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Is The Harry Potter Vacation Package Worth It

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What Is Included In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Vacation Package

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package Unboxing

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package is an exclusive vacation package option offered when booking tickets and accommodations with Universal Orlando Resort.

It is a great option for any Harry Potter fan and worth pricing out when considering options for your family travel plans. Valid theme park admission is required to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and this exclusive Universal Orlando vacation package enhances your ticket and accommodation booking.

The package may vary with details and may change with what is offered as part of the package at any time. Be sure to visit Universal Orlandos Website for all the details and pricing.

Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Location: Islands of Adventure

Hagrids ride is the newest addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It takes you on a journey through the forbidden forest.

I love the design. You actually hop onto Hagrids motorbike. You have the option to jump on the motorcycle or the side bucket seat. I rode both and like sitting in the bucket seat better. My husband is taller and preferred sitting on the bike.

This coaster is awesome. It has a surprise that I wont spoil but let me just say it is amazing!

Universal Studios Orlando Has A New Harry Potter Package With A Back To Hogwarts Tie

ByJessica Rawdenlast updated 01 September 2019

Its September 1, that wonderful day in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter when students would pack up, head to Platform 9 ¾ and encounter the Hogwarts Express, maybe for the first time. Fans at Universal Studios Orlando have been able to experience this sort of magic for a while, but now the theme park has kicked off a new vacation package with a great Harry Potter tie-in.

Recently, we learned Universal Studios Orlandos Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be relaunching a previous Potter vacation package, but this time with a few additions. These keepsake additions include a photo opp in the park, early admission to the parks, a breakfast at The Leaky Cauldron and a special box filled with stuff, and thats where the tie-in to Harry Potter comes in.

Prior to attending Hogwarts, all brand new witches and wizards get a special welcome letter, just like Harry Potter did in his cupboard under the stairs, so long ago. Those who decide to head to Universal Studios via this new themed vacation package will also get a welcome letter in the mail, like Harry Potter, although it sadly will not be delivered by owl post.

Back to Hogwarts day is likely a big one for Universal Studios Orlando, and the theme park isnt above making the return to Hogwarts a very special time of year for the parks.

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Smile For Your Own Camera

When it comes to the option of buying a My Universal Photos card, I highly recommend skipping it. We included the three-day photo pass in our Universal package for $89.99, which seemed like a good deal compared to the one-day price tag of $69.99. Heres the issue: there are few, if any, Universal photographers to take your picture in the WWHP. We admittedly didnt search for them, but I dont recall seeing a single photographer inside either of the WWHP parks during our visit. The reason is because of Universals number one goal of making you feel like youre in Harry Potters world, not visiting a theme park. Our server at a Universal restaurant on CityWalk enlightened us that employees are banned from wearing their work uniforms inside the Wizarding Worlds, specifically to preserve the integrity of the experience. The photo card does include pictures from rides, but thats not a big deal on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts as pictures there are taken while you weave your way through the line. By the end of our three days, I think we had about ten pictures on our photo card, and all of our best shots from the WWHP were on our own camera phones. Even with an 8×10 and 5×7 print included in the photo package, it didnt even come close to making financial sense for us.

Universal Orlando Vs Disney World Resort: Which Is Better

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package

Universal rides are more high-tech, motion-based 3D rides, and thrill rides. There are some amazing attractions like Spiderman, Forbidden Journey, Green Gods, Diagon Alley, and more. They have some incredible dark rides and any Harry Potter fan NEEDS to check out the amazing Wizarding World of Harry Potter at least once!

Disney World, on the other hand, is really about appealing to everyone. Where Universal is really about its thrill rides, Disney has more diversity and is more laid-back. Yes, it does have its share of thrill rides and they have been coming out with some really impressive rides . And now it has Star Wars: Galaxys Edge and exciting attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. That said, much of Disney is still geared towards all-age ranges and families.

So which is better: Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World Resort?

The answer is it depends. It really comes down to personal preference and who you are going with. Teens and thrill-seeking adults will love Universal. Kids, multi-generational families, and kid at heart adult couples will love Disney World.

Our advice would be to check out both parks for yourself. You can experience both resorts on the same trip because they are just miles apart. Three or four days at Disney World and two days at Universal would be ideal, but even if its just one day at Universal will be worth it!

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Know How To Save Money On Food At Universal Orlando

If youre not planning on being at Universal Orlando Resort for more than 4 days and you usually eat light, then I say skip out on the Universal Dining Plan.

Cletus Chicken Shack

Its not a good plan and if you budget correctly for your trip, youll be able to make your money stretch inside the park.

September is Orlando Magical Dining Monthwhere high-end Orlando restaurants feature three-course, prix fixe dinners at an exceptional value. Some of the restaurants at Universal Orlando participate during this event, so you may be able to get a better dining option using this offer.

Refillable Drinks & Popcorn Buckets

You can also use refillable souvenir cups and buckets like the Coke Freestyle Souvenir Cup, the refillable buckets of popcorn, and the regular park beverage souvenir cup that can be purchased for one price and refilled throughout the day for a low cost.

You can reuse the souvenir cups on another visit and refill them at whatever the current reduced refillable charge is at that time.

Ready to start planning your next Universal Orlando vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Vacation Package At Universal

Everything you need to know about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package at Universal!

Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida is a fun place for any family to visit, but it also offers something else special: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! If you or your family are Harry Potter fans, then chances are, you have or probably want to visit Universal Studios just for this reason!

But did you know that Universal also offers a special vacation package for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Yes, if you have a Harry Potter fan, youll definitely will want to consider this while booking a trip to Universal Studios Orlando!

Thats why were going through all the important details of the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package, including a review of our experience!

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Do I Need To Purchase Tickets To Both Parks To Experience Harry Potter World

Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Universal Orlando has two themed parks right next to each other: Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. or a dragon ride that has you jump into water!

Both parks have Harry Potter attractions. And you cant just go to one park one day, and the second another if you want the whole experience. You will need a 2-park pass, which allows you to go to both parks in one day, in order to ride the Hogwarts Express between parks.

Are Deluxe Tour Tickets Worth It

IS THE HARRY POTTER LONDON TOUR WORTH IT?

There are two types of tickets at the Warner Bros Studio Tour The Making of Harry Potter. The first is a standard entrance ticket, which offers entrance to all of the exhibits at the Studio Tour. This visit is self-guided and typically lasts 3-4 hours.

Deluxe tickets offer an upgraded VIP experience at the Studio. The deluxe package centres around a 2-hour guided tour with a guide who is an expert in behind-the-scenes making of Harry Potter. This 2-hour tour brings the sets to life and offers a fascinating insight into the world of Harry Potter. The tours are in small groups with a maximum of 8-people, which gives the opportunity to interact with the guide and ask plenty of questions! Mid-way through the tour, deluxe ticket holders get to stop for a refreshing Butterbeer or Butterbeer ice cream. Butterbeer is a popular wizarding beverage that Hogwarts students would often buy when visiting Hogsmeade! You can try if for yourself as part of the VIP Deluxe package.

At the end of the guided tour, a meal is included in the Warner Bros Studio Café. Enjoy a refreshing drink and meal as you soak up the extraordinary world of Harry Potter.

Deluxe ticket holders are then allowed to re-enter the studios for an additional 3-hour self-guided visit. Given the size and scale of the Studios, its worth taking a second look and spending more time at your favourite sets. Make sure to climb onboard Hogwarts Express, and take advantage of all the interactive exhibits.

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Go Early And Stay Late

If you cant stay at a Universal property or book a partner hotel vacation package, plan on getting to Universal Orlando early and staying late. Given the cozy nature of its shops and attractions, it doesnt take very many people for Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley to start to feel pretty packed. To beat the crowds, its best to go to the parks during the non-peak times, which are first thing in the morning and just before closing .

Its possible that, on a very busy day, both morning and evening will still be crowded, but these remain the optimal times on a day like this, midday would be very crowded, and the lands might even close for capacity.

Keep in mind that we strongly recommend to plan on going first thing in the morning and again late in the evening The Wizarding World of Harry Potter lights up at night, and its spectacular.

Regular Gate Prices For Universal Studios Florida And Islands Of Adventure

Regular ticket prices for Universal Orlando last went up in March 2021. Annual Pass prices last went up in March 2021.

Universal Orlando sells tickets that vary in price depending on the specific dates you plan to visit. You must select your start date and how many days you want to visit to see a final price for your tickets.

One-day tickets are valid only on the specific date you select. Multi-day tickets are valid for three days longer than the number of days of admission, to allow for breaks or visiting other attractions. In other words, if you get a 4-day ticket, you can visit Universal on 4 different days within a 7-day range. Once youve visited the 4th day, or the full 7 calendar days have passed, the ticket is expired and no longer valid.

You can change your ticket to new dates, or add days, any time up to the end of the day on the last day the ticket is valid. For example, if you buy a 2-day ticket, and on the 2nd day you visit you decide youd like to add one more visit to your trip, you can go to a guest services location or ticket window and add a day to your ticket, by paying the difference in price between the ticket you currently have and the ticket you are buying. If you bought your existing ticket from a discounter like Undercover Tourist, they will credit you the full price for the ticket towards a new one.

PRICES BELOW INCLUDE TAX

One Park Per Day Tickets 2 Park

Ticket Type
$361.02-$448.35

One Park Per Day Tickets 3 Park

Ticket Type
$350.37-$432.38

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Check Local Travel Agents For Discounts And Deals To Help Do Universal Orlando On A Budget

There are a lot of authorize travel agents in the Central Florida area. I personally recommend an organization that has a great reputation as a theme park vacation planner.

Travel agents can help you put your whole plan together. They usually know the different Universal Orlando discounts and deals that are available right away before anyone.

They also know different time frames that are best for you to book. Theyre really good with when it comes to planning a customizable Orlando vacation.

Universal Orlando Tickets Discount

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Package

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure puts guests inside the magical world created by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter books and films. The fully immersive, themed land enables guests to visit the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts Castle itself. You can drink butterbeer and pumpkin juice, shop for wizard merchandise, and even experience a wand selection! The theming absolutely fantastic. The village is adorable: its like walking right into the books. The effects in Hogwarts Castle are amazing. If you are a Harry Potter fan, it is definitely worth a half-day of your time. On a weekday in the off-season you can do and see everything in about 3 hours.

The newest attraction is Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, a freewheeling coaster flight through the Forbidden Forest aboard magical motorbikes. Another big attraction is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a state-of-the-art thrill ride that brings the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life.

On select nights, The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle projection show runs every 15-20 minutes. This fantastic show celebrates the four houses of Hogwarts with lights, music and pyrotechnics. During Halloween 2019, this show was temporarily replaced with Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle and at Christmas it was temporarily replaced with Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts.

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How Much Should I Budget For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

Universal Studios is not cheap. Like I said earlier the longer you stay the more affordable it is.

The first time we went we got a $1,500 vacation package which included one night stay at Cabana Bay, tickets for 5 people, fast passes, and the dining plan. I thought that was expensive but we had planned and anticipated the cost ahead of time.

Do Free Activities At Universal Orlando

There are so many other things you can do at Universal Orlando Resort for freeor almost free. Such as hanging out in CityWalk and exploring the beautiful resorts.

Things to Do at Universal for Free

  • Take a Free Water Taxi Ride
  • Enjoy the Italian piazza at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  • Have fun in the Splash Zone Areas of Universal CityWalk
  • Dance along with the live DJ most nights on CityWalk
  • Do your own resort hopping tour

How to Save THE MOST Money on Your Next Universal Studios Orlando Trip with Groupon!

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Differences Between Universal Orlando Resort And Disney World

1. They are direct competitors!

Universal and Disney are two completely different resorts and owned by different companies. As such, the two theme park resorts are direct competitors.

They are only separated by roughly 10 miles, so it makes sense that many guests will go to both parks during their vacation.

The resorts dont share transportation, but Disney hotel guests can take an independent shuttle to Universal and vice-versa for Universal hotel guests.

2. Size Comparison: Which Is Bigger?

If we compare the size of these two parks, there really is no comparison.

With around 840 acres, Universal Orlando Resort is much smaller than Disney World but still quite substantial in size.

The resort includes 2 theme parks , a waterpark , CityWalk Orlando entertainment and dining complex, and several on-site hotels. It would take at least 3 or 4 days to experience most things that Universal Orlando Resort offers, so its doable in one or two trips.

Walt Disney World Resort, on the other hand, is an expansive resort covering over 27,000 acres. This makes it about twice the size of Manhattan!

Disney has 4 theme parks , two large waterparks , over two dozen Disney-owned resort hotels, many non-Disney hotels, a campground, and the Disney Springs shopping/dining area. You can rent a boat for the day, spend a day at one of the in-park golf courses, or even spend hours resort hopping or by the pools.

3. Which resort has a more nostalgic feeling?
4. How do their histories stack up?

The Exclusive Vacation Package For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Includes:

How The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Transformed A Family Vacation
  • 4 Nights of On-Site Hotel Accommodations
  • Park-to-Park Tickets to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
  • Breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios Florida® one per person
  • Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in Universals Islands of Adventure one per person
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme parks open
  • Special photography session in Diagon Alley where guests can create their own moving portrait
  • Includes a DVD of your moving portrait session and an 8×10 photo print
  • NEW! Special Themed Keepsake Box with items to get you started on your adventure, including:
  • Welcome Letter
  • 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
  • Packages can be booked for select dates through December 31, 2019.

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