Ride The Hogwarts Express
An official rite of passage for any Harry Potter fan, taking the Hogwarts Express Train back and forth between Diagon Alley and Hogsmead is an experience! On the Diagon Alley side, you get a real London underground experience, complete with a disappearing enchantment as you step through the door of Platform 9-3/4. Whats more, is that while youre on the train youll get to overhear conversations from familiar characters and maybe even witness a chocolate frog escape.
Tour London Right Outside Diagon Alley
Before or after you enter the famous Diagon Alley, take in the sights of London, including the Knight Bus, Hogwarts Express: Kings Cross Station, snacks, shopping, and some magical surprises. I must admit, every time I come here, I wish I could visit the half-price bookstore, but its never open I know, typical Ravenclaw!
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What If A Ride Is Closed Or Delayed For Weather
Unfortunately, attractions do sometimes close for repairs or seasonal maintenance. On top of that, Florida weather is unpredictable, and outdoor shows and rides, such as Flight of the Hippogriff or, more especially, Hagrids Motorbike Adventure, must close during inclement weather. Should you arrive at an attraction to find that its closed, simply proceed with the other activities on your checklist and keep an eye on your app or the sign boards posted around Universal to see if the ride comes back online.
While we hope you will be able to see and do everything on offer at Universal, remember that if you miss something this trip, it will be something you can save for your next one!
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Diagon Alley Spell Locations For Your Interactive Wand
Where can you use your Interactive Wand in Diagon Alley? There are 16 spell locations, and 2 secret spell locations in Diagon Alley. In order to uncover the magical happenings in Diagon Alley, you will need an interactive wand, for purchase at Ollivanders, and time. Once youre ready simply stand near the spell maker on the ground and point in the direction of the markers tip.
- Tarantallegra: Pilliwinkles Playthings Window
- Metelojinx- Horizont Alley Restrooms Umbrella
- Silencio- The Magical Menagerie Birdcage
- Dark Detectors- Wiseacres Window, facing Gringotts
- Specialis Revelio- Wiseacres Window, near the front door
- Wingardium Leviosa- Scribbulus Window, with the feather quill
- Reparo- Brown E. Wrights Blacksmith Shop, suit of armor
- Locomotor Bellows- Brown E. Wrights Blacksmith Shop, pump
- Aguamenti- Carkitt Market, near the Mermaid Fountain
- Descendo- Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, shop window
- Slug and Jiggers Apothecary- window, secret spell, ask a witch or wizard for help
- Scribbulus- far right of the shop window, secret spell, ask a witch or wizard for help
- Locomotor Chimney Sweep- Chimney Sweep Elf Sign, Knockturn Alley
- Moving Skeleton- Window across from Borgin and Burkes, Knockturn Alley
- Mimblewimble- Dystyl Phaelanges, in the window of the shrunken heads
- Incendio- Birdcage around the corner from Borgin and Burkes
- Alohamora- Courtyard around Borgin and Burkes
What To Know While Planning A Visit To The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
We have found that families who have the best experience at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter always have a great plan going into their Universal Orlando trip. This includes knowing exactly how to use all of our Harry Potter early park admission tickets , which rides their family will want to go on, if they plan to have meals inside of Harry Potter World, and what they plan to do with their free time! Below are some of the most important things families should consider when planning a day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
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Is It Cheaper To Get A Universal Orlando Resort Annual Pass
If visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter more than once throughout the year then a Universal Studios Annual Pass may be more budget-friendly. With such cheap annual season passes you would definitely save money not only on park tickets but also on Universal Orlando Resort Hotels. Check out all the perks you get with a Universal Studios Orlando Annual Pass.
What Do I Need To Know Before I Plan My Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Trip
To conquer the crowds and experience the best of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, weve outlined the ideal itinerary for a busy day at Universal Orlando Resort. Our goal is to have you be prepared for the worst crowds with a solid plan on how to make your way through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade by understanding crowd-flows and peak crowd times when planning your vacation, these two points will help you decide how to arrange your days.
First, study up on Early Park Admission, which is available to any guest staying at one of Universal Orlandos hotels or who books a vacation package at a partner hotel that also offers Early Park Admission.
Second, plan on entering the Wizarding World at least four times, either at the very beginning of the day or in the last three hours before the park closes. The basic strategy is to have a morning and evening in Hogsmeade, and a morning and evening in Diagon Alley. This is what you will do during your visits:
- Ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Visit the shops, shows, and dining of Diagon Alley
- Ride the Hogwarts Express
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The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Hogsmeade
The original and first land of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade is located in Universal Islands of Adventure, and you will want to head right over to this section as soon as the park opens. For the fastest entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potteris to go to the right as soon as you enter the park and take a left once you hit Seuss Landing.
For fans of the books and movies you will recognize Hogsmeade as the charming town covering in snow, and home to the famous butterbeer! You will also find some of the best attractions, stores, and restaurants in all of Universal Orlando.
You can also find the newest and coolest Harry Potter World attraction in Hogsmeade: Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure which is included with all of our Universal Early Park Admission tickets!
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Exchange Money At Gringotts
You’ll find Gringotts in Diagon Alley , but the Gringotts building itself is home to a ride. Not far away, though, you’ll find the Gringotts Money Exchange, where you can exchange your Muggle money for Gringotts bank notes.
I was slightly disappointed that you don’t get handed a bag full of galleons, but it was fun nonetheless, especially since there’s a goblin inside to interact with .
And don’t worry, this isn’t something you spend any money on. You actually exchange money for Gringotts money, and you can use the Gringotts money just about everywhere within the Universal parks.
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Board The Hogwarts Express: Kings Cross Station
Unlike Harry Potter before his first year at Hogwarts, you know how to reach Platform 9 ¾: walk straight through a brick wall. Then ride the train to Hogsmeade Station to get to Hogwarts. En route youll encounter familiar faces and unexpected creatures.
Youll need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Universals Islands of Adventure.
Harry Potter And The Escape Of Gringotts
This one of a kind indoor rollercoaster is themed exactly like the Gringotts wizarding bank found in the books and movies. Opening in 2014 it quickly became one of the most popular attractions in Universal Studios. On the downside because it is so popular it tends to have one of the longest wait times in the parks.
Thats why we recommend Early Park Admission to our clients so much! If you take advantage of entering the park one hour earlier than other guests you can ride Harry Potter and the Escape of Gringotts and save time later on in the day!
Be sure to check out our Universal Orlando tickets page to learn how we can help you get EARLY PARK ADMISSION without staying on Universal property!
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Top 10 Things To Do At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Planning a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida? With so many things to do however will you fit all in? Especially since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans two separate parks! Never fear, weve got you covered with tips and our favorite activities for your day. Here are the Top 10 Things to Do in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Whether youre trying to do Wizarding World of Harry Potter in One Day or trying to stick to enjoying Wizarding World of Harry Potter on a Budget. Here are the Top 10 Things to Do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
What To Consider When Planning A Day At Harry Potter World
- Will you use Harry Potter early park admission?
- Which Harry Potter rides will you go on?
- Should you upgrade to the Universal express pass combo ticket?
- Will you have lunch or dinner at The Leaky Cauldron or The Three Broomsticks
- Will you buy a Harry Potter wand or robe?
Now of course every family is different so there might be a few additions or deductions to this list. However we have found this is the best place to start when planning the perfect day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Below is also additional information on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter basics for your next trip!
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Weasleys Wizard Wheezes Shop
Another favorite shop at Wizarding World. The Weasleys Wizard Wheezes Shop may not have a ton of things youd actually buy, but its a beautiful place, with tons of interesting things to see. Of course, if youre into gags then this may be the place for you.
We also love Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment & Scribbulus in Diagon Alley, just outside the Gringotts Bank, for a slew of Harry Potter merchandise, stationery, travel gear, and more you wont find anywhere else.
Visit The Parks At Night
Lastly, early park entry is great, but there’s also something magical about visiting Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley after dark.
This won’t be possible every night , but be sure to check the opening hours of each park for every day of your trip to see if you can catch either of these parks after dark.
I promise it’s worth it!
You can read Stephen’s post about our weekend here.
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Diagon Alley At Universal Studios Florida
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most popular attraction at both Universals Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. It takes guests on a journey to the amazing world of Harry Potter and features some of the most epic facets of the storied series. Guests will see Hogwarts off in the distance which is a major part of the parks appeal. It is the home of one of the greatest rides in the park, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is also home to the rides Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. These rides are a great way to get the blood flowing and are perfect for the thrill seekers in the family. Universal did not skimp on the details when they created this magical place. They jumped right into the movies and stories and harnessed the magic which made them so popular in our culture. There is so much to do, see, and interact with in Harry Potters magical world. One would have to come and see it to believe it. Rides are not the only appealing part of this great themed area either
What If I Dont Have Early Park Admission
Not everyone can stay at a hotel that offers Early Park Admission. If this is your situation, we are confident that this plan will still work for you, but you will be at a disadvantage at the theme park that features early admission for that day. One option, for those on a longer trip, is to stick to the plan of one morning and one evening at the park with no early admission, as you wont be at a disadvantage there but youll need to do two evenings at the park that does have EPA, in order to avoid the morning crowds of on-site guests.
If you are on a short trip and only have two days, then just know that you will have a longer wait for the rides in the early admission park. Plan to be at the turnstiles an hour before the parks regular opening time, as Universal may let off-site guests enter up to 20 minutes before the published time. If the wait times are unbearably long, consider purchasing an Express Pass in the park to shorten your waits both in the Wizarding World and around Universal.
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Buy An Interactive Wand
Don’t think this one is just for kids! If you’re going to go to Ollivander’s to get a wand of your own, be sure to get the interactive version!
Throughout both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, there are interactive shop windows, fountains, and statues where you can wave your wand and bring something to life.
It was so fun to watch faces of both kids AND adults light up when they made something move or made a fountain spring to life with the correct flick of a wand.
I didn’t know about this feature of the parks before arriving the first time , but thought it was genius and a fantastic way to make people feel like they were really part of the magical world.
Once I got a wand of my own, it only made the Harry Potter parks feel more magical. I had so much fun following my map to all the spots where I could cast a spell and cause it to rain or make a feather float. So. Much. FUN.
Leaky Cauldron At Diagon Alley
If you are at Diagon Alley at Universal Studios, you may want to pop over to Leaky Cauldron for breakfast.
You can enjoy a traditional breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage links, black pudding, bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms and breakfast potatoes. Or, you can be more adventurous. You can try Egg, Leek, & Mushroom Pasty. This pastry is wrapped scrambled eggs, mushrooms and leeks served with breakfast potatoes and fresh fruit.
Here are some other breakfast menu items:
- Pancake Breakfast Three fluffy buttermilk pancakes, crisp bacon and link sausage with butter croissant
- American Breakfast Fresh scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, crisp bacon, and link sausage with butter croissant
- Apple Oatmeal Flan with Yogurt & Fruit Freshly baked flan of apples and oatmeal served with yogurt and fresh seasonal fruit
- Kids Breakfast Choose traditional, pancake or American
Prices range from $12.99-17.99. Breakfast runs through 10:30 AM.
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What Is Early Park Admission
So, what is Early Park Admission? You get into Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure an hour before the gates open to the general public. This is the perfect time to ride Hagrids or VelociCoaster. You can actually get FREE Early Park Admission if you book a Universal Orlando Package or if you book your tickets only with our partner at Destinations in Florida. Click here to learn more about Universal Orlando packages or tickets with the free Early Park Admission.
Should I Go To Diagon Alley Or Hogsmeade First
Hogsmeade should definitely be your first destination. Not only does it have more rides, but it also has the most popular rides. In order to beat the rush, you should get there as soon as possible and check it off your list!
However, if you want to do it the way Harry first did it, then you should start in Diagon Alley.
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Flight Of The Hippogriff
Ready to take flight on a wondrous creature? Well on Flight of the Hippogriff you are able to do just that. Brace yourself for the experience of your life as it is a rare quest to be able to take to the skies on the back of a Hippogriff. The hippogriff has the body of a horse with the head of an eagle and is one of the wizarding worlds most mysterious creatures that youll be able to come face to face with. A family friendly coaster, this wicker designed ride provides fun for all ages and will be an experience you wont soon forget. Have no fear as you bow for the Hippogriff for it will surely allow you to mount its back as Hagrid instructs you the whole way through. Youll soar straight through the school pumpkin patch and past Hagrids Hut into the skies on this adventure where nothing stands in your way. So prepare to have a good time on this once in a lifetime journey as long as you flow with the swoops and turns of the hippogriff as you let him lead the way to a good time. So go ahead, take flight upon the hippogriff, just be sure to bow first.
Inauguration Du Wizarding World
En novembre 2011, le producteur David Heyman confirme qu’un projet d’agrandissement est à l’étude. La section The Wizarding World of Harry Potter devient la plus rentable du parc Islands of Adventure, et sur les trois premiers mois de 2011, la fréquentation des deux parcs dOrlando a augmenté de 68 %, passant de 1,7 million de visiteurs en 2010 à 2,8 millions,. Lagrandissement est confirmé en décembre et plusieurs idées sont évoquées : une section « londonienne » avec la reproduction du chemin de Traverse impliquant peut-être une attraction à l’intérieur de la banque Gringotts, un restaurant sur le thème du Chaudron Baveur et une réplique du Poudlard Express permettant de joindre les deux sections Harry Potter,. La plupart des idées proposées seront retenues.
L’extension est finalement implantée à plus de 500 m du premier land, dans le parc voisin Universal Studios Florida, à la place de lancienne attraction Jaws et de l’ensemble de la zone thématique d’Amity Village,. Les travaux débutent en janvier 2012.
Construction d’un land Hogsmeade au Japon et à Los Angeles
Harry Potter
En décembre 2012, alors que les travaux commencent à Los Angeles, ceux du parc d’Osaka , qui prévoit également de reproduire le land Hogsmeade, sont déjà avancés et les premières photos mises en ligne.
Finalisation de l’extension Diagon Alley
Poudlard Express
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