Know The Height Requirements
There is nothing worse than getting excited about something only to find out that you or your child dont meet the requirements. Such is the case with theme park rides. Unfortunately, many rides have height requirements that your children may not meet.
Like other rides at Universal Orlando, we recommend that you check the height requirements before you go. Here are the height requirements:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journeys: 48 inches
- Flight of the Hippogriff: 36 inches
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: 42 inches
- Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: 48 inches
- Hogwarts Express: NO minimum height requirement
Breaking: Entire Area Of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Hogsmeade Temporarily Closed At Universals Islands Of Adventure
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade is closed this morning at Universals Islands of Adventure. The land and all three of its rides have yet to open today.
A sign at the entrance to Islands of Adventure informs guests that Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will be open later today.
Some Team Members from Hogsmeade are out in the Lost Continent, advising guests of the closure and directing traffic.
Team Members out front are advising guests to visit Universal Studios Florida for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley. No official reason for the closure has been given, but some Team Members are reporting they are being sent home due to a power outage.
Guests were able to board the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station for a one-way trip to Universal Studios Florida. However, the train has now ceased operations from either station.
Power outages are not uncommon, but the early release of scheduled Team Members may indicate that this will not be resolved quickly.
This is a developing story, so stay tuned for further updates.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on , , and .
Florean Fortescues Ice Cream Parlour Best Snack Restaurants In Harry Potter World 2022
This is the place to go to enjoy unique ice cream flavors that reflect both Harry Potter World and classic British flavors. From Butterbeer to Chocolate Chili to Earl Gray and Lavender, youre sure to find an ice cream flavor to please your palate. You can also find delicious breakfast pastries such as crumble cake or shortbread if you need a little extra something in the morning.
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Florean Fortescues Ice Cream Parlor
This is one of my favorite treat spots in all of Universal Studios. Guests can snack on different ice cream flavors inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies.
You can pick from Salted Caramel Blondie, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Chocolate Chili, Early Grey and Lavender, Chocolate and Raspberry, Granny Smith, and clothed Cream. Oh and of course Butterbeer!
The Fountain of Fair Fortune: A cart carrying a variety of different beverages from pumpkin juice, butterbeer and adult beverages.
For a additional information on the restaurants be sure to check out our Complete Guide to Dining at Harry Potter World!
Is 123movies Safe To Use
Is 123Movies safe? Probably not. Not only do you risk getting a fine when using 123Movies in certain countries, the official site of 123Movies has been taken down and has been replaced by all kind of copies. These copies are owned by people who could potentially inject malware to the site or show you malicious ads.
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Harry Potter Restaurants Universal Orlando
We find it important to start this guide to the 2022 Harry Potter restaurants out with one of the most common questions we receive. How can I make reservations to the restaurants in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? The simple answer is unfortunately you cant if you are purchasing a regular Universal Orlando park ticket.
However we find it important to note that any die hard Harry Potter fan who books an exclusive Wizarding World of Harry Potter vacation package will receive an opportunity to make a breakfast reservation at the Three Broom Sticks and/or the Leaky Cauldron! Guests can learn more about everything that is included in this amazing package on our website or by speaking with one of our Universal travel experts!
Is Universal Cheaper Than Disney
With that said, Universal is less expensive than Walt Disney World in most ways. Park tickets and food prices are not particularly noticeable, but the big one is hotel rates. Not only is Universal significantly cheaper, but its resorts include perks that would cost additional money at Walt Disney World.
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Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley For Early Park Admission
Did you know that everyone who purchases their discount Universal Orlando Ticketsfrom The Park Prodigy receives EARLY PARK ADMISSION to Harry Potter? Yep, thats right you will get into either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley one hour before regular park guests. But which one is better to use for Early Park Admission?
When trying to decide between Diagon Alley Vs Hogsmeade for early park admission we are going to look at which park will help you save the most time later on in the day. Because thats the whole point of using the Harry Potter Early Park Admission ticketanyway!
Overall we would always lean towards Hogsmeade for early park admission. The main reason is Hogsmeade is home to two of the most popular rides at Universal: Hagrids Magical Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Taking advantage of that extra hour in the morning can save you up to three hours later on in the day!
Special Note: Be sure to check out our Universal Orlando ticketpage for all of the latest deals and promotions!
Visit The Gringotts Money Exchange
Stop into the Gringotts Money Exchange when you are in Diagon Alley. There you will be able to chat with the goblin banker at the counter and exchange your regular muggle currency for authentic Gringotts banknotes.
They are available in denominations of $10 and $20, come in a Gringotts Bank sleeve, and can be either used to make in-park purchases at stores and restaurants or kept as a souvenir.
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You Wont Be Strolling Down Main Street Usa With A Character On Each Arm
Ever see those Disney World commercials where Mickey is skipping along, arm-in-arm with a family, or Goofy is riding along with a child on the Barnstormer? I have some bad news. Character interactions at Disney World these days generally are tightly scripted, and highly choreographed affairs. Typically, if youd like to meet and interact with a character , youre going to be going a designated location, standing in line, and meeting them in a very structured way.
That is not to say, however, that Disneys character meet and greets are bad quite the contrary, in fact. The characters themselves tend to be fantastic, and some of my fondest Disney memories are at these meet and greets. They are not, however, spontaneous, and you need to set aside time in your day to do them if they are important to you. Stumbling upon characters in the park and interacting with them is by far the exception and is extremely rare.
Disney Has A Theme Park Plan To Take On Harry Potter
- Publish date: Jan 23, 2022 1:28 PM EST
For decades, Walt Disney – Get Walt Disney Company Report invested very little in its theme parks. Entire sections of Epcot fell out of use as corporate sponsorships ended and, instead of new rides, the company added character meet and greets.
The lack of innovation came because Walt Disney World and Disneyland had no meaningful competition. Yes, Comcast’s – Get Comcast Corporation Class A Report Universal Studios existed as did SeaWorld – Get SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Report, but those companies had not invested at the level required to force Disney to put big money into its parks.
In many ways, the Disney theme parks were frozen in time and that’s not all that unique in the theme park business. Traditional regional theme parks and traveling carnivals rolled out the same rides every year with maybe an occasional new attraction.
Disney had done the same thing because Universal Studios followed roughly the same strategy until it launched The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at its namesake park in 2010. That addition raised the standard for theme parks in general. It was more than a new ride. Wizarding World was an immersive, fully themed land, and it set off a theme park arms race.
Image Source: Daniel Kline.
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Potter Heads To Universal
From here, you likely know the story. Universal, arguably desperate to reinvigorate their Florida parks, agreed to all of Rowlings demands and announced their deal with the author in 2007.
Three years later, the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened to rave reviews. Both critics and fans praised the lands technologically advanced E-Ticket attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, as well as its entirely book/screen-accurate version of Hogwarts Castle and the village of Hogsmeade, filled with land-specific products and nothing from the outside world. None of which would have been present in the Disney version.
The Shops At Islands Of Adventures
- Honeydukes: Exploding BonBons, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans
- Dervish & Banges: magical items, broomsticks, and your Hogwarts uniform
- Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods: treasures seized by the surly caretaker, plus more
- Owl Post: writing equipment and a place to mail letters with a Hogsmeade postmark
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Where To Go At Universal: Diagon Alley Or Hogsmeade
In an ideal world, youd be going to both parks and your only worry whether to visit Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley first. But, since thats not always possible, well help you out with our recommendation. We pick Hogsmeade / Islands of Adventure.
Why did we pick Hogsmeade?
- The rides are so much better theres really no comparison there. Hagrids Motorbike Adventure alone makes this an easy choice.
- Who could turn down the chance to actually walk into Hogwarts Castle? The fact that theres a really great ride inside just makes it even more fun.
We hope our Harry Potter World comparison helps you decide which Harry Potter theme park is best. They are both excellent parks and you will have fun wherever you go, but in our opinion, Hogsmeade is the clear winner!
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Schedule
Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure are open 365 days a year. Opening hours usually start at 9:00 am and closing times vary. Arrive early and try to be the first person. If they open at 9 am, wait in line at 8:30 a.m. Make sure that your admission ticket is ready beforehand. You do not need to book a Universal hotel, but youll want to apply for the Universal Studios packages, which include accommodations in Orlando hotels, and vacation homes rentals.
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Rumors And Official Announcement
In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a “highly credible source” that the Lost Continent area within Universal’s Islands of Adventure park was to be re-themed “to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children’s franchises”. Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation the new area would involve Harry Potter, and was being developed under the name “Project Strong Arm” in reference to the KUKA robotic arm technology it would utilise.Nikki Finke reported her own confirmation of the Potter park plans in April, followed shortly by a story in The Scotsman both reports were widely relayed by other media sources. On May 31, 2007, Universal officially announced the 20-acre addition recreating Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade, with a planned opening in 2009.
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Souvenirs
If you want to buy souvenirs, as guests of the Harry Potter amusement park, you should visit all the stores that you know about books:
- Sweetshop Honeydukes and Sugarplum for desserts.
- Zonkos joke shop.
- Owl Post where you can send e-mail.
- Dervishes and the Banges, which is full of robes, Gryffindor scarves, Corvonero shirts, and all kinds of items for sale, as well as fun details like books with cage bites.
However, keep in mind that all these activities can be small and get very crowded. Buy items confiscated from goods at Filchs Emporium in the lower regions of Hogwarts Castle which is a much larger store that sells a variety of items. Some Harry Potter items are also available at the large Port of Entry store near the entrance/exit to Islands of Adventure.
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Getting From Walt Disney World To Universal Orlando
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not part of Walt Disney Worldit is part of Universal Orlandos Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks.
To get there from Walt Disney World you have three paid options, plus another thats discounted!
The first option is to use your rental car, or get one to use for the day from the Alamo site right in Walt Disney World . For Alamo, see this.
This option tends to be the most expensive, especially during busy parts of the year when rental car rates skyrocket. You may be able to offset some of the cost by using the car to go food or drinks shopping, letting you spend less on these than you otherwise would.
The second option is to take a cabthis is more flexible and usually cheaper than renting a car. For cabs in Orlando, see yellowtaxiorlandocab.com or call 407 812-7000.
The third option is to arrange a shuttle pick up with Mears. Mears shuttles will stop at your hotel and take you back and forth. These are typically the least expensive options, but also the least flexible. For Mearss website, see mearstransportation.com.
So Which Has The Best Shops When Comparing Diagon Alley Vs Hogsmeade
The Verdict: As tempted as you may be by the chocolate frogs, theres really no contest here. When it comes to which Harry Potter park is better at Universal, Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure is the clear winner. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for Gringotts bank notes. Plus, the younger kids will love the stuffed animals at the Magical Menagerie!
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Where Is Harry Potter World Located
The two sections are located in the following theme parks:
- Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios
- Hogsmeade Village is located in Islands of Adventure
Planning a trip to the Universal Orlando Harry Potter World can be a bit overwhelming. This is especially true for those who are planning to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and have been fans sine they have been kids. While there is so much involved with planning a trip to Harry Potter World, the most important thing is to remember to have fun!
As you can imagine there are so many amazing things to do in each section, so the best way to see Harry Potter Universal Studios is to give yourself a few days. This will also allow your family to take everything in and bring the magic of Wizarding World of Harry Potter home.
What Universal Orlando Ticket Should I Buy When Visiting Diagon Alley And Hogsmeade Village On Separate Days
The best fit ticket for anyone looking to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on two separate days is the Universal Orlando standard one park per day ticket. Interesting enough this ticket can actually be a great option if you are visiting Universal Orlando during peak season. The reason being is Universal will actually open both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios for early park admission. This will allow you to experience both parks separately for early park admission during your vacation.
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Flight Of The Hippogriff
Ready to take flight on a wondrous creature? Well on Flight of the Hippogriff you are able to do just that. Brace yourself for the experience of your life as it is a rare quest to be able to take to the skies on the back of a Hippogriff. The hippogriff has the body of a horse with the head of an eagle and is one of the wizarding worlds most mysterious creatures that youll be able to come face to face with. A family friendly coaster, this wicker designed ride provides fun for all ages and will be an experience you wont soon forget. Have no fear as you bow for the Hippogriff for it will surely allow you to mount its back as Hagrid instructs you the whole way through. Youll soar straight through the school pumpkin patch and past Hagrids Hut into the skies on this adventure where nothing stands in your way. So prepare to have a good time on this once in a lifetime journey as long as you flow with the swoops and turns of the hippogriff as you let him lead the way to a good time. So go ahead, take flight upon the hippogriff, just be sure to bow first.
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter 2022
The truth is there really isnt a bad time to visit Harry Potter World especially when you are with your family. The two lands for the Wizarding Worlds in Universal Orlando can both be pretty packed no matter when you go during the year. While we think those crowds are totally worth it for the immersive experience, it can be a bit overwhelming.
One of the best ways to visit Harry Potter World is to plan around the crowds. Luckily ourUniversal Orlando Crowd Calendarbreaks down the expected crowds, average temperature, and even theme park ticket prices. We find that the least crowded times of year tend to be early fall and right after New Years Eve!
If you prefer a few great dates we have outlined them below.
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