Amount Of Time To Spend In The Wizarding World In Hollywood
Half a day is more than enough to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, while a full day allows you to enjoy the entire park. Depending on the time of visit, you may find it convenient to use the Express Pass, which allows you to skip the lines at individual attractions. For more information on this topic, read these tips on the best time of day and time of the year to visit Universal Studios.
Filchs Emporium Of Confiscated Goods
Photo by: Flickr/Jeff Kern
Take a peek at some of Filchs confiscated goods here, including the Marauders Map and the Monster Book of Monsters! This is a large souvenir shop brimming with a wide variety of items sure to delight Harry Potter fans. Take home some fan gear or magical movie replicas to experience the wonder at home.
Get Ready For The Ultimate Universal Studios Experience
You’ll get the most out of your visit when you reserve accommodations at The Garland one of the most guest-friendly hotels near Universal Studios Los Angeles.
Beginning on March 4, 2022, and in accordance with government guidelines, guests will no longer be required to wear facial coverings, or show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. Facial coverings continue to be strongly recommended while indoors.
For questions about your visit to the park, please visit our FAQs and before your visit review our Important Safety Guidelines.
Thank you for your support and patience as the operations at Universal Studios Hollywood evolves to address the latest policies. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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Missing Rides And Differences In The Shows
The most obvious difference from the Florida version of the park is the lack of Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Hogwarts Express. The latter allows you to move quickly between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at the Universal Studios in Orlando.
Unlike Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood no longer has the Nighttime Lights at HogwartsCastle. However, in its place, it has Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, a show of music, lights, and special effects that will materialize before your eyes the darkest creatures of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including the villain par excellence, Lord Voldemort. Currently, this experience is exclusive to Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Enjoy The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Its hard to name just one fun thing about visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Even though Universal Studios Hollywood doesnt have many rides, its still an amazing, immersive experience.
If you want to get on the Hogwarts Express, ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and stroll through Diagon Alley, though, your best bet is to head to Universal Orlando Resort .
Whether youre in Florida or on the west coast, theres nothing like Universal Parks. Yes, we like Disney World too, but how can you compete with Harry Potter?! We hope this short guide helps you have a great time on your next trip!
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Which Park Has The Most Harry Potter Rides
Another popular question we receive is, which park has the most Harry Potter rides? And, Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando has the most Harry Potter rides with it being home to four rides. These four rides are Flight of the Hippogriff, The Hogwarts Express, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Its also important to note that technically both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida share the Hogwarts Express.
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Q: How Many Harry Potter Rides At Universal Orlando
There are 5 Harry Potter rides at Universal Orlando Resort split between the two main theme park which are Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Islands of Adventure is home to 3 Harry Potter rides, and Universal Studios is home to one Harry Potter ride with both parks sharing the last ride with it being the Hogwarts Express.
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Get There No Later Than 9am
I aim to arrive for 8:45am but only get there at 9am. In off-peak season thats still ok, I breeze through ticket barriers and security in 5 minutes.
Buying your ticket from the official USH ticket site is worth it for that extra hour of quiet. There are very few lines and you can squeeze in a few rides before the main crowds arrive.
If you dont have early entry they have been known to let people enter from 9:45am.
Universal Studios Hollywood Harry Potter Restaurants
- The Three Broomsticks Head on into the rustic tavern for a quick service meal of shepherds pie, fish & chips or even The Great Feast. Inside the theming has beautiful cast-iron chandeliers, exposed wooden beams and the normal wizarding trinkets youd find laying about.
- Hogs Head Located on the backside of The Three Broomsticks, this pub offers Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, specialty drinks, wine, spirits and brews.
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Flight Of The Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff is a family-friendly roller coaster that everyone in the family can enjoy together.
To get to Flight of the Hippogriff, visitors must enter the Care of Magical Creatures grounds and pass by Hagrids hut.
As you near the ride, Hagrid offers instructions on the best way to approach a Hippogriff the magical creature with front legs, wings, and head of a giant eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse.
Younger kids love it as the ride spirals, dives around the pumpkin patch, and then swoops past Hagrids hut.
The Flight of the Hippogriff ride has a minimum height limit of 39 .
Kids under 48 must be accompanied by an adult 14 years or older.
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Shopping In The Wizarding World At Universal Studios Hollywood
Be sure to go into the various shops, such as Honeydukes candy shop, for some Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, chocolate cauldrons, Fizzing Whizbees and more. We liked the dark mark suckers, as well as the feather quill suckers that actually can be used to write. Attached, you will find Zonkos toy store. That’s where you can find magical items from the movies such as extendable ears, sneakoscopes and Pygmy Puffs available for adoption.
Owl Post, Dervish and Banges and Gladrags are all attached to each other. Be sure to look out for the Monster Book of Monsters! You’ll also find some dresses that appeared in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” This is the place to buy your robes and uniforms, as well as Quidditch equipment and materials to send items by owl post. You can get mail officially stamped outside.
Inside the castle and as you exit the Forbidden Journey are where you will find Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods. You can purchase clothing, house crest banners, toys, games and replicas of the movie props. If you want to buy a character wand, there is a stand outside of Filchs Emporium. At Ollivanders, you can buy character and custom wands including magical interactive wands that cast spells in both California and Florida parks. We recommend watching a wand-pairing ceremony first. You just might get chosen!
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Bring A Hat Sunscreen Snacks And A Water Bottle
My tactic for dealing with kids in a queue is to use the time to go to the toilet, apply sunscreen and eat snacks.
There’s not a lot of shelter while you’re lining up so bring a hat for hot days.
Note you are technically not allowed to bring outside food or drinks into the park but fruit, water and baby food are ok.
Awards Honours And Recognition
The Harry Potter series has been recognised by a host of awards since the initial publication of Philosopher’s Stone including a platinum award from the Whitaker Gold and Platinum Book Awards , three , two Book Awards , the inaugural , the , among others. In 2000, was nominated for a , and in 2001, won said award. Honours include a commendation for the , a short listing for the , and numerous listings on the notable books, editors’ Choices, and best books lists of the , The New York Times, , and .
In 2002, sociologist Andrew Blake named Harry Potter a along with the likes of and . In 2003, four of the books were named in the top 24 of the BBC’s survey of the best loved novels in the UK. A 2004 study found that books in the series were commonly read aloud in elementary schools in . Based on a 2007 online poll, the U.S. listed the series in its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children”. named Rowling as a runner-up for its 2007 award, noting the social, moral, and she has given . Three of the books placed among the “Top 100 Chapter Books” of all time, or children’s novels, in a 2012 survey published by : Sorcerer’s Stone ranked number three, Prisoner of Azkaban 12th, and Goblet of Fire 98th. In 2012, the of the in featured a 100-foot tall rendition of Lord Voldemort in a segment designed to show off the UK’s cultural icons. In November 2019, the listed the Harry Potter series on its list of the .
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Q: Which Universal Studios Has Harry Potter Rides
Another popular question we receive is, which Universal Studios has Harry Potter rides? And guests can enjoy Harry Potter rides at both Universal Studios Orlando or Universal Hollywood.Its important to note that Universal Orlando will have the most Harry Potter rides split between the two lands of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Universal Studios Hollywood is only home to Hogsmeade and does not include the very popular Hogwarts Express which can be found on the east coast.
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.
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Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the most popular attraction within Universal Studios Hollywoods Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Before you can get to the state-of-the-art roller coaster, you must enter through the towering Hogwarts Castle gates and make your way down the familiar corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
On the way, you will see Dumbledores office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor Common Room, the Room of Requirement, etc.
Then you board the thrilling roller coaster and soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter and come face-to-face with many magical creatures.
The flying happens via a cleverly disguised robotic arm that takes you through various Harry Potter scenes and projection domes.
This Harry Potter ride has a minimum height limit of 48 .
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Hollywood: Where Is It What Is It
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Los Angeles is an area entirely dedicated to the famous magician immortalized in J.K. Rowlings books, but it is not a park in itself rather, it is an integral part of Universal Studios Hollywood, an amusement park entirely dedicated to the world of cinema located in the San Fernando Valley in the vast Greater Los Angeles Area.
All you need to do is pay the entrance fee for the park, which includes all the attractions and rides. You can find more information on how to purchase tickets here. For information on how to get to Universal Studios by car or public transportation and other details on how to plan your visit, please refer to our comprehensive guide to Universal Studios in Hollywood.
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Its Ok To Bring A Pram
Universal Studios Hollywood is very pram-friendly. You will be required to park your pram in a designated area before you enter an attraction. You can also hire a pram if you dont want to bring your own.
However, I dont see many prams around, mainly because the park is really more suitable for older kids.
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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The Wizarding World Rides At Universal Studios Hollywood
Now that you have a plan of attack, let’s go over the rides. There are two rides in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood. The Flight of the Hippogriff is Universal Studios Hollywoods first outdoor roller coaster. It is family-friendly, short and appropriate for muggles 39 inches and up. Be sure to take notice of Hagrids hut and Buckbeak in his nest.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios Hollywood is the main attraction. It takes place inside Hogwarts Castle. If you have tadpoles too short to ride, there is a Child Switch room right next to the boarding area so that you can take turns riding. The Child Switch room has a Harry Potter movie playing to entertain you while you wait. You can also use the room to watch souvenirs or prizes that are too big to fit in the storage lockers. Here are some more tips for bringing toddlers and small children to Universal Studios Hollywood with you.
This adventure is more appropriate for brave muggles 48 inches and up and definitely not for those prone to motion sickness. I can enjoy the biggest and fastest roller coasters around, but even I get a little greener than usual on this ride. I have found that if I close my eyes on the parts that are based on video, it really helps me get through. Tad and Leap, however, jump back in the Single Riders line to ride again and again.
How To Buy Harry Potter World Tickets 2022
Now that weve learned all about the Wizarding World tickets, you might be looking for the best place to purchase them. Searching for Universal tickets can be overwhelming and can cause a lot of anxiety trying to figure out the cost, the days or even the best time to visit Universal. Luckily, we know some of the best travel experts in the business that even have discounted tickets to Harry Potter World on top of it!
Our friends over at The Park Prodigy offer not only discounted Universal Studios tickets, but also free travel advice and planning guides and also Early Park Admission with every single ticket! Early Park Admission gets you into the Universal Orlando theme parks one hour before regular ticketed guests. That means with The Park ProdigyHarry Potter World tickets, you can ride some of the most popular attractions before the park even officially opens!
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More Great Rides At Universal Studios Hollywood
When youre ready to explore the rest of Universal Studios Hollywood, youll find many amazing attractions to explore . But first head to Lard Lad Donuts, if your diet allows! That giant donut is delicious and so famous .
Here are some of the rides and attractions you can check out:
- Silly Swirly Fun Ride
Wizarding World Vs Harry Potter Tour
There are two major Harry Potter attractions in Los Angeles one at Universal Studios Hollywood and the other at Warner Bros. Studios.
Universal Studios is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which includes thrill rides, theatrical performances, and many other fun activities for both young and old fans.
The Harry Potter tour at Warner Bros. Studios features several notable costumes and props from the film on display, including the sorting hat!
Just as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is included with admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour includes access to their Harry Potter attractions.
While each of these activities is sure to be a hit with fans, youll definitely get more bang for your buck at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
That said, hardcore fans may want to consider experiencing both attractions while theyre in Los Angeles!
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