Do You Have To Pay Extra For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
No, the Harry Potter theme park areas are included in your ticket price for whichever Universal Studios park youre visiting . However, to get the full Wizarding World experience, youll need to purchase a Park-to-Park pass that includes same-day admission to both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Thats because the Hogwarts Express ride connects the two parks and can only be accessed by those who have passes to both.
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You should also consider splurging on a Universal Express Pass that will let you skip the long lines at the rides in Harry Potters Wizarding World in order to have the very best experience. And, you may want to consider staying at a Universal Premier hotel in order to take advantage of Universals Early Park Admission perk. Because the only thing more magical than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is having the whole theme park practically to yourself.
Tips For The Best Experience To The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
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Experience the two uniquely different lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida and Universalâs Islands of Adventure. Step inside a world where magic is real. Within Universals Islands of Adventure theme park, you can visit the iconic Hogwarts castle and explore Hogsmeade village. And at Universal Studios Florida theme park, you can enter Diagon Alley to enjoy a thrilling ride deep underground, unique magical experiences and more. Get ready to explore more of Harry Potters world than ever before!
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Please note: Depending on the timing of your visit, some experiences may be temporarily modified. Learn more about healthy travel, and check with your favorite Universal Orlando Resort theme parks and other venues for their current status.
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The Case For Hogsmeade
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a new realm of opportunities opened up to Hogwarts students: access to the neighbouring village of Hogsmeade. Described as looking like a Christmas card due to its abundance of snow, the village was awash with pubs, thatched houses, tea shops, joke shops and beyond and even includes its own tourist attraction in the supposedly haunted Shrieking Shack. See? Already that sounds pretty brilliant.
Although wed already become quite accustomed with the joyful hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley, discovering Hogsmeade was even more intriguing. We associated Diagon Alley with getting back to school, picking up books and supplies and the like, while Hogsmeade was designed as a break from school, a chance for students to unwind and properly start feeling more independent. After all, the trip was only available to third-year Hogwarts students and beyond getting to go to Hogsmeade was like a dream for the younger pupils.
While Hogwarts students were more likely go to Diagon Alley with their parents or families, Hogsmeade was altogether the cooler option to go with your friends, or even go on dates. It is altogether quirkier, more interesting and more varied than Diagon Alley, and served as an important location for many key moments in the Harry Potter series.
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Which Harry Potter World Is Better
One of the biggest questions we receive here when deciding if you should visit Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade is, should I visit both parks or just one? And its a tough question because although they are both part of the same Potter-verse, they are completely different experiences, with different rides, restaurants, and shops.
How Many Days Do You Need For Harry Potter World
Plan to spend parts of at least two days at the Harry Potter theme parks in Orlando if you want the complete experience. Arrive early, try to see and do as much as you can before the crowds fill in, then enjoy the other parts of Universal Studios Florida and Universals Islands of Adventure for parts of the afternoon before returning to the Harry Potter theme parks for the evening. After all, you havent fully experienced Harry Potter world until youve seen Hogwarts Castle lit up at night.
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Two Amazing Lands At Two Theme Parks
Please note that youll need admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universals Islands of Adventure to experience all of the wonders of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A Park-to-Park admission ticket or an Annual Pass will grant you access to both parks, as well as the Hogwarts Express.
Travel Tip: Staying at one of Universal Orlando Resorts official hotels will allow you to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter up to one hour before the parks open with Early Park Admission.
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Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey
Yes you can visit Hogwarts!
Once make your way around Hogsmeade Village, youll see the majestic Hogwarts Castle approaching.
After you board your broom, youll soar throughout the castle grounds following Harry Potter on an epic and magical adventure.
Can you walk though Hogwarts at Universal?
Yes you can!
If you dont want to ride this attraction, you can inform a Team Member that you would like to do a tour of the castle and theyll lead you to the right path.
Hipster Power Tip: Be sure to take advantage of the Child Swap Program. This program works by allowing one member of your party to wait in a designated area along with any children who are unable or unwilling to participate.
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The Shops At Universal Studios
- Weasleys Wizard Wheezes: Puking Pastilles and other prank items devised by the Weasley twins
- Gringotts Exchange: trade U.S. currency for Gringotts bank notes, which can be used in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade
- Borgin & Burkes: Death Eater masks and movie replicas
- Globus Mundi: passport holders, luggage tags, and other necessities for your magical travels
- Madame Malkins Robes for All Occasions: clothing and jewelry
- Magical Menagerie: plush toys featuring magical creatures, including fan fave Buckbeak
- Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment: unique house merchandise
Dine Out Enjoy A Drink And Go Shopping
You cant truly say youve seen Hogsmeade until youve had a meal at the Three Broomsticks or grabbed a drink at the Hogs Head bar next door .
At Three Broomsticks, many families opt for The Great Feast, which includes a salad plus a combination of rotisserie smoked chicken, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes.
You can also buy British favorites like fish n chips, beef pasties, smoked turkey legs and shepherds pie, and there are soups and salads on the menu at both lunch and dinner. Kids ages 9 and younger pick from fish n chips, chicken fingers, chicken legs and mac n cheese each entree is $7.49.
Nonalcoholic Butterbeer is $7.99, while pumpkin juice and pumpkin fizz are $4.99. Two draught beers on tap are Hogs Head Brew and Dragon Scale .
Three Broomsticks also serves breakfast daily until 10:30 a.m.
When youre ready to roll out of Three Broomsticks, get ready to do a bit of shopping. Honeydukes is a sweet shop filled with confections like Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Cakes, Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs.
You can mail postcards or letters from the Owl Post, complete with an official Hogsmeade postmark. You can also purchase all kinds of writing implements as well as owl-themed souvenirs.
Get your Hogwarts uniforms and robes, Sneakoscopes, Quaffles and Golden Snitches at Dervish and Banges.
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Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios, Florida.Or rather at the back of the park.
It is full of buildings, shops and even a certain bus that will be totally familiar if youve seen the movies. But the best part about it is the entrance .
Universal Studios recreated the brick wall behind the Leaky Cauldronthat leads into Diagon Alley!!! Remember, its three up and two across. Off you go!
Diagon Alley Rides
The Diagon Alley section of Harry Potter World only has one attraction that truly classifies as a ride. But boy, what a ride that is!
Im talking about the famed Escape from Gringotts ride featuring fire-breathing dragons, talking goblins and an appearance by the infamous Deatheater Bellatrix Lestrange and he who must not be named. Dont tell me I didnt warn you!
This is a ride you will not easily forget!
Hipster Power Tip: The Hogwarts Express is also considered an attraction in Diagon Alley.
The Entertainment in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios
With numerous shows lined up, there is hardly a lack of entertainment in Diagon Alley. From the glamorous Celestina Warbeck to a puppet show telling the Tales of the Beedle and the Bard, theres no way you will ever be bored.
If you have had your fill of shows, you can head to the only triple-decker purple bus you are ever going to see the Knight Bus. Here you can talk to the friendly conductor and his best bud a severed head!
The Diagon Alley Shops
Diagon Alley Food
Where Is Diagon Alley In The Wizarding World
- This isnt new or ground-breaking information, but Wizarding World now spans both Universal parks. Hogsmeade is in Islands of Adventure, while the new addition is Diagon Alley in original Universal Studios. Youve probably seen the pictures circulating Tumblr. Youve probably seen the videos of the movie cast drinking Butterbeer and such.
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Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley: Based On The Shopping
No one goes to a theme park just to shop. But once youre there, its hard to say no to a souvenir or three. This is especially true at Universal, with all of its exclusive Harry Potter merchandise! And if youve been sorted into a Hogwarts house, you can choose from everything from hoodies to backpacks to school supplies in your colors.
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!
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Return Of The Dark Lord
- “The colourful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind the large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them… A few windows were boarded up, including those of Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour. On the other hand, a number of shabby-looking stalls had sprung up along the street.”
- Description of Diagon Alley’s gloominess
Diagon Alley during the Second Wizarding War
Following Voldemort’s return to power in 1996, wizards and witches no longer felt safe wandering out in public, and Diagon Alley changed dramatically. The once-crowded streets stood virtually empty, faces of Death Eaters plastered the fronts of once-bright shops, and street vendors popped up, hawking anti-Dark devices.
Within another year and Voldemort’s taking over of the Ministry of Magic, a large number of shops had closed, replaced by others devoted to the Dark Arts, and the street was filled with Muggle-borns who had been cast aside by the new system. Ollivanders and Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour were closed.
Presumably, after Voldemort’s eventual downfall and the installation of Kingsley Shacklebolt as Minister for Magic Diagon Alley eventually returned to its splendour of old.
Is Diagon Alley Or Hogsmeade Better
Shops and magical products aside, Diagon Alley is superior to Hogsmeade because of the opportunities to bump into friends outside of Hogwarts! Hogsmeade might be pretty, but its practically next door to the castle. Sorry Hogsmeade, you just cant compete with this bustling hub of wizarding activity!May 18, 2020.
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The Ultimate Guide To The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Orlando
From Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley, hereâs 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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Flight Of The Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff, dubbed a family-friendly coaster, is across from the lockers at Hogwarts Castle.
The twists, turns and drops reminded me of a slightly tamer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom. My husband is not a fan of roller coasters and didnt want to ride this one even if it is just a junior coaster so I went alone. Plenty of little kids were riding and loving it children have to be just 36 inches tall or taller to ride.
This ride is super quick, so I had to ride a few times to take it all in. The track is elevated so you get a nice view of Hogsmeade. The queue is neat, too, as you walk by Hagrids Hut and on to an open area where youll recognize the Care of Magical Creatures class site.
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The Argument For Diagon Alley
Picture the scene. You find the correct brick three up, two across and tap the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron courtyard three times. And there it is, the wizarding world opening up in front of you, revealing the cobbled street beyond. We can completely understand why Harry wishes he has about eight more eyes at this moment who wouldnt want such excitement and exhilaration at the start of their shopping trip? So, for starters, the magical brick entrance to Diagon Alley is something we absolutely wouldnt want to miss out on, whereas it sounds like you can walk straight into Hogsmeade just like any other Muggle town. Dull as as an old cauldron.
And once youre in, Diagon Alley is bustling with witches and wizards of all ages and from all walks of life. Hogsmeade, on the other hand, sounds like it only comes to life when Hogwarts students are allowed to visit. Wed want to see witches complaining about the price of dragon liver outside the apothecary, and children marvelling over broomsticks in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. The thing about Diagon Alley is that it gives an insight into wizarding life that feels realistic, palpable, even gritty. Hogsmeade is a fairy tale village that doesnt reflect the day to day lives of wizarding folk. Picturesque? Yes. Nice for the occasional weekend trip? Yes. Good for shopping? Wed rather have down-to-earth Diagon Alley any day of the week.
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Interactive Wands And Spell Casting Locations
With the opening of Diagon Alley, Universal also introduced interactive wands to the parks, supplementing the nonfunctional replica wands that continue to be sold at Ollivanders and in the smaller selection at Wands by Gregorovitch. Interactive wands are available in 13 Ollivanders Original styles inspired by the Celtic calendar interactive wands modeled after those wielded by a variety of characters are also available. The widest selection of wands is found in the two Ollivanders shops. Stores outside of the Wizarding World at the entrance of each park, as well as CityWalk’s Universal Studios store and gift shops at each hotel, carry a limited variety of interactive and non-interactive wands. Wands can also be ordered from Universal Orlando’s merchandise website.
Note that the price of the interactive wands includes unlimited activations of the hidden effects you don’t have to pay to “recharge” your wand on subsequent visits, or even replace a battery. If you encounter a spell-casting location with a sign saying it currently has an anti-jinx in place, just move along to the next one that’s Potter-speak for it’s broken.
Weve received positive feedback so far on the interactive wands,like this praise from a New York, New York, family:
On the other hand, a cost-conscious dad from Rigby, Indiana, sends this advice: