Q: How Many Harry Potter Rides At Universal Orlando
There are 5 Harry Potter rides at Universal Orlando Resort split between the two main theme park which are Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Islands of Adventure is home to 3 Harry Potter rides, and Universal Studios is home to one Harry Potter ride with both parks sharing the last ride with it being the Hogwarts Express.
Hogsmeade Oi Fun Facts
In addition to the information offered on this page, we have so much more to share in the OI Insiders Guide to the Wizarding World, which is packed with tons of insider tips, tricks, and secrets. And then be sure to check out the world-famous OI Wizarding World of Harry Potter touring plan, to boot!
High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train
Take a slow trolley ride about Seuss Landing to get a birds-eye view of it all while listening to classic Dr. Seuss stories.
Who loves it? Anyone who wants to just sit back and relax will enjoy winding around on these elevated tracks.
Height Requirements? Minimum height is 36 but anyone under 48 will need to have a supervising companion.
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Escape From Gringotts Has The Best Ride Queue Of The Potter Rides And Is A Bit Darker Than The Other Rides
Ride length: Five minutesWait time when I rode: 20 minutes.
The first time I rode Escape from Gringotts in 2014, I was left wanting a little more from the ride. I guess I was expecting something closer to the actual adventure in the books where fans would be following Harry through the bank vaults. Instead, you’re on a tour with one of the Weasley brothers while Harry, Hermione, and Ron happen to be breaking in as well. What timing?!
Years later, the ride is much better than I remember with a welcome addition of Voldemort, who doesn’t appear on any other ride . Escape from Gringotts is the most high-stakes ride in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A drop in the coaster and some illusions make you feel like you’re free falling at points. The only downside? If you’re not a fan of 3D glasses, you do have to wear them on this ride.
Queue grade: A+
This is easily the best ride queue at either Universal Park in Florida. When the ride queue is long, you have to wait outside, but when you are finally let indoors you’re welcomed into the Gringott’s bank with working goblins and real chandeliers. It’s gorgeous and so unexpectedly breathtaking that you’ll probably be convinced for a moment that you’re actually at the wizarding bank.
The Ultimate Guide To The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Orlando
From Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley, here’s everything you need to know about the Harry Potter rides, restaurants, and shops at Universal Orlando.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort consists of two immersive lands based on the Harry Potter books and films. The Diagon Alley area is located in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade is located in Islands of Adventure. The two Harry Potter theme park lands are connected by the Hogwarts Express.
Both of the Harry Potter lands at Universal Studios have themed shops, rides, dining, and entertainment, and the best way to travel between the two is on the Hogwarts Express train. If you want to hop on the train or visit both lands in one day, youll need to purchase Park-to-Park tickets that include both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure for your visit.
Both Harry Potter Orlando theme park lands accept Express Passes, an add-on to your regular park ticket that lets you skip the line on many rides and attractions. You can purchase Express Passes online or inside the park, and its included as a free perk if youre staying in a Universal Premier hotel.
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Lost Continent In Islands Of Adventure
Besides Port of Entry, the Lost Continent is the only island in Islands of Adventure that is not somehow related to a book, film, TV show, comic strip, or any other form of media. But the lack of a franchise does not ruin this island’s theming. The Lost Continent is an exotic land based heavily on myths, legend, heroes, and adventure.
When Islands of Adventure opened, Lost Continent was split into three areas: Merlinwood, Sindbad’s Bazaar, and The Lost City. Merlinwood, a medieval themed land inspired by King Arthur, had two rides and other attractions that were removed or repurposed for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. The other two areas Sindbad’s Bazaar and The Lost City still stand.
Sindbad’s Bazaar has Middle Eastern style architecture and music. William Kidd, the composer of the music in Port of Entry, also created music for the Lost Continent. He combined an orchestra with ancient Middle Eastern, Indian, and Greek instruments. Depending on where you are in this area, you may also hear other sound effects emitted by well-placed speakers.
The Lost City has two big attractions: Poseidon’s Fury, a show that takes place in a collapsed and crumbling Greek temple, and Mythos, one of the most lauded theme park restaurants in the United States.
Mythos in Lost Continent in Islands of Adventure.
What Is The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Hogsmeade
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade opened in June 2010, and, from the very first day, it has delighted theme-park fans and astounded Harry Potter devotees. The sublime theming and immaculate attention to detail in this $265 million expansion of Islands of Adventure has made it one of the most immersive themed experiences in the world.
Explore the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, just outside the grounds of Hogwarts Castle, to look for that one-of-a-kind gift in the boutique shops or to stop and listen to the Frog Choir. Or you can explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, then take a ride through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Wherever you look, youre bound to find magic!
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Toon Lagoon Fan Secrets
- The second deck of Me Ship, The Olive has free water cannons that can be used to spray people who are riding Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges.
- You can play the sheet music on the piano in Me Ship, The Olive for a special surprise.
- The inner tubes at Gasoline Alley spray you with air you can feel it when you get close to them.
- There is an interactive Rocky and Bullwinkle related photo opp located near the lockers for Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. It features the opening jackhammer scene from the Aesop and Son segment of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
- There is an enormous theater in Toon Lagoon that is occasionally used for special events but has mostly sat empty and unused since 2011 when Mat Hoffman’s Aggro Circus show closed.
Are There Guest Services Available In Hogsmeade
Restrooms
The only restrooms in Hogsmeade are located next to The Three Broomsticks to the right of the entrance, if youre facing the restaurant. The nearest family bathroom is outside Hogsmeade, in the Lost Continent area.
Lockers
There are no large rental lockers in Hogsmeade, but there are small ride lockers at both Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, as these attractions do not allow bags or loose items on board.
First aid
The nearest first aid station is over in The Lost Continent.
Rental services
Strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs are all available to rent at Hogsmeade Station, as guests come off of the Hogwarts Express.
ATMs
We cant have you running low on muggle funds, so there is an ATM in the hallway that leads to the back patio of The Three Broomsticks, between the restaurant and the restrooms.
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How Much Time Do You Need At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Are you wondering how many days you should spend at Harry Potter World? Well, for Harry Potter fans the more days you stay the better. I suggest at least two to three days. In this post we are focusing on which park to spend most of your time in.
The first time we went to Harry Potter World we only had one day. It was not enough time!!!! We even bought front of the line passes and bought a park-to park ticket. You might be in the same situation we were. If so, this post will help you know where to spend most of your time.
This is the ultimate Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure aka Diagon Alley vs Hogsmeade post. Even if you have several days at the park this post can still help direct you on where to spend your time.
Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Wait Times
This chart shows you roughly how long you’ll wait for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey when you visit on a day with a given Universal’s Islands of Adventure Crowd Level. The blue bars represent the average “peak” wait time . The bottom and top black lines represent the range of peak wait times to expect . Please note that these are estimates, and for a better forecast for your travel dates, see Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Wait Times.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Hogsmeade At Universal’s Islands Of Adventure
Its the one-and-only, all-wizarding village of Hogsmeade, and youll only find it at Universals Islands of Adventure! The main attraction here is Hogwarts castle, which comes to majestic life on select evenings for The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle spectacular.
Looming over Hogsmeade, Hogwarts also features Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an attraction that will take you soaring high above the castle grounds. For more airborne adventures, hop aboard the family-friendly Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster, which youll find at Hagrids hut.
Speaking of Hagrid, he takes center stage in Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Sending you deep into the Forbidden Forest for up-close encounters with a menagerie of wondrous creatures, this innovative attraction combines state-of-the-art coaster technology and gripping storytelling for one of Universal Orlando Resorts most incredible experiences yet!
High Street a popular hangout for Hogwarts students and professors alike is brimming with enchanted shops. Send magical mail to family and friends at Owl Post, load up on sweets at Honeydukes, or get your very own Sneakoscope at Dervish and Banges, among other arcane retailers.
Shopping In Skull Island: Reign Of Kong
- Kong Merchandise Kiosk: Most rides end with a trip through an actual gift shop, but this isn’t true of Skull Island: Reign of Kong. However, there is a small merchandise kiosk near the ride that sells Kong themed pins, shot glasses, key chains, mugs, t-shirts and a few other items.
Jurassic Park gates in Islands of Adventure.
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Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Isn’t Just The Best Potter Ride It’s One Of The Park’s Best Attractions
Ride length: Just over three minutesWait time when I rode: Eight-and-a-half hours. There was no express queue and the single-rider queue was limited. In the end, both had similar wait times. In the near future, Universal is supposed to have a virtual queue to help alleviate wait times. Don’t be me and wait this long for Hagrid’s.
One of the few rides at Universal without screen projections to guide the attraction, Hagrid’s is the best thrill coaster the parks offer. You can read my review of the ride here.
You can choose to ride in a motorbike or sidecar. The motorbike experience is unparalleled. If you lean into the handlebars, you feel like you’re soaring through the skies leaning left and right on a motorcycle as it shifts into higher gear after higher gear. It features a button which lights up that you can press near the ride’s end to help save the day.
Not only does Hagrid’s go backwards, but at one point the entire coaster drops down onto a second track. The group I rode it with Friday screamed and yelled out expletives as they were taken aback by the drop. Even though our wait was a long one, the four people I stood in line with for the majority of the day all told me they thoroughly enjoyed the attraction.
An animatronic Hagrid looks great too. The biggest downsides are the ride’s super long and easy-to-jumble name and its long lines right now.
Queue: B-
Arrive Early To Have The Best Experience With The Interactive Wand Spots
Once you have your interactive wand from Ollivanders or Gregorovitch, open the box and youll find a map inside. The map marks the magical wand spots in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade where you can test your wizardry. Each spot is marked by a golden medallion on the ground that shows which direction to move your wand and what spell to recite.
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There are also hidden wand spots you wont see on the map. To find them, ask a witch or wizard working in the area if they can point you in the right direction . Team Members can also give you a few pointers if youre having trouble casting spells. If even that doesnt work, your wand may be faulty and you can get a free repair at Ollivanders.
What you really need to know about the interactive wands and wand spots, though, is that they quickly become crowded and overwhelming on a busy day . If casting spells is tops on your kids list of activities , make it a priority to arrive early to the Harry Potter lands and get your spellcasting in before the crowds really fill in . Nothing will make your magical experience feel less magical than waiting in line to cast a spell, and unlike the Harry Potter rides, there are no Express Passes for the wand spots.
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One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Take a spin on this ride as you choose which fish you want to sit in. You can choose when you go up and when you go down, but listen to the instructions if you want to avoid getting wet in the process.
Who loves it? Everyone seems willing to give this a shot at least once, but dont be surprised if your littlest ones keep asking to do it again and again and again.
Height Requirements? Theres no minimum height, but anyone under 48 will need to have a supervising companion.
Rides In Jurassic Park
- Jurassic Park River Adventure: This river raft ride starts with a serene river through the gates of Jurassic Park and ends with a T. Rex attack and an enormous drop into a pool of water.
- Pteranodon Flyers: Located in Camp Jurassic, Pteranodon Flyers is an aerial roller coaster with excellent views of Jurassic Park.
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Can You Pool Hop At Universal Hotels
Pool hopping No matter which hotel you stay at, guests at the Universal Orlando hotels are allowed to pool hop. This means you are free to visit the pool at any, or all, of the on-site hotels. So even if you stay at the Aventura, you can take the shuttle to the Hard Rock and party there all afternoon.
Things In This Uo Fan Guide
In this UO Fan Guide, we are going to explore all of Islands of Adventure one island at a time. Like a true navigator, we will touch on every ride, show, play area, restaurant, and shop in each island in addition to hidden secrets that every fan will enjoy. When our journey is complete, you’ll learn about character meet and greets and find out which rides and shows at Islands of Adventure accept Express Passes and which ones don’t. We’ll close with essential touring tips and information on how you can buy tickets to Islands of Adventure.
Port of Entry in Islands of Adventure.
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Filchs Emporium Of Confiscated Goods
Take a peek inside this captivating grotto and youll see all kinds of weird and wonderful confiscated items from the world of wizards!
Youll also find movie prop replicas including Death Eater masks, character walking sticks and themed chess sets, as well as Hogwarts and Quidditch clothing and more.
Top Tip
This is also where you can purchase a photo of your experience on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Forbidden Journey Oi Fun Fact
When originally designed, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey had many more Dementors, including the ones painted on the walls in ultraviolet light that were originally going to be activated by the ride vehicles. However, Harry Potter creator JK Rowling and Warner Bros. deemed them too scary, so the Dementors remain dormant on the walls to this day.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Diagon Alley At Universal Studios Florida
Experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley as you walk the familiar streets of London, passing buskers, red telephone booths and Kings Cross Station. You will know youre close to Diagon Alley once you see the Knight Bus. Just pass through the brick archway and catch your first glimpse of this hidden magical marketplace.
Once inside, grab a cup of Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice from iconic establishments like Leaky Cauldron, the Hopping Pot and other themed dining options, or even from a passing street vendor. Several Diagon Alley venues also have wizard-friendly eats.
Of course, its not the wizarding world without adventure, and youll find plenty of it at Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Keep a watchful eye on the roof of Gringotts Money Exchange while youre there, though the 60-foot Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is known to breathe fire!
Next, its time to gear up on everything youll need to make your time at Hogwarts a success. Find the perfect wand at Ollivanders, get sized for your school uniform at Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions, prepare for the big game at Quality Quidditch Supplies, or just stock up on side-splitting gags at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, among other shopping opportunities. And if you have the nerve to brave Knockturn Alley, Borgin and Burkes is your source for Death Eater masks and other merchandise coveted by members of House Slytherin.
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