2 years ago, I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time.
I never thought I’d be one of those people who repeat visits theme parks, like the people who have season passes to Disneyland or Disneyworld. There is a whole world of countries I’ve never seen and exotic destinations I’ve never traveled. Why would I spend so much money to revisit the same fictionalized place?! And then I went two years ago, and it suddenly all clicked. The way kids watch Disney movies on repeat is how I spent my childhood reading the Harry Potter books. I kept coming back to them, over and over, to relive the adventure and jump back into J.K. Rowling’s world. As a child, I read the first four books in the series repeatedly. As an adult, I’ve reread the entire series three times.
Yes, there is an entire country of castles and history that act as the setting for the books. But I’ve visited London and Warner Brother’s Studios (the obsession is real, y’all) and there is nowhere that makes you feel quite as in the “Wizarding World” as the Universal Studios’ parks. It’s magical to walk around with everyone in character witnessing the intricate details of the shops and school coming to life before you. My dream as a kid about getting a letter to Hogwarts feel like it’s coming true every time I set foot in the parks.
Since that first visit 2 years ago, I’ve now been to Universal Studios Hollywood twice and Universal Studios Orlando once. Here’s my guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at both parks.
Tickets
Universal Studios Hollywood: Requires one General Admission ticket to the park. Anywhere from $109-$124.
Universal Studios Orlando: Requires a Park-to-Park pass starting from $170. Yes, you could choose to only go to one park, but then you miss out on the Hogwarts Express and either Hogsmeade/Hogwarts or Diagon Alley. The park-to-park pass allows you to visit all parts of the Wizarding World in Orlando.
Discounted Military Tickets: MWR offices at most Army bases have a Leisure Travel Services/Tickets division that allow military families to get tickets at a reduced cost. The discounted tickets are available to all active duty military members and their families.
What To Do
Wander
When you walk through the large archway into Hogsmeade and see the whimsical snow covered shops with the towering Hogwarts castle in the distance, hear the music from the films playing and witness kids in robes running about with wands in hand accompanied by wide eyed parents with butterbeer, you may cry. Prepare yourself.
Take it all in. Look at the details in the shop windows, the authenticity of the castle and its rooms when you walk through to get to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, the interactive wand experiences as people of all ages wave their wands and cast spells causing water to spurt from fountains, talking heads to silence, and Quidditch gear to levitate.
Rides
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Orlando only)
Pros: My favorite ride. The detail in Gringotts is incredible and the wait passes quickly when around every turn is something enchanting to look at. The ride itself is a thrilling multi-dimensional indoor roller coaster.
Cons: Long waits for this one.
2. Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey
Pros: The Hogwarts Castle is the base for this ride and the detail as you wait is incredible. Just like with Escape to Gringotts, the detail in every room you walk through and around every corner is so well-done. From walking through the Herbology green houses, to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, to Dumbledore’s office, to the lifelake projections of the characters.
Cons: This ride made me incredibly nauseated. There are warnings posted throughout the line about motion sickness. I’d take those seriously if you’re anything like me. My husband says it’s great though.
3. The Hogwarts Express (Orlando only)
Pros: I sound like a broken record, but the. details. From entering the train station as if you’re in London, to the freakin’ billboard on the wall being a replica of the billboard Harry sees Dumbledore in front of at the start of the 6th movie, to the Hogwarts Express being identical to the real steam engine used in the movies. The “train ride” turns into an actual ride as it starts to move toward the other Universal park with the windows and the compartment door turning into screens.
Cons: Another long line, but easy to enjoy with everything you get to look at while waiting.
4. Flight of the Hippogriff
Pros: This adorable little rollercoaster takes you on to “the grounds’ of Hogwarts and next to Hagrid’s Hut to fly like Buckbeack while getting stunning views of the castle.
Cons: This ride is short. Don’t wait in line forever for this, but it’s worth it for a quick, fun trip.
Experiences
- Ollivander’s Wand Experience
Absolutely worth it. Even if there’s a wait. I’ve done it twice. I cried both times. It’s essentially Ollivander recreating the moment a new Hogwarts student chooses their wand. One or two lucky people are picked from a large group. My husband and I were picked the first time we did this experience, out of a group of at least 20-30 people. We were the last ones in and holding hands at the back of the room, and “Ollivander” pointed and said he sensed our connection AND I’LL STOP NOW. GETTING EMOTIONAL. But it’s incredibly worth it to experience. It’s not the same every time either. The experience is truly magic and a lot of fun to watch or participate in.
- Interactive Spells
Once you finish Ollivander’s Wand Experience, the joy and magic of the Wizarding World has more than likely taken hold. This is the perfect opportunity as you’re shuffled into Ollivander’s shop, to purchase wands and ignore the price. They have character wands which are fun to look at, but if you invest in a wand, get the Interactive wands. The parks have an incredibly fun spell casting experience throughout both Hogsmeade and if you’re in Orlando, Diagon Alley. The interactive wands come with a map to show you all the locations you can cast spells, but there are a few hidden spell casting spots as well.
You can make things move, appear or disappear, conjure water or sound, etc. The incantation and wand movement is listed at each marker to ensure you cast correctly. If you’re still struggling (*cough* muggle *cough*), helpful wand assistants are available throughout the park.
This is great for kids, but a lot of fun for adults too. I got my whole husband’s family into it when we went to Orlando over Christmas.
- Performance Groups
At both Orlando and Hollywood, the ladies of Beauxbatons and the men of Drumstrang put on an excellent show on a stage near the castle for the audience all year round. They also have the Hogwarts choir periodically performing with frogs. When we went at Christmas, they were singing Christmas Carols. Also, in Orlando in a corner of Diagon Alley, they put on an excellent reenactment of Beedle and the Bard’s Tale of Three Brothers.
Shops
In Hogsmeade:
– Honeydukes
– Zonko’s
– Dervish and Banges
– Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
– Ollivanders
– Owl Post/Owlery
In Diagon Alley/Knockturn Alley (Orlando Only):
-Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
-Scribbulus
-Gringott’s Money Exchange
-The Elixir Cart
-Borgin and Burkes
-Weasley Wizard Wheeze’s
-Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
-Magical Menagerie
-Wands by Gregorivitch
Where/What To Eat
- -Butterbeer. This is always the first stop. Cold, standard Butterbeer. Frozen Butterbeer. Hot Butterbeer. Butterbeer with a shot of Jameson (can be requested at the Hog’s Head). They’re all amazing and worth a try.
- -Butterbeer Ice Cream. Self explanatory once you’ve tried Butterbeer.
- -Pumpkin Juice. It tastes like a combination of apple cider and liquefied pumpkin pie. Not as good as Butterbeer, but it’s iconic.
- -Shepherd’s Pie at the Three Broomsticks. A tasty, hearty English classic that offsets all the sugar.
- -Ploughman’s Platter at The Leaky Cauldron (Orlando only). Great for a group with a plentiful amount of tasty English options like a scotch egg, English cheeses, and pickles.
- -Honeydukes Candy. Chocolate Frogs. Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. Acid Pops. Exploding Bon Bon’s. Fizzing Whizbees. Various gummies. Fudge. All the magical sweets.
What to Buy
- – A wand
- You can’t visit Harry Potter World and leave without a wand
- – Hogwarts House Gear
- Rep your Hogwarts House! They have sweaters, t-shirts, socks, key chains, journals, quidditch gear.
- – Honeydukes Candy
- Makes for great gifts
- – Robes
- For Halloween. For your next visit. For life. Whatever.
- – Lucius Malfoy’s Cane or a set of Wizard’s Chess or a working Marauder’s Map
- Filch’s Emporium has high-end replicas of props from the movies for your enjoyment. We’ve talked about getting the Wizard’s Chess Set since we both play. The rest would probably gather dust.
Nineteen Years Later
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is so enchanting and wonderful. It’s like stepping foot into the books or the movies, and literally being a part of the magical world J.K. Rowling created.
Hope this gives you a small taste of what can see and do, and how you should plan your visit. Like today. Get planning.
“Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”
– J.K. Rowling
Or by park.
Happy November, friends!
