Number 10 Downing Street
It is inside the Prime Ministers office that the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes place.
It is revealed that there is a portal from the wizarding world to that of the muggle world so that the Prime Minister of the U.K. and the Minister for Magic can occasionally speak.
It is also here that Kingsley Shacklebolt works during his time as a bodyguard to the Muggle Prime Minister.
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.
Use The Universal Studios App
Did you know that Universal Studios has an app? Well if you didnt, now you do! The Universal app is free and so helpful for a lot of things and can store your tickets, payment method, and show wait times for attractions. This is a great tool to help you plan your day as it also shows you when certain shows like the Frog Choir and Tales of Beedle the Bard are being shown.
We highly recommend using this app if youre trying to do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day itll help you stay more organized and keep up to date on the latest wait times.
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Where To Buy The Must
You already know theres plenty of places to purchase wands, robes, sweets, and souvenirs in the Wizarding World, but if you want to be extra prepared you can purchase many of these items on Universals website before you even arrive at the Harry Potter theme parks.
You can also get them in your hotel, at the large souvenir stores at the entrance to both Universals Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, or at the Universal Studios Store at CityWalk. The biggest benefit to buying your merch outside of the park areas is that youll have more time to experience the rides and appreciate the attention to detail that went into making the areas feel like Harry Potters world. Window shopping and browsing is more fun than standing in line, anyway.
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Diagon Alley: A History
On the same day that Universal Studios Hollywoods Hogsmeade was revealed, Universal also announced that the Wizarding World in Orlando would be getting an expansion, although it would be nearly a year-and-a-half before it would finally clarify just what that expansion would entail: on May 8, 2013, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley was confirmed to be arriving at next-door Universal Studios Florida.
Much like Hogsmeade before it, Universal tried to keep everything as top-secret as possible, but nearly every major attraction, restaurant, and shop leaked out into the rumor mill months, if not years, before the company officially tipped its hand. This was primarily due to Diagon Alleys preliminary design work having started before even Hogsmeade was completed Stuart Craig, the movie seriess production designer, started sketching the layout of a Leaky Cauldron restaurant after he completed the blueprints for The Three Broomsticks, and Universal Creative began toying around with the idea of a real, live Hogwarts Express that would connect its two Orlando parks as far back as 2010.
When the announcement on December 2, 2011 was made that Amity, the home of the beloved Jaws ride, was going to be imminently shut down, it was received by the world at large as being the very first confirmation that Diagon Alley was, indeed, going to be inserted at Universal Studios.
Harry Potter
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What Time Does Harry Potter World Open
The first step is to decide how early to arrive at Universal Studios for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? We always recommend to arrive as early as possible to avoid long lines later on in the day. This is true even if you are spending a few days at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
This is why Early Park Admission is so important as it allows you entry into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter up to one hour before regular park guests! Your family can hop on a ride such as Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and save two to three hours later on in the day. Thats why early park admission is one of the best ways to visit Harry Potter World in one day!
If you are not staying in a Universal hotel and still want Early Park Admission check out our Universal Orlando Tickets Page!
Guide To Harry Potter World Hogsmeade Shops
In our opinion one of the coolest aspects of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is how much attention to detail went into everything. This couldnt be more true for the shops located in Hogsmeade as they are right out of the books and movies. Here is a list of the shopping things to do at Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
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What Tickets To Buy For Harry Potter World
As we discussed the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is in two different parks which mean you will need the right tickets especially if you plan on visiting both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade There are a few different ways to purchase the correct Universal Orlando tickets including Harry Potter World . Below are the most common questions we receive when purchasing Universal tickets to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
Butterbeer Comes In Many Forms
If youre a fan of this cream soda-esque drink, you can try it in regular cold form, as well as frozen and hot. Theres also Butterbeer soft serve at Florean Fortescues Ice-Cream Parlour, Butterbeer fudge at Honeydukes and Sugarplums sweet shops and Butterbeer potted cream at The Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks dining halls.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Vacation
In a common misconception that has floated around since opening day, many guests believe that both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are their own theme parks, a misunderstanding probably born from the fact that, in Universals initial marketing push back in 2010, it referred to Hogsmeade as a theme park within a theme park. Its since dropped that language, thankfully enough, and you do not need to buy an additional ticket to visit the Wizarding Worlds. However, if you wish to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two lands, you will need to purchase a park-to-park ticket. Fortuitously enough, Universal has installed ticket booths at the entrances to each station, where guests can upgrade their tickets if they happened to overlooked this caveat.
For our very best vacation planning tips, check out the wealth of informational pages in our Insiders Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including how to beat the crowds, the full rundown on early park admission, and where to find the best food and souvenirs on offer and more!
Take Advantage Of Early Park Admission
Guests who book a vacation package, stay at one of the Universal Resort on-site hotels, or have a Preferred or Premier Annual Pass have the opportunity to enter one of the parks an hour before scheduled park opening with Early Park Admission. During this time, you will be able to enter Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley and ride all of the rides except the Hogwarts Express. This time is incredibly valuable to maximize your time in the parks and experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions with shorter waits.
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There Are Many Types Of Butterbeer At Universal Orlando Resort
Though cold and frozen Butterbeer are the most popular versions , there are even more ways to enjoy this butterscotch and shortbread-flavored treat. You can get Butterbeer Fudge at Honeydukes and Sugarplums, Butterbeer Potted Cream at Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks, and Butterbeer Ice Cream at Three Broomsticks, Leaky Cauldron, Florean Fortescues The Hopping Pot, and various snack carts.
The Elephant House In Edinburgh Scotland
Edinburgh is the city where most of the series was written by J.K. Rowling. It is home to many Harry Potter locations. One such location, The Elephant House, allows fans to also enjoy some tea.
The cafe opened in 1995 and became famous for writers using it for inspiration. According to their website, J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of her early novels in the back room which overlooked Edinburgh Castle.
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Slug And Jiggers Apothecary
The Apothecary sells scales, potions and potion ingredients. The shop is quite fascinating despite its very bad smell . The inside includes barrels of slimy stuff on the floor, jars of herbs, dried roots and bright powders on the shelves, and bundles of feathers, strings of fangs and snarled claws hanging from the ceiling. Harry regularly buys ingredients, as well as his scales, from the Apothecary.
Some of the ingredients available are silver unicorn horns , glittery-black beetle eyes , and Dragon liver .
Completion Of The Series
In December 2005, Rowling stated on her web site, “2006 will be the year when I write the final book in the Harry Potter series.” Updates then followed in her chronicling the progress of , with the release date of 21 July 2007. The book itself was finished on 11 January 2007 in the , Edinburgh, where she scrawled a message on the back of a bust of . It read: “J. K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room on 11 January 2007.”
Rowling herself has stated that the last chapter of the final book was completed “in something like 1990”. In June 2006, Rowling, on an appearance on the British talk show , announced that the chapter had been modified as one character “got a reprieve” and two others who previously survived the story had in fact been killed. On 28 March 2007, the cover art for the Bloomsbury Adult and Child versions and the Scholastic version were released.
In September 2012, Rowling mentioned in an interview that she might go back to make a “” of two of the existing Harry Potter books.
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How Many Days Do You Need For Harry Potter World
Plan to spend parts of at least two days at the Harry Potter theme parks in Orlando if you want the complete experience. Arrive early, try to see and do as much as you can before the crowds fill in, then enjoy the other parts of Universal Studios Florida and Universals Islands of Adventure for parts of the afternoon before returning to the Harry Potter theme parks for the evening. After all, you havent fully experienced Harry Potter world until youve seen Hogwarts Castle lit up at night.
Whats The Best Way To Do Harry Potter World
To get the most out of your visit to Harry Potter World, stay onsite at one of the Florida hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort.
There are seven Universal Orlando Resort Hotels, The Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Lowes Royal Pacific Resort, Lowes Sapphire Falls, Aventura Hotel, Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and the new budget option, Surfside Inn and Suites . Here are a few reasons it pays to stay on property.
Early Admission. Of all the Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips, this is the most important. Universal Studios Parks and Resorts guests are eligible to enter Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure an hour earlier than anyone else on select days.
Note that early admission is only for one park each day, so check to see which park has early admission the day you are going. And by early, we dont mean arrive when the park opens, we mean arrive 30 minutes to an hour earlier that the early entry time.
Why arrive so early? Guests are admitted to a holding area until the theme park gates open and then the attendants need to scan your tickets. Ticket scanning is quick, but if there are a lot of people, they can only scan tickets so fast and generally not all ticket booths are open. Plus, depending on who is working that day, they may allow guest in even earlier than the stated time
Tip: Universal hotel guests receive early admission on the day you check-in, as well as the day you check out.
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What Is A Universal Express Pass And How Do I Score Free Universal Express Passes
Another bonus to staying at the higher end Universal Orlando Resorts such as The Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, or Lowes Royal Pacific Resort is Free Universal Express unlimited ride access . Similar to a Disney Fast Pass, the Universal Express allows cardholders to skip the regular line and go in the shorter express line including some at Universal Studios Harry Potter land.
The Express Pass doesnt work on new attractions like Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but it does work on the popular Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade and Escape to Gringotts in Diagon Alley, as well as main attractions throughout both Universal Orlando Resort Theme Parks.
If purchased these park passes are $89 per person. Spend your money on one of the nice Universal Orlando hotels and get this perk free youll come out better in the end AND have a nicer experience.
Express Pass vs. Disney Fast Pass. Its important to note that Express passes arent EXACTLY like the Fast Pass at Disney. You will still wait in line, but the express line is generally half the time of the stated normal line wait time.
Engage with staff who often work in character. Find someone from your house and ask them to teach you the secret handshake.
How to beat the lines. If you dont want to spring for the nicer hotel, or the Express Pass, its a must that you 1. Arrive early and 2. research and come prepared with a theme park touring plan.
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Diagon Alley At Universal Studios Florida
Experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley as you walk the familiar streets of London, passing buskers, red telephone booths and Kings Cross Station. You will know youre close to Diagon Alley once you see the Knight Bus. Just pass through the brick archway and catch your first glimpse of this hidden magical marketplace.
Once inside, grab a cup of Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice from iconic establishments like Leaky Cauldron, the Hopping Pot and other themed dining options, or even from a passing street vendor. Several Diagon Alley venues also have wizard-friendly eats.
Of course, its not the wizarding world without adventure, and youll find plenty of it at Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Keep a watchful eye on the roof of Gringotts Money Exchange while youre there, though the 60-foot Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is known to breathe fire!
Next, its time to gear up on everything youll need to make your time at Hogwarts a success. Find the perfect wand at Ollivanders, get sized for your school uniform at Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions, prepare for the big game at Quality Quidditch Supplies, or just stock up on side-splitting gags at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, among other shopping opportunities. And if you have the nerve to brave Knockturn Alley, Borgin and Burkes is your source for Death Eater masks and other merchandise coveted by members of House Slytherin.
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Harry Potter Theme Park England:
The Harry Potter Theme Park England, known as the Warner Bros Studio Tour London is one of the most popular places to visit in England! A typical visit takes around 3 hours and highlights include:
- Go behind the scenes with awesome sets that bring the movies to life
- Ride a broomstick like in the movies!
- Enter the forbidden forest and see Buckbeak, Hippogriff and more
- Admire the authentic props and costumes that were used in the films
- Visit the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Chamber of Secrets
- Stand on platform 9 ¾ and take a photo infront of the luggage trolley
- See the incredibly detailed model of Hogwarts Castle, used to create amazing shots of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
- Hop onboard the Hogwarts Express for the ultimate Harry Potter experience
Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley For Early Park Admission
Did you know everyone who purchases their Universal Orlando Ticketsfrom The Park Prodigy receives early park admission at Universal Orlando? 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 early park admission anyway.
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!
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