Calling all Harry Potter fans! Find out everything you need to know about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Florida before getting to the parks!
Earlier this week, I posted about our trip to Universal Studios Florida. But I left out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Simply because this part of the Universal parks needed it’s own post. Even if you haven’t seen the Harry Potter movies or read the books, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will still amaze you. More than likely when you leave, you’ll want to watch the movies if you haven’t already.
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Before visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is divided between both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Diagon Alley is located inside Universal Studios and Hogsmede is located inside Islands of Adventure. The Hogwarts Express will take you to and from the Harry Potter worlds. For this reason, you’ll need to buy a park-to-park ticket. The train is only available for those who have a park-to-park ticket and it is something you don’t want to miss!
You’ll want to consider staying at one of the Universal Studios Hotels because you’ll get early morning access to Harry Potter Diagon Alley. These worlds can get very busy and crowded and it is a lot more fun to walk through them with less crowds. We did also notice the crowds almost completely disappeared during the last hour of the park.
Visit Grimauld’s Place
Before you enter the brick facade to Diagon Alley, you’ll want to stop and see Grimauld’s Place. Wait for a couple of minutes because he’ll peek out the window every few minutes.
Visit Ollivanders and Cast A Spell
Being in Diagon Alley is like really being in Diagon Alley in the movie. Every little detail has been brought to life. Ollivanders is the famous wand shop where you can shop for your own wand. You can also participate in a short show where a wand chooses its wizard. This is a really cool experience that you’ll want to make sure to do!
The wands for sale include replicas of famous Harry Potter characters’ wands. Some are interactive and come with a map showing you where you can cast your own spells all around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Their are spells to be cast in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmede.
Wait in the Lines
Make sure to enjoy the line for the Escape from Gringotts and Forbidden Journey at least once. There are so many details that you just don’t want to miss! There is also a child swap before getting on the ride so everyone can walk through the line together, even if they aren’t riding!
I cannot even put into words how amazing The Escape from Gringotts and Forbidden Journey rides are! It’s truly like being a part of the movie. You’ll even come face to face with Voldemort in The Escape from Gringotts. We rode these rides over and over again because we couldn’t get enough.
Talk to the Banker at Gringotts Money Exchange
Next to Gringotts bank is the Gringotts Money Exchange. Here you can exchange your Muggle money for Gringotts Bank Notes that you can use to purchase items within both Universal Parks. You can also talk to the goblin banker and he will talk back to you. He is a bit of a grump though and won’t sing you happy birthday like the interactive fountain from Islands of Adventure. Even if you don’t exchange your money, still stop in and have a conversation with the goblin.
Ride the Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express will take you to and from Diagon Alley and Hogsmede. As mentioned before, you do need a park-to-park ticket to ride the train. If you are looking for a more authentic experience of being a new student to Hogwarts, you’ll want to first ride the train from Diagon Alley to Hogsmede. The train ride is interactive and different each way, so I recommend riding it both ways.
Try a Butterbeer
There a few options for Butterbeer. You can get a hot one which is similar to a butterscotch flavored hot chocolate. You can get the frozen version or just the regular cold version. We got the frozen version and it was really good!
Then take a seat on the stairway to no where and just enjoy the view of Diagon Alley while you enjoy your Butterbear or ice cream from Florean Fortescue’s.
Wait for the Dragon to Breath Fire
On top of Gringotts bank sits a giant dragon protector. And every so often you’ll hear a grumble and know that the he’s getting ready to breathe fire. Just because he makes this noise doesn’t mean he will breath fire right away though. It’s completely random, but a must see while you are here!
Eat Lunch at the Leaky Cauldron
This is a really neat place to eat and the food is delicious! They serve classic British fare in a pub-style atmosphere and even have a children’s menu.
Photo Credit: Universal Orlando
Harry Potter Merchandise
Throughout the parks, they sell a lot of Harry Potter costumes and gear. These items can be quite pricey with the robes being around $112 each and shirts $30-$40. If you are looking to dress the part while visiting, you may want to consider picking these items up before hand. However, because the wand is interactive, this is something you’ll want to wait to purchase until you are at the park from Ollivanders.
Find out which Hogwarts House you belong to!
Before visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, take this fun quiz to see which Hogwarts House you belong to! According to the quiz, I belong to the Ravenclaw House. Which house do you belong to?
Related: Your Guide to Universal Studios Florida with Kids
If you’re planning a trip soon, make sure to pin this Wizard’s guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Florida!
This is AMAZING! I didn’t even know that this existed. What a fantastic experience. My inner Harry Potter fan is kind of squealing. Definitely taking the kids here when they are old enough to appreciate it! (Or maybe just next year, because I”ll appreciate it anyhow! haha)
Ahhh! I want to go there so badly! I LOVE Harry Potter! This is such a nice, detailed guide. Thanks for this!
I love the Harry Potter world at Universal! It’s so much fun!
We went there for the first time in December and my kids and I loved it! I can’t wait to go back and see more.
I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and I haven’t been here yet! Your pictures look amazing and so fun! I definitely need to visit.
My Grandson is dying to see this. I need to take him there after seeing your pictures. How awesome!
Omg. How cool. It’s more awesome looking than I thought. I’m a HUGE Harry Potter nerd and this just made me want to watch the movies all over again!!! I must go here soon!!!
Can you believe that I am a Central Florida native, and HUGE Harry Potter fan and have never been to this place!?! I have been wanting to go, but was waiting on the youngest to get a little older. I may have to take a kid free trip though because I know it would be an awesome time!
I seriously cannot wait to take my kids here…though I think I want to go for myself more than they will ever want to go. Thanks for the tips, especially where to stay and what kind of tickets to get.
I love Harry Potter so much! I would love to visit the wizarding world! sounds like so much fun!
Omg, my husband would freak going here. Our kids are just getting into HP, so we are going to wait just a little bit longer.
Omg my husband would freak going here. Our kids are just getting into HP, but we plan to go in the future.
This looks like a fun place. My boys would enjoy this as a family vacation spot.
What a fantastic park! Every child in the world would want to experience this. So much to see and the detail they have included is just brilliant.
I miss butterbeer! You really can’t leave without having one! So many lines but all worth it for the avid fans!
I actually did the Harry Potter experience when I went to Universal. Go super early or this part of the park will shut down an cant get in.
This place looks so amazing and interesting. A great way to spend a day with your family. According to the quiz I belong to hufflepuff!
Urgh, I am jealous. I have seen all of Harry Potter movies and I want to be there too, soon. These all looks like really fun!
I AM SO JEALOUS! I have always wanted to visit this! I can’t believe you got to taste butterbeer!
I honestly haven’t watched all the Harry Potter movies but I always wanted to visit places like this! It looks so fun!
I’ve been wanting to visit Harry Potter World since it opened! I’m not a super fan but it looks so fun. I’d love to try all the sweets from the books!
I would love to be there. I’m a big fan of Harry Potter. I remember I was in my primary school when I’ve started to read the first book:)
What a cool post! I love the pictures. This seems like such a fun trip! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
The kids would absolutely love this place. I cannot believe the details of this place!
This is still on my bucket list and a MUST DO in the eyes of my son! We will get there someday!
Great post! I really need to get there some day!
They popped me in Racenclaw, too! I don’t know if that’s a good fit, but at least I know someone. 🙂
Question: how long did I take to grow through the whole Wizarding experience?
It didn’t take us very long, we got really lucky with shorter lines. You definitely want to plan to spend a full day between the two Harry Potter areas though!
This is on my holiday list to take my grandkids! I just need them to hurry up and age a few more years lol 🙂 … Not that I want to rush time or anything???.. Ha-ha!
oh my goodness, this is sooooo awesome. i would love to go there one day.
I’m not a Harry Potter fan, I have to confess. So this place wouldn’t really be for me. But I have a lot of Harry Potter mad friends who would love it x
This is included in my bucket list! I am jealous! How I wish I am there too.
We are fans of Harry Potter, however have not visited this theme park. Thanks for giving us a synopsis/looksee of this marvelous creation. Can’t wait to give it a visit. 👍🏼
I’ve wanted to go since I heard they were building it! This guide is PERFECT, definitely book marking for my visit.
Sounds like a fun place, especially for families! I like how they decorated the park and how well it replicates scenes from the Harry Potter movies.
I’ve never been here but I’ve seen lots of photos and read lots of review about this place… You convinced me that it needs to be visited and I have to plan a trip here soon, very soon 😉 – Paolo
This is one of my favorite places, EVER! So amazing reading and seeing your pictures!
It has been my dream to visit the Universal Studios in Florida. I am a Harry Potter fan and this would be a dream come true. Will definitely make sure to enjoy butterbeer when we visit.
Looks so exciting! It is amazing what has evolved there. I would love to see this!
How fun is this?! We have Harry Potter land here in LA too, but I haven’t been able to go. After looking at your pictures, I definitely want to go!
Oh wow, that looks amazing! What a great place to visit.
Thank you, this brought back lots of memories. We were there at Christmas and is was ridiculously busy. It really is amazing though and as you said, there are so many little details which you can easily miss.