Top Hotels Close To The Wizarding World Of Harry Pottertm
Harry Potter Land Shops Universal Orlando Florida Vs California
Double, double toil and trouble! Looking for a cauldron, magical creature or your very own wand from the famous Ollivander? Both Universal Studios Harry Potter Worlds offer a variety of shops to get all of your witch-y needs! But which shops are better California or Florida? Lets compare Wizarding World shops in Florida and California.
Dine At Three Broomsticks
This adorable tavern where Harry Potter had his first taste of Butterbeer features British food and Butterbeer on tap. This is the perfect spot if youre a fan of shepherds pie, fish & chips, or turkey legs. The tavern is intricately detailed with chandeliers and if you listen closely youll hear noises every so often which could very well be a house elf rummaging about in the ceiling above. Plus, if you look up into the ceiling youll also see shadows moving about.
Recommended Reading: When Is The Next Harry Potter Marathon
Are You Ready To Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip
If youre ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! All Park Prodigy Universal Orlando tickets will get you into the park one hour before regular park guests with Universal Early Park Admission! And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!
Cosplaying At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Reflecting back on my trip to Walt Disney World, also sparked my memories of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Last year I organized a meetup of Harry Potter cosplayers to hang out at the Universal Studios Hollywood park. The Universal Studios Hollywood park is smaller than the Harry Potter World in Orlando, but it is no less magical. And you dont have to travel all the way to the UK just to feel the Potterhead spirit! A number of friends, myself included, bought the season pass because of the Harry Potter addition.
Don’t Miss: What Is Draco’s Middle Name
Curious George Goes To Town
| Replaced | |
|---|---|
| Aqua play and ball play areas | |
| Theme |
Curious George Goes to Town is a children’s aqua play and ball play area at . The attraction originally opened in 1998, on the former site of The Mansion Set used in .
On November 1, 2022, Universal Studios Florida has announced that the area, alongside Fievel’s Playland, DreamWorks Destination, , and would close permanently on January 16, 2023, with its last day of operation scheduled for January 15, 2023.
A similar attraction, named The Adventures of Curious George opened in March 2008 at , replacing the Nickelodeon Blast Zone. On September 6, 2013, the attraction was closed to make way for .
Find Chocolate Frogs And Other Tasty Harry Potter Themed Treats At Honeydukes
Find yourself a chocolate frog, fudge flies, Bertie Botts Every-Flavour beans, Fizzing Whizzbees, and more! Whether youre a Harry Potter fan looking for some of the famous sweet treats from the films, or youre a fan of fun candies or chocolates then youll definitely find something worthwhile at Honeydukes! They also have souvenir chocolate frog ceramic containers that are super cute, but sadly dont come with chocolate frogs inside so you have to get the frogs separately. Besides that, they offer a few other cool candy/chocolate-related souvenir items that are great keepsakes!
You May Like: Who Gives Harry Potter The Nimbus 2000
Ride The Attractions Flight Of The Hippogriff Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey
Of the two rides, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is for sure the more exciting ride with its 3D effects that have you flying above Hogwarts one minute, soaring over the water the next minute, and then almost getting smashed by creatures the next minute. The ride is fast-paced and super thrilling using some pretty advanced technology. With that said the Flight of the Hippogriff on the other hand is outside and you have the wind blowing in your face. But the ride is a little slower-paced and is like your average small roller coaster ride. Either way, the 3D effects of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are a must-experience for thrill seekers and the Flight of the Hippogriff is more family-friendly.
Harry Potter World Orlando Rides Hogsmeade
- Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure This is the BEST ride to utilize The Park Prodigys Early Admission tickets because this ride is so popular.
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Hogwarts Express All aboard! Catch a slow-moving ride on the amazing Hogwarts Express at Universal as your way between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade with your park to park ticket!
Bonus: Diagon Alley Rides
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
The Escape from Gringotts is an exclusive Harry Potter ride in Orlando, which can only be ridden in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.
You May Like: Watch Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone Full Movie Dailymotion
Recipe: Make Your Own Butterbeer From The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Have you ever been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal?
Between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, the lands immerse you in the world of Harry Potter. Not only is the atmosphere amazing, but there are so many hidden details to look for, exciting rides, and delicious treats. Now our Harry Potter hearts are soaring because we have found the ultimate Butterbeer Recipe.
This Butterbeer recipe from AllRecipes is super simple and perfect for your upcoming holiday gatherings! It only takes 5 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes to make. Only 20 minutes to pretend were a wizard in Hogsmead? That sounds like a dream to us!
To make your drink, youll need:
- 2 tablespoons of butterscotch topping
- 1 cup of soda water
- 1 cup of cream soda
- 2 tablespoons of whipped cream
- 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce
- 1 pinch of salt
To make your own Butterbeer, follow these steps:
1. Put a glass mug in the freezer for a minimum of 15 minutes to chill
2. Put the butterscotch topping and the soda water in the chilled mug and mix until thoroughly combined.
3. Pour the cream soda into the mug.
4. Stir the whipped cream, caramel sauce, and salt together in a small bowl. Spoon it on top of the soda mix.
5. Enjoy!
This recipe is super simple and yields one serving. We think this could be the perfect addition to any holiday party , but its really great any time of the year. Make sure to keep following AllEars for all of your next recipes and Harry Potter news!
Rumors And Official Announcement
On December 1, 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported a rumor from “people familiar with the matter” that Universal Studios Hollywood was going to add its version of Islands of Adventure’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The report also detailed the possibility that Universal Parks & Resorts would open additional Harry Potter-themed areas at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan as well as a location in Spain. This report was widely relayed by other media sources. On December 6, 2011, Universal Studios Hollywood announced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal Parks & Resorts executives Tom Williams and Ron Meyer were accompanied by Warner Bros. executives, the Governor of CaliforniaJerry Brown as well as James and Oliver Phelps who played the Weasley twins in the films. The announcement came with very few details of what would be built, however, it did confirm that the Gibson Amphitheatre would be demolished and a re-creation of Hogwarts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey would be constructed. The last show at the Gibson Amphitheatre was held on September 6, 2013, prior to its closure and subsequent demolition.
On April 23, 2013, NBCUniversal made the final step by receiving a unanimous vote in approval of the 25-year expansion by the county Board of Supervisors. This $1.6 billion expansion is expected to greatly boost tourism and the local entertainment industry. It will also create 30,000 jobs during the time of construction.
Also Check: How To Get Energy On Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery
Managing Your Time In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Studios Hollywood
You do not have a time turner, so you’ll need to be smart about your time management, especially if you want to explore other parts of Universal Studios Hollywood. Try to arrive right at park opening, which is how you’ll find the shortest lines of the day at any theme park. We love skipping the lines!
Head straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We know you are going to be so excited to see it all, but bear with us. Head straight to the back of the land towards the castle. Do not take too much time to explore now. You will have plenty of time for shopping and exploring later. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey inside the castle first thing. Do not use the Single Riders line for your first ride. If you are a huge Harry Potter fan, you’ll want to hop through the entire queue so you can take in all those cool details. That’s why you want to ride before the line builds up.
Now that that’s done, we actually recommend leaving the Wizarding World for a bit. Wait, what? Yes. You’ll thank us later. Everyone else heads to the Wizarding World, too, first thing in the morning. It gets busy in the first two hours of park opening. The shops are crowded. The lines for a wand pairing or Butterbeer are longest in the morning. Go take advantage of the short lines elsewhere in the park. We like to hop down to the Lower Lot as soon as it opens and knock those rides out while lines are short. Then, we ride the Studio Tour and make our way back to the Wizarding World.
Whats Better Disneyland Or Universal Studios
Each park offers various perks and beats each other in different areas, however, if we were comparing both at on overall value. Then Disneyland would win as it offers more rides, attractions, food, desserts drink, and is more organized. While Universal Studios also has awesome rides and attractions its just so much smaller and not much cheaper for the decrease in value. If you are planning on visiting either Disneyland or Disney World make sure to read our guide for Disneyland vs Disney World.
Also Check: When Are The Harry Potter Movies Coming To Netflix
How Is It Different From The Wizarding World In Orlando
Although the two themed areas have the same name there actually have substantial differences. First of all, the one in Orlando actually consists of two areas , which in turn are located in two neighboring but distinct parks , while the one in Los Angeles consists of only one area that shares similarities with the Hogsmeade in Florida. Consequently, you can understand how the Hollywood version is consequently smaller and has fewer attractions than the one in Orlando.
Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey
The line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey can be more than two hours, so stop here first! We went to this ride right after the park opened and only had to wait 10 minutes. The early bird really does get the worm!
Take note that guests need to put all loose belongings in the FREE lockers located at the entrance to Hogwarts Castle before entering the ride. Then, get ready to board a vessel and take a flight through a chimney flue using the Floo Network to experience the Hogwarts grounds firsthand. It is an incredibly smooth ride and enjoyable for those over 48 tall. It can be a bit scary in a few spots but nothing too drastic.
The ride is only half the fun with this attraction the line, located inside the Hogwarts Castle, is chock full of all things magical. Two worthwhile notables include visiting Dumbledores office and talking with the Sorting Hat.
Traveling with toddlers?The Forbidden Journey has a child swap room located at the entrance of the ride for families traveling with young kids. Harry Potter films play while kids wait with their accompanying adult. This is great because the little kids will not want to miss the sights inside Hogwarts Castle. If the little ones want or need to skip the lines altogether, catch one of the fun shows on the main stage or help them explore with their interactive wands!
Read Also: What Are The Harry Potter Movies
Food And Drink In The Wizarding World At Universal Studios Hollywood
They had me at Butterbeer, which you can find cold or frozen at stands in Hogsmeade. You can get hot, cold or frozen Butterbeer with your meal inside The Three Broomsticks, as well. The restaurant sells pumpkin juice, apple cider and pear cider to wash down your meals. The English food is quite good. To learn more about the food in detail, we have a whole post on the best food and drink in The Wizarding World Hollywood.
There are all kinds of edible treats inside Honeydukes. All of those fun candies that Harry Potter purchased off of the snack trolley on the Hogwarts Express are there! The Hogs Head sells nonalcoholic Butterbeer, alcoholic beers, mixed drinks and whiskeys. You can snuggle up with a drink in a cozy booth or a spot in front of the fireplace.
Hogsmeade Village At The Wizarding World
What really sets the area apart is its decor. Hogsmeade village is magical! I really enjoyed eating at the Three Broomsticks and Hogs Head Pub with the other cosplayers. There is tons of seating within the building, as well as in the back. If you sit in the back you get an excellent view of Hogwarts! You cannot leave the Wizarding World without tasting Butterbeer! It comes in frozen, cold, and hot. I believe the hot Butterbeer may only be in the winter seasons, but they may have changed that by now. I liked the cold the best as the frozen tasted too sweet to me. After grabbing a cup, wander around the shops and see all the marvelous merchandise and sweets for sale. I would not advise buying the pumpkin juice, it wasnt great.
You May Like: When Were The Harry Potter Movies Filmed
Lunch At The Three Broomsticks
When you start to feel hungry, theres no better place for lunch than The Three Broomsticks. Youll have your choice of British favorites like bangers and mash, fish and chips, meat pie, and more. There are also some healthy choices for those who dont want extra inches on their waist as their souvenir from the day.
If youre already full-up on Butterbeer, order a Pumpkin Fizz or one the specialty beers from the Hogs Head pub next door. These two brews are perfect for adult wizards and witches and can only be purchased at The Wizarding World locations.
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?
Read Also: Harry Potter Book 2 Read Aloud
The Complete Guide To Harry Potter World Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood 2023
The Complete Guide to Harry Potter World Universal Orlando vs Hollywood 2023
The Complete Guide to Harry Potter World Universal Orlando vs Hollywood 2023
This is your complete guide to the differences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood. Expecto patronum! Fans all over the world have been able to experience the magic of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando since 2010. The success of the Harry Potter land in Orlando had fans wondering does Universal California have Harry Potter? And just like that, Hogwarts California was born. Both Harry Potter Universal parks are full of fantastic rides, shops and spell-tacular fun. But which is better The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando or California?
If you are ready to learn all about Florida vs California Harry Potter Worlds, read on!
SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation be sure to check out our Universal crowd calendar!