Alohomora! We’re unlocking our Top 10 Experiences The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando resort, your wizarding dreams come to life. The magical experience is built for wizards and witches of all ages. Some magical experiences are obvious while others are hidden gems. Discovering these will ensure a more magical experience for your next trip. Join us as we share our favorite experiences and our Wizarding World Engagement. All Aboard!
We adventured to Florida after a snowy winter, ready for sun, pools, heat, and adventure. Like many adults born in the 90’s, we loved the Harry Potter books and movies. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was a magical experience for muggles and wizards alike.
When we arrived at the gates for Early Park Admission, we could hardly contain our excitement. We had a backpack with water and snacks, our phones, camera, and a few essentials. We were surrounded by families and groups dressed in their long robes with wands ready. As the park gates opened, the energy was palpable. We were all directed by staff to our first ride!
Note: We highly recommend Early Park Admission via staying at one of the Universal Orlando Hotels. We stayed at Universal’s Dockside Inn, which was a beautiful, new hotel with all the amenities we needed at a great price within our budget. It was a short, free, five minute bus ride to the city walk entrance and only a few minutes walk to the park gates. With Early Park Admission, you can enjoy the park for an hour with smaller crowds and shorter lines. While many of the shops were not open in Hogsmeade until the park opened to all, we rode both Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, took lots of photos, were entertained by the magic of children with interactive wands, and toured Hogsmeade. Thanks to this advantage, and our multi-day access through a wonderful Black Friday deal, we did not need express passes to ride our favorite rides multiple times, eat the delicious food of the Mardi Gras Celebration, and immerse ourselves in the wizarding world, drinking all the butter beer our hearts desired.
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
This magical motorbike rollercoaster took us on an exciting adventure through the wizarding world. As we travel through the grounds, we enjoyed the forbidden forest, Hagrid’s hut, statues, murals, castle rooms, and other unique features of the attraction’s line queue. We would recommend riding this at least twice so you can experience the motorbike and the side car. This was our favorite roller coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Because we were in the first group on this ride, we were off before most people had even made their way to The Wizarding World. We gathered our belongings from the free lockers and ventured to the next ride.
Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey
Near the entrance to this ride is a bridge connecting the Hogwarts area to the Jurassic Park area. The view of the Hogwarts Castle and surrounding grounds from the bridge is stunning at all hours of the day. We made a quick pit stop to take a few photos and headed on our way to tour the castle and ride the coaster. We’ll spare you the spoilers, but will say that touring the castle is a must. If susceptible to motion sickness, this may be a good ride to skip, but you MUST still tour the entire castle!
Hogsmeade
Explore the shops and storefronts of Hogsmeade. Consider a trip to the owl post to purchase stationery or have your postcard stamped!
Butterbeer
You can find butterbeer throughout Harry Potter World offered cold, warm, and as a frozen slushy. Our favorite was the warm Butterbeer during our winter trip!
Hogwarts Express Train
In order to ride the train, you must have a park-to-park pass. Be sure to ride both ways as you will have a different experience from London to Hogwarts and Hogwarts to London!
Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts
Some day, I hope our bank is protected by a fire breathing dragon, staffed by goblins, and displays the stunning looks of Gringotts. This is another line queue that everyone should experience regardless of riding the roller coaster. While walking Diagon Alley to join this ride, be sure to wait a few minutes to catch the fire breathing dragon.
Restaurants
We definitely worked up an appetite while exploring The Wizarding World and the rest of the two parks at Universal. The Mardi Gras celebration took place while we visited. We ate A LOT of food from the different food trucks. While we didn’t have a sit down meal at one of the many restaurants in The Wizarding World, we did purchase our butterbeer within and explored the incredible interiors detailed as the books described. Fortunately, dining spots are available in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade as the locations get very busy a peak meal times. We explored The Leaky Cauldron, The Hopping Pot, Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, The Three Broomsticks and more!
Diagon Alley & Knockturn Alley
As the great wizards we are, we did not miss the hidden entrance to Knockturn Alley while exploring the shops and storefronts of Diagon Alley. We loved this dark arts area and were blown away by Borgin and Burkes and the Vanishing Cabinet with occasional bird chirping! We were sure to have our wands ready for any surprises along the way.
Ollivander's Wand Shop
Speaking of wands, head over to Olivander’s for an incredible experience where the wand chooses the wizard! We had a blast during this individualized wand selection experience!
Platform 9 3/4' s in King's Cross Station
The details of King’s Cross Station in the movie are replicated throughout the station including murals and Platform 9 3/4’s. We were impressed by the replication of King’s Cross Station as it appears so similar to the real King’s Cross Station. On our way back to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts to catch the lighting of the castle, we traveled through the famous Platform 9 3/4. To get the best picture passing through, lag behind your friends or family and watch for the optical illusion as they pass through!
2.6.2021 Our Engagement
Our evening took us back to our favorite view of the castle from the bridge. The castle was lit in beautiful colors. We took a few more pictures. Before leaving to catch up with a wonderful, lifelong friend, I was in for one more surprise…an engagement to the man of my dreams. It was an incredible way to end an already magical day!
