Best Water Ride: Dudley Do
If youre looking to escape the Florida heat, climb aboard Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls®, a themed log-flume ride set in the Canadian mountains. Experience a 75-foot drop, then plummet below water level for a real rush! Be warnedthis ride will leave you soaked.
Still haven’t made your decision yet? Try perusing our Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Resort for the best coupons, discounts and deals to help save you time and moolah.
Universal Express Pass & Express Unlimited
We have a . Well give a very brief rundown of it here, though.
Express Pass is a paid add-on that allows you access to an express line with a shorter wait time on most Universal attractions. You have to purchase it for specific days, but guests of Premier Hotels get the unlimited version for every day of their stay.
Because it can be so expensive , we think you should be very careful about purchasing it, and very deliberate with how you use it.
Its a total waste of moneyin our opinionto just blindly decide you have to have Express Pass every day of your visit. Thats why we dedicate a full post to it.
Where Is Harry Potter World Located
First lets start out with the basics and that is where exactly is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter located? And guests might be surprised to learn that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located between two parks being Diagon Alley which is located in Universal Studios Florida, and Hogsmeade Village is located in Islands of Adventure.
Related Page: Discount Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tickets
Also Check: What Chapter Does Voldemort Get The Elder Wand
Buy A Park Hopper And Universal Express Pass
The Universal Express pass is imperative if you wish to do both Harry Potter worlds in one day to skip the very long wait times. There are two types of express passes: the Universal Express Standard and the Universal Express Unlimited. The standard pass allows you to skip the line one time per ride each day the unlimited pass allows you to skip the line as many times as you want. However, because you will be walking through the shorter queue instead of the regular long queue, youll miss some of the items on display to keep you occupied. There are some unique items in the shorter line as well, so dont worry about missing too much!
Pro Travel Tip: if you take photos of the moving Daily Prophet sadly, the images show up blank
Best Adventure: Jurassic Park River Adventure
Find more wild water thrills at Jurassic Park River Adventure. Youre already wet from the last ride, so why not? On this one, float past colossal dinosaurs before being taken off-course into a restricted Raptor Containment Area. Encounter a close call as the T-Rex nearly captures you in his jaws before plunging 85 feet into total darkness to just barely make it out alive.
You May Like: Who Owns Harry Potter Movies
Other Harry Potter Orlando Tips
Theres free WiFi throughout the park. We found it fast and reliable, so turn off your data roaming to save money. Thanks, Universal!
Visit the Night Bus
The Night Bus and wizard driver Stan Shunpike are outside of the Wizarding Worlds Diagon Alley on your way back into the rest of Universal Islands of Adventure. Stopping by for a photo op is well worth a few minutes. The driver and his little friend, Dre Head the Shrunken Head, were a lot of fun to talk to.
Youll need to figure out how to use a rotary phone for this one! If you dial the numeric equivalent of M A G I C , you can hear a special message from the Ministry of Magic.
Go to the shows!
Theyre well worth seeing. Youll find the Frog Choir and the Triwizard Spirit Rally shows in Hogsmeade, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard show and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees show in Diagon Alley. Check the Official Universal Orlando App for show performance schedules .
Dont be afraid to dress up and have fun!
We saw plenty of people in Hogwarts robes and house scarves with interactive wands in their hands everywhere throughout the park. Adults seemed to be in on the fun as much as kids so dont be afraid to embrace your inner wizard.
Indulge your inner dark wizard in Knockturn Alley
Create your own moving pictures at Shutterbuttons
If you have any questions, just ask the staff
Pay for Prime Parking parking if youre driving
Afternoon: Take The Hogwarts Express Train To Diagon Alley
Hop onboard the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios Florida and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley.
Here, youll find one attraction, plenty of shops, our favorite ice cream shop, and a decent spot for lunch.
2022 Groupon Universal Studios Orlando Deal: How to Save THE MOST Money on Tickets
Don’t Miss: How To Pronounce Draco Malfoy
Getting To Universal Orlando From Walt Disney World Resort
There are several transportation services that run between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. And you can find every sort of tour operator under the sun to plan some package for you. Truth be toldyou just need to take an Uber or Lyft to get between these two destinations.
Are there situations when some other shuttle service might be better? Perhaps. But shuttles can be unreliable and charge per-person. An Uber between these two destinations will run you around $20 to $40 with no hassle.
The only situation when wed look for something other than Uber is if we needed to make sure we had sufficient number of car seats, in which case wed either drive ourselves or book some sort of specialty transport in advance.
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.
Related: 7 magical places every ‘Harry Potter’ fan should visit
You May Like: What Harry Potter House Am I Real Test
Universal Studios Diagon Alley Wand Execution
In Diagon Alley there are more options to practice your skills and perform magic. There are also many workers to assist young wizards and witches and help learn how to execute the spells. You will also get to sneak into Knock-Turn Alley with dark witches and wizards. Although it is dark, it is once again exceptional.
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.
Don’t Miss: Are Harry Potter And Voldemort Related
Harry Potter Early Park Admission Tickets
We offer some of the best Universal Orlando vacation packages and discounted tickets! Not only do our experts know all of the best deals, there are a ton of perks and benefits that come with booking with our small business.
Receive EARLY PARK ADMISSON to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and purchasediscounted Universal Orlando theme park tickets with The Park Prodigy! All of our tickets are the exact same tickets you receive if purchasing from Universal directly. The best part is you can combine our Universal Orlando ticket deals with any vacation package booked through our travel agency.
Related Page: Discount Harry Potter Tickets
Details Matter At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
The attention to detail is what I found fascinating about the entire Harry Potter experience. The details are everywhere in the paint, walls, lights, doorknobs. It all looks so realistic, and its an entirely immersive attraction if it werent for all the Muggles wandering around, you would honestly think that you are in the movies.
Any fans of the series will surely be delighted at all the little details and places you can visit the candy at Honeydukes is just as sweet as you imagined, Weasleys Wizard Wheezes is as chaotic and fun, and Flourish and Blotts even has a Monster Book of Monsters .
Don’t Miss: What Is Dobby In Harry Potter
Harry Potter World Rides Universal Florida Vs California
Soaring through the Forbidden Forest or roaming the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Universal Studios Harry Potter rides are amazing. So, to start our Harry Potter World coast to coast comparison, lets start with what rides are offered at Hogsmeade. The Harry Potter rides in both Universal parks are mostly the same when it comes to Hogsmeade, but Orlando definitely has gotten some updates over the years. So what are the difference in rides when comparing Harry Potter World Hollywood Vs Orlando?
What To See And Do In Wizarding World Of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios theme park.
Note: This can be confusing, because the entire Universal Orlando Resort is often called Universal Studios. However, one of their two theme parks located in Orlando is called Universal Studios.
Have you seen pictures of a fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringotts Bank? This is the land where you can get that picture! The dragon spits fire every 15 minutes, and you will know before it happens because she starts to rumble and growl beforehand.
The heat underneath the dragon can get pretty intense when its breathing fire. So on a hot day, you might want to stand a little farther away!
Recommended Reading: What Movie Did Dumbledore Die In
Where Is Harry Potter In Disney World
Just to make sure we are covering all of our basis, Harry Potter World is not located in Disney World. And one of the most important reasons we are covering this question so much is I would consistently see families show up to the Magic Kingdom park during my time working as a Disney World Cast Member. So we are just trying to make sure you are as prepared as possible for your next Universal Orlando trip.
Related Page: What Your Patronus Says About You
Saving Money On Tickets
Before you buy your tickets, be sure to check out Universals deals and specials. They often have some fantastic deals, and offer special rates for Florida residents as well. Right now Universal has a fantastic special, where you get one extra day FREE if you buy a two day Park to Park pass.
If youre looking to make panning simple, check out Orlando Vacation packages. Orlando Vacation has specials, discounts, and customized plans on hotels and theme park tickets. See Harry Potter Orlando Vacation Package Deals at Universal Studios here or call 1-800-641-4008 for planning assistance.
Is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on your bucket list? If youve been, do you have any Harry Potter Universal tips to share? Tell us in the comments below. Wed love to hear from you.
We were kindly hosted by Universal Orlando Resort during our trip, but they didnt tell us what to write, and all opinions are all our own. They definitely didnt encourage Mickis current butter beer obsession, or get Charles to buy the kids their own wands, and they definitely didnt force us to smile all day. Those came all by themselves.
Don’t Miss: How Can I Watch Harry Potter Movies
A More Immersive Experience For Potterheads
Upon arriving at Islands of Adventure, there is much to do. After a long wait and train ride, there’s nothing better than a refreshing Butter Beer from Hogsmeade.
Related: These Are The Tastiest Treats From ‘Harry Potter’ And Yes, You Can Make Them At Home
Play a treacherous game of Quidditch, embark on a dragon-themed escapade, go for a motorcycle ride with Hagrid, or a simple soak in the magical surroundings.
At any point, with the correct ticket, visitors can get on the train and travel back the way they came.
The parks exit into Universal CityWalk, which hosts a large stretch of thematic restaurants and activities. It’s free to enter and roam around CityWalk. It might be worth checking out the Universal Cinemark cinema. The theater has exclusive rights to classic Universal Studios films and sometimes plays the Harry Potter movies on the big screen. This is a rare and possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially for people who were too young or busy to catch the movies in the theater when they initially came out.
Try to coordinate being at Universal on a day when Harry Potter is playing on the big screen, and maximize the experience by riding the Hogwarts Express IRL and in theaters.
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.
Recommended Reading: Where Can I Watch Harry Potter Online
Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station
When youre ready to leave this part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, walk through the arch toward Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Express.
The train will take you back to London at Universal Studios. The experience is a bit different in each direction, so be sure to hop on even if you rode the train from London to Hogsmeade earlier in the day.
Related: Choose the best hotel at Universal Orlando
Harry Potter Shows Universal Studios Vs Islands Of Adventure
There are three shows at Islands of Adventure Hogsmeade. There are nightly light shows on the Hogwarts Castle. This is one of the best shows as it uses music and lights to tell a story. It is incredible.
The other two shows at Hogsmeade are located between the Hogwarts Castles and Hogsmeade Village. Each show alternates throughout the day every half hour with a total of around 12 shows in a day.
Read Also: Can I Watch Harry Potter On Netflix
Phase : Universal Studios Florida
The opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter saw attendance at Islands of Adventure rise by as much as 36% in 2010. According to Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel, this saw resort executives pondering “when to expand Wizarding World and how to keep business balanced between Islands and Universal Studios Florida”. In April 2011, Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times speculated that an expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would see attractions such as Diagon Alley and a Gringotts-themed dark ride replace Islands of Adventure’s Lost Continent themed area.
On December 6, 2011, Universal Parks & Resorts announced that they would be expanding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The expansion was described as “significant” by officials however, no further details were released at the time. The announcement came just four days after Universal Studios Florida announced that they would be closing their Jaws ride on January 2, 2012. On January 25, 2012, the Los Angeles Times stated that Universal Studios Florida’s Jaws ride would be the site of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion. The aforementioned attractions would be complemented by a replica of the Hogwarts Express to transit guests between the two parks.
Harry Potter World Tips And Itinerary
Due to the global pandemic, travel looks different right now depending on where you’re going from/to. Please check for travel restrictions and adhere to all local guidelines before planning a trip to any destination you may read about on this site. Please note: this post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something by clicking the links, I will get a small compensation, at no extra cost to you.
Sharing is caring!
Ever since the first Wizarding World was built way back in 2010, Ive been itching to visit. I absolutely love the books and movies and honestly, just the whole universe. Finally, over 10 years later, I got an opportunity to speak at a conference in Orlando for my PhD work and knew this was the magical moment Ive been waiting for.
I spent two days soaking in all of the magic so I want to share a realistic 2 day Wizarding World itinerary packed with Harry Potter world tips. This Wizarding World guide is meant for first timers looking to pack in the magic and who are visiting the Universal Parks for Harry Potter.
First, let me answer some Wizarding World FAQs that I certainly had before visiting and some that Ive seen while doing some research for this post. If youre new here or a long-time reader, you know I like to plan all my trips in detail so no question is unanswered.
Recommended Reading: How Old Was Robert Pattinson In Harry Potter