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Top 7 Things to Do at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
June 12, 2024
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UPDATED JUNE 2024. Whether you are a witch, wizard or muggle, magic is everywhere at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort. At Hogsmeade and the Diagon Alley, you will be transported straight into the world of Harry Potter we all know and love.

For those of us still waiting to receive our letter from Hogwarts, this is our best chance to experience the mysteries, excitement and adventures of the wizard world.There is so much to do and see with something for everyone in your family!

Whether it be thrill rides, finding hidden secrets or just soaking in all of the detail, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is unlike anything you have ever experienced. The land itself is so expansive, it actually exists in two theme parks.

You’ll find Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida, just a short drive from Walt Disney World. But, there’s no need to turn to page 394; we have all the information right here to help make the most of your Universal Orlando Resort vacation.

As Albus Dumbledore said, "Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress - adventure." So grab onto your robes and let us dive into the Top 7 Things to do at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Here is a quick video to get started:

 

 

1. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

In this 3-D action adventure with a bit of roller coaster thrown in, you are in for the ride of a lifetime. Taking on trolls, dragons, Bellatrix and even Voldemort himself, you must find a way to make a safe return with the help from Harry, Ron and Hermione.

  • Height Requirement: minimum height 42” (107 cm)
  • Ride Type: thrill, motion simulation, 3-D / 4-D experience
  • Universal Express Pass: accepted
  • Single Rider: available

While we love using the Universal Express Pass, you don’t want to rush too quickly because the queue is worth experiencing in and of itself! You start your journey outside of the fortified Gringotts bank. The outside walls are lined with posters and warnings about the contents inside of the vaults.

Next you make your way inside to the first floor of Gringotts. Beautiful marble covers every surface and giant columns stand tall in the halls of this enormous bank.

Straight out of the Harry Potter films, you will next enter the main hall where the goblins are hard at work. With incredibly lifelike animatronics and multiple massive chandeliers, you are completely immersed in the world of Gringotts.

Once you make it past all of the goblins' watchful eyes, you are greeted by Bill Weasley who will get you prepared to take the journey into the depths below. You now make your way to the elevators where you are transported thousands of feet underground to where you will begin your dangerous adventure.

2. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Located in the heart of Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This is your chance to join Hagrid as you fly deep into the wilds of the Forbidden Forest, beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle. This thrilling roller coaster ride takes you right into the action, right into the path of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.

  • Height Requirement: minimum height 48” (122 cm)
  • Ride Type: thrill
  • Child Swap: available

Experience Universal’s most highly themed, immersive coaster as you travel up to 50 miles per hour, free-fall during a vertical drop of nearly 17 feet, before catapulting you 65 feet in the air at a more than 70-degree angle! This is a motorbike adventure you don’t want to miss.

3. Hogwarts Express

You can now take the train ride you have always dreamed of. Hop aboard the Hogwarts Express to travel from King's Cross to Hogsmeade Station! This ride is exclusive to Park-to-Park ticket holders because you will travel from Universal Studios Florida to Islands of Adventure or vice versa. Each way you travel is a different experience, so definitely worth riding more than once.

At King's Cross Station you can actually pass through the wall onto Platform 9 3/4! You can feel the same excitement of traveling to Hogwarts for the first time or returning home after the school year. The line and ride are filled with surprises, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled. You never know what or who you might see in the Wizarding World, Florida!

4. Butterbeer

This tasty treat is one of the many incredible things exclusive to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! This delicious concoction is described as a kind of cream soda, butterscotch flavor.

You can try this one of a kind drink in regular, hot or frozen temperatures, each with their own unique flavor. We first tried Frozen Butterbeer and we were hooked! Be sure to save room for the regular and hot Butterbeer since they are amazing too. If you asked our whole team for each of their favorites, we’d likely have a three-way tie!

5. Ollivanders

Since 382 B.C., Ollivanders has been crafting the finest wands in all of the wizarding world. And now you have a chance to purchase a wand from the famous crafters shop in Diagon Alley!

You have your pick of replicas from the movies (for just about every character you could think of), as well as a new line of interactive wands! Using the map that comes with your interactive wand, you can find specified locations throughout the park to cast real life spells!

With just the right wand movements and correct phrases, you can bring the magic to life! And that's not all! As we all know, the wand chooses the wizard - now you can witness a wand ceremony, and perhaps you’ll be the lucky witch or wizard that gets chosen from each ceremony to purchase your very own unique wand from Ollivanders

6. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Inside the Hogwarts castle, you’ll fly with Harry and his friends through this death-defying adventure. Taking on giant spiders, dragons and even Dementors, this is a true test of your wizard abilities and courage.

  • Height Requirement: minimum height 48” (122 cm)
  • Ride Type: thrill, motion simulation, 3-D / 4-D experience
  • Universal Express Pass: accepted
  • Single Rider: available
  • Child Swap: available

At this attraction, the queue is just as much a part of the experience. You wind through the halls of Hogwarts taking in all the moving portraits and the atmosphere of the historic castle. You cross paths with the likes of Professor Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione, The Sorting Hat and many others.

It is worth riding multiple times just to walk through the halls of Hogwarts and discover more hidden magic. In fact, if you have little witches or wizards who aren’t tall enough to ride, or you have someone in your group who would rather not take on the adventure, anyone is welcome to go through the queue to enjoy exploring Hogwarts. Just let the team member know you want to exit before getting on the attraction.

7. Hidden Secrets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

You won't need to use Alohomora to unlock some of the secrets in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - here are some fun Easter Eggs you can check out:

  • There is a traditional telephone booth right outside King's Cross station. If you go inside and dial 62442 (MAGIC) you will be connected with the Ministry of Magic!
  • Every 15 minutes or so, the giant dragon perched atop Gringotts in Diagon Alley spits giant flames of fire!
  • If you enter the bathroom in Hogsmeade, you will be greeted by a familiar voice. Moaning Myrtle continues wailing away and haunts the stalls of both the men's and women's restrooms.
  • Outside the entrance of Diagon Alley, you can check out the Knight Bus! With the conductor and Dre Head waiting outside, you are in for some fun and crazy conversation. Also if you walk behind the bus, you can see rows of beds inside.
  • At the entrance to the Black residence at 12 Grimmauld Place, if you look closely, Kreacher the House Elf can periodically be seen peeking through the curtains.
  • Make your way to the Gringotts Money Exchange and you can turn your dollars in for some Wizard Bank notes! (These can be used as currency inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or kept as a souvenir.) And be sure to ask the Goblin in charge a question, he might just answer you.
  • In Diagon Alley, if you take a certain turn, you might find yourself in Knockturn Alley. Filled with the Dark Arts and shops like Borgin and Burkes, there are plenty of evil mysteries to discover.

We Recommend…

We recommend at least a 3-day Park-to-Park Ticket so you can experience one day at Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal's Volcano Bay. This way you can ride all the Harry Potter attractions at Universal, near Walt Disney World. You can also get a free express pass when you book your stay at a Universal Studios Orlando premier property.

Do we continue to love The Wizarding World of Harry Potter after all of this time? Always! It will remind you of all the reasons why the Boy Who Lived means so much to so many people and you will fall in love with the world of Harry Potter all over again. In the words of J.K. Rowling, "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."

We couldn't agree more. Book your Universal Studios Orlando vacation online or call our travel experts at 855-GET-AWAY.

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