A visit to Universal Orlando to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is on most Potterheads’ travel wish lists.
Here, fans don wizarding robes (even in the Florida heat), wave interactive wands to work magic spells and pretend that they are following in the footsteps of Hermione, Ron and Harry. They can also enjoy some epic themed rides, fill their tummies with butterbeer and pub favorites, and wander the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, immersing themselves within the magical world of “Harry Potter.”
Universal divides its Harry Potter attractions across two parks. You’ll find the land of Harry’s magical London in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, while Hogsmeade — where you’ll find the famous Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid’s hut and the Three Broomsticks pub — is set within Universal Islands of Adventure. The Hogwarts Express train ride will carry you between the two parks, but only if you’ve purchased a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.
If this sounds like your cup of frozen (or hot) butterbeer, know that even the best spells can’t zap away the long lines for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or help you choose between a one- or two-park ticket. However, TPG’s theme park experts can help you out with some magical tips for the perfect visit.
Here’s what you need to know about each of the Harry Potter-themed lands, your ticket options and our best advice to make the trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando a success.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
How to get to Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is located at Universal Studios Florida, so you’ll need a ticket to this park to visit. To get there, 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. There is no sign, but when you see an opening in a brick wall, you know you’ve found it.
Diagon Alley rides: 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. It’s also the only ride found within Diagon Alley.
Tip: When you hear a low growl, that’s your signal that the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some fire. The dragon does not perform on a schedule, but spend a reasonable amount of time in Diagon Alley and you will see its fireworks.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
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. Let the team member at the ride entrance know that you plan to use child swap and they will instruct you on the protocol.
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.
Related: TPG’s complete guide to Universal Orlando
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.
Diagon Alley shows and attractions: Ollivanders and Knockturn Alley
After exiting the Gringotts ride, you’re just across from Ollivanders Wand Shop, where you can get in line to see the show that depicts how a wand chooses its wizard. 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.
During the show, one guest is picked from the audience, and the wizard in residence facilitates the wand choosing. The guest then has the option of purchasing the wand (or another of their choosing) at the wand shop next door.
If you weren’t lucky enough to be chosen for the show, you can pick out and purchase your own wand. Interactive wands currently cost a minimum of $65. 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.
You will enhance your Wizarding World experience if you spring for an interactive wand that helps you make “magic” at many locations in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Look for brass medallions set into the pavement that mark 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”).
Wands are reusable and Ollivanders staff will happily “re-magic” your dying wand for free if it gets scratched or broken. That means you can bring back a wand from a previous Universal Studios visit or borrow one from a friend to save money.
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.
Other shows in Diagon Alley take place on an outdoor stage in the Carkitt Market area. Shows include “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” — complete with puppets — and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (song and dance). Find a nearby bench or just sit or stand on the ground by the stage.
From the stage, walk toward the Gringotts ride and you’ll come upon the Gringotts Money Exchange. Go inside (it’s a store) and you can chat with the Gringotts goblin standing behind a teller’s desk. It’s a neat experience — especially for curious kids. You can also exchange muggle money for Gringotts bank notes that can be used to make purchases within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and at select locations elsewhere at Universal.
Another easy-to-miss attraction in Diagon Alley is Knockturn Alley. It’s dark, feels seedy and is 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. It also has several fun spots where you can use your interactive wand to cast spells; don’t miss them. The shop here, Borgin and Burkes, oozes dark magic and is where you can purchase souvenirs paying homage to Death Eaters and the dark arts.
Diagon Alley restaurants: The Leaky Cauldron
One of Harry’s first stops in magical London is The Leaky Cauldron, and it can be one of yours, too. The Diagon Alley pub is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a refreshing butterbeer (regular, frozen or hot). Lines to get in can be long, but you can place orders on the Universal app to speed up service.
Breakfast is pricey, but where else can you dine among witches and wizards? Breakfast plates for adults all ring in at $18.99 and include a small beverage (yes, you can have butterbeer for breakfast). The kids breakfast plate is $13.49. You can choose options like an English-style “Traditional Breakfast” with scrambled eggs, sausage, black pudding, English bacon and baked beans or opt for the more American pancakes.
The lunch and dinner menu is full of pub favorites, such as fish ‘n’ chips ($17.99), bangers and mash ($16.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($17.99). Kids entrees include things like mac ‘n’ cheese and fish ‘n’ chips for $8.29. Desserts — such as sticky toffee pudding and butterbeer potted cream — shouldn’t be missed.
Other Diagon Alley spots to get a refreshment include Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, where you can try butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. You can also grab a drink at The Fountain of Fair Fortune or The Hopping Pot.
Shopping in Diagon Alley
Shopping options are plentiful in Diagon Alley. Along with the perfect souvenir, be alert 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
One word of caution: Harry Potter souvenirs are pretty expensive. You might want to set a budget with your kids before exploring the shops or explain to them why you won’t be purchasing certain items.
Shops in Diagon Alley include Borgin and Burkes for more sinister souvenirs, Ollivanders for wands, Quality Quidditch Supplies to support your favorite teams and Sugarplum’s Sweetshop for impulse buys of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.
Harry Potter attractions outside Diagon Alley
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 and be ready for a laugh.
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 might catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black family house-elf, peering at you from the window.
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. 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, but there is a ticket desk in the train station where you can make a last-minute upgrade if you so choose.
The Hogwarts Express is both an immersive experience and actual transportation. Don’t miss the neat mirror trick in the queue that makes it look like folks are walking through a brick wall to access Platform 9 3/4. When you’re ready to board, eight passengers can fit in each train compartment. Greet your fellow Hogwarts schoolmates and then turn your attention to the windows, where you’ll watch as the train leaves London on the way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Be prepared to see some Dementors on the four-minute trip to Hogsmeade. The show is slightly different on the return trip, so fans will want to ride it both ways.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
How to get to 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. This area has three rides, plus the Hogwarts Express.
To get there, take a right after passing through the Port of Entry and head toward Seuss Landing. Continue through Seuss Landing to The Lost Continent and on to Hogsmeade.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a popular thrill coaster, and the attraction does not accept the Universal Express skip-the-line pass. Wait times can be longer than an hour and sometimes up to two hours or more.
If you have your heart set on riding this thrill coaster, get in line as soon as you arrive in Hogsmeade; you should see team members directing you toward the start of the line before you even reach Hogsmeade from The Lost Continent. If you have early park access, you’ll want to make this ride your first stop as soon as the park opens. Have someone hold your spot in line while you put belongings in the lockers next to Hogsmeade Station and the ride entrance.
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.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the ride that takes you inside Hogwarts Castle. The queue itself is filled with interesting scenes from the books; consider skipping the Express Pass line to have time to take it all in. If you have kids who want to see the sights but not ride the ride, you can go through the line and then bail out before boarding the ride.
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, might make you feel queasy.
In addition, if your waist is larger than 40 inches, you might not be able to ride. If you’re uncertain, test out the pair of seats in front of Hogwarts Castle at the entrance for this ride or another pair about halfway through the queue.
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 left of the castle entrance to store your belongings.
Hogwarts Castle is also the key photo op in this land. You’ll find the best views from the bridge leaving Hogsmeade for Jurassic Park. This is where you can grab that quintessential photo of the castle
On select nights throughout the year, Universal shows “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle.” Light projections are beamed onto the castle walls, celebrating the four Hogwarts houses. It’s a great finale to your day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff, dubbed a “family-friendly coaster,” is across from Hogwarts Castle. Children have to be just 36 inches tall or taller to ride.
Related: 7 magical places every ‘Harry Potter’ fan should visit
This ride is super quick, and the twists, turns and drops might remind you of a slightly tamer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. 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.
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can easily give this ride a miss, but if you are visiting with young kids they will love it.
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.
Shows and attractions at Hogsmeade
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. After the show, shop for a wand if you don’t already have one. Hogsmeade also has magical spots where you can cast spells with your interactive wand. (This is a great activity if you have early park access but don’t want to ride Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure; lines can get long at the spell-working spots.)
For more shows, head to the outdoor stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle. Here you can attend showings of the Frog Choir (songs by human and amphibian singers) and the Triwizard Spirit Rally (cheer on your favorite magical school). The stage is small but you can get a close-up spot if you arrive a few minutes before showtime.
Hogsmeade restaurants
If you’re hungry at Hogsmeade, you can sit down to a meal at the Three Broomsticks or grab 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 combination of rotisserie smoked chicken, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes and vegetables. (A platter for four is $74.99; additional servings are $19.99.)
You can also buy British favorites like fish ‘n’ chips, beef pasties and shepherd’s pie, plus soups and salads. Kids ages 9 and younger pick from fish ‘n’ chips, chicken fingers, chicken legs and mac ‘n’ cheese — each entree is $8.29 and served with grapes and applesauce.
Desserts include Butterbeer ice cream, apple pie and chocolate trifle ($5.49 to $6.99).
Nonalcoholic butterbeer (regular, hot or frozen) is $8.99. Draught beers on tap are Hog’s Head Brew, Daisyroot Ale, Dark Forest Ale and Dragon Scale ($13).
Three Broomsticks also serves breakfast daily until 10:30 a.m. with options similar to The Leaky Cauldron’s.
If you just want a Butterbeer to go, look for the red kiosks with giant wooden casks set up in the middle of the street. You can order regular and frozen Butterbeer to go.
Hogsmeade shops
You’ll find plenty of places to shop within Hogsmeade, including this area’s outpost of Ollivander’s. Many souvenirs repeat among stores, but each offers something unique.
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.
Buying the right ticket for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade is part of Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure while The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley can be found at Universal Studios. 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.
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. A one-park ticket is your cheapest option, but you will miss out on a key Harry Potter attraction. For the full Wizarding World experience, you really want to choose the Park-to-Park ticket.
When buying Universal tickets, look at all the combinations and prices to determine which is the best deal for your family. We explore all the options in our complete guide to Universal Orlando. You should also look for limited-time Universal Orlando deals that could save you money.
The right credit card and transferable points can help save you money or earn you points toward future free travel with your Universal Orlando booking.
If you’d like to purchase Universal tickets with points, you have the option to do so through the Chase Travel℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Points or through Citi Travel.
Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando
If you’re paying cash, you’ll want to use a credit card that gives you extra points or miles for your theme park purchases. However, 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, but if you think your purchase will code as entertainment, you’ll want to use one of the best cards for entertainment spending.
Related: The best credit cards for Universal vacations
And, of course, you can use points and miles to cover your airfare or hotel stay if you’re coming from out of state to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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.
Even at slower times of year, the attractions in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will be jammed. If you want to see as much of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as possible in the shortest amount of time, you need to be strategic.
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, 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 such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room rate comes with 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. The Universal Express This pass lets you skip the regular line one time per participating ride at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. The Universal Express Unlimited pass lets you skip the regular lines at participating rides as many times as you want.
The best strategy to ensure you do as much as possible within the World of Harry Potter is to rush straight for Hagrid’s when the park first opens and then use your Express Pass for all the other attractions.
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. 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 45–60 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.
If you’re spending multiple days in the park, or have folks in your travel party who don’t like thrill rides, you can also use those early, less crowded hours to use your interactive wand at the designated spots without having to wait behind other budding wizards.
Related: How to get the most out of 1 day at Universal Orlando
A pricier way to skip the lines is to book a VIP tour. You can book a small-group or private VIP experience at Universal, which will package together walk-on ride access during the tour, Express Passes and complimentary meals at designated Universal restaurants. These tours will get you on rides like Hagrids that otherwise don’t have short-cut access.
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, such as the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks.
To get the most out of your visit, splurge on Park-to-Park tickets and pair that with an Express Pass. 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 worth it for a day or two of immersion into Harry Potter’s magical world.
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando? Start with these stories:
