Unique Features Of Harry Potter World In California
Best for Families and casual fans who want to experience the Wizarding World as one part of their Universal trip
Having been built later than its counterpart in Orlando, the Wizarding World in Hollywood hit the ground running with little tweaks to everyones favorite parts of the Florida park. There is more emphasis on shows and events in California, with a special stage to highlight performances. In Orlando, all of the performances happen at street level, rather than in a designated area. Aside from that, the parks are incredibly similar, with California being the smaller of the 2.
Warner Bros Studio Tour Leavesden Watford
First is the best of them all! The Warner Bros Studio Tour is where all the magic of the Harry Potter world was created. You could spend hours exploring the studio, like I always do, that was home to the cast and crew for over 10 years and where the majority of the movies were actually created and filmed. See how the costumes, special effects and set designs were made, learn how to fly a broomstick, and wander through the actual yes, theactual Diagon Alley.
Flying to Hogwarts with my family
Dont judge me for having already been a few times theres so much to explore that I learn something new each time I go back, and new additions like the Hogwarts Express and butterbeer ice cream always keep me coming back for more.
Butterbeer ice cream outside the Potters destroyed house
Book A Universal Vacation Package
If you cant stay at a Universal resort, book a partner hotel vacation package to gain Early Park Admission without the on-site price tag.
A basic package will bundle your hotel room and tickets, with the option to add on enhancements, such as dining plans and My Universal Photos. Now that Universal has more than 20 off-site partner hotels, theyre bound to have something that will fit your budget and as with the Universal Orlando hotels, you will get Early Park Admission on your check-in and check-out days .
For some guidance on picking a hotel, see our list of partner hotels within walking distance of the parks, and for more about Universal vacation packages, view our complete insiders guide.
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Diagon Alley At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter 2022
The second land added to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Diagon Alley . If you are entering from the front of the park walk straight until you hit the Revenge of the Mummu attraction and make a right, then continue until you see the Knight Bus. The area outside of Diagon Alley is themed to fill like London, and you will need to make your way through the brick wall until it opens up as Diagon Alley.
Be prepared especially if you are a die hard Harry Potter fan as the attention to detail is unmatched in Diagon Alley. You will be in the middle of shops and cooked buildings, as well a fire breathing dragon nestled over Gringotts Bank!
What To Know About The Hogsmeade Shops At The Harry Potter Orlando Theme Park
There arent nearly as many shopping locations in Hogsmeade as there are in Diagon Alley, but there are more than enough to meet all your wizarding needs.
Honeydukes
Honeydukes sells many of the same treats found at Sugarplums Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley. If candy isnt your thing, go for the Butterbeer Fudge or Cauldron Cakes in the bakery case.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:10 Best Orlando Theme Parks for Families
Ollivanders Wand Shop
To ensure there are enough wands to go around, there are Ollivanders locations in both of the Harry Potter lands at Universal Orlando. Both locations have stacks upon stacks of interactive and non-interactive wands, and both hold wand selection ceremonies throughout the day.
Dervish and Banges
Dervish and Banges is your home for Golden Snitches, brooms, and Hogwarts clothing and accessories. Dont forget to check out the real live textbook, The Monster Book of Monsters. Luckily, its in a cage because this book bites!
Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods
This is another good souvenir stop where youll also find authentic-looking replica props from the Harry Potter films.
Owl Post
In addition to letter-writing supplies, you can mail letters and postcards to your friends and family with a real Hogsmeade postmark.
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If You Want To See A Show Get There Early
It’s probably not the main reason you’ve come to the Wizarding World, but its street shows are a nice diversion while you toss back a butterbeer. But they’re almost always crowded, so keep an eye on the showtimes posted throughout the park and find a spot early.
The Triwizard Spirit Rally is ripped right from the frames of The Goblet of Fire and it’s performed several times throughout the day, making it easy to catch. Plan to close your day in Hogsmeade with the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts in Islands of Adventure, an incredibly photogenic experience.
My personal favorite, however, is the Tales of Beedle the Bard. Puppeteers perform “The Tale of the Three Brothers” and “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” the former bearing some resemblance to the Deathly Hallows movie version. It’s a welcome change of pace inside a park that’s generally focused on King Kong-sized experiences.
Dustin Nelson is a News Writer with Thrillist.
- Cookie Settings
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
Every single Harry Potter movie has something to offer, but the second movie, Chamber of Secrets, also needed to live up to expectations when it came to taking the franchise to the next stop on its journey. For the second movie from director, Chris Columbus, the Home Alone director chose a darker, more dangerous path for the series, and one which the train would continue to travel down with each subsequent movie.
With this in mind, it became more of a second-level of stage setting that, whilst incredibly important to the overall story, wasnt filled with the magic and wonder of the others. Plus, at a whopping two hours and 41 minutes, it was arguably a bit long for being one of the movies that focused more on introductions and narrative.
That being said, Chamber of Secrets is where we did get to first meet some iconic stalwarts of the series such as Draco Malfoys prolific dad, Lucius and everyones favourite house elf, Dobby . For this, we are forever thankful.
Chamber of Secrets does a fantastic job at maturing the story from the first instance of a group of kids, big-eyed and bushy-tailed, embarking on their adventure at Hogwarts and really just taking off their training wheels. With maturity came the stark realisation that the Harry Potter series was to be more ghastly than expected with Tom Riddles true identity slowly unravelling, an unfortunate slug-vomiting charm, and the terrifying Basilisk to name but a few of the movies iconic moments.
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This Universal Orlando Park Has The Best Harry Potter Stuff
Universal Studios has something fun to discover around every corner!
Were already getting excited about the upcoming Halloween Horror Nights Haunted Houses that have been announced, but until then, well keep enjoying everything that Universal Studios has to offer year round. One of our favorite parts of the park is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! This area has some incredible theming, fun rides, and all of the Harry Potter-themed snacks and wands we could ever want! The Wizarding World is separated into two sections, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, but which one do our readers prefer?
Morning: Start At Hogsmeade
The first thing you should do after getting to Universal Orlando Resort is head straight for Universals Islands of Adventure. This is where youll find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade.
Here there are three attractions, and the Hogwarts Expressthat will take you between the two Harry Potter-themed lands at Universal Orlando Resort.
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Top 10 Harry Potter Experiences In The World
Top 10 Harry Potter experiences in the world
Deep in the Scottish Highlands it is rumored there exists a mysterious school for young witches and wizards. But you neednt go traipsing into the Scottish wilds to experience a bit of the magic for yourself.
Across the world there are a plethora of spell-binding attractions and experiences aimed at bringing the wonderful world of Harry Potter to life. So have your broomstick at the ready, prime your Floo powder or practice your Apparition skills to check out these top 10 Harry Potter experiences around the world.
Christmas In The Wizarding World
Additionally, Universals new additions to their holiday entertainment lineup make Hogwarts the perfect place to be around Christmastime. Decorations adorn the shops of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, the Frog Choir sings Christmas carols, and snow falls in front of Hogwarts as a festive projection show takes place on the castles facade.
Although the holiday season can be one of the most expensive and congested times to visit Universal in general, a small window in December exists for guests wishing to experience the holiday events in the Wizarding World without the crowds.
For a few weeks between the Thanksgiving rush and Christmas crowds, hotel prices fall , meaning a sample trip from December 10 to 13 of this year would only cost $130 per night at Universals affordable Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
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Which Park Is Hogwarts Castle In
Another common question we receive is, which park at Universal Orlando has Hogwarts castle? And Hogwarts castle would be at Islands of Adventure which is Hogsmeade. Theres even a ride that takes place inside Hogwarts castle, so youll actually be able to enter the hallowed halls of Harrys alma mater.
Where Are There Harry Potter Worlds
There are 5 major Harry Potter-themed parks and attractions around the world
Orlando, Florida
Osaka, Japan
Leavesden, England
In Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, and Beijing, there are Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter. These expansive theme parks feature thrilling rides and immersive experiences. The fifth Harry Potter world is in Leavesden, near London, and is called the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. Here, Potterheads can see stunning recreated sets and props and costumes used in the Harry Potter movie series.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Orlando
To say Im jealous of anyone who has been here is a slight understatement. My mum and sister visited a couple of years ago without me and they can guarantee that the magic truly comes alive here. With a snowy Hogsmeade village to explore, the Hogs Head pub for a jug of butterbeer, a full size Hogwarts to amaze visitors, and flying dragon rollercoasters, it looks better than Disney if thats even possible.
When Is The Best Time To Plan A Visit To Harry Potter World
Picking the best time to plan a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter isnt too difficult. As a general rule we typically say to avoid any major school breaks whenever possible. Next we have found one the best ways to visit Harry Potter World and plan around the crowds is to use our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar. This free tool breaks down the expected crowds, average temperature, and eventheme park ticket prices. We find that the least crowded times of year tend to be early fall and right after New Years Eve!
One of our favorite tips is also to pay attention to Universal Orlando theme park ticket pricing. Just like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando theme park tickets now fluctuate based on the time of year you visit. So one of the easiest ways to pick the best time to visit Universal is to compare the cheapest Universal Orlando ticket prices. The cheaper the tickets the more likely it is that the parks wont be as crowded during that time of year. If you prefer a few great dates we have outlined them below.
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Diagon Alley At Universal Orlando
Check out Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando that opened in 2014. The park features Escape from Gringottsa 3D ride that includes animatronic goblins, a fire-breathing dragon and even a glimpse of Lord Voldemort!
You can also visit iconic shops like Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions, Magical Menagerie, Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment and Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Be sure to stumble down Knockturn Alley to take a peek inside Borgin and Burkes!
The Shops At Islands Of Adventures
- Honeydukes: Exploding BonBons, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans
- Dervish & Banges: magical items, broomsticks, and your Hogwarts uniform
- Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods: treasures seized by the surly caretaker, plus more
- Owl Post: writing equipment and a place to mail letters with a Hogsmeade postmark
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What To Know About The Diagon Alley Shops At The Harry Potter Orlando Theme Park
There are quite a few shops in Diagon Alley and they are many of the same ones you see in the Harry Potter books and movies. Pop into a few even if you dont plan on making a purchase because the theming is so on point. Here are the shops you can visit in Diagon Alley.
Weasleys Wizard Wheezes
Fred and George Weasley are well known for their mischievous pranks. This shop has love potions, Bombtastic Bombs, and everything else you need to pull off your own practical jokes.
Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions
Youll look like you stepped right off the pages of J.K. Rowlings books in the robes, school uniforms, and other finery available here.
Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment
Wiseacres is a great shop for souvenirs like Harry Potter T-shirts, ornaments, mugs, and glassware. The shop also carries a selection of must-have wizarding world supplies.
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Magical Menagerie
This is the place inside the Harry Potter theme park to adopt your very own unicorn, owl, or Pygmy Puff. Dont miss the large snake in the window outside the store.
Quality Quidditch Supplies
If your family is looking for an alternative to matching Hogwarts robes, why not matching Quidditch jerseys? Get them here along with other sporty paraphernalia.
Scribbulus
From parchments to journals to quills and ink, this Harry Potter theme park shop is a writers dream.
Shutterbuttons
Sugarplums Sweet Shop
Wands by Gregorovitch
Gringotts Money Exchange
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.
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Which Harry Potter World Is The Best Top 4 Harry Potter Theme Parks Ranked
One thing all Harry Potter fans are constantly in search of is a way to bring the magic of the movies and the books to life. Although there are a plethora of different ways to achieve this goal, taking Pottermore quizzes and shopping for wands doesnt quite match up to some peoples expectations. The answer for everyone looking for the best experience yet is definitely visiting a Harry Potter theme park. However, given the massive popularity of the series, there are so many out there you simply have to ask yourself which ones are the best.
This article will give you a brief breakdown of the 4 best theme parks to help you have your own real-life Harry Potter experience to help you forget about your muggle life, at least for a short while.
How Big Is The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Orlando is the biggest park, with 2 zones across Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure. A beautiful replica of the scarlet Hogwarts Express shuttles guests between the 2 parks, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. To do everything in the parks without rushing, youll need 2 or 3 days to explore.
The other Wizarding Worlds, in California, Japan, and Beijing, are smaller, with one Hogsmede area in each. 1 or 2 days should be ideal for each of these. The Warner Brothers Studio tour is a different attraction, in that you wont have to spend a lot of your time in queue for rides. There are time slots to enter, and half a day should give you ample time to see everything on display.
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Jump Aboard The Hogwarts Express
Few motifs get Harry Potter fans hearts a-fluttering like the crimson-red Hogwarts Express steaming across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. If youre yet to receive your Hogwarts letter, dont worry, you can still make this iconic journey with a return trip on ScotlandsJacobite Steam Train the same company that provided the actual steam engine and carriages used in the films.
Setting off from Fort William, this 84-mile round trip will whisk you through familiar filmic landscapes from the viaduct itself to Loch Shiel which featured as Hogwarts eery Blake Lake.
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 eight 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, Surfside Inn and Suites, and Dockside 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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