harry potter universal trip letter

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Fan Site

Finding Magic at Wizarding World Park and Beyond

Hogwarts Acceptance Letter

A personalized Hogwarts Acceptance letter is the perfect way to surprise the Harry Potter fan in your life with a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando!

You can now purchase an official acceptance letter from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Check out the Hogwarts Acceptance letter in the video below–it arrived via Owl Post of course from the Harry Potter WBShop.

A WBShop.com exclusive, this personalized Hogwarts acceptance letter panel is a fantastic gift for any Harry Potter fan. You can personalize the letter for anyone — just read the instructions on the WB site ( Hogwarts Acceptance ) for how to do this part. This letter is a replica of the one sent to all incoming Hogwarts students!

Both versions are signed by Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts. Printed on 1/4 inch thick Chromaluxe panels that don’t require any framing, these replicas are highly resistant to ultraviolet rays, scuffs, scratches, water, and fading. The panels include an attached easel so they can stand on any desk, shelf, or night table. Prices range from $24.95-$34.95, pretty cheap by Harry Potter souvenir standards.

To get your own Hogwarts Acceptance Letter, visit the WB Site and Search for Hogwarts Acceptance.

Hogwarts Acceptance Letter Video

Share this:

• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Top Posts & Pages

• 22 Harry Potter Printables & Coloring Sheets
• Create a Hogwarts Acceptance Letter
• Top 5 Butterbeer Recipes You Can Make at Home!
• 30 Harry Potter at Home Activities

Recent Posts

• 5 Reasons to Book a Universal Orlando Package
• Why You Need to Visit the Leaky Cauldron Universal Studios
• From Muggles to Wizards: Your Guide to Harry Potter Disney World
• A First-Timer’s Guide to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• What is Pram Parking at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Privacy Overview

Discover more from wizarding world of harry potter fan site.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Entertainment

Universal's Harry Potter vacation package includes a letter from Hogwarts

• Sharon Kennedy Wynne Times staff

Universal Orlando's relaunch of its popular Wizarding World-themed vacation package hits Harry Potter fans right in the sweet spot: They will get their very own letter from Hogwarts.

One of the new enhancements in Universal's Harry Potter vacation package, available now through Dec. 20 for Florida residents, is a keepsake box that arrives in the mail with the names of the family members and a welcome letter and travel guide.

The box is filled with goodies such as Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione luggage tags, as well as lanyards for Hogwarts Railways. As avid fans of the boy wizard know, the adventure begins when Harry gets a letter just before his 11th birthday from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his first indication that he's a wizard.

Starting at $135 per person per night, the package includes three nights in a Universal hotel (the price goes up for luxury hotels), two-day park-to-park tickets for both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, plus two additional park tickets that can be used at those theme parks or Volcano Bay water park.

The package also includes a breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios and a session at Shutterbutton's Photography Studio in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios for a free DVD photo album and one 8-by-10 photo.

The idea of immersing yourself in the world of your favorite characters has not only brought unheard of double-digit attendance spikes since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010, but other theme parks have also made big investments in "lands," including Disney's Avatar -themed Pandora, the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, opening Aug. 29, and SeaWorld's life-sized replica of Sesame Street.

Star Wars fans will get their own immersive vacation package someday. Disney has announced plans for a space-themed hotel where the windows look like portals into outer space. From there, guests will shuttle to the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios.

Disney has said the hotel, currently under construction at Walt Disney World, will offer a "seamless connection" to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Some new features to look for at Universal this fall are the new Hagrid-themed coaster in Islands of Adventure and a fall debut of a light projection show called "Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle." The show will use high-tech projection mapping, making Hogwarts Castle come alive with Dementors, Death Eaters and other sinister creatures. The show, which already debuted at Universal Studios Hollywood in California, included Universal's first use of drones in a theme park. At one point, Harry Potter's Patronus filled the night sky in the form of dozens of glowing drones.

The park has not announced a schedule for the light show, giving a debut date of "fall" in Orlando.

Explore Tampa Bay’s sights and bites

Subscribe to our free Do & Dine newsletter

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

For information about the Wizarding World vacation package, go to universalorlando.com .

Contact Sharon Kennedy Wynne at [email protected]. Follow @SharonKWn.

Events, Family and Travel reporter

MORE FOR YOU

• Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

Vacation savings from Orlando Informer! Save with Orlando Informer! X

on select Universal Orlando Resort tickets

No blockout dates. Savings vary by day. Restrictions apply.

• FREE Wizarding World of Harry Potter Touring Plan – Accurate & Up-to-Date

Welcome to our Wizarding World of Harry Potter touring plan. We have created what we believe to be the most comprehensive guide available anywhere to experience all of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley , giving families a sense of their true size and scope. Furthermore, using our plan will help you experience these magical venues just as Harry did for the first time.

IMPORTANT: this is not a traditional touring plan in the sense that it will help you avoid crowds. If that is a concern given how busy the parks are projected to be during your visit ( see our free crowd calendar ), we recommend that you use one of our other touring plans for the general framework of when to visit the Wizarding World, and then use this plan to help ensure you don’t miss a thing.

That being said, if you are only planning on visiting Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade during your visit to the parks, and you’re not interested at all in the other lands, then you could definitely use this as your full-day plan. We say that because, even with the Wizarding World being as grand as it is, it still only constitutes two out of a total of 16 lands across Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure .

There are two plans offered below: one for spending the full day at Diagon Alley before making the jaunt over to Hogsmeade, and the other for retracing Harry’s footsteps chronologically – the closest you can come to actually being the Boy Who Lived.

Skip to: Diagon Alley | Harry’s journey

Full-day, “don’t miss a thing” Diagon Alley touring plan

Plan on four hours to all day, depending on crowd levels and your family’s interest in Harry Potter .

1. We usually recommend that, whether or not you have Early Park Admission for Universal Studios Florida, you arrive at the turnstiles 45 minutes before you are able to get in (either as part of EPA or as part of general admission). But considering that your plan is to spend most of the day in the Wizarding World, anyway, it isn’t as necessary for you to be the first in line. (If you’d like to learn more, see our guide to Early Park Admission .)

2. When you are let through the turnstiles, grab a park map and proceed through to Diagon Alley.

London waterfront

The London waterfront that hides Diagon Alley from the rest of the park is more than just a barrier – it features its own set of stops, food, and must-dos, as well as being one of the most lavishly detailed areas of all of Universal Orlando Resort.

3. Stop by the Knight Bus and visit with the Conductor and his shrunken-head compatriot. Be sure to take a look inside the bus, including from the back – it’s one of the best photo-ops in the entire park!

4. Visit the London Taxi Huts. One serves food while the other offers Hogwarts house merchandise . If possible and desirable, grab a little something to snack on while you…

5. Snap a photo of Kreacher, Sirius Black’s house-elf, who periodically pokes his head out from behind the curtains in one of 12 Grimmauld Place’s windows.

6. Visit the telephone booth in front of Leicester Square and dial M-A-G-I-C for a little surprise. Then take a look into the record shop next to this booth for several Easter Eggs, including the Universal Creative department logo and references to Jaws (the attraction that existed here before the Wizarding World).

Once you’ve had your fill, proceed to the entrance of Diagon Alley under the Liecester Square signage.

Diagon Alley

The first street you see stretching out before you is called Diagon Alley. Like a true city block, there are several exits along the road: to the right, past Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes , is Carkitt Market ; to the left, just after The Leaky Cauldron , is Knockturn Alley ; and at the end of the street is Horizont Alley , whose intersection is dominated by Gringotts Wizarding Bank. We recommend doing everything you’d like in the Diagon section first before moving to any of the others.

8. Visit the shops: Quality Quidditch Supplies , Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes , Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions , Ollivanders Wand Shop , and  Shutterbutton’s Photo Studio .

You’ll want to see the mirror inside Madam Malkin’s – it may have something to say about you or what you’re wearing.

If you already have an interactive wand, make sure to check out two of the three secret wand locations here. One can be found within the shop window next to Madam Malkin’s, and the other can be found directly to the right, in the Apocratery window. If you don’t have an interactive wand yet, then…

9. Stop at Ollivanders Wand Shop and see the wand-picking-the-wizard show. You can also shop here on your way out.

Keep in mind there are multiple effects in the show, and not every effect is used in every show. If the wait is very short, consider experiencing the demonstration more than once. There is also more than one Ollivanders employee working at any time, so you could experience a new wand keeper on your second or third trip through the show. This includes the new-to-Diagon-Alley female wand keepers, too.

Want to learn about interactive wands and spellcasting at the Wizarding World? View our guide .

10. Eat a meal at The Leaky Cauldron (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

In case you haven’t seen it already, learn about the food and drinks of Leaky Cauldron and every venue inside Diagon Alley in our  comprehensive guide .

11. Have a snack at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour (which typically opens bright and early in the morning and remains open all day long).

There is limited space for queuing inside Florean Fortescue’s. Because of this, the ice cream line will often begin outside the door and against the building. Note: if you’re only interested in Butterbeer ice cream, that item is also served next door at The Fountain of Fair Fortune (but, technically, that’s part of Horizont Alley, so we haven’t mentioned it yet!).

When you are ready, backtrack a bit to the entrance of Diagon Alley and head towards Carkitt Market, which is located next to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.

Carkitt Market

This is a large, (mostly) covered shopping area that is home to a number of street vendors, the new wizarding land’s only outdoor seating area, and, of course, live entertainment.

12. Visit Wands by Gregorovitch – that is, if you didn’t already buy a wand at Ollivanders .

13. Do your shopping at Globus Mundi , the traveling agency of the wizarding world.

14. Stop at The Hopping Pot , a mostly drink-only location, and either sip on your draught beer at the outdoor seating or take it on over next door to the stage so you can…

15. See the live entertainment : The Tales of Beedle the Bard and The Singing Sorceress, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. These are two separate shows whose performances alternate. (Times are not published in the guide map or online, but they do appear in the Universal mobile app.)

Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees does include crowd participation. If you are a male over the age of (around) 17, stand near the stage about 10 minutes prior to the show for a chance to be selected by a Universal team member to have a small role in the performance.

16. Visit the Gringotts Money Exchange to chat with the fully interactive audio-animatronic goblin teller while he exchanges your muggle cash for wizarding bank notes. You can also pick up some Gringotts merchandise here, as well.

Not interested in buying a bank note? No problem. You may still get in line and experience the goblin teller. It’s also worth noting that wizarding money is not required to make purchases throughout Diagon Alley – it’s simply a souvenir and a way to get gift certificates.

17. Mail home those special packages, for you or those special muggles in your life, at the Owl Post . Don’t forget that you can splurge on fancy wrapping!

When you are ready, head towards the next section, Horizont Alley, which officially starts with the bend in the road, right before Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment .

Horizont Alley

Although Diagon Alley is the main section of Universal Studios Florida’s Wizarding World, Horizont Alley is really its heart, with a number of refreshment stands, shops, and, of course, the land’s only ride: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

18. Stop by Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment , a beverage stand that mixes flavored “elixirs” (really just shots of watermelon or pineapple flavoring) into a bottle of Gillywater (filtered water) right in front of your eyes.

19. Go to Gringotts Wizarding Bank to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts . Exit the attraction with a look through its gift shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment.

Remember to look up in Wiseacre’s to see repurposed remains of the Jaws ride.

20. Adjacent to Wiseacre’s and sharing the same building, you’ll find Scribbulus Writing Implements.

Outside Scribbulus, make sure to see one of the hidden wand experiences found in the window. Results may vary, so you’ll want to try it more than once.

21. Visit Magical Menagerie , full of plush animals found within the Harry Potter books and films. Check out the windows, including one that holds Nagini, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s pet snake and a Horcrux.

22. Next, stroll down to the public conveniences to enjoy the wizarding Easter eggs hidden there. Utilizing a stall? Look above the toilet.

23. If you’re (still) thirsty, stop by The Fountain of Fair Fortune , another drinks-only venue that focuses on both Butter- and draught beer. Because it’s located adjacent to Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, it also serves Butterbeer ice cream.

Once you exit the pub, turn left and head through the entrance to the last area of the land, Knockturn Alley.

Knockturn Alley

Knockturn may be the smallest section of Diagon Alley, but many consider it the most immersive – and certainly the creepiest. Despite its having only one store, be sure to spend just as much time here, drinking in all the exquisite details and spooky fun (including Diagon Alley’s most fun homage to Jaws and Amity, the land it replaced.)

Note: certain areas of Knockturn Alley will allow you to see otherwise-invisible messages found on your interactive wand map.

24. Visit Borgin and Burkes to explore some of the most unique pieces of wizarding merchandise, including Death Eater masks. There are also familiar items on display, including the vanishing cabinet (from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ) and the Hand of Glory (from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ).

Need a primer on all of the merchandise available inside Diagon Alley, including Borgin and Burkes? Yep, we have a complete guide for that, too!

Once you have finished all of your window shopping and Easter egg-hunting, it’s time to head through Knockturn’s exit next to The Leaky Cauldron.

Then head back towards the brick wall you entered through and exit. You’ll find yourself back in London. Now, just take a right, until you’ve landed at the only attraction in London: King’s Cross Station.

King’s Cross Station

This is it – the grand finale of Diagon Alley. King’s Cross, of course, is the home of the Hogwarts Express , which will take you to Hogsmeade over in Scotland (read: Islands of Adventure).

Once you arrive there, you can either tour that part of the Wizarding World or hop straight back on the Hogwarts Express to experience the journey back to London (which, yes, is different ).

Full-day, “Harry’s journey” touring plan (for both sides of the Wizarding World)

Plan on two to six hours, depending upon the crowds and your dedication to being authentic to Harry’s journey.

1. We usually recommend that, whether or not you have Early Park Admission for Universal Studios Florida, you arrive at the turnstiles 45 minutes before you are able to get in (either as part of EPA or as part of general admission). But considering that your plan is to spend most of the day in the Wizarding World, anyway, it isn’t as necessary for you to be the first in line. If you’d like to learn more, see our guide to Early Park Admission .

3. Stop by the Knight Bus and visit with the Conductor and his shrunken-head compatriot – this is how Harry arrived at London, after all! Be sure to take a look inside the bus, as it’s one of the best photo-ops in the entire park.

4. Visit the cabman’s shelters. One serves food while the other offers Hogwarts house merchandise. If possible/desirable, grab a little something to snack on while you head to Leicester Square Station, the entrance to Diagon Alley.

5. Eat breakfast at The Leaky Cauldron . Harry went through here first before doing his shopping at Diagon Alley.

6. Visit the Gringotts Money Exchange in order to pick up some authentic wizarding bank notes with which to do your shopping (this is just like Hagrid taking Harry to Gringotts Wizarding Bank to withdraw his galleons).

7. Pop into Knockturn Alley for a scare (or a quick spy on the Malfoys and the other Death Eaters). You can even pretend you’re being rescued by Hagrid once you’re done window shopping!

8. Go shopping for your school supplies. We recommend hitting up (a) Ollivanders Wand Shop (on Diagon Alley) for your wand (do the wand-choosing-the-wizard show for the most authentic experience), (b) Magical Menagerie (on Horizont Alley) for your pet owl, (c) Quality Quidditch Supplies (Diagon) for your broom, and (d) Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions (Diagon) for your school robes (of course).

9. Grab a quick bite of ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour . Harry ate here often before departing for school.

10. Board the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station to head to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at Hogsmeade (located in Islands of Adventure).

11. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey inside of Hogwarts Castle. There’s enough adventure in these five minutes to cover an entire school year of misadventures!

12. Visit Hagrid at his hut and ride Flight of the Hippogriff .

13. Not done with Hagrid yet? Take his Care of Magical Creatures class in the Forbidden Forest at Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure .

14. Have lunch at The Three Broomsticks and dessert at the Hog’s Head Pub. Be sure to try a Frozen Butterbeer here.

15. Enjoy the Frog Choir and the Triwizard Spirit Rally .

16. Pick up your final wizarding essentials at Hogsmeade’s shops, including (most importantly) the Marauder’s Map (at Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods ) and some sweets ( Honeydukes ).

17. Hop back on the Hogwarts Express to experience the return journey to London.

18. Face down Voldemort on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts inside of Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Congratulations – you’ve helped defeat Lord Voldemort by destroying his Horcruxes!

• Design Your Own Universal Orlando Touring Plans for FREE
• FREE Islands of Adventure 1-Day Touring Plan – Accurate & Up-to-Date
• FREE Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure 1-Day Touring Plan
• FREE Universal Studios Florida 1-Day Touring Plan – Accurate & Up-to-Date
• FREE Volcano Bay Touring Plan – Accurate & Up-to-Date
• OI Priority List: Islands of Adventure
• OI Priority List: Universal Studios Florida
• Universal Orlando 3-Day Touring Plan for Hotel Guests: Day 1
• Universal Orlando 3-Day Touring Plan for Hotel Guests: Day 2
• Universal Orlando 3-Day Touring Plan for Hotel Guests: Day 3
• Universal Orlando Resort Mini Vacation Planning

Get Savings

• Information

Welcome to The Harry Potter Personalised Experience Letter Created by Wizarding Wonders Ltd. A truly magical way to advise the recipient they've been accepted at Hogwarts or they're off to visit a Harry Potter Experience. Simply provide us with the recipients name & address for us to create a magical personalised invitation in the style of the Acceptance Letter Harry Potter receives. Variations available & description: Acceptance Letter - Invitation to Hogwarts

WB London Studio Tour - Invitation to visit the Warner Bro's London Studio Tour

The Cursed Child Play - Invitation to visit Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Play in London

Forbidden Forrest - Invitation to visit Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Universal Studios Florida - Invitation to visit The Wizarding Word of Harry Potter in Florida U.S.A.

Replica Letter - Acceptance Letter to Harry - Our Acceptance Letter creation with Harry Potter's name and address Instructions

Select letter from variation menu

How to Personalise:

Using Comments Box at Checkout, or by sending an email after purchase - [email protected]

We print Harry Potter's details if no name/address is advised. 

The details we require to create your perfect Letter are:

Title & Name:    Mr. Harry Potter, Room:    The Cupboard under the Stairs, Number & Street:    4, Privet Drive, Town:    Little Whinging, County:    Surrey

We will print Room: The Cupboard under the Stairs, used as default. This can be replaced with wording that better describes the recipients bedroom e.g. The Messiest Room, The Unicorn Room, etc.

We will also print the date of the experience if required.

Adding a date is optional: Experience Letters - Visit date  Acceptance Letter - Birthday date or custom date

"Date to be advised" is printed if no date is given. When no personalisation is required  - select "Replica" for an Acceptance Letter addressed to Harry. Sorting Hat Notice included!

This is optional and is not required to create your letter Advise of which Hogwarts House the recipient would like to be a part of and we'll include a small surprise that will make their day even more magical. Free Separate Short Message

We're frequently asked to include a "short" special message e.g. Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, Bring your parents, etc. To keep the Letter true to the Book/Movie, we will create a special message separately in a magical font. This is optional and is not required to create your letter.

What's Included: 1 x Letter of invitation to Hogwarts or Harry Potter Experience - A5 1 x Real Wax Seal on envelope 1 x Hogwarts Express Ticket 1 x List of Requirements 1 x Hogwarts Envelope Bound by natural string

Order(s) are posted to the delivery address provided in protective discrete packaging. The recipient will not know what's inside.

If you have completed purchase and have forgotten something, please send an email asap: [email protected]

We'll print the exact details we're advised of and we will try to correct any obvious spelling mistakes. 

Main image is for illustration purposes only. Our letter creation features intricate detailing and is printed on card. Please note, personalised orders cannot be returned.

If you have any questions/requests, please ask before purchase.

Home   >  Shop   >  Collectables

Or so she says...

Family Fun, Favorites, Food, and Faith

December 12, 2019 by Adelle Belnap

Surprise Universal Studios Trip Reveal Idea ~ Harry Potter Owl Post!

• Pinterest 1646

I have the best surprise Universal Studios trip reveal idea for you! Let’s be real – everything in the wizard world of Harry Potter is more fun. Even getting the mail! Can you imagine receiving post by owl who knows where to find you?! Now you can be a wizarding world owl yourself and the bearer of the best news  for you family – a vacation to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal Studios Hollywood. And believe me, Get Away Today knows their stuff when it comes to family vacations, not to mention their ability to get you the best deal out there (their service is totally FREE.) So, make the wait for your vacation fly by with our Hogwart’s Owl Post Vacation Countdown!

Surprise Universal Studios Trip Reveal Idea

Getting started ~ harry potter owl post.

To begin this magic surprise, decide how many days you want to have as part of your countdown. I think anything between one to two weeks is perfect! For every day of your countdown you will need a brown paper bag to deliver your goodies.

We are going to print the design right on the bag, which you can download here . It makes your presentation look so fun and up to those wizard standards.

To get the design on your paper bag, tape the top securely onto a standard sheet of printer paper. I used a thick Washi Tape because it isn’t too sticky, it lays flat and it’s easy to peel it off once the design is printed on the bag. You also want to be sure to place the part of the bag with the flap laying down on the printer paper so that the top is smooth. Things go really smoothly when you follow these steps.

Print the Owl Post logo onto all of your bags. Make sure to look at the little picture on your printer that shows how to insert the paper into the feed tray. Mine went in upside down with the taped part of the bag at the top.

Now fill out the number of days left to you will be “delivered” to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the owl’s envelopes.

Filling the Owl Post Bags for the Harry Potter Trip Reveal

Here comes the best part! Fill each of the bags with all sorts of Harry Potter activities, treats and items. I liked to start off small and get more exciting as the trip gets closer. These are a couple ideas I thought of to get you get started:

• On day one, announce your going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! You can use pictures off of the internet or make your own surprise announcement.
• Put in a pair of socks for everyone’s favorite house elf, Doby! They can be old socks to make the kids laugh, or a pair of new Harry Potter themed socks to wear on your vacation.

• Dump some of the infamous  Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans (a.k.a. potentially really good or really bad jelly beans) into your bag. When they say every flavor, they mean EVERY flavor.

• Print off a Harry Potter coloring page for the kids, or use an adult Harry Potter coloring book too! Fun for everyone!
• Download our  List of Spells  and learn some magic to prepare for your trip. You never know when a good spell will come in handy…

• If you are lucky and happen to grab a handful of Professor Lupin’s werewolf hair, toss it into the bag. The kids will get a kick out of this. (You can pick up some furry fabric at the craft store.)
• Make a batch of our very own  chocolate covered frogs . You can put the ingredients into the bag and print the recipe and let the kids help make them, or have the finished product in there for them to simply enjoy.

• Make a note to tell them that you are going to watch your favorite Harry Potter movie together. Or, slip the  DVD  into the parcel.
• Print a map of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter off of Universal Studios Hollywood’s website. Look at it together and talk about all of the places you are going to visit and where you are going to explore first. It is fun to make a game plan of everything you have to see!
• Fold our  Origami Sorting Hat . Take turns figuring out who is a member of each of the Hogwarts Houses. Let’s hope you don’t get Slytherin!

You can be as creative as you want. It is so much fun to fill each parcel with some sort of magical trinket or activity to surprise your family with every day. You can deliver the bags however you want! Leave one on the porch, ring the doorbell and run. Or leave one somewhere new every morning before anyone ways up. This is such a fun and easy way to get everyone excited and make the time go by faster until your magical vacation!

More Bag Ideas for Your Universal Studios Vacation Announcement

At  Universal Studios Hollywood they have their own Owl Post where send yourself a card or letter postmarked from Hogsmeade! Your family will be sure to have a magical time wandering the halls of Hogwarts, having a meal at The Three Broomsticks, riding the Forbidden Journey, watching a wand ceremony at Ollivanders and so much more.

The Best Place to Book Your Universal Studios Vacation

Book your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets online or call our vacation wizards at 855-GET-AWAY. Mention code OSSS10 and save an additional $10 on your Southern California vacation package. Like I mentioned earlier, I use Get Away Today for literally all of my vacations, from Disney vacations, to cruises , to Universal… and everything in between. They are totally free to use and will find you the BEST deal on your vacation. They’ll book it for you, line up cars, airfare, hotels, shuttle… and make everything work together, so you don’t have to deal with it. Plus, they travel to all of their vacation destinations, REPEATEDLY, so they know exactly how to answer your questions and share their best tips with you. You’ll love them, I promise.

If You Liked This Surprise Universal Studios Trip Reveal Idea…

• Harry Potter ‘Would You Rather’ Printable PDF Game – Both kids and adults love ‘Would You Rather’ questions. These questions are so fun for all ages of Harry Potter fans. Great for laughing about over family dinner or keeping the kids entertained on a road trip… maybe a road trip to Universal Studios Hollywood??
• Harry Potter Copycat Butterbeer Fudge – Here’s a thought… maybe the day that you first reveal your Universal Studios vacation, you can also whip up a batch of this amazing Hogwart’s favorite… butterbeer fudge. If you’re going to set the mood, set the mood!! Here are some additional great Harry Potter recipes too, if you really want to go big.
• Harry Potter DIY Wands – This is such a fun party or family craft! Make wands, turn on a Harry Potter movie, and have a super fun evening!

March 25, 2016 at 1:18 pm

I LOVE THIS, ADELLE!!! YOU ARE ALWAYS SO CLEVER!

March 28, 2016 at 9:32 am

Thank you! I have a pretty fun job. 🙂

April 25, 2017 at 2:44 pm

Hi Adelle – what a cute idea. I noticed the word “Special” is misspelled (speical). Is there any way you could make that correction and re-upload the template?

October 21, 2017 at 3:54 pm

Is there somewhere to get the rest of the Spell activity? Great ideas! Thanks!

The Rare Newsletter

It doesn't happen very often, but when it does... it's good!! Favorite things, great ideas, and all things "FAMILY."

Free Book of Mormon Offer

10 Reasons I Love Being a Latter-day Saint

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Affiliate Disclosure

‘Or so she says…’ is a participant in a variety of affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read more in the Disclosure ,  including info on Adthrive, the publishing network for this blog.

10 Most Popular Posts

• Choices & Consequence Family Lesson
• Free Book of Mormon Information
• The Best Family Vacation in St. George
• Swiss cheese Chicken Easy Dinner
• Would You Rather ~ Scripture Edition Game
• 150+ Sanity Saving Parenting Ideas
• Over 100 Family Movie Ideas
• The Ultimate Collection of Scriptures on Faith
• Foods to Freeze Dry ~ Ultimate List
• 30 Books to Read Out Loud to Older Kids

• All Articles
• Itineraries
• Guides and Tips
• Attractions
• Behind-the-Scenes
• Guest Stories
• Guides & Tips
• Universal Orlando Resort Deals
• Universal Studios Hollywood Deals

Guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re anything like me, the second you walk into Universal Studios Hollywood you make a beeline for one place: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . Walking through those arches and into Hogsmeade never gets old. From the snowy rooftops to the overflowing cups of Butterbeer to the towers of Hogwarts castle itself, walking through this area of Universal Studios always feels like coming home.

But there’s so much packed into this slice of the wizarding world — how does one even know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our complete guide to what you have to see, eat, drink and shop for at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is home to one of the best rides in the entire theme park: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey . This thrill ride takes you soaring over the Hogwarts grounds, through the Quidditch pitch, into the depths of the Forbidden Forest, past dozens of Dementors and into the school of witchcraft and wizardry itself.

PRO TIP: Download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app and set up a Wait Time Alert for this ride, and all the rides you want to try. It’ll let you know when the line gets to your desired length, giving you more time to explore the wizarding village. That said, the queue for this one is a trip in itself. You’ll wind through Hogwarts castle, past the Gryffindor common room, Dumbledore’s office, the Mirror of Erised, and so many other memorable locales. Wizarding World Fans: this is your heaven.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Want a family-friendly thrill that captures the sensation of flying over Hagrid’s pumpkin patch? This outdoor coaster is for you. The Flight of the Hippogriff begins and ends at Hagrid’s hut, where the groundskeeper instructs you how to properly approach a Hippogriff, a magical creature with a head resembling that of an eagle with the body of a horse, that made for a very memorable Care of Magical Creatures class.

Ollivanders

Any Harry Potter fan knows Ollivander’s saying “the wand chooses the wizard.” But how does that work, exactly? See for yourself at Ollivanders , makers of fine wands since 382 B.C.. During this interactive show, one lucky guest will interact with a wandkeeper where the wand chooses the wizard. That guest could be you! After, you can find a wand for yourself in the dusty old wand shop.

PRO TIP:  I recommend the interactive wand. This will allow you to perform several spells all over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Wingardium Leviosa and Alohomora. Interactive wands come with a map of the area, indicating where you can perform spells. It’ll make you feel like a veritable Hogwarts student.

Triwizard Spirit Rally

You can also meet the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang in Hogsmeade, and see them perform during the Triwizard Spirit Rally ! Catch the other European wizarding schools’ students show off their skills during this five-minute show. Afterwards, hang around to take a picture with them — no Triwizard Cup required.

Check out this amphibious quartet, which performs on the stage in-between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle. In this 10-minute show, the four-part chorus sings popular Wizarding World songs a cappella. The Frog Choir performs during the seasonal event, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. As if you needed another excuse to see Hogsmeade lit up in twinkle lights.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK

Three broomsticks.

This restaurant might be my favorite in the whole theme park. Three Broomsticks is perhaps the best sit-down breakfast option at Universal Studios Hollywood — I always go for the dynamite Traditional English Breakfast (complete with several meats, baked beans, sauteed mushrooms and more), which gives me all the energy I need to face Slytherin on the Quidditch pitch. Shove it, Malfoy!

But if you’re with a group, you should totally take advantage of The Great Feast, a four-person meal with herb roasted chicken, spare ribs, and tons of roasted veggies. Oh, and don’t skip dessert — the Sticky Toffee Pudding is next level delicious, and the Butterbeer Potted Cream is what wizarding dreams are made of.

Hog’s Head

Speaking of Butterbeer, no trip to Universal is complete without a glass of this iconic beverage!  The non-alcoholic treat comes in three modes: hot, cold, or frozen. (The cold is my preference, but it’s worth sampling all three.) But if you’re looking for something a bit stronger, Hog’s Head has a wide selection of original draught beers and spirits. That includes Hog’s Head Brew, and Dragon Scale, a Scottish ale and a lager, respectively, both brewed exclusively for Universal parks.

WHERE TO SHOP

Hogsmeade is jam-packed with shops, so take a spin through ‘em all while you’re there! But, for the sake of guidance, here are the can’t-misses:

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods

Speaking of Filch, one of the best places in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to pick up some goods is in Hogwarts itself. At Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods , you can show your house spirit with Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin gear, or even unveil all of Hogwarts’ hidden passageways with your own Marauder’s Map.

I mean, duh. The wizarding candy shop has everything your sweet tooth could ever desire: Chocolate Frogs, Acid Pops, Peppermint Toads, Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans, and so much more. I’m known to drop some serious galleons at Honeydukes whenever I’m there.

Gladrags Wizardwear

Witch robes, but make it fashion. Welcome to Gladrags Wizardwear , the one-stop-shop for all the ritziest wizardwear includes dress robes, hats, ties, jewelry and jumpers. You can even get your very own replica of Heromione’s iconic pink Yule Ball dress from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

WHERE TO POSE

Hogwarts castle.

This is the shot to get in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. No — at Universal Studios Hollywood! Make your way through Hogsmeade village toward the Triwizard Stage for the best place to stand and pose with the enchanting Hogwarts castle.

Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express conductor is there to welcome new arrivals. This is a great opportunity to take a photo with the iconic steam engine as your journey through Hogsmeade village begins. Afterwards, pop into Hogsmeade Station for all the Platform 9 ¾ gear your magical little heart desires.

That’s a wrap on our guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! What’re your favorite spots in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Let us know in the comments below.

Universal Destinations & Experiences

Never miss a thrill. Subscribe now to get email updates from Universal Parks & Resorts.

Grace Perry

Senior Editor, Universal Studios Hollywood. Lisa sun, Smithers rising, Disco Stu moon.

You Might Also Like

[UPDATED] Here’s What’s Coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Studios Hollywood

Food and Drink Guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

Guide to the Studio Tour 60th Anniversary Celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood

Guide to Universal CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood

Not bad you might see me there

A magical visit awaits, Luna! ✨

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Complete Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

The Harry Potter worlds at Universal Orlando make you feel like you’re an incoming student at Hogwarts who is seeing the town, castle, and shops for the very first time. Exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will leave you with a sense of déjà vu — buildings, pubs, and streets are identical to what they were in the movies, making you feel like you’ve been there before.

These highly-themed areas rank at the very top of our list of the best destinations for Harry Potter fans because they fully immerse you in the books and movies we all love. So read on for our complete guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. We’ll take you through each of the Universal Orlando Harry Potter worlds — their rides, experiences, dining, and more — so you can plan ahead and make your vacation as special as possible.

Prefer to Speak With Someone? Get Free Help From Our Favorite Universal Travel Agent!

In This Article:

Overview: harry potter at universal orlando resort.

Going to the Harry Potter worlds/lands at Universal is the highlight of our family visit to the resort almost every time we go. And that’s really saying something considering we plan to visit Universal a few times each year! As a family, we’ve read all the books together and seen the movies. There is something so magical about the story and Universal found a way to bring that magic to life in a way that you must see to believe.

Where is Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

The Harry Potter themed worlds are located within Universal’s major theme parks — Harry Potter is not a separate theme park at Universal, and it’s not part of Disney World .

Universal has two main theme parks: Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios . A third park, Epic Universe , is under construction and due to open sometime in 2025. Each of these parks has a Harry Potter component.

• Hogsmeade — Islands of Adventure
• Diagon Alley — Universal Studios Florida
• Ministry of Magic — Epic Universe ( opening 2025 )

Each experience is different, so I don’t recommend limiting yourself to just one when you go to Universal Orlando. Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley have a huge variety of rides, experiences, and food to enjoy, so I am going to make sure I cover it all so you can plan your trip with as much knowledge as possible.

Let’s begin with the original Harry Potter themed land, Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure!

Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure

Hogsmeade is my favorite of the two Harry Potter worlds currently open at Universal. Between the sweeping views of Hogwarts castle, the world-famous rides , and the Three Broomsticks, this world has it all.

Hogsmeade was built in 2010 and was the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter developed in Universal Orlando. The resort worked hand in hand with J.K. Rowling and filmmakers to make sure that the world of Harry Potter came to life in the most realistic way possible.

The original development of the park was a pioneering move in the realm of creating immersive environments, and you can definitely understand why when you walk around the Hogsmeade and try the rides. The world is centered around Hogwarts castle, which still takes my breath away every time I walk into the park.

The park combines adventure, excitement, and magic in a surreal, immersive experience. If you haven’t been before, you might think that to enjoy Hogsmeade you’ll have to take some time away from the thrill rides of Islands of Adventure. Thankfully that’s not the case!

Hogsmeade has some amazing rides for you and your family to try when you visit — so to my dads out there, make sure you don’t drink too much butterbeer right at the start!

Rides in Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade has great rides spread out throughout the land, and it even has one of the most highly-rated roller coasters in the world. The Harry Potter rides here are:

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

• Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure

Flight of the Hippogriff

Hogwarts express.

These rides combine the unbelievable surroundings of the castle and town of Hogsmeade, life-like interactions and visuals, and great storytelling to curate an interactive theme park experience that you will never forget.

This ride is not a typical roller coaster. A combination of a twisting/turning track, along with robot arm mounted vehicles, makes you feel like you are completely immersed in the Harry Potter Universe. Forbidden Journey has incredibly high-quality special effects that really help seal the illusion.

On the ride you flash around Hogwarts and you get to see a bit of every part of the castle grounds. Last time my son and I were on it, I remember seeing the Whomping Willow, flying directly through a Quidditch match, zooming through the forbidden forest, and more.

You get to see all the parts of the castle grounds that you will remember from the movie. I’ve heard the ride called a “Harry Potter highlight reel,” and I don’t disagree!

In terms of roller coaster thrill, this ride is definitely in between Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Flight of the Hippogriff, but I’d still say that this ride is great for kids of all ages as long as they meet the height requirement .

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

The ride is a journey from start to finish. The story starts while you are waiting in line, where you can see bits of Hagrid’s work as he has cared for hundreds of magical creatures throughout the years. There are writings on the walls from past Hogwarts students and even parts of Hagrid’s nursery to be seen.

Once you get closer to the start of the ride, you can begin to hear the sound of a motorbike revving. I have ridden tons of roller coasters in my life, but that sound gets my heart pumping every time with excitement as I wait for the ride to begin.

After you sit down on your motorbike/sidecar and ride begins, you are fired out of the landing bay. Immediately you start flying through the sky, passing the rooftops of Hogsmeade, zooming around parts of the castle, past a lake, and then toward the Forbidden Forest. You really feel like you’re on Hagrid’s motorbike!

It truly is a must-try when you’re in Universal Orlando. One thing to keep in mind is that this ride often has the longest lines in Hogsmeade, and sometimes even in all of Islands of Adventure. So plan ahead when you want to visit to come during a busier time because the ride is excluded from Universal’s Express Pass because of its popularity!

After Hagrid’s, the Flight of the Hippogriff is a way to take a calmer flight around the grounds of Hogwarts. The ride is definitely on the shorter side and isn’t as fast as Hagrid’s, so it’s a great ride for younger kids !

In the line for the ride you can see an interpretation of Hagrid’s home, including the pumpkin patch, his hut, and more. As the name hints, the ride is supposed to mimic flying on a hippogriff’s back around Hogwarts castle. Just like when Harry rode Buckbeak in the Prisoner of Azkaban , you will be soaring through the grounds, in between buildings, and enjoying some of the amazing views.

There are a few really fun drops and turns, but I do have to admit that the ride is a little short and sweet for my liking.

Again, while this isn’t the most thrilling ride in the park, it still has some great views and is particularly good for kids.

You will remember from the Harry Potter books that the Hogwarts Express is the train that takes the students to and from Hogwarts. And thanks to the magic of Universal, you and your family can ride it! The Hogwarts Express is a unique attraction in that it is both a themed entertainment ride and a practical form of transportation.

Hogwarts Express serves as a way to get between the Harry Potter areas in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. It’s really the best way to connect between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Because the attraction takes you from one theme park to another, you must have the Park-to-Park pass to ride it. I absolutely recommend getting this pass — not only for the chance to ride the Hogwarts Express, but also because it gives significantly more mobility for your day in Universal at only a slightly higher price point.

We love to dedicate a whole day to just Harry Potter and we always get the Park-to-Park pass to do that. We normally start the day in Hogsmeade and then hop on the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley in the afternoon.

The Hogwarts Express itself is a special ride, and while on the surface it may appear a bit simple, it’s one of my favorite rides at Universal .

When you board the train in Hogsmeade, you will be traveling toward London’s Kings Cross station. The train journey itself uses life-like visual effects that tell a story around your car as you move. You’ll see some impressive scenery and a few Harry Potter characters through the (video) windows of the train. Meanwhile, shadows of others walking in the train’s corridors will pass by the frosted glass windows of your compartment. The train cars are practically identical to how they were portrayed in the movies, so you’re going to feel as if you just stepped into the movies and novels that you’ve loved for decades.

Tip: Make sure to ride the train in both directions — it’s a different experience each way!

Experiences in Hogsmeade

Ollivanders wand shop.

Getting your own wand is a truly magical experience that makes you feel like you’re an incoming first year student at Hogwarts. When my family and I went to Ollivanders , my wife and I didn’t get wands but Ben went through the entire experience, smiling ear to ear the whole time.

Small groups are ushered into the shop and one lucky witch or wizard is selected by the Wandkeeper to participate in an interactive presentation. Of course, pairing the wand with the wizard can be tricky — it doesn’t always go quite right the first or second time.

Luckily, the Wandkeeper is an expert and everything always seems to work out in the end. (Frugal wizards will be pleased to learn that you’re not obligated to purchase the wand, even if you’re chosen to participate).

Everyone then makes their way into a separate sales area to view their own wand options in a more traditional “retail” environment.

Note: if you’ll allow me to step “outside of the magic” for just a moment here — there are Ollivanders wand shops in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. While Ollivanders at Hogsmeade is probably the most intimate and movie-accurate of the Ollivanders experiences, it’s not necessarily the most practical due to the cramped size of the shop. If you’re going with a larger group, are visiting during peak season, or are simply interested in shopping for a wand, I’d suggest opting for the experience at Diagon Alley / Universal Studios instead. You’ll likely have less of a wait (if any), and a bit more breathing room.

The Frog Choir is a great way to take a break from the rides and enjoy a good show. The performance lasts about 10 minutes, so it won’t take up too much of your time while you’re in the park. I’ve seen the show a few times, and I’ll admit that once you have stood and watched it once or twice, that’s usually enough (though I don’t mind sort of bopping along as I pass by).

You’ll get to hear some great songs inspired by Harry Potter, performed in a catchy a cappella style. The highlight of the performance is Something Wicked This Way Comes , as featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban .

It’s a great way to see a moment from the Harry Potter books brought to life. Although, the show itself is tough to compare to any of the world class rides that are right next door.

I’d say that the Frog Choir is particularly good for kids who will find the extra magic in the experience by thinking back to seeing the choir’s performance in the Harry Potter movies.

This show happens several times a day in Hogsmeade, so check the app or ask a Team Member when you should stop by!

Triwizard Spirit Rally

The Triwizard Spirit Rally alternates throughout the day with the Frog Choir, so if you stick around by the stage in Hogsmeade you can see one show after the other! Like the Frog Choir, this is a quick show — a bit under ten minutes — that will put a smile on your face. The show features the different schools that visited Hogwarts for the Triwizard tournament in the Goblet of Fire .

You will get to see the Beauxbatons students spinning and dancing as the Durmstrang students show off their martial arts staff skills, just like in the movie when the schools enter the Great Hall for the first time.

I prefer this show to the Frog choir just because there is a bit more action, and my kids agree!

Because these shows alternate several times a day on the same stage, I wouldn’t worry about planning ahead to see them. You will likely just pass by them at some point while you are in the park!

Nighttime Show

Depending on the time of year, you might be able to catch a nighttime projection and fireworks show at Hogwarts Castle.

• Hogwarts Always (starting June 14, 2024) — Experience all the iconic moments of a year at Hogwarts including the Sorting Ceremony, House Cup, and more, capped off by one of four different endings saluting each Hogwarts house.
• Nighttime Lights — Originally started as a part of the Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter program, the show lights up Hogwarts castle with brilliant displays on its walls along with lights in the sky.
• Dark Arts — Autumn (around the same time as Halloween Horror Nights across the way at the studios park) marks the arrival of a more sinister nighttime show, complete with Dementors, Death Eaters, and You-Know-Who.

Unfortunately, the schedule for these shows can be a bit tough to track down very far in advance, but they always occur after dark at Hogwarts Castle. Keep an eye on the Universal website when it gets close to your vacation date, because they will start to update show times a few days in advance of when they occur.

Dining in Hogsmeade

There are two main places to dine in Hogsmeade: the Hog’s Head or the Three Broomsticks. If these names sound familiar, it’s because both of these taverns are faithful recreations from the Harry Potter books!

Three Broomsticks

The Three Broomsticks is my favorite place to eat during my Harry Potter themed day. I remember the tavern very clearly from the movies, so it was a surreal experience to walk into a building I had never been in before, but felt like I had been there dozens of times. Once I was in, I could order a Butterbeer just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione did when they were students at Hogwarts.

Image © Universal

One of the main reasons I love coming to the Three Broomsticks is it saves our family a bit of money, while giving us a great experience at the same time. Feeding a family of four at Universal can get expensive and the Three Broomsticks is definitely more cost-effective than the average restaurant in Universal Orlando.

One thing that really surprised me when I went is that Butterbeer is actually good!

The flavor of this non-alcoholic drink is really hard to describe — Universal says it’s “reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch” — but my kids and I both loved it. The tavern also has some great salads, pies, desserts, and more so you and your family can have a full lunch or dinner here after some rides.

Hog’s Head

Hog’s Head is in the back of the Three Broomsticks, and it is definitely more of a bar than a restaurant. Although it’s technically a bar, it’s still very family friendly. Parents could grab a beer or a glass of wine while the kids enjoy some classic drinks from Harry Potter such as Pumpkin Juice or Butterbeer.

Between drinks, snacks, and meals, there is plenty available to spend your entire day in Hogsmeade, or in both Harry Potter worlds with a park-to-park pass (which is what I would recommend).

Get Free Help Planning Your Trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Has all this information left you feeling like you’ve been hit by the Confundus Charm? Feat not — the Universal experts at  The Vacationeer can set you straight!

These Diamond-level Universal Preferred Travel Agents offer completely free help planning your trip to the Wizarding Worlds located throughout Universal Orlando Resort.

Their expect advice is worth its weight in Galleons, helping you find the perfect Universal resort hotel , make dining arrangements , and secure theme park tickets .

Your  Vacationeer will help you decide on how many days you’ll need and when to travel to avoid the worst crowds. They can even book ground transportation , including airport shuttles . And don’t forget to ask them how to get the Universal Express pass at no additional charge !

And of course, your agent will share all the best Wizarding World tips and tricks to make sure your vacation really is magical.

And because they don’t charge any planning fees , your trip won’t cost a single Knut more than if you’d booked it yourself!

Contact The Vacationeer today for a free consultation and no-obligation quote .

Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley opened in 2014 at Universal Studios Florida, just a few years after Hogsmeade had opened at Islands of Adventure. Diagon Alley expands the Harry Potter experience at Universal Orlando Resort by adding locations such as Gringotts, the Leaky Cauldron, and Knockturn Alley.

To reach Diagon Alley, you’ll first head to the London section of Universal Studios, passing by well known Wizarding World landmarks such as King’s Cross Station and 12 Grimmauld Place. From there, look for the opening in the giant brick wall and head inside. Diagon Alley is well-hidden from mere Muggles — you’ll have to really look for it!

Rides in Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley has fewer rides than Hogsmeade, but the quality certainly makes up for the lower quantity!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a thrill ride that incorporates surreal special effects, amazing designs, and a killer roller coaster to make one of the best rides in the park .

My daughter Ava was too young to ride this one the last time I was in Diagon Alley, so I went with Ben to give it a try. It was his first time on Escape From Gringotts and I think he was more impressed with this ride than any other in the park. He saw the Harry Potter films recently so he clearly remembered the scene when Harry, Ron, and Hermione try to steal the Sword of Gryffindor from Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault.

Like many of the other rides in Universal, the experience for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts really begins while you are still in line. When you are waiting in line, you are standing in an exact replica of the Gringotts main hall. And when I say exact, I really mean exact! The lobby is identical to what you see in the movie when Harry, Ron, and Hermione are walking down the line of goblins to the main teller so they can try to bluff their way into the vaults.

The grand hallway is filled with animated goblins counting coins, taking notes, and suspiciously starting you down as you walk along — and they are just the first of many life-like animations you will see along the way. Once you get to the end of the hallway, the head teller will sometimes talk to you and instruct you where to go next as you make your way to the start of the ride. They might even “pull you aside” and have you take a security ID photo using a retro film camera.

Once the ride is about to start you put on your 3D goggles and take a seat in the carriages which are reminiscent of those in the film. Right at the start of the ride you have some quick turns and big drops, and then all of a sudden the ride will stop and you will be met with a super high definition screen.

As you continue on with the ride you will see real-life holograms of Ron, Hermione, and Harry as you all run from the dragon together. Its really hard to appreciate just how similar it is to what we have all seen on the screen without trying it yourself. This is a must try if you are going to the Harry Potter worlds throughout Universal.

As mentioned earlier in this article, the Hogwarts Express travels back and forth between Diagon Alley at Universal Studios and Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.

Here on the Diagon Alley side, you’ll actually need to make your way back out of the brick walls and onto the streets of “London” to enter King’s Cross station. There, you’ll be able to spot fellow travelers actually walking through the brick wall (thanks to a clever Pepper’s Ghost illusion) to reach Platform 9¾.

You’ll pass through too, and then hop aboard the train.

On your journey to Hogwarts, you’ll spot soaring owls and perhaps a flying motorbike just outside the “window” of your train. As the streets of London give way to the countryside, you’ll truly feel that you’re on your way to your first year at Hogwarts. Just watch out for Dementors!

The scenery on this journey is different from the trip going the other direction, so make sure to ride the train both ways!

And remember — you’ll need a Park-to-Park pass because you’re traveling between theme parks. It’s a worthy purchase because it lets you try Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Flight of the Hippogriff, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and more — all in the same day! Also keep in mind, the rides in the Harry Potter world are only a small part of the total experience of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, and there is so much more to enjoy while you are there!

Experiences in Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley may be a bit short on rides, but it’s certainly not lacking for experiences. There’s so much to see and do in the way of live entertainment and interactive activities, that this is a fantastic place to simply while away a few hours. Heck, I could spend all day in here and never really get bored! The fire-breathing dragon alone is worth starting at for quite some time!

Knockturn Alley

This sketchy side street is where dirty deeds get done in the Wizarding World. It’s always nighttime inside this covered (and air-conditioned!) walkway, so it’s a huge relief from the blazing Florida heat .

Stop in at Borgin and Burkes to marvel at the oddities assembled there, and perhaps make your own Dark Arts purchase. If you’re buying an interactive wand , you’ll also find some spell locations here. Some of them are even “secret” spells, but they’ll show up in glow-in-the-dark ink on your wand map. And you can always be on the lookout for medallions embedded in the ground, showing you the correct wand maneuvers.

Knockturn Alley is well-hidden. The primary entrance is a tunnel alongside a towering stack of cauldrons just to the right of the Leaky Cauldron restaurant. Another entrance is located to the left of Diagon Alley’s restrooms, directly underneath a giant window full of chandeliers.

Ollivanders

Just like in Hogsmeade, you can walk into Ollivanders at Diagon Alley to get a personalized wand from the Master Wand Craftsman himself. The overall feel of this shop is the same as in Hogsmeade so I won’t rehash all of the details again (if you missed the section on Ollivanders, scroll up and you can read more about it under the Hogsmeade Experiences section). This location does, however, have a higher capacity than the Hogsmeade version, and I find it is a bit more leisurely of an experience, especially if you really want to take the time to “shop” for your wand.

You might remember the Knight Bus as the slim, double decker bus that Harry rides, speeding through London traffic and bending time along the way. Located just outside Diagon Alley on the streets of London, the Knight Bus here is just a prop. So while you won’t get to ride it, it’s still cool to peek inside and perhaps take a photo. You will get to see the little shrunken head hanging at the front of the bus, the cots, and even a chandelier. While it’s definitely not the main attraction in the park, it’s another cool way that Universal brings the magic of Harry Potter to life!

Gringotts Money Exchange

While you are in Gringotts you can actually interact with the Goblins, and this is something my youngest, Ava, was able to get involved in. You can exchange real money for Gringotts money when you speak with the bank tellers.

For all the parents out there, I know that the idea of trading real money for fake money is not the most exciting concept. But thankfully, the Gringotts money can be used for purchases all throughout Diagon Alley! So, you can take your Galleons and purchase a wand, some Hogwarts merchandise, candy, and more.

Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees

Like in Hogsmeade, you can see two shows while in Diagon Alley. The first is a singing production that performs wizard-themed songs. Celestina Warbeck doesn’t actually “appear” in the original books, but she’s certainly mentioned a few times throughout. Universal claims that this group is Molly Weasley’s favorite band, so there you go!

You will get to hear performances of “never-before-heard” songs such as ‘A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love’, ‘You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me’, and ‘You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart’. The performance really adds to the atmosphere of Diagon Alley and is a great way to take a break from the rides and shops.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is where Harry and his friends first learn about the Deathly Hallows in the book series. In Diagon Alley, you will have a chance to watch these stories performed live on a stage in Universal Studios. The actors use props, puppets, and great sets to bring the story to life. This event is great for kids of all ages, and like the singing performance, is a great way to relax for a bit in between rides and other experiences.

Dining in Diagon Alley

Leaky cauldron.

Jaimie and I love to grab food at the Leaky Cauldron when we’re in Diagon Alley, and it is definitely our favorite place to eat in the park.

This restaurant in Diagon Alley may look run down and old (as it was designed to be), but the food is great. You can get food here all day, and generally it’s good pub food that you would expect to be able to get in any bar in London. For example, last time I went I ordered a Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew and a Butterbeer. The Leaky Cauldron is also reasonably priced so you won’t have to spend too many Galleons to visit!

Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour

Wizard and Muggle worlds combine with Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour, where you can get a classic scoop or soft-served swirl of ice cream. Flavors range from the mundane to some great Harry Potter themed flavors. Depending on the menu-of-the-moment, you might find flavors such as:

• Granny Smith
• Earl Grey and Lavender
• Chocolate Chili
• Sticky Toffee Pudding
• Salted Caramel Blondie
• Chocolate and Raspberry
• Orange Marmalade

Get it in a waffle cone or opt for the souvenir glass. You can also get refreshments like Pumpkin juice, teas, ciders, and more.

Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment

One great thing about Diagon Alley is that you will have no shortage of dining experiences. Eternelle’s is a small beverage stand where you can purchase a variety of ‘potions’ and ‘elixirs’. While these drinks look like potions, they still taste great and they make you feel like you are in Snape’s potion class drinking something mysterious that was just made for you. A few of the elixirs you can try may include:

• Fire Protection Potion
• Babbling Beverage
• Draught of Peace
• Elixir to Induce Euphoria

The Fountain of Fair Fortune

The Fountain of Fair Fortune was named after one of the tales in the Tales of Beedle the Bard. Here you can get drinks like Frozen Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, Gillywater, and more. There’s also an extremely limited snack menu (mainly bags of chips and some soft-serve ice cream).

The Hopping Pot

Like the Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Hopping Pot is a quick service location with beverages and snacks. You can get all the same drinks as the Fountain of Fair Fortune and more, including Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, Peachtree Fizzing Tea, Fishy Green Ale, and more. The snack menu is also a bit more robust than Fountain of Fair Fortune’s, with the addition of several “pasties” (hand pies) such as Shepherd’s Pie, beef, or chicken.

Accio Vacation! Start Planning Your Trip Today

Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe (Opening 2025)

Universal’s Epic Universe is Universal’s third major theme park, currently under construction and scheduled to open sometime in the 2025. We’re still awaiting most of the major details about the park, but we do know for certain that it will be home to a third Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This section of the park will include nods to the 1920s Paris setting of the Fantastic Beasts books/films, along with elements of the Ministry of Magic. Universal hasn’t officially released any ride details, but it’s widely believed that you’ll go on an immersive adventure within the walls of the Ministry of Magic .

It’s a safe bet there will also be plenty of live entertainment (possibly a dedicated stage show), tempting food, and of course shopping to be found.

Is it worth delaying your trip to Universal to wait for Epic Universe to open? Probably not. There are already two amazing Harry Potter Worlds at Universal — you can enjoy them right away and save Epic Universe a later visit!

Want a Heads Up When Epic Universe is Ready To Book?

Final Thoughts on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter worlds are some of my favorite parts of the entire resort. Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are unique and fun experiences, and these two areas alone are worth a trip to Universal Orlando. And I can’t wait to see how the new addition at Epic Universe turns out!

People have varying opinions about which Harry Potter World is their favorite, but I always say that when you visit you need to see both. Getting the Park-to-Park pass ensures that you can see all the best sights, rides, and experiences in both parks, and it allows you to ride the Hogwarts Express which is one of my favorite parts of the resort.

Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, you must visit these themed areas when you are in Universal. Although, if you haven’t seen any of the movies yet, I’d recommend watching a few before you go because it will make the visit that much more special!

Book Your Wizarding World Trip Today

Ready to book your trip? You don’t need a flying Ford Anglia, a handful of Floo Powder, or the Hogwarts Express — all you need is  The Vacationeer !

Here’s why you should let these Diamond-Level Universal Preferred Travel Agents handle your trip:

• Expert Advice: They know their way around the Wizarding World, no Marauder’s Map needed!
• No Hidden Charges: They match Universal’s prices and don’t charge any planning fees
• The Best Rates: They use their knowledge of discounts and promotions to make sure you don’t miss a chance to save
• Automatic Savings: If a new promotion is announced, they’ll automatically apply it to your booking
• Free, No-Obligation Quotes: It’s free to ask and you’re never under any pressure to book
• One Dedicated Planner for Your Entire Trip: No giant call centers or never-ending phone menus!
• Stress-Free Vacation Planning: No need to go crazy researching everything — let them help!
• Care-Free Logistics: They’ll book and organize your hotel, dining, tickets, and ground transport so you can focus on having fun with your family

Contact a Vacationeer today for your free consultation !

Related Posts:

Share This Page: Choose Your Platform!

About the author: joshua powell.

Related Posts

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

From Butterbeer to magic wands: Everything you need to know about Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

A visit to Universal Orlando to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter had been on my wish list for a while. Suspension of disbelief takes place here every day. Visitors don wizarding robes, grab interactive wands and — at least for a day or two — pretend that they are following in the footsteps of Hermione, Ron and Harry, truly inhabiting the magical world of "Harry Potter."

There are families racing from ride to ride in Hogwarts-style robes and Harry Potter-style glasses. We witnessed the engagement of two fans right in front of Hogwarts Castle. We might even have wondered for a minute or two what it would be like to be able to cast spells and brew potions.

If this sounds like your cup of frozen Butterbeer, here's what you need to know to make the trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando a success.

Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel news, reviews and tips.

When to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

There is no bad time to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, just times of the year when it may be more crowded or pretty darn hot. Don't overly stress over the choice of dates. Just check expected crowd levels at calendars like the ones from Undercover Tourist and TouringPlans.com and then use some strategies — like skip-the-line passes, VIP tours and early starts — to evade crowds if you need to (more on that later).

Related: Choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip

How to see more of The Wizarding World in less time

I won't lie to you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter gets very crowded.

We visited Universal at what is a slower time of year and the attractions in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley were still jammed. If you want to see as much of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as possible in the shortest amount of time, there are some strategies you probably need to employ.

First, you can use Universal's Express Pass . This is a skip-the-line pass that works on most attractions at Universal's two theme parks. This includes within The Wizarding World, with the exception of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

There are three ways to get an Express Pass. The easiest way is to book one of Universal's on-site Premier hotels. If you stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel , Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort , you'll get a free Express Pass Unlimited to use throughout your visit. If you have a Premier-level Universal annual pass , you're entitled to Express Pass access beginning at 4 p.m.

Otherwise, you can purchase Express Passes:

• Universal Express: Prices start at $79.99 per person per day for one park and $89.99 for two parks and go up to almost double that amount. This pass lets you skip the regular line one time per participating ride at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks.
• Universal Express Unlimited: Prices start at $109.99 per person per day for one park and $119.99 for two parks, though prices vary quite a bit from day to day. An Unlimited pass lets you skip the regular lines at participating rides as many times as you want at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Be aware that the list of participating rides and attractions is subject to change, so check with Universal Orlando's website before you purchase an Express Pass to make sure the rides you're most interested in are included.

The best strategy to ensure you do as much as possible within the World of Harry Potter, short of a VIP tour, is to rope-drop Hagrid's at the park's opening and then use your Express Pass for all the other attractions.

Speaking of VIP tours, there are two to choose from. You can book a small-group or private VIP experience at Universal. The price, while not cheap, packages together walk-on ride access during the tour, Express Passes and a dinner credit to use after the tour ends.

The small-group VIP tour starts at less than $200 per person while the private tour costs a few thousand dollars for the day. These tours will get you on rides like Hargrids that otherwise don't have short-cut access.

Related: How to get the most out of 1 day at Universal Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley

If you are staying at any of the on-site Universal hotels , you can get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour earlier than general admission.

Which park opens early varies by day and sometimes both parks open early. The front desk agent should give you this information at check-in or you can check the Universal Orlando website for the most up-to-date information.

No matter which park is opening early, plan to arrive at the front gates at least 15 - 30 minutes before the Early Park Admission opening time. It's the only way to beat the crowds and make the most of your extra time.

Only certain attractions open during Early Park Admission, but this typically includes all of the Wizarding World attractions. The ones you will most likely want to knock out are Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida.

For Hagrid's, head to Islands of Adventure, take a right after passing through Port of Entry and head toward Seuss Landing. Universal team members will be on hand to scan your hotel keycard and allow you to go deeper into the park. Continue through Seuss Landing to The Lost Continent and you should see team members directing you toward the start of the line for Hagrid's.

If Escape from Gringotts is first on your list, walk straight through Production Central and turn right when you reach the New York section of the park (in front of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction). Continue on until you see a replica of King's Cross Station on your left.

Be careful not to overshoot and walk past the somewhat hidden entrance to Diagon Alley. When you see an opening in a brick wall, you know you've found it.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Once you've entered Diagon Alley, walk straight to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts indoor steel roller coaster ride. You can't miss it; it's the building with the fire-breathing dragon perched on the roof.

Tip: Find any wizard or witch working in Diagon Alley and ask when the dragon will breathe fire next. The schedule is sporadic so asking is your best bet. Also, when you hear a low growl, that's your signal that this Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some fire.

There are free and paid lockers to the right of the line so you can stash your belongings before the ride.

Children must be 42 inches to ride; be sure your party meets that requirement so you don't get to the head of the line only to be turned away. There is also a "child swap" room where parents can take turns alternating riding or waiting with kiddos not tall enough (or ready) to ride.

There is also a test seat in front of the building where you can confirm whether or not the seating configuration will work for your body style.

Wait times can get long for this ride, but it does have an Express Pass line throughout most of the day. There's also a lot to look at while in line since you'll snake through the Gringotts bank lobby and see a multitude of goblins at work. The four chandeliers that hang inside the bank's lobby are made up of 62,000 individual crystals.

There is a photo opportunity in the line as you pass through Gringotts "security." You can purchase the photo after the ride if you'd like (this photo has been unavailable since the park reopened after a brief closure due to COVID-19).

This attraction was once The Wizarding World's flagship attraction, but it's been eclipsed by Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (both of which can be found in Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure). What's neat about Escape from Gringotts is the motion-based 3D projections that make you feel as if you're interacting with characters like Bill Weasley and the goblin Blordak.

Related: TPG's complete guide to Universal Orlando

Ollivanders

After exiting the Gringotts ride, you're just across from Ollivanders, so get in line to see the show that depicts how a wand chooses its wizard, if this type of show appeals to you.

It's a very personal process. One lucky guest is picked from the audience and the wizard in residence facilitates the wand choosing. After the show, you're escorted next door to the wand shop where they'll box up the wand for you to take home … assuming you want to spend the $50 or so for the wand, which is optional. You can also forgo the wand that was chosen for you and pick out a replica of your favorite wizard's wand.

If you weren't lucky enough to be chosen for the show, you can pick out and purchase your own wand.

Go for an interactive wand that helps you make magic — literally — at many locations in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Standard, non-interactive wands are also available if you are looking to save a little cash or your kids are too young to know the difference.

Assuming you've purchased an interactive wand, look for brass medallions set into the pavement in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. These are the spots where you can cast spells and make magic. A map that plots each spot where you can cast spells is included with your wand purchase (including a few unmarked "secret wand spots"). Spells are categorized as easy, medium or hard. You also can order an interactive wand in advance of your trip or pick one up in the hotel gift shop at most on-site hotels.

Note that there is an identical Ollivanders wand experience at Hogsmeade, so feel free to skip the experience here if you'd prefer to see the show there later in your visit.

Dine at the Leaky Cauldron

If you didn't eat breakfast before heading to Diagon Alley, now may be the right time to grab a table at the atmospheric Leaky Cauldron. Breakfast is pricey, but where else can you dine among witches and wizards? Breakfast plates for adults all ring in at $17.99 and include a small beverage (yes, you can have Butterbeer for breakfast).

• Traditional Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, sausage links, black pudding, English bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, sauteed mushrooms and breakfast potatoes.
• American Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, potatoes, crisp bacon, sausage link and a croissant.
• Pancake Breakfast: Three buttermilk pancakes, crisp bacon, sausage link and a croissant.
• Egg, Leek and Mushroom Pasty: Pastry-wrapped scrambled eggs, mushrooms and leeks served with potatoes and fruit.
• Apple Oatmeal Flan with Yogurt & Fruit.

The kids breakfast plate — traditional, pancake or American — is $12.99. Pumpkin juice will set you back $4.99.

If you're not a breakfast eater, leave this stop for lunchtime instead where you can order things like fish 'n' chips ($16.99), a ploughman's lunch (cheese, chutney, bread, pickles and Scotch egg) for two ($21.99), bangers and mash ($13.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($15.99). Kids entrees include things like mac 'n' cheese and fish 'n' chips for $7.29. Desserts — sticky toffee pudding, Butterbeer potted cream or chocolate potted cream — shouldn't be missed.

Take in a 'Harry Potter'-themed show

While you're finishing breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron, take a look at the Universal Orlando app and find out when the shows in Diagon Alley will take place.

During our trip, we saw two shows here, including "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" — complete with puppets — and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. There's seating around the stage if you arrive early enough, or there's always plenty of standing room.

Gringotts Money Exchange

After the show, walk toward the Gringotts ride and you'll come upon the Gringotts Money Exchange. Go inside and don't be fooled. This isn't just a bank. Sure, there is a human clerk assisting with money exchanges here, but there is also a Gringotts goblin behind a teller's desk. Talk to him and he will interact with you. It's a neat experience — especially for curious kids.

Knockturn Alley

Knockturn Alley is dark, seedy and so well hidden that you might miss it. There are two entrances — one next to the Leaky Cauldron and one next to the Fountain of Fair Fortune.

The enclosed space is dark and a cool break from the heat. There are also five neat spots where you can use your interactive wand to cast spells. There's also a shop, Borgin and Burkes, that's oozing plenty of dark magic and a few benches where you can rest a bit before continuing your exploration of Diagon Alley right outside.

Explore the shops of Diagon Alley

Once you've tried casting spells in Knockturn Alley, go back out into the bright Orlando sun to finish exploring Diagon Alley.

Visit all the shops, and be on the lookout for a few "magic moments." Among them is a snake speaking Parseltongue in the window of the Magical Menagerie and a talking mirror in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Be forewarned, she isn't always complimentary of your wardrobe choices.

Related: Unlock more magic: 16 Universal Orlando secrets to know before your next trip

And maybe get an ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, or a Butterbeer at The Fountain of Fair Fortune or The Hopping Pot.

One word of caution: Harry Potter souvenirs are pretty expensive. You may want to set a budget with your kids before exploring the shops or explain to them why you won't be purchasing certain items. Robes — with the emblem of your house stitched on them — will set you back $125. A Gryffindor Quidditch robe replica is $150, while Hermione Granger's Yule Ball Gown in youth sizes is $99.95. Yowza. No wonder many parents bring robes from home.

Check out the Knight Bus and 12 Grimmauld Place

Once you've seen everything on Diagon Alley, leave this part of The Wizarding World through the opening in the brick wall. Directly across you'll see the Knight Bus. Here you can meet the conductor and the shrunken head that hangs at the front of the bus. Kids and adults love interacting with these two. Sit by the fountain to listen in.

Then, look across the way and you'll see a replica of a London street. Upon closer inspection, you'll see 12 Grimmauld Place, the home of Sirius Black (Harry Potter's godfather). He gifted the property to the Order of the Phoenix, which used it as a headquarters. Look up toward the second floor and you may catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black family house-elf, peering at you from the window.

Hogwarts Express – King's Cross Station

When you've thoroughly explored Diagon Alley and the streets of Harry Potter's London, it's time to make your way to King's Cross Station, where you'll board the Hogwarts Express and ride the train to Hogsmeade. Remember: You can only ride the Hogwarts Express if you have a Park-to-Park ticket. If you've got one-day, one-park tickets, there is no way to experience this attraction.

The wait queue is convincing and it appears as if you are waiting for a train in London. Pay attention to everything as you near the train platform. A neat mirror trick makes it look like you burst through a brick wall to reappear unharmed on Platform 9 3/4. The train whistle builds excitement, and when you see steam escaping from the locomotive, you'll know you're almost ready to board.

Eight passengers are loaded onto each car and it truly looks as if you're departing London on your way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The ride's spectacle takes place on the train windows. Be prepared to see some Dementors on the four-minute trip to Hogsmeade. The show is slightly different on the return trip, so be sure you ride it both ways.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade

You'll find Hogsmeade inside the Islands of Adventure theme park. Here, you can visit both the town of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

If you have your heart set on riding this thrill coaster, get in line as soon as you arrive in Hogsmeade. Wait times can get intense and the attraction does not accept Universal Express.

Should you miss riding at park opening, then rather than walking to the back of the park where Hagrid's is located, you can check wait times in the Universal Orlando app. You can even set wait time alerts and receive a push notification on your phone when the wait time drops below your designated limit.

This is by far the fastest ride in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It reaches speeds up to 50 mph and includes both spikes into the air and fast drops. You need to be at least 48 inches tall to experience it. You'll either ride Hagrid's motorcycle or get in the sidecar.

Either spot will make your heart pound, but I think the ride in the sidecar is a bit easier for anyone that might be nervous.

Hogwarts Castle

While we'll talk about the ride that takes place inside Hogwarts Castle next, I wanted to mention the castle itself first.

You can see Hogwarts from many distant points in Islands of Adventure. It looks magical from afar but even more impressive as you stand beneath its turrets. There is a bridge with wonderful views of the castle as you leave Jurassic Park and enter Hogsmeade. This is where you can grab that quintessential photo of the castle -- don't miss it.

We visited during the holiday season and were treated to "The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle." As the sky gets dark, the castle is lit up with projections that include scenes from the books, faux fireworks, lasers and more. It is one of those experiences where your jaw will drop and you'll feel like magic is happening. If you're visiting during the holidays, it's worth it to stick around after dark to see this unique show.

On select nights during other times of the year, Universal shows "The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle," a similar show, but without the holiday music and wintry scenes.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was my favorite ride in all of Universal and the queue itself is filled with interesting scenes from the books.

When we visited, we zipped right through the line with our Express Passes and were disappointed that we didn't see all the neat things leading up to the ride. We decided to ride a second time and went through the normal wait line. We didn't wait that long (maybe 25 minutes) but we were able to take our time to inspect things like Professor Sprout's herbology greenhouse and Dumbledore's office with his talking portrait and the Mirror of Erised.

I was a little worried that I might not be able to ride this attraction since I'm heavyset. Universal's park guide notes that certain body types might not comfortably fit in the seat, which has a safety bar that comes over your head and shoulders to lock into place at your waistline.

For that reason, there is a pair of seats in front of Hogwarts Castle at the entrance for this ride. If you're not sure the seat will work for you, you can try it out before getting in line. If your waist is larger than 40 inches, you might not be able to ride.

There is another set of test seats about halfway through the queue and I did see two people turned away after an attendant tested them. If there's any doubt that you may not fit comfortably in the seat, try it out before waiting in line.

On this ride, you "ride a broomstick" in and around Hogwarts Castle. The attraction is a "robocoaster," where a robotic arm holds your seat above a track and you pivot in a multitude of directions. It makes you feel as if you're flying through the air and, if you are prone to motion sickness, may make you feel like you need to relieve the contents of your stomach when you disembark.

The ride is dark at times, with encounters with dangers like Aragog the spider in the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow and a gang of Dementors. But you'll also screech around the Quidditch field. You must be 48 inches or taller to ride Forbidden Journey. There are lockers to the right of the castle entrance to store your belongings. Trust us, you don't want anything on your head or in your pockets during this ride.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Flight of the Hippogriff, dubbed a "family-friendly coaster," is across from the lockers at Hogwarts Castle.

The twists, turns and drops reminded me of a slightly tamer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from Disney World's Magic Kingdom. My husband is not a fan of roller coasters and didn't want to ride this one — even if it is just a "junior" coaster — so I went alone. Plenty of little kids were riding and loving it; children have to be just 36 inches tall or taller to ride.

This ride is super quick, so I had to ride a few times to take it all in. The track is elevated so you get a nice view of Hogsmeade. The queue is neat, too, as you walk by Hagrid's Hut and on to an open area where you'll recognize the Care of Magical Creatures class site.

Related: 7 magical places every 'Harry Potter' fan should visit

Take a break and see a show

After enjoying the rides, it might be a good time to see one of the shows staged in Hogsmeade throughout the day.

When we visited, we saw the Frog Choir (a special version for the Christmas holiday) and the Triwizard Spirit Rally. The stage is small but we never had trouble getting a close-up spot as long as we arrived a few minutes before showtime. Check the paper guide given out at the park entrance or the Universal Orlando app for showtimes.

If you didn't see the "wand picks a wizard" show at the Ollivanders location at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios, you can get in line to see it here. (See the Diagon Alley section above for a full description of the experience.) After the show, shop for a wand if you don't already have one. There are some neat spots in Hogsmeade where you can cast spells with it.

Dine out, enjoy a drink and go shopping

You can't truly say you've seen Hogsmeade until you've had a meal at the Three Broomsticks or grabbed a drink at the Hog's Head bar next door (serving Butterbeer, beer and spirits).

At Three Broomsticks, many families opt for The Great Feast, which includes a salad plus a combination of rotisserie smoked chicken, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes. (A platter for four is $69.99; additional servings are $17.99.)

You can also buy British favorites like fish 'n' chips, beef pasties, smoked turkey legs and shepherd's pie, and there are soups and salads on the menu at both lunch and dinner. Kids ages 9 and younger pick from fish 'n' chips, chicken fingers, chicken legs and mac 'n' cheese — each entree is $7.49.

Nonalcoholic Butterbeer (regular or frozen) is $7.99, while pumpkin juice and pumpkin fizz are $4.99. Two draught beers on tap are Hog's Head Brew and Dragon Scale (both $9.49).

Three Broomsticks also serves breakfast daily until 10:30 a.m.

When you're ready to roll out of Three Broomsticks, get ready to do a bit of shopping. Honeydukes is a sweet shop filled with confections like Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Cakes, Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs.

You can mail postcards or letters from the Owl Post, complete with an official Hogsmeade postmark. You can also purchase all kinds of writing implements (think quills and seals) as well as owl-themed souvenirs.

If you didn't ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you would have missed Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods since the ride empties into this shop. This is a terrific shop if you're looking for house crest banners, T-shirts, hats or scarves.

Get your Hogwarts uniforms and robes, Sneakoscopes, Quaffles and Golden Snitches at Dervish and Banges.

Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station

When you're ready to leave this part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, walk through the arch toward Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Express.

The train will take you back to "London" at Universal Studios. The experience is a bit different in each direction, so be sure to hop on — even if you rode the train from London to Hogsmeade earlier in the day.

Related: Choose the best hotel at Universal Orlando

Buying the right ticket for Harry's world

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade is part of Islands of Adventure while The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley can be found at Universal Studios, this is important when it comes to choosing your ticket.

Splitting this land into two sections was a brilliant move on Universal's part since it means you need to purchase the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket if you wish to see both parts of Harry's world on the same day.

That also means holding a Park-to-Park ticket or a Universal annual pass are the only ways you can ride the Hogwarts Express train attraction between the two lands. The Hogwarts Express is more than just a mode of transportation — it's an attraction in and of itself. Leave time to take the train in both directions because the experience is different depending on which way you're headed.

You can use single-day one-park tickets to visit each land separately, but there's no way to use those tickets to board the Hogwarts Express.

You can buy Universal tickets for one, two, three, four or five days.

Universal's website sometimes offers special promotions for multiday passes that throw in extras like a skip-the-line Express Pass, discounted admission to the Volcano Bay water park or a free day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure.

The least expensive tickets let you explore one park per day. Unless that's the only option on the table, for Harry Potter you really want the Park-to-Park tickets that allow you to visit both theme parks on the same day. That gives you the ultimate in flexibility and access to the Hogwarts Express.

If you plan to visit the parks for more than just a few days, or you think you may visit Universal Orlando twice or more in 12 months, consider a Universal annual pass . I never dreamed I'd become a Universal annual pass holder, but when I planned our trip, I had my eye on a special promotion that gave you an extra day in the parks when you bought a two-day pass.

I thought that was a good deal — but when I looked at pricing for a Florida resident annual pass, I found out it was only $8 per ticket more than the special promotional pass. For just a few bucks more, I went for the annual pass; now we can go back to Universal and get free admission until the pass expires.

When buying Universal tickets, look at all the combinations and prices to determine which is the best deal for your family.

Where to buy Universal tickets

You can purchase your tickets directly from Universal. Alternatively, you can buy from well-respected third-party vendors like Undercover Tourist . This can be an especially good idea right after a ticket price hike. Often, Undercover Tourist will have some tickets left over at the lower price for a few days or weeks after a ticket price increase.

Additionally, ticket purchases from Undercover Tourist typically code as travel for the purposes of earning or redeeming credit card points. Bookmark that site and comparison shop whenever you are buying tickets for Universal or other theme parks like Walt Disney World.

Related: Best credit cards to use for Universal Studios

How to use points to buy Universal tickets

Savvy parkgoers might want to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou points to buy their Universal Orlando theme park admission. But, at least for now, this option may not be available when you search.

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. Or, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, you can redeem for travel through the portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point.

Historically, Univeral Orlando tickets have often been available through the Chase travel portal at rates comparable to Universal's direct pricing. However, as of writing this article, we weren't able to find any Universal Orlando tickets bookable through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. So, although it's worth checking, don't get your hopes up.

If you've got a stash of Citi ThankYou points , you can use them through the Citi ThankYou travel portal to redeem for activities, including tickets to select attractions and theme parks. However, as of writing, we didn't find any options to redeem for Universal Orlando tickets. This may change though, so check out the Citi ThankYou portal to review your options.

Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando

What credit card to use at Universal

There is no one answer to the question: Which credit card should I use at Universal Orlando? The answer depends on how and where you purchase your theme park tickets and how that credit card codes purchases.

Data points from many travelers tell us that tickets bought at an on-site Universal hotel and charged to the hotel room have coded as "travel," but tickets and VIP tours purchased directly from Universal have coded as "entertainment."

If you know your charge will code as travel, you'll do well to use any of the best credit cards for general travel purchases , including:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve — 3 points per dollar spent.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — 2 points per dollar spent.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card — 2 points per dollar spent.

However, if you think your purchase will code as entertainment, you'll want to use one of the best cards for entertainment spending .

Related: Best credit cards for Disney and Universal vacations

Bottom line

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is an incredible place to visit for muggles and wizards alike.

The rides and attractions are fantastic. It's fun to watch the daily performances that all relate to an aspect of Harry's magical world, and you must raise a pint of Butterbeer (or one of the beers specially brewed for The Wizarding World) in one of the themed establishments across the land — from the Leaky Cauldron to the Three Broomsticks to the Hog's Head and other neat spots.

To get the most out of your visit, splurge on Park-to-Park tickets and pair that with an Express Pass (might as well throw in valet parking while you are at it). Only then will you be able to get in early and (with a little magic) skip the worst of the lines. The added expense is truly worth it. If you're a "Harry Potter" fan, this is a theme park you'll want to return to again and again.

• Islands of Adventure / News / The Wizarding World of Harry Potter / Univeral Studios Florida / Universal Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Exclusive Vacation Package

by Universal Blog · Published September 9, 2020 · Updated September 9, 2020

Universal Orlando Resort is offering an exclusive Vacation Package for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Vacation Package Includes:

• 5-Night Hotel Accommodations
• 2-Park 2-Day Park-to-Park + 2-Days Free Promo Ticket1 to Universal Studios Florida AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure AND Universal’s Volcano Bay (Valid for bookings 2/13/20-9/30/20 and travel 2/13/20-12/31/21)
• Early Park Admission2 to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™ one hour before the park opens (valid theme park admission required, select attractions).
• Special Themed Keepsake Box§ with items to get started, including:
• Welcome Letter

-Travel Planning Guide -Set of Luggage Tags featuring Harry Potter™, Ron Weasley™ and Hermione Granger™ – one set of three (3) per package -Hogwarts™ Railways Lanyard – one per person

• Breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron™ in Universal Studios Florida™ – one per person
• Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ – one per person
• One (1) Shutterbutton’s™ Photography Studio8 session in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ that includes one commemorative DVD photo album and one exclusive designed 8” x 10” photo print
• Access to select live entertainment venues1 at Universal CityWalk™

For Package Arrivals after December 17, 2021 Package will include a 2-Park 5 Day Park-to-Park Ticket9 which includes admission to Universal Studios Florida AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Universal Is Now Delivering Guests Special Themed Keepsake Box When they book 30 days or more in advance, your clients will receive their Special Themed Keepsake Box^ as a part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Exclusive Vacation Package delivered directly to the address provided at time of booking.

Contact your Let’s Adventure Travels agent for more details!

Tags: Exclusive Vacation Package The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal Orlando Resort

Get a FREE Quote!

• Name * First Last
• Number of Adults *
• Number of Children *
• Ages of Children *
• Select Your Destination * *hold ctrl or shift to select more Universal Orlando Unniversal Hollywood
• Approximate Travel Dates *

You may also like...

Jurassic Park River Adventure Has Reopened

February 2, 2022

 by Whitney Littlejohn · Published February 2, 2022

Which Universal Attractions Could Be on the Chopping Block?

April 11, 2023

 by David Mumpower · Published April 11, 2023

What You Need to Know about Super Nintendo World

March 10, 2023

 by David Mumpower · Published March 10, 2023 · Last modified March 9, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Next story 8 Ways to Live Your Most Tropical Life at Universal’s Volcano Bay
• Previous story Lumos Maxima Harry Potter Collection from JuJuBe

We support these pages!

Recent Posts

UniversalParksBlog News for June 22nd, 2024

NEW: Universal Orlando Releases Another Teaser!

UniversalParksBlog News for June 9th, 2024

‘A Quiet Place’ is the Newest House Coming to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

• Coming Soon: The Universal Epic Universe Preview Center at CityWalk

DreamWorks Land / Epic Universe / Halloween Horror Nights / News / Universal Hollywood / Universal Orlando

22 Jun, 2024

16 Jun, 2024

Annual Passholder / Halloween Horror Nights / HHN / News / Universal Orlando

8 Jun, 2024

Halloween Horror Nights / Univeral Studios Florida / Universal Orlando

6 Jun, 2024

• Universal's Islands Of Adventure
• Universal Studios Florida
• Universal's Volcano Bay
• Bars & Nightclubs
• Movie Theatre
• Hard Rock LIVE
• Annual Events
• Halloween Horror Nights
• Cart (empty)

Universal's Islands of Adventure™

Universal Studios Florida™

Universal's Volcano Bay™ Water Theme Park

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

Universal CityWalk™

Monthly Theme Park Hours

Guest Services Information

Accessibility Information & Height Requirements

See What's New

•   Video Clips
•   Photo Gallery

ENJOY THE EVENT WITH A MULTI-DAY PARK-TO-PARK TICKET

• Q&A sessions with the cast members and filmmakers
• A wand masterclass hosted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter featuring Wand Combat choreographer Paul Harris, plus a special guest.
• An exciting Harry Potter ™ film tribute with select cast members
• - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ™
• - Dragon Challenge ™
• Opportunities to explore Hogwarts™ castle, and shop and dine in Hogsmeade™

Yet Another New ‘Harry Potter’ Experience Announced for Universal, Drops in September

in Universal Studios

Potterheads have plenty to look forward to at Universal as a new addition hits the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

It’s been over a decade since Universal opened its first Wizarding World of Harry Potter area , but  Harry Potter fans still regularly receive new magical experiences at Universal Studios locations worldwide.

What started with Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and three attractions – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey , Flight of the Hippogriff, and Dragon Challenge – has expanded massively over the years .

Not only was the latter axed at Islands of Adventure in 2017 and replaced by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but Universal Orlando Resort expanded its Wizarding World into the neighboring park, Universal Studios Florida, with an area inspired by Diagon Alley and London in 2014.

Beyond Florida, Universal has also introduced versions of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Beijing.

But it’s not done yet. Next year, Universal Orlando Resort will drop yet another Wizarding World expansion at its upcoming third theme park , Epic Universe. This time around, the land will be inspired by the Ministry of Magic, as seen in both the  Harry Potter and  Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movies.

Before that day comes, Universal is dropping yet another reason for Potterheads to celebrate. Universal Studios Japan has announced its first-ever “Back to Hogwarts” event in September as a part of the park’s 10-year Wizarding World of Harry Potter anniversary.

Related: Universal Orlando Leaks New ‘Harry Potter’ Ride

Held on September 1 (AKA the date that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and other Hogwarts students return to school in the series), this event will reportedly be limited to just 934 guests. This number is specific for a reason; it’s inspired by Platform 9 and 3/4, the magical King’s Cross platform from which students catch the Hogwarts Express.

The event will take place after Universal Studios Japan closes for the day from 9.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. and will allow access to most of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s regular amenities, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Ollivander’s Shop . While The Three Broomsticks will not serve food and drink during the event, guests will still be able to enter the restaurant.

Related: Real-Life Knight Bus: Harry Potter Tour Buses Recruited for Free Hospital Transport

There will apparently also be exclusive entertainment for the event. The full announcement (translated from Japanese) reads as follows:

On September 1, 2024, the new semester begins at Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the area will be rented out exclusively for fans after the park closes, and they can enjoy attractions and special shows that are only available on this day! Why not don a robe, become a Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry student, and enjoy this special festival that is only available now, where you can immerse yourself in the wizarding world both body and mind!

Related: Warner Bros. Confirms Bad News for ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot Amid JK Rowling Ownership Turmoil

Guests hoping to go “Back to Hogwarts” will have three opportunities to secure tickets. Two separate lotteries will be held from June 27 to July 7 and July 15 to July 21, while first-come, first-served tickets will also be available from July 29 to August 18. Tickets cost 9,400 yen ($58.58 USD) per person.

If Universal Studios Japan is a little out of reach (especially for a one-hour event), the good news is that there’s plenty of excitement ahead for  Harry Potter fans in the coming years. As was announced in 2023, HBO is moving ahead with a television remake of all seven  Harry Potter books, with author JK Rowling as an executive producer. Amazon’s Audible is also set to produce an audiobook adaptation of the entire series in 2025.

What’s your favorite part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

I Got To Tour The New Experiences At Universal Orlando, And Here Are My Honest Thoughts

H i, i'm chelsea, the weekend editor here at buzzfeed. recently, i got to go to universal orlando to tour their new experiences, and let me just say, i had the best time, t he park opened a few new attractions this summer: dreamworks land, cinesational: a symphonic spectacular, and hogwarts always in the wizarding world of harry potter . each offers their own unique and immersive experience, making for a truly enjoyable and unforgettable time, here's what i thought of each attraction., 1. dreamworks land, dreamworks land invites guests into the magical worlds of shrek , the trolls, and po the panda., the first stop inside is shrek's swamp meet. there, you can meet him, donkey, and fiona. you can also play around their cottage., t he playground includes slides, a splash park, and a snack station with yummy-themed treats including shrekzel pretzels and a gummy worm chocolate pudding., i personally loved all the tiny details of this exhibit, like these imprints of shrek's feet littered on the park floor., t hat's not all it has to offer, either. there's also a swamp symphony where you can make the frogs sing by jumping on their lily pads, a recreation of mama luna's house with space to play with her cats digitally, and a hilarious interaction with pinocchio, who can't stop telling white lies. you see him hanging out of shrek's swamp house in the photo here., n ext up is trolls world, where your little ones can meet the gang irl and play in poppy's playhouse. the playhouse features climbing structures, bounce designs, and a sprawling 20-foot mushroom to lounge under when you need a quick rest., i f you're looking for something more thrilling, there's also the trollercoaster. it's the only ride of all the new experiences, but it has some entertaining twists and turns — and some creepy spiders you have to escape as someone who hates rollercoasters, i could appreciate that this one wasn't so intense., s o, after dramatically screaming out my lungs on the ride anyway, i decided to stop by trolls treats and refresh myself with a poppy-licious pink soft serve. you guys, it was so good it tasted like pink lemonade and was decorated with adorable little flower sprinkles., like, yum, t he next and final stop after that was po's village. here, guests get to meet, talk, and learn kung fu from the master himself via a digital screen., t he exhibit also includes a jungle gym-like playground where kids can swing on the noodles from mr. ping's noodle shop and a splash pad to cool down from the sweltering summer heat. see the pail at the top of the laundry it's full of water — that's what the pandas dunk on you, a fter you're finished playing, you can hop in one of the handy-dandy dryers scattered throughout the park before moving on to your next adventure at the dreamworks imagination celebration. there, universal plays an interactive live show about using your imagination, with appearances and performances by various animated characters, including shrek, poppy, and king julien., 2. next up: cinesational: a symphonic spectacular, 3. hogwarts always in the wizarding world of harry potter, o verall, i would give the new experiences a b rating. even though most of them are geared toward children, there's honestly something here that everyone would love. from the nostalgia of shrek's swamp meet and the hilarious banter and jokes between him and donkey to the dazzling light show and the magic of hogwarts always, there's truly something here for everyone., are you planning on touring the new experiences at universal orlando lmk in the comments.