Attractions At Universal Studios Hollywood
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood has two themed attractions.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the main stop attraction at this theme park. The queue to lead to this ride is an experience in itself as it winds its way through Hogwarts where you will past Dumbledore’s office, a classroom featuring projections of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, the Fat Lady, the vials holding the house points, the Herbology garden, and more! The attraction takes you on a journey following Harry Potter and his friends using a combination of screen technology and classic dark ride technology.
The ride uses a robotic arm to transport guests on a bench that becomes magicked to fly by Hermione herself. The harness goes above your head, strapping you in, and leaving your feet dangling as you fly around Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest. The ride does not go upside down although you do get shaken around quite a bit backwards and forwards. It’s a fantastic ride- not to be missed! Must be 48 inches to ride.
Entertainment In The Wizarding World At Universal Studios Hollywood
On the Hogsmeade stage, you will find some entertainment throughout your visit. Some of the Hogwarts choir students perform with their large croaking frogs. Ribbit, ribbit! The show can vary during the holidays.
You can also cheer on the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students as they get the crowd excited for the Triwizard Tournament. After each performance, you can take photos with the singers and dancers.
Be sure to check the show times for these shows early in the day. The times appear at the USHWaitTimes site under “Music.” You can always ask a team member in The Wizarding World for show times. That site and the Universal Studios Hollywood app are a good source to check ride and Ollivanders wait times, as well.
During certain seasons, mostly summer and the Christmas season at Universal Studios Hollywood, there is a nighttime show at the castle once the sun sets. With music, projection and lights, it’s pure magic. The theme of the show varies per season.
There are many other magical surprises and hidden gems waiting for you in Hogsmeade. We dont want to spoil all of them. But if you are a true Harry Potter fan like we are, you will appreciate all of the storied details in the store windows and the magical folk working in the shops.
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Hoppy planning!
Q: Is Harry Potter World In Florida Bigger Than California
So, is the Harry Potter World in Florida bigger than California? And, very simply yes. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is much bigger in Orlando Florida as it is spread out between the two lands of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Universal Orlando Florida also has the Hogwarts Express to transport guests back and forth between the Harry Potter lands.
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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.
For Visitors With Disabilities
Guests with special needs can go to guest services and ask for an Attraction Assistance Pass. Its a paper pass that lets you go through the express lane, or get a return time if the current wait is more than 45 minutes.The guest services team members dont ask for a diagnosis they ask why queuing is difficult. You need to explain what could happen if you stand in line for long periods of time.
You can call ahead to request an AAP or just get it at the park when you arrive. The pass allows six people on the pass, so your whole family can ride together.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Hollywood: Where Is It What Is It
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Los Angeles is an area entirely dedicated to the famous magician immortalized in J.K. Rowlings books, but it is not a park in itself rather, it is an integral part of Universal Studios Hollywood, an amusement park entirely dedicated to the world of cinema located in the San Fernando Valley in the vast Greater Los Angeles Area.
All you need to do is pay the entrance fee for the park, which includes all the attractions and rides. You can find more information on how to purchase tickets here. For information on how to get to Universal Studios by car or public transportation and other details on how to plan your visit, please refer to our comprehensive guide to Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Early Park Admission At Harry Potter Universal Studios Hollywood Vs Orlando
So, when deciding between Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando for early park admission, which one is better? Well, this is actually an easy one as only Universal Orlando offers a Harry Potter early park admission. But should this be the deciding factor between the two?
Overall we would say dont make the decision to visit Harry Potter World Orlando or Hollywood just based on an extra hour in the morning. But we would pay more attention to the actual rides that are included with the early park admission. Specifically the Universal Orlando early park admission does include some of the most popular Harry Potter rides including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts which is not a ride that can be found at Universal Hollywood.
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The Wizarding World Rides At Universal Studios Hollywood
Now that you have a plan of attack, let’s go over the rides. There are two rides in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood. The Flight of the Hippogriff is Universal Studios Hollywoods first outdoor roller coaster. It is family-friendly, short and appropriate for muggles 39 inches and up. Be sure to take notice of Hagrids hut and Buckbeak in his nest.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios Hollywood is the main attraction. It takes place inside Hogwarts Castle. If you have tadpoles too short to ride, there is a Child Switch room right next to the boarding area so that you can take turns riding. The Child Switch room has a Harry Potter movie playing to entertain you while you wait. You can also use the room to watch souvenirs or prizes that are too big to fit in the storage lockers. Here are some more tips for bringing toddlers and small children to Universal Studios Hollywood with you.
This adventure is more appropriate for brave muggles 48 inches and up and definitely not for those prone to motion sickness. I can enjoy the biggest and fastest roller coasters around, but even I get a little greener than usual on this ride. I have found that if I close my eyes on the parts that are based on video, it really helps me get through. Tad and Leap, however, jump back in the Single Riders line to ride again and again.
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package
Vacation Package Includes:
- 5-Night Hotel Accommodations
- 3-Park 4-Day Park-to-Park Promo Ticket1 to Universal Studios Florida AND Universals Islands of Adventure AND Universals Volcano Bay
- Early Park Admission2 to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universals Volcano Bay one hour before the park opens .
- Special Themed Keepsake Box§ with items to get started, including:
- Travel Planning Guide
- Set of Luggage Tags featuring Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger one set of three per package
- Hogwarts Railways Lanyard one per person
For Package Arrivals after December 18, 2020Package will include a 3-Park 5-Day Park-to-Park Ticket9 which includes admission to Universal Studios Florida AND Universals Islands of Adventure AND Universals Volcano Bay
The below pricing does not include airfare. For airfare pricing3, please select Air + Hotel + Ticket on the booking tool on the left side of this page.
Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key card
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Exploring Hogsmeade In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Studios Hollywood
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set in the village of Hogsmeade, the town located next to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the books. As soon as you enter Hogsmeade, you’ll want to have your camera ready to take all of those iconic shots. Right away, you will see many great photo opportunities, from the snow-covered shops to the Hogwarts Express and conductor to Hogwarts Castle itself. You’ll walk past the Butterbeer cart, several shops and The Three Broomsticks restaurant. You’ll stroll past Ollivanders, Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. where you can watch a wand pairing or purchase your own interactive wand to cast spells in the Wizarding World past the stage to Hogwarts Castle and two rides at the back. It’s a lot to take in.
Now that you have the lay of the land, you can manage your day. We have a strategy that seems to work for us, kind of a Universal Studios Hollywood 1-Day Touring Plan that helps us avoid the longest lines and explore the land at the least crowded times. We’ve hopped through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood many, many times, and our trusty plan still holds up every visit.
Go In Expecting To Bleed Galleons
No big surprise here, everything is expensive. Set a budget, then double it.
Theres a reason J.K. Rowling is a bazillionaire. Universal Studios admission starts at a non-negotiable $109 per person, and once you enter itll take all your willpower to not buy everything in sight. The cute little shops of Hogsmeade are filled with souvenirs for purchase, sweatshirts, stuffies, marauder maps, you name it.
That mug of butterbeer will set you back a ridiculous $15.33 its basically super-sweet soda in a plastic cup. But when in Hogsmeade
If you want to dress up, youll be in good company. Youll see lots of wizards and witches walking around in school robes. Robes at Universal run $140 apiece we pre-bought a knockoff on Amazon for a fraction of that price.
Universal Studios allows you to bring in your own snacks, just not a full-on four-course meal. Not as fun as ordering English pub food at the Three Broomsticks, but probably healthier and definitely more budget-friendly.
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Universal Studios Hollywood Shows
WaterWorldA Live Sea War Spectacular
This action-packed water show based on the movie by the same name is something you will want to see while at Universal Studios Hollywood.
It is filled with thrilling stunts, combat scenes and even pyrotechnic special effects!
Dreamworks Theater Featuring Kung Fu Panda
When you enter the theater, you might think that you are going to be seeing a movie. And while you will see a movie playing on the screen, you are going to actually be part of the action!
While the film plays, your seat will match the movement and motion on the screen.
Take A Forbidden Journey
The highlight of the land is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a highly sophisticated attraction that uses innovative robotic arm vehicles to send passengers on an adventure with the boy wizard. It incorporates both practical sets with wild effects and projected media to simulate flying and other sensations. Forbidden Journey is among the world’s best theme park attractions.
The ride is located inside the massive Hogwarts Castle. Getting to it is an adventure in itself. The tricked-out castle is loaded with delightful effects and artifacts. The pre-show, presented in a couple of acts, sets the stage with some intriguing theme park trickery.
One word of caution: Forbidden Journey a surprisingly aggressive attraction. Heed the pre-ride warnings. If thrill rides aren’t your thing, you may want to think twice before boarding it. When the ride first opened in Hollywood, it featured 3D media, requiring passengers to wear 3D glasses. Some guests had been experiencing motion sickness in reaction to the 3D experience the park has since removed the 3D media.
If the line to board the ride is especially long, you could break up your party and opt for the single rider line. You could also consider upgrading to front-of-the-line passes, which can be pricey, but could save you a lot of time in the Wizarding World and throughout Universal Studios Hollywood.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Studios Hollywood
If you are a fan of Harry Potter, you are going to LOVE the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
This part of the park will make you feel as though you have been transported straight into Hogsmeade and the shops along Diagon Alley.
As you approach the entrance to Hogsmeade, you will immediately notice the attention to detail.
This looks like the real deal. There is snow covering the rooftops, the Hogwarts Express train has steam coming from the top, the shops are open and full of people .
If you are looking for a wand, Ollivanders is where you need to go. Not only can you find character wand replicas and sets, you can also buy an Interactive Wand that allows you to cast spells throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
The interactive wand can be used at various locations. Simply stand on a marked spot and cast a spell! You never know what will happen!
Those who have read the Harry Potter series of books will be quite familiar with Honeydukes Sweet Shop. This store features many of the treats that are featured in the books and films.
While a bit overpriced for the quality, the packaging alone makes up for it. Everything is quite eye-catching and the bright, colorful displays draw you in right away.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride
Inside Hogwarts is one of the most popular Harry Potter theme park rides, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey robocoaster.
These look very similar to the real sets you find in the Warner Brothers London tour.
Is It Worth It To Visit The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Hollywood
When the most die-hard Harry Potter fans visit the incredible reconstruction of Hogsmeade in Hollywood, they will feel like they are missing out on something, since they know that here they cannot enjoy the equally amazing Diagon Alley, where there is the roller coaster dedicated to the descent through the underground tunnels of the Gringotts Bank, the famous Knight Bus, and the mysterious atmosphere of Nocturne Alley.
However, it must also be said that the Wizarding World of Hollywood is really remarkable. The village of Hogsmeade is reconstructed in the smallest detail. Walking inside Hogwarts Castle surrounded by paintings and talking hats is breathtaking, and it is right here at the castle that you will find the best ride : Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
In short, if youre a fan of Harry Potter and are passing through Los Angeles, I doubt youll be disappointed, and you can go on all the other attractions in Universal Studios Hollywood, including a tour of the movie sets, and in my opinion, that alone is worth the price of the ticket and is the exclusive privilege of those who visit Universal Studios Hollywood.
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Which Harry Potter World Is Better Orlando Or Hollywood
So now that we have broken everything down, which Harry Potter World is better Orlando or Hollywood? And just on the rides alone we do have to go with Universal Orlando as it is home to Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts which they do not have in California. We also love the fact that Universal Orlando offers early park admission to save time in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
However as you can see, both Universal parks offer their pros and cons depending on what youre looking for with your Harry Potter vacation. Harry Potter World in Universal Studios Hollywood is perfect if youre looking for a more concise trip. Hollywood Hogsmeade has more shops within it and only one park to explore. While that could be less of a hassle over traveling between two parks, you do miss out on quite a bit in Harry Potter Universal Studios California.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando is the full magical experience. With the addition of Universal Studios Florida Harry Potter park, traveling between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley feels like the real deal. It is important to note that you do need separate entry tickets to both Harry Potter parks in Florida and to ride the Hogwarts Express. You may need two full days to experience all of Harry Potter Orlando, which can really add up in cost!
Choosing A Wand In The Wizarding World At Universal Studios Hollywood
As all wizards know, the wand chooses the wizard. And where do wizards buy their wands? At Ollivanders, of course ! In this unique, interactive experience, you can watch one child or young adult selected from the audience work with the wandmaker to be paired with just the right wand for them. Brace yourself if your tadpole gets chosen. He or she may want to buy the custom interactive wand that lets you cast spells around the Wizarding World. The interactive wands are about $52, so you might want to set up expectations before entering.
There is usually a wait to take part in a wand-choosing ceremony, so keep your eye on that. We find that the wait time is highest in the morning and dips in the afternoon. Find out more about choosing a wand in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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