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.
The Time Of Year Youre Visiting
Depending on the time of year youre visiting the crowd levels inside the park may vary.
The best time to visit Universal Studios Orlando for lower crowd levels is between January and May and September .
Alternatively, if you cant afford to be flexible as to the time of year in which you visit the park then try to avoid Fridays through to Sundays and instead visit between Monday and Thursday.
While smaller crowd levels often mean youll spend less time waiting for the parks most popular rides, weve still gone during peak-crowd levels and had a fantastic time!
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.
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Stores In Hogsmeade
Ollivanders
A second Ollivanders location sits in the heart of Hogsmeade, so dont worry about missing out on a wand shopping experience if you only have a 1-park ticket. It has the same wand offerings, and you can watch the wand selection show here. But, as I mentioned before, the Diagon Alley shop has more showrooms to increase capacity, so usually, there is a longer line at the Hogsmeade store. If you want more details, Tad explains everything you need to know about interactive wands and casting spells around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Owl Post & Dervish and Banges
At the Owl Post, pick out a set of stationery, stamps and a quill. Instead of waiting until you get home to use them, send a letter to family, friends or back home to yourself while youre at the park! Your letter will receive a special Hogsmeade postmark and then be given to the owls for delivery. Continue walking through the connected Dervish and Banges, where youll see the infamous Monster Book of Monsters locked in a cage. While youre at it, pick up a Sneakoscope or a Remembrall.
Honeydukes
In the Harry Potter series, Honeydukes is a popular destination among visiting Hogwarts students and we can see why! Universal did a frogtastic job bringing this sweet shop to life. The pink and green walls and shelves pop against the colorful treats and candy boxes. Stock up on Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Exploding Bon Bons, Fizzing Whizzbees and more.
Know The Height Requirements
Much of the Wizarding World is made up of shops, dining, and a lot of really fun, immersive Potter theming. The marquee Harry Potter rides are incredible, but you’ll save yourself time and possibly your children’s tears if you know the height requirements for the rides before you go.
Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure
- Forbidden Journey: minimum 48 inches
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: minimum 48 inches
- Flight of the Hippogriff: minimum 36 inches
Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida
- Escape from Gringotts: minimum 42 inches
Hogwarts Express : No minimum height
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Inside The New Harry Potter Themed Airbnb At The Heart Of Orlando
Lockdown may not be over yet, but that didnt stop a spectacular new Harry Potter themed Airbnb from catching the attention of fans recently!
Wizards Way house is a villa located in the Champions Gate villa complex, near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. With 8 Hogwarts themed bedrooms, bathrooms, and room for 16+ guests, its a dream stay for any Potter fan!
Guests enter the villa to find a sorting hat, ready to sort guests , which may help with assigning rooms. There are rooms themed after all Hogwarts housesRavenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Gryffindoras well as a Hogwarts Express bedroom, a Divination bedroom, and a room themed after the Whomping Willow scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets:
One ‘Chamber of Secrets’ room has a Ford Anglia and Whomping Willow in this Harry Potter themed … airbnb!
Loma Homes
Rooms themed after all four Hogwarts houses in this Harry Potter Airbnb house
Loma Homes
No attention to detail has been spared: the house has its own Platform Nine and Three Quarters, special effects, custom-carved beds, ambient sounds and perfectly themed ambient lighting. Theres even steam coming out of the Hogwarts Express trains smokestack!
One of the most magical rooms in the villa is the private theater room, set in the Forbidden Forest, with atmospheric glow-in-the-dark paint, perfect for marathoning the film series:
Glow-in-the-dark walls in the cinema room of this ‘Harry Potter’ themed Airbnb
Loma Homes
‘Great Hall’ dining table
Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resorts Family Suites
Cabana Bays Family Suites have separate areas for sleeping, eating and relaxing after a day at the parks or the hotel pool complex. You can even have pizza delivered directly to your room.
These 430-square-foot rooms sleep up to six people via two queen-size beds and a pullout sofa. They also include a sliding privacy partition and a compartmentalized bathroom that allows three people to get ready at once.
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Insider Family Tips For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter At Universal Studios Florida
- The Universal Studios App has a great map and wait times for the rides. Id highly recommend downloading before you start your day.
- Dont bother bringing a camera. You will just have to lock in in the lockers when you get on any of the rides.
- If you plan on buying a wand with magic do it early so you can search for the magic. Maybe even purchase it at the hotel before arriving at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- You will need transportation. We found Silvercar car rental an easy seamless hassle-free experience.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is best suited for those old enough to have read some of the books. And, it seemed to have a happening night-time environment ideal for teens and above. For those with younger kids, you might want to head over to Toy Story Land at Disney World instead.
There are many other fun things to do in Orlando. So, be sure to take time to enjoy the fun outside of the theme parks too.
How To Get Chosen For The Interactive Wand Experience
As with every kind of guest-involved interactive experience, its not a guarantee that youll be chosen. However, there are a few tips for getting chosen to partake in the wand-selection process. In most cases, guests who are wearing Harry Potter gear such as wizarding robes tend to get selected at a higher rate especially if theyre wearing Gryffindor colors.
Furthermore, if you enter Ollivanders with a wand in hand, you will probably not be selected as they want to provide this unique experience for those who havent already purchased a wand. If you have a wand but never experienced the interactive experience, put your wand in your bag so its out of sight to increase your chances.
Also, keep in mind that children will most often be selected to participate in the show. It doesnt mean that adults young at heart cant be chosen, just know that your chances might be slim if a child is in the group. Another good rule of thumb for getting picked for this experience is to look excited and stand near the front of the group.
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Visit Both Theme Parks
In order to get the full experience of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you must visit both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks. And youll need at least two days at Universal to see all of it.
The rides and shops of Diagon Alley are located in the Islands of Adventure. Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle are located in Universal Studios Florida.
These areas are connected via a short train ride called the Hogwarts Express which travels between the two parks. Access to Hogwarts Express is available only to those who buy the park-to-park tickets.
Another way to travel between the parks is via the Universal City Walk. This area of Universal Orlando is the shopping, dining, and entertainment district. While Universal City Walk is accessible without a ticket, you will need a park-to-park ticket to travel between the two parks.
Best Hotel In Celebration: Bohemian Hotel Celebration Autograph Collection
The Bohemian is a modern and stylish four-star hotel. It boasts incredible views, superb dining options and is ideally located for shopping. It has a number of wellness amenities, including a sauna, a Jacuzzi and an outdoor pool. Enjoy a relaxing and restful say in Celebration at the Bohemian Hotel.
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Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Fan Dorm
What better way to have a witchy vacation than traveling to the location of the Salem Witch Trials? Choose from the School Dorm Room. The owner will not only provide you with plenty of suggestions of Salem haunts to check out, but also provide you a proper English breakfast in Mrs. Weasley’s Breakfast Nook!
You’ll spot plenty of familiar creatures in the Fantastic Beasts room and have the option of sleeping in either Harry or Ron’s bed in the School Dorm room.
Blackburn Academy Of The Magical Arts
This large home is not just a place to stayit’s a wizarding school! The property owners provide feasts and magical classes, just as if you were an actual student at Hogwarts. The property is 129 years old, so it has a historical feel.
Check out the many classrooms, Grand Parlour, and plant conservatory. A place where roleplaying is taken to a 10 is a trip in itself. Their official website has tons of information on the activities and experiences they provide.
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How To Save Money At Universal Orlando 2022 Inside The Parks
This next set of times is going to be how to do Universal Studios on a budget when youre already inside of the parks. It can be easy to forget some of these easy tips while hot and stressed out in the Florida sun, so try and remember these when making your way around the parks to save yourself some money:
Seasonal: Christmas In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Location: Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley, London, and Hogsmeade are transformed with festive décor and brilliant lighting during the holidays. Not only do the shows incorporate some favorite holiday tunes, but look out for special treats and drinks! The atmosphere is simply brimming with excitement.
Pro Tip: Plan some time to take in all the detail of the beautiful decorations.
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Was The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Worth It
Yes, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando was worth it for us. Our daughter loved it. And, it only served to strengthen her love of Harry Potter books. It was expensive but we would do it all over again to have her continue to embrace books and reading. And, the look of joy on her face that day was priceless.
The Park Prodigy Discounted Universal Orlando Tickets
While booking through The Park Prodigy is one of the cheapest ways to go to Universal Studios Orlando, it cant only be about the discounts. Another way to save some serious money on Universal tickets when booking a vacation is booking a discounted package. At The Park Prodigy, you can build your perfect Universal vacation package and hold it for as little as $50 down per person. That means, discounted tickets and not having to spend all of your money at once when booking.
Here at the Park Prodigy, we know that saving time also saves you money, so we offer the following perks with all of our tickets to make sure youre maximizing on the fun!
- Early Park Admission Long lines in the parks can cause for a miserable day at Universal Orlando. If you purchase your tickets from The Park Prodigy, you can save up to three hours in the parks with Early Park Admission! All Park Prodigy customers are given access to Early Park Admission to The Wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay.
- Free Universal Touring Plans Park Prodigy Universal touring plans can help you build the perfect itinerary to avoid crowds and save time to have more fun!
- Advance Ticket Sale SAVINGS! If youre wondering if you should buy Universal Studios tickets in advance, the answer is yes! With the Park Prodigy, you can save up to $50 per ticket!
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Stores In Diagon Alley
Ollivanders
Youre going to need a wand to cast magic spells around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so let the wand choose you at Ollivanders. Watch a special wand selection show, during which a randomly selected witch or wizard from the small audience will be paired with a wand. Afterward, everyone gets the chance to peruse the wands stacked from floor to ceiling inside the shop. You dont have to attend the show , but its a toadally awesome experience that will surely put you in a magical mood. We recommend seeing the show at the Diagon Alley location because there are multiple showrooms, which means the line moves faster than the one at Hogsmeade.
Quality Quidditch Supplies
Are you a chaser, beater, keeper or seeker? At Quality Quidditch Supplies, find a jersey based on your Hogwarts house. This Momma Frog is a proud Gryffindor keeper! Theres even an option to buy a personalized jersey. The store has all of the wizarding sporting goods you need brooms, Quaffles, Bludgers, Golden Snitches, water bottles and more. Plus, you can show your support for The Holyhead Harpies or The Chudley Cannons with posters and pennants.
Weasleys Wizard Wheezes
Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
Globus Mundi
Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment & Scribbulus
Magical Menagerie
Madam Malkins Robes for all Occasions
Borgin and Burkes
Harry Potter World Tip 1
Understand How Universal Studios is laid out
There are three different parks within Universal Studios Orlando. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure & Volcano Bay. For Harry Potter World you have to orient yourself and keep in mind that there are two main attractions that comprise the magical fun: Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade/Hogwarts Castle.
Diagon Alley is located in the main part of Universal Studios. Hogsmeade is located in the Islands of Adventure park. There is even the Hogwarts Express between the two, a ride that you can choose to go on. I will elaborate more on how this is possible below under the ticketing tip.
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Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Tips
Discover the Top 13 Best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips
This article will take you through the top 13 tips for your next trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Save time and money by incorporating these tips into your Universal Orlando trip planning.
Universal Orlando Resort is overshadowed by its neighbor, Walt Disney World. This is totally understandable because Disney is so much larger and better-known. But one thing Walt Disney World doesnt have and Universal does is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series then this themed area of Universal Orlando Resort is certainly not to be missed. But even non-Harry Potter fans will appreciate the enchantment of Wizarding World because, well, its just that good.
The next time you plan a trip to Disney World, make sure that you allow for at least a couple of days at Universal Orlando Resort as well. Even just a trip to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is worthy of a dedicated vacation. So with that said, lets take a look at the top 13 best Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips for your next visit to Orlando.