Sunday, March 17, 2024

Best Harry Potter Ride At Universal

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Check Out The Knight Bus And 12 Grimmauld Place

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Full Ride Experience Queue POV) Universal Studios

Once youve seen everything on Diagon Alley, leave this part of The Wizarding World through the opening in the brick wall. Directly across youll see the Knight Bus. Here you can meet the conductor and the shrunken head that hangs at the front of the bus. Kids and adults love interacting with these two. Sit by the fountain to listen in.

Then, look across the way and youll see a replica of a London street. Upon closer inspection, youll see 12 Grimmauld Place, the home of Sirius Black . He gifted the property to the Order of the Phoenix, which used it as a headquarters. Look up toward the second floor and you may catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black family house-elf, peering at you from the window.

Christmas In The Wizarding World

Additionally, Universals new additions to their holiday entertainment lineup make Hogwarts the perfect place to be around Christmastime. Decorations adorn the shops of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, the Frog Choir sings Christmas carols, and snow falls in front of Hogwarts as a festive projection show takes place on the castles facade.

Although the holiday season can be one of the most expensive and congested times to visit Universal in general, a small window in December exists for guests wishing to experience the holiday events in the Wizarding World without the crowds.

For a few weeks between the Thanksgiving rush and Christmas crowds, hotel prices fall , meaning a sample trip from December 10 to 13 of this year would only cost $130 per night at Universals affordable Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

What Credit Card To Use At Universal

There is no one answer to the question: Which credit card should I use at Universal Orlando? The answer depends on how and where you purchase your theme park tickets and how that credit card codes purchases.

Data points from many travelers tell us that tickets bought at an on-site Universal hotel and charged to the hotel room have coded as travel, but tickets and VIP tours purchased directly from Universal have coded as entertainment.

If you know your charge will code as travel, youll do well to use any of the best credit cards for general travel purchases, including:

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Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Park Access Tips

5. Purchase Park-to Park Tickets

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is spread out across two parks, which can make the ticket-buying process a little confusing. Diagon Alley is located within Universal Studios, and Hogsmeade is located in Islands of Adventure. Travel back and forth between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade on the Hogwarts Express with a Park to Park ticket.With a One-day Park Ticket, you can visit Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, but you cannot visit both on the same day and you cannot ride the Hogwarts Express.

I recommend a 2 Day Park-to-Park ticket! Visit Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade as much as you like and ride the Hogwarts Express. And the longer you stay, the better the deal.

6. Get Early-Access

My trip to Orlando was only 2 days, and I didnt want to waste any time travelling back and forth to the park. I stayed on the Orlando Studios Resort, at Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

This is one of the most crucial Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips, because by staying on the resort you gain early access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The rest of Universal Studios and the Island of Adventure still open at 9AM, but with early access you can start exploring Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade as early as 8AM! Only other people staying on the resort have this perk. Take advantage of very short ride cues and amazing photo opportunities!

There are some resorts you stay at that also include fast-passes. There resorts cost a bit more but in high season, its worth it.

Whats The Difference Between The Wizarding Worlds In Orlando And Hollywood

10 Things You MUST Do If You Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter ...

While just as magical, Universal Studios Hollywoods version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter only features the Hogsmeade area and is significantly smaller than the Harry Potter world in Orlando. Theres still plenty of shopping, you can dine at Three Broomsticks, get a drink at Hogs Head, and ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff at the Hollywood park, though.

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Universal Studios Hollywood Harry Potter Restaurants

  • The Three Broomsticks Head on into the rustic tavern for a quick service meal of shepherds pie, fish & chips or even The Great Feast. Inside the theming has beautiful cast-iron chandeliers, exposed wooden beams and the normal wizarding trinkets youd find laying about.
  • Hogs Head Located on the backside of The Three Broomsticks, this pub offers Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, specialty drinks, wine, spirits and brews.

Have A Magical Experience

7. Cast Spells with an Interactive Wand

Make the most of your visit with an interactive wand. Go through the wand choosing ceremony at Olivanders to find out which wand chooses you, or purchase the wand of your favourite witch of wizard from the Harry Potter series. A map comes in the box with your wand, and it will show you all the sites around Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade where you can do actual magic. Look for the golden interactive wand symbols on the ground, complete the appropriate wrist movements with your wand, and chant your spell.

I was chosen for the wand ceremony in Olivanders! If you already have a wand when you go in like I did, hide it behind your back if you want a chance to be chosen

This goes on the list of 5th year O.W.L.s level Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips: truth is, theres not actually magic happening so if youre having trouble getting a spell to take effect, locate the sensor that recognizes your interactive wand. Direct your wand at it for a few moments, and this will activate the magic. It looks a little like a security camera.

Dumbledores Wand!

8. Explore the Shops

Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, Owl Post, Quality Quidditch Supplies, and Honeydukes are just a few of the shops that you can explore in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Take the time to explore inside and out, as many of the window displays are enchanted.

9. Eat in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade

10. Watch for Magical Details

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Volcano Bay Water Park

Volcano Bay is a 27-acre water park at Universal Orlando Resort. It opened on May 25, 2017, and replaced the former Wet n Wild water park .

Volcano Bay is themed around a 200-foot-tall artificial volcano named Krakatau. The volcano is home to Kookiri Body Plunge, the tallest body slide in the country, three drop capsule slides, the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, and more!

Rip Ride Rockit Coaster Universal Thrilling Rides

360 VIDEO: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Rip Ride Rockit is technically the only Universal Studios roller coaster offered in the nostalgic park. From the outside, this coaster looks to be one of the scariest rides in Universal Studios, with its extreme 17-story vertical lift and a deep, intense drop. You can rock out while riding along on this coaster, through twist and turns even entering Universal Studios backlot area!

While this coaster is thrilling, it is also rather outdated and has no inversion loops. Its definitely worth a shot if youre looking for Universal Studios Orlando rides thatll get your heart pumping.

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The Amazing Adventures Of Spider

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man comes in at #9 on our Best Universal Orlando Rides list.

Debuting in 1999, this attraction is a hybrid of a classic dark ride, fused with film-style 3-D projected scenes, high definition 4-D movie aspects, simulations, and other high-tech gadgetry.

The result is an exciting and realistic experience that immerses the rider in the stylized comic book adventures of Spider-Man.

The Ride

After boarding a Daily Bugle van, guests will then enter into the world of Marvel Comics legendary character Spider-Man.

The villains of Sinister Syndicate have captured the Statue of Liberty with an anti-gravity gun and a battle ensues.

Will you be able to help Spider-Man in this classic adventure of good vs evil?

Category: Motion-Based 3D Dark Ride

Theme: Spider-Man

Location: Islands Of Adventure Marvel Super Hero Island

Opening Date: May 28, 1999

Height Requirement: 40

Ride Duration: 5 minutes

The Complete Guide To Harry Potter World Universal California Vs Florida

The Complete Guide to Harry Potter World Universal California vs Florida

The Complete Guide to Harry Potter World Universal California vs Florida

This is your complete guide to the differences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood. Expecto patronum! Fans all over the world have been able to experience the magic of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando since 2010. Since then, Universal on the west coast was missing the magic and decided to build their own Harry Potter World in 2016. Both Harry Potter Universal parks are full of fantastic rides, shops and spell-tacular fun. But which is better The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando or California?

This guide is going to go through both Harry Potter Universal parks in Orlando Vs Hollywood and compare the similarities and differences to help you decide which is better! Dont forget that The Park Prodigy offers Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando with our discounted tickets!

If you are ready to learn all about Florida vs California Harry Potter Worlds, read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation be sure to check out our Universal crowd calendar!

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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley

If you are staying at any of the on-site Universal hotels, you can get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour earlier than general admission.

Which park opens early varies by day and sometimes both parks open early. The front desk agent should give you this information at check-in or you can check the Universal Orlando website for the most up-to-date information.

No matter which park is opening early, plan to arrive at the front gates at least 15 – 30 minutes before the Early Park Admission opening time. It’s the only way to beat the crowds and make the most of your extra time.

Only certain attractions open during Early Park Admission, but this typically includes all of the Wizarding World attractions. The ones you will most likely want to knock out are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida.

For Hagrid’s, head to Islands of Adventure, take a right after passing through Port of Entry and head toward Seuss Landing. Universal team members will be on hand to scan your hotel keycard and allow you to go deeper into the park. Continue through Seuss Landing to The Lost Continent and you should see team members directing you toward the start of the line for Hagrid’s.

Be careful not to overshoot and walk past the somewhat hidden entrance to Diagon Alley. When you see an opening in a brick wall, you know youve found it.

Best Universal Orlando Rides Ranked 2022

Harry Potter Rides at Universal Orlando

Whether it be high-speed coaster, or action packed simulators, Universal attractions are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat. Between the two parks at Universal Orlando, you can spend days adrenaline seeking due the sheer amount of high intensity rides. But, how really scary are these rides? As avid theme park goers, we can assure you that Universal Florida rides are worth the screams.

Plus some of the rides are included with the Early Park Admission that comes with all discount Universal Orlando tickets sold at The Park Prodigy. This means you can check out some of the best rides at Universal without getting caught in those long lines.

Its important to note that around half of all Universal Orlandos rides have a 40 inch or taller height requirement, making them not suitable for little riders. This is mainly due to the combo of Universals innovative ride designs, which are usually a combination of simulation and extreme thrill tech. Universal has the biggest and baddest rides in all of Central Florida, and we are here to rank them for you! We are going to be talking about both Universal parks, so to help understand where each ride is located, we are going to list out where each ride is located.

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Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Universal Orlando Thrill Rides

Hagrids Motorbike Adventure might not be our number one most thrilling ride in Universal Orlando, but it is definitely our favorite! It is one of Universal Orlandos new rides and has stolen the hearts of thrill seekers and Harry Potter fans alike. Located in Hogsmeade Village, it is the perfect addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The different moving parts of this ride makes it a one of a kind attraction, pushing it to the top of our list.

This ride wont knock your socks off with fear, but with fun and magic! The backwards thrills, high speed bursts and magical creature sightings are what make this one of the best rides in Universal Orlando! You will be entertained the entire time and we guarantee you will leave this ride with a huge smile on your face.

The Secret Life Of Pets: Off The Leash

Universal Studios

Opened in 2021, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is based on the popular animated film series. The dark ride transforms passengers into puppies and send them to a pet store to be adopted. It is loaded with cute, animatronic canines as well as charm. Instead of the frantic pacing, loud and in-your-face antics, and high-energy thrills that characterize nearly all other attractions at the park, Off the Leash is relatively calm. Kids of all ages should adore it.

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Halloween In The Wizarding World

Lastly , the Halloween season also makes for a magical visit to the Wizarding World. Although the Harry Potter parks dont go through much of a spooky transformation, Universals main Halloween event, Halloween Horror Nights, yields a special Harry Potter-related opportunity.

Guests can enjoy smaller daytime crowds during their September or October visit to begin with, but they can also find a quiet haven in Diagon Alley during the nighttime festivities.

While most guests are wrapped up in the late-night Halloween Horror festivities at the Universal Studios park, Diagon Alley remains open to visitors much later than usual.

True Potter fans will relish the chance to walk the streets of this wizarding marketplace in peace and quiet.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Reopens – Full Ride POV – Universal Studios Hollywood

Height: All HeightsRide Type: Aerial Carousel

One Fish, Two Fish is an aerial carousel with one twistcharacters spray water at you throughout the ride. Ive found you can avoid the water with strategic placement of your ride vehicle .

Riding It: One Fish, Two Fish can get waits over 15 minutes, but you shouldnt have much time finding it at 10 minutes or otherwise just waiting it out midday.

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Universals Islands Of Adventure Rides Guide

Now, lets get to the complete rides guide. Remember, this guide covers only the rides at Universals Islands of Adventure. For rides at Universal Studios Floridathe other park at Universal Orlando Resortclick here. For each ride, we give the height requirement, the ride type, a brief description, and tips for riding it.

Our Riding It tips assume you have a single day dedicated to this park and that you are targeting all rides. They may be helpful if youre splitting your day between the two parks, but in general youll need to follow a wholly different strategy .

Virtual Line Update: Universal has expanded use of virtual lines as part of the initial reopening. Usually, Hagrids is the only ride at Islands of Adventure to use the virtual line, but you should be prepared for other rides to use it as well. You can read more about virtual lines here, and we discuss Hagrids specifically more below.

We also give the following notations on applicable rides, in case you would like to use them to skip the lines:

Single Rider Single rider allows individual guests to use a separate queue. Single Rider lines are typically significantly shorter than standard lines. Families/groups may use single rider lines but their groups will be separated for the ride.

We have nothing against single rider, and it is an underrated hack. We typically dont include it in our strategies just because most families try to avoid it.

What Tickets To Buy For Harry Potter World In 2022

Another one of the most common questions we receive is, what tickets do I need for Harry Potter World? As we discussed, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is in two different parks which means you will need the right tickets to allow you entry to both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. We believe the most important aspect if you want to get on all of the Harry Potter rides is to have the Park-to-Park ticket however that is not the only way to enjoy the parks.

Below are the most common questions we receive when purchasing Universal tickets to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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