The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans two of Universal Orlando’s theme parks. To get seamless access via the Hogwarts Express, you can book a park-to-park ticket here.
Highlights
- What awaits you in Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter world? Nothing much, just Diagon Alley, Platform 9 3⁄4, Hogsmeade, and Hogwarts!
- If you’re thinking about getting your first wand, I suggest buying an Interactive wand over the “regular” type. It will let you cast spells in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade (for real).
- You probably know that Butterbeer is available in the theme parks, but did you know that you can have it cold, frozen, hot, and even in ice cream form?
- Make the most of your stay by riding Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, Escape from Gringotts, The Forbidden Journey, and Flight of the Hippogriff!
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Unless you can apparate, I suggest purchasing a park-to-park ticket, which will let you use the Hogwarts Express to go from one park to another. To get a discount on your Universal Orlando tickets, book here!
Explore more: DEAL: Get Your Universal Orlando 2-Day Tickets at a Discount!
NEW SAFETY MEASURES
Universal Orlando Resort has provided health and social distancing guidelines to keep the park safe for guests. This includes applying hand sanitizer before boarding a ride and having a distance of at least 6 feet between groups. You can find the rest of the measures here.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando Resort
Before we talk about the magical stuff that you shouldn’t miss on your visit, let’s have an overview of the Harry Potter-themed attractions in Universal Orlando. The sites and rides are found in two of the resort’s theme parks, namely Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (there’s another park called Volcano Bay). Here’s a quick list of the attractions for reference (not meant to be exhaustive):
1. Harry Potter World in Universal Studios Florida
- Diagon Alley
- Ollivander’s Wand Shop
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Ride)
- Gringotts Money Exchange
- The Knight Bus
- Leaky Cauldron (Dining)
- Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
- Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station
2. Harry Potter World in Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Hogsmeade
- The Mystic Fountain
- Shop of Wonders
- The Three Broomsticks (Dining)
- Ollivander’s Wand Shop
- Hogwarts Castle
- Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey (Ride)
- Flight of the Hippogriff (Ride)
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Ride)
- Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station
As you can see, each theme park is packed with so many attractions that Potterheads shouldn’t miss. Visiting only one park could still be fun, but you’d most probably feel like you’re missing out. To experience the entire Harry Potter world in Universal Orlando, as well as immerse in other themed sites (like E.T., Fast & Furious, The Simpsons, and Transformers!), book a 2-park 2-day Universal Orlando ticket. The standard price for an adult and child ticket are $294.99 and $284.99 respectively, but you can book on WAUG here to get at least $8 off per ticket!
Still looking for a better deal? If you have not used WAUG before, you can get $3 off your first booking when you sign up here!
What to Expect in Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter World
There’s a lot of positive feedback about the Harry Potter parks in Orlando, but if there’s one thing they share in common, it would be this: they’re very detailed. From the animate portraits in Hogwarts to the Leaky Cauldron signage, you can expect to have a memorable time in the amusement resort. If you’re planning a visit, here are a few things that you can look forward to (I’ve included the online price of some items, but know that they may change without notice):
1. Quidditch Equipment at Quality Quidditch Supplies
Considering how Harry visits this place often, I’d say this is his favorite store in Diagon Alley. Here you can see all sorts of Quidditch-related items, like brooms ($34.95), Golden Snitches ($18.95), bludger bats and balls ($24.95), and quaffles ($24.95). Quality Quidditch Supplies in Universal Orlando also sells a replica of the Quidditch Uniform for $150.
“Wow! Look at it! The new Nimbus 2000! It’s the fastest model yet!” pic.twitter.com/7rXbjtzdMB
— Potterhead Posts (@PotterheadPosts) May 23, 2019
2. U-No-Poo Pills at Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
“Why are you worrying about You-Know-Who? You should be worrying about U-No-Poo — the constipation sensation that’s gripping the nation!”
Only the Weasley twins can come up with such a witty copy! When you visit Universal Studios Florida, don’t miss the chance to dive into their clever and hilarious world by visiting Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. They sell all sorts of stuff here, like U-No-Poo pills, Puking Pastilles, Extendable Ear ($25), and Love Potions. (Beware of Dolores Umbridge in the ceiling!)
3. Wands at Ollivander’s
Ollivander’s has two locations in Universal Orlando: Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Your experience here can be one of the two: you choose the wand or the wand chooses you! Whatever the case is, if you already know that you’re gonna get one, you have two options: an Interactive Wand ($55) and a Regular Wand ($49). The regular kind is cool as it is, but the Interactive wand will let you, the wizard, cast spells in various locations in the Harry Potter world (you’ll get a map that will show you where you can use it!). Here’s a video so you can see how it works:
Oh, you can also choose whose wand you want to purchase. Draco Malfoy’s? Professor McGonagall’s? Mad-Eye Moody’s? You’ll have plenty of options here.
4. Gringotts Bank Notes in Gringotts Money Exchange
Yes, you can have your US dollar bills exchanged here for some real wizard money! Use Gringotts bank notes (they come in $10 and $20 denominations) for your purchases in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. (Don’t take it personally if the goblin gives you a haughty look.)
5. Borgin and Burkes at Knockturn Alley
We know how sinister this place is, but you definitely don’t want to miss the experience. Knockturn Alley in Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter world is exactly what you can imagine it — dark. Pop in Borgin and Burkes to see Death Eater masks and skulls. (Dementor shirts are also sold here.)
6. Madam Malkin’s Robes for all Occasions
Before taking the Hogwarts Express, you may want to shop for your House Robe ($125), socks, and sweater at Madam Malkin’s! Here you can also purchase Hermione Granger’s Yule Ball Gown ($375 for adults and $99.95 for children) and Professor Snape’s Costume ($495).
7. Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees in Diagon Alley
Catch Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees in the flesh! If you have not been to a wizard’s concert yet because you’re too busy at the muggle world, make sure to time your visit during her show in Diagon Alley. You can check here to see show times and availability.
8. Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley
When you and your wizard family feel hungry, go to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley for some good ol’ British food. On the menu, you’ll find items like Egg, Leek, & Mushroom Pasty (breakfast item for $17.99), Fish & Chips ($16.99), Toad in the Hole (English sausage baked into Yorkshire pudding for $11.99), Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew ($15.99), Macaroni Cheese ($7.49), Pumpkin Juice ($4.99), and Tongue Tying Lemon Squash ($5.49).
9. Butterbeer in Leaky Cauldron and Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour
Finally, butterbeer! Here are the options that you can get in Leaky Cauldron: Butterbeer ($7.99), Frozen Butterbeer ($7.99), and Butterbeer Potted Cream (dessert for $5.79).
If you want to try Butterbeer Ice Cream ($5.99 when served in a waffle cone), you ca visit Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour.
10. Phone Booth outside King’s Cross Station
What’s so special about this phone booth in Universal Orlando? Well, while they cannot get you inside to Ministry of Magic Headquarters, it can connect you to it! Just dial MAGIC (62442).
I love this photo far too much lol don’t come for me lol but I love Harry Potter and that phone booth is giving the vibes lol 💖💖 pic.twitter.com/pekKUWQkNw
— Becky Payton (@BBeckyp) January 25, 2019
What did WAUG users have to say about Universal Orlando?
Check ’em out here.
11. Platform 9 3⁄4 at King’s Cross Station
not as cool as platform 9 3/4, it has a secret entrance!!! pic.twitter.com/PLVEISCiBA
— dj snowball (@SnowballDj) June 17, 2020
If you have the park-to-park ticket and would like to board the Hogwarts Express, you will have to go through Platform 9 3⁄4. Yes, like walk straight to the wall. (Don’t worry, your passage is guaranteed!)
12. Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade
Possibly the hippest place in all of Hogsmeade, Three Broomsticks is where students from Hogwarts often come to hang. If you’d like to get the experience in Universal Orlando, the pub is located in Islands of Adventure. Here you can order The Great Feast (good for 4 or more), Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Pasties, and Turkey legs! (Mobile Food Ordering via the official app is available in Three Broomsticks.)
13. Moaning Myrtle in Hogsmeade’s Toilet
Imagine her going up against Moaning Myrtle pic.twitter.com/B90rjH5MO0
— :0 (@asingh471) June 23, 2020
Yes, she got tired of Hogwarts. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
14. Chocolate Frogs at Honeydukes
While the Chocolate Frogs at Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter world are unlikely to move, they will definitely taste like Honeydukes’ homemade chocolate that Hogwarts students love! Other delights that you’ll find in this Hogsmeade favorite are Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Cakes, and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans!
15. Pensieve in Hogwarts
If you could, would you review Dumbledore’s memory or Snape’s?
16. Sorting Hat in Hogwarts
Another magical item that you can spot in Hogwarts (as you wait to ride The Forbidden Journey) is the Sorting Hat. I hope you get in the House that you wish for.
Enjoy your Harry Potter world experience at Universal Orlando!
There’s quite a lot more that we haven’t shared (like the fire-breathing dragon at Diagon Alley, Kreacher, the Knight Bus, the Horcruxes on sale — yes, some of them are!), so you can definitely look forward to more Harry Potter-surprises on your visit! (If you’re unable to travel to Florida, you may want to check out the Harry Potter parks in Universal Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan instead. If you’re in Korea, you can also check out this Harry Potter-themed restaurant and dessert cafe in Hongdae!)
