
When you get to the top of the stairs, there's a spot where you can get a picture and video of yourself walking through the wall at platform 9 3/4 , so make sure to ask a staff member if you don't see it!
You’ll need a friend or family member to hang back to take the picture or video through what looks like a luggage cart piled with suitcases.
Once you're in your compartment on the train, enjoy the "views" out your window of Harry Potter characters and scenes from the books and movies. The train will drop you off right outside Hogsmeade Village.
What to Do in Islands of Adventure
Right when you enter Hogsmeade you'll see Hogwarts rising up majestically to your left, and a bustling village of shops and restaurants before you.
Even if you're melting from the 95° heat, the fake snow atop the village roofs will make you feel like Harry, Ron, and Hermione visiting at Christmastime.
Shops in Hogsmeade
Of course, you'll want to stop at the legendary Honeydukes, just like every student at Hogwarts, for a chocolate frog or a Fizzing Whizzbee.
We also had a memorable experience at Olivanders where we waited in line for a few minutes to see the interactive show where the wand chooses the wizard. Other places to shop include:
Dervish and Banges
Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods
Owl Post
Experiences in Hogsmeade
In the middle of Hogsmeade is a small stage where the frog choir performs some wizarding songs, or the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students perform for the Triwizard Spirit Rally.
As I mentioned, you can also experience the wand selection ceremony at Olivanders.
Don’t forget to use your interactive wand to try out some spells around the park! Use the map included with your wand or look for the plaques on the ground to find the spells.
Harry Potter Rides in Islands of Adventure
Flight of the Hyppogriff
This ride takes place by Hagrid's hut. You can imagine you're in Care of Magical Creatures class as Hagrid teaches you the proper way to approach a Hyppogriff.
This is a roller coaster, but it's a ride for kids, so it’s a short and really tame roller coaster (but still fun!). So short, in fact, that it's not really worth waiting in line a long time.
It's an enjoyable ride, though, and worth if you have an Express Pass or the line's not too long. Minimum height is only 36", so it's very family-friendly.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This is an amazing ride over the Hogwarts grounds which makes you feel like you’re flying on a broomstick with Harry and his friends.
It takes place inside Hogwarts castle, which actually makes your wait in the queue really fun as you take in the talking portraits and nooks and crannies of the castle.
This is a motion simulation ride similar to Escape from Gringotts, so while it’s thrilling and fun, it’s not a roller coaster. This was my 9-year-old’s favorite ride of the whole trip!
When you read about Harry flying on his Firebolt, you always think about how cool it would be to be in his place, and this ride actually gives you a sense of that, *and* how flying could actually be scary for some witches or wizards who aren't as gifted on the broomstick.
It's such a cool ride, and so fun to see all of the magical creatures as you're flying along. Minimum height is 48", so this one is for the older kids and adults. Child swap is available if you're with little ones.
Restaurants in Hogsmeade
You can find Hog's Head and the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, two legendary eateries in the series.
We ate lunch at Three Broomsticks, and they have lots of English food and a few kid-friendly options as well. This is also one of the spots where you can get hot butterbeer, and potted cream butterbeer.
More Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips
You Need a Waist Bag!
One thing you NEED to know about riding the rides at Wizarding World of Harry Potter is that you have to put your bags and other loose items in a locker before you get in line.
The only thing you are allowed to have on you is a waist bag or fanny pack. The reason you need this, is because your ticket is likely on your phone, and you need your ticket to open your locker!
My biggest mistake was bringing a small backpack to the parks and leaving my fanny pack in the hotel room. I needed that fanny pack to hold my phone while on the rides so I would have it with me to open my locker up afterward.
Luckily, my sister had brought her fanny pack, so we were able to all fit our phones in her waist bag once we got on the ride.
This is the one my sister and I both have.
Bring a Water Bottle
Ask any kiosk or restaurant with a soda fountain machine for a cup of ice water and they will gladly give you one for free.
We did this multiple times throughout the day and just kept filling up our water bottles. There are also water fountains near most restrooms.
This is a great way to avoid paying for overpriced water bottles, because, trust me, you will get so hot and thirsty with all the walking in the hot Florida sun.
Buy an Interactive Wand
You can actually buy your wand online ahead of time, or purchase an interactive wand at Olivanders or Gregorovitch's.
The interactive wands are $60 and allow you to perform spells at designated places around the park. Look for the brass plaques on the ground, and follow the map to tell you which spells to perform where.
You'll get to practice alohomora and wingardium leviOsa (not leviosA) at the designated spots around the park.
Be aware that the spells can be a little bit tricky, and you may not do it right the first few times. Remember: swish and flick! Small movements work better. It's all in the wrist!
Prepare for Your Trip
Might I suggest reading all 7 Harry Potter books and/or watching the entire movie series before you go? It will honestly make your experience that much more enjoyable.
When your brain is already immersed in the magical world, you'll really appreciate the attention to detail in the parks. I would also recommend the podcast Binge Mode: Harry Potter which is a deep dive into all things Harry Potter. Think of it as a hilarious virtual book club. (But don't listen to it in front of your kids! There's some swearing and adult content!)
I'm so excited for you to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for yourself! You're going to absolutely love every minute of it.
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