How To Set Up Wait Time Notifications On The Universal Fl App
First, you obviously need to download the app. Then select the ride via the Rides or Map page.
Once youre on the rides page, scroll down and under More Details youll see Wait Time Alert.
Tap that to set an alert when the wait time reaches the shown number of minutes. To change that number swipe up or down on the number itself.
Then, instead of tapping the Notify Me text at the bottom , you actually need to tap the Set button in the top right corner.
Now when the wait time drops at or below that time, youll get a notification. Then, you can book it over to that ride! This is great for Hagrids Motorbike Adventure so you arent waiting longer than necessary.
I recommend setting it to:
- 60 minutes for Hagrids
- 35 minutes for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- 30 minutes for Flight of the Hippogrifff 45 minutes for Escape from Gringotts
Try The Fun Treats But Theyre Not All Great
The most exciting part of Harry Potter World, for me, is all of the fun wizarding treats
I made it my personal mission to try as many of the treats as possible, and many were very good! However, some were also super disappointing.
But as a quick preview:
- Definitely have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron or the Three Broomsticks
- Have butterbeer ice cream from Florean Fortescues Ice-Cream Parlour
- Drink butterbeer at the Hogshead
- Have a Fizzy Orange Juice at the Hopping Pot
Eat At Either The Leaky Cauldron Or Three Broomsticks
There’s one restaurant in each Harry Potter park . You’ll find the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
Both serve traditional British pub food I had a plate of mini meat and fish pies and a range of Harry Potter-inspired drinks and beers. The prices actually aren’t terrible, and it’s a fun atmospheric thing to do.
My tip? Go for lunch instead of dinner and the lines won’t be as long.
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Buying The Right Ticket For Harrys World
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade is part of Islands of Adventure while The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley can be found at Universal Studios, this is important when it comes to choosing your ticket.
Splitting this land into two sections was a brilliant move on Universals part since it means you need to purchase the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket if you wish to see both parts of Harrys world on the same day.
That also means holding a Park-to-Park ticket or a Universal annual pass are the only ways you can ride the Hogwarts Express train attraction between the two lands. The Hogwarts Express is more than just a mode of transportation it’s an attraction in and of itself. Leave time to take the train in both directions because the experience is different depending on which way you’re headed.
You can use single-day one-park tickets to visit each land separately, but theres no way to use those tickets to board the Hogwarts Express.
You can buy Universal tickets for one, two, three, four or five days.
Universals website sometimes offers special promotions for multiday passes that throw in extras like a skip-the-line Express Pass, discounted admission to the Volcano Bay water park or a free day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure.
When buying Universal tickets, look at all the combinations and prices to determine which is the best deal for your family.
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If You Want To See All Of The Harry Potter Orlando Theme Park Arrive Early And Make A Plan
The Hogsmeade area and Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure often open early for Universal hotel guests as part of Universals Early Park Admission perk. If youre staying onsite or can get to the park close to opening time, your best bet is to tackle Hogsmeade early in the morning. Its not as large as Diagon Alley and can get crowded as the day wears on. If it gets too crowded, hop over to Diagon Alley and come back to Hogsmeade in the early evening.
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Is The Wait Time For Hagrids Motorbike Adventure Really Worth It
Look, I felt the exact same way. Theres no way a 90+ minute wait time can be worth it. I mean how can it?
Hate to burst your confidence bubble, but holy cow is it worth it!
This ride is TOP TIER. I would honesty put it on the same level as Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars Galaxys Edge.
The premise is that youre riding on Hagrids motorcycle where one person is on the bike and the other person is in the sidecar.
I wont give too much away so I dont spoil it, but if you like roller coasters and thrill rides, I urge you to prioritize this ride. You wont regret it! .
How Do Harry Potter World Tickets Work
At Harry Potter World, tickets give you access to the numerous magical experiences within the park. Depending on the type of ticket you purchase, you can choose either a two-day or single-day pass, enabling you to sample a wide range of digital and physical adventures.
You can also select either a restricted or flexible pass, which lets you experience different attractions at different times.
When you purchase your tickets, youll be provided with a one-time use barcode, which you can use to access the site. To gain admission, youll need to present your barcode at the gate. Keep in mind that you can access the site early upon purchasing your ticket, which allows you to plan your visit and check out the special attractions youd like to experience.
Restricted tickets are also available that allow you to experience a certain number of attractions. When buying these tickets, youll have the option to select the number of attractions youd like to explore.
Additionally, some tickets may be customized to include certain experiences and even character meet-and-greets.
Youll need to book a designated entry time when purchasing a general admission ticket. This will allow you to enter the park in a smooth, managed manner. All ticket holders can also upgrade their passes to include a meal plan, which gives them access to delicious, freshly prepared food and drinks.
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Is Harry Potter Cursed Child Worth It
Yes, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is definitely worth it. Its an incredible, captivating story full of surprises, as well as being a great continuation of the Harry Potter franchise. It tells the story of Albus Potter and his struggles with growing up in the shadow of his famous father and all the baggage that comes with it.
Not only do we get to follow Albus through his journey, we also get to visit some of our favorite characters from the original series, such as Ron, Hermione, and Harry himself. Many people even say the Cursed Child was better than any of the original Harry Potter movies and books.
All in all, if youre a die-hard Harry Potter fan, this is a must-read, as itll give you yet another amazing journey to embark on.
Afternoon At Harry Potter Universal Orlando
After meeting the Knight Bus Driver and viewing Kreacher from the London windows, walk over to the Hogwarts Express to take the train over to Hogsmeade.
After you enter the queue and make your way to board the train you will have to go through platform 9 3/4. It will look like you are running through the wall. Check out this video below to see.
Once you arrive at Hogsmeade expect to see busy crowds. At this point your virtual line should be available for Hagrids.
Also check the wait times for Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. If wait times are long save this for later in the evening.
At this point you have a few options. You can explore Hogsmeade, use your interactive wands to cast spells, and check out the shows.
You can also head back to your resort for an afternoon rest. If you are staying at an on-site resort this is a very easy option. Also check the park hours to make sure you can return in the evening.
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Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Tips For Hogsmeade
After visiting both parks, I have to say that Im still a little partial to the first Wizarding World location Hogsmeade. Maybe this park has had time to mature, or maybe its something else, but here are my tips and secrets for Hogsmeade.
Ride Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. I do not give the following praise lightly. This is hands down, the BEST roller coaster Ive ridden. EVER. Stay on property. Get up early. Be one of the first at the turnstiles. Then head with as much speed as safely possible to this ride as soon as the park opens, because you want to experience this and wait times can be two hours plus, pretty much all day long, and as of this writing, you cant use an Express Pass for this ride.
Why is Hagrids so good? You are either on Hagrids motorcycle or in the sidecar on a three-minute ride through the Forbidden Forest. Its a real roller coaster, not the simulator rollercoaster like the Forbidden Journey or Gringotts. Its super smooth and has moments of instant acceleration similar to Rockin Roller Coaster or Slinky Dog at Disney. There are twists, but the thrill isnt in going upside down and corkscrews. You go forwards. Backward. And one move that was totally unexpected!
We rushed through the first time, did the ride and then went around again much slower. The attraction itself is pretty intense and a combination of simulator and ride. If you have it, use your Express Pass once youve seen the queue.
Visit Hogwarts Castle Then Ride Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey
After whizzing through the forest, take a tour of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before getting on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
This high-flying attraction takes you through the school to iconic moments from the movies like a quidditch match, through the Forbidden Forest, and coming face-to-face with the villains from the movies.
One thing to note about this attraction: if you have any sort of motion sickness you definitely should not ride. You can still go through the queue if youre traveling with friends or family to see the moving photos and the precise detail of the castle, then exit just before boarding.
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The Disadvantage Of Express Unlimited
There was also one other downside to the pass. You move through the queues extremely fast. Some of the queues are themed. I almost wanted to get out of the line at one point so I could wait in line and walk slowly through Hogwarts Orlando castle to take it all in.
Well, almost. Ill be honest. I loved that ride so much, that maximizing the times I could do it was so worth it!
Please note that the pass has variable rates, so the more crowded it is, the more you are going to have to pay. I hope that helps your Harry Potter vacation planning!
Flight Of The Hippogriff The Ride
The Flight Of The Hippogriff is a smaller coaster. It falls under the category of a family coaster. It is not quite a thrill ride, but certainly not a kiddie coaster. Think Barnstormer at Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom, but better.
Universal did a great job re-theming the coaster to feel undeniably Harry Potter.
You walk through the open-air queue to see a life-sized replica of Hagrids Hut before you arrive at the loading station.
Its a smaller area, a smaller train, and a shorter ride, but its still pretty fun. Once loaded into the train, you will be taken past Buckbeak, the famous Hippogryph who let Harry ride him in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie. Id say 90% of the time, at least one child will yell, Hey, Its Buckbeak!
After that, its a standard roller coaster, but its a little faster than you think, and most people have a great time.
Id say most could stand for it being a little bit longer, but other than that, its a gem. The fact that its right next to Hogwarts Castle also adds plenty of theming goodness to the fun.
Recommended age for the ride:
Just about all ages can climb onto the Hippogriff. Again, its more about height restrictions than age here on this Harry Potter World rides. This one has a nice and low restriction at 36, so most kids will be able to climb aboard.I feel comfortable saying any kid whos tall enough can handle this one safely.
Backpack checking:
Kids Ride Share:
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Try All The Butterbeer
Butterbeer is served multiple different ways and if you dont like one then I highly recommend trying another. I tried the cold Butterbeer first and while the first few sips were great, it got too sweet for me very fast.
I then tried the frozen Butterbeer which was FANTASTIC and finally the ice cream which was also delicious. It is also served hot in the winter, as fudge, and as potted creme.
Day 2 At The Wizarding World
Today, well be doing the reverse of the first day. That isstarting in one park then taking the Hogwarts Express to the other and spending the remainder of the day there.
Escape from Gringotts
Lets start in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios of Florida. Were going to hop on Escape from Gringotts to start the day. This is the one ride in Diagon Alley and probably the one glaring thing we didnt do yesterday.
The queue for this ride is just as detailed as the others. Youll go inside Gringotts including the parts you dont see in the movies.
This is a 4D ride with glasses, so as a regular seeing glasses-wearer myself, I recommend holding onto the 4D glasses while you ride. Because ya girl lost hers. Bellatrix sent our cart flying around a curve and off my 4D glasses went flying into the abyss. Oops. Dont be like mehang onto those puppies if youre wearing them over your actual seeing glasses.
Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station
Once youve checked off this ride, wave goodbye to Diagon Alley because were headed to Hogsmeade Village.
Work your way out of Diagon Alley to London and over to Kings Cross Station where youll ride the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade Village. Hopefully its still early enough that the line hasnt built up yet.
The queue itself is much more interesting than that in Hogsmeade Village.
Take in Hogsmeade Village
Welcome back to Hogsmeade Village!
but then I rode it. And I would wait again right now if given the opportunity.
Hogsmeade lit up
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Tips For Visiting Diagon Alley At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Orlando
Your Harry Potter Orlando experience actually begins outside of Diagon Alley in the London waterfront area of Universal Studios Florida. Its worth spending a few minutes in this area adjacent to the Harry Potter world to chat with the Knight Bus conductor and search for Kreacher the house-elf in the upstairs window of 12 Grimmauld Place before heading into Diagon Alley.
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When youre ready to enter the Wizarding World, you may be wondering where to find the entrance to Diagon Alley. To better keep out muggles, its hidden behind a brick wall just past Leicester Square Station.
Once inside the Harry Potter theme park, youll be staring right at the large Ukranian Ironbelly dragon that sits atop Gringotts Bank. It really does breathe fire . If you want to catch a photo or video of the fire-breathing dragon in action, listen for the dragons low growl and youll know hes warming up for his next performance.
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Shows At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Whether at Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, dont discount the shows. During our visit there were two at each location. Diagon Alley had a concert by the well-known wizarding group Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, and a puppet show that told the Beetle the Bard story of the Fountain of Fair Fortune . At Hogsmeade is the Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally .
Dont miss the projection light show on the castle. There are different shows depending on the time of year. During our visit was arguably one of the best the Darks Arts show. The bridge into Hogsmeade is a great place to watch.
Planning to visit other areas of Universal Orlando Resort? Youll want to read this excellent article from our friends at Global Munchkins.
If you want to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood, we recommend reading this article first.
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Can You Do Both Wizarding Worlds Of Harry Potter In One Day
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter spans across two theme parks at the Universal Studios Orlando Resort in Florida Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure.
This leaves many Harry Potter fans questioning as to whether or not its possible to experience everything the Wizard World of Harry Potter has to offer in just one day.
Weve found that you can experience everything inside both Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day. However, doesnt leave much time for other attractions within the Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure parks.
As such, we would recommend you purchase a two-day, two-park ticket to ensure that you maximise your visit.
If you dont have two days available, consider adding an Express Pass to your park ticket either by purchasing one online or in the parks on your arrival or by staying at an on-site premier hotel which offers them complimentary for guests.