This guide was made in a way that you can feel like you are in the movies and in a way that you can get the best of your time in the park. You will start at Universal Studios and will walk through the streets of London and then enter Diagon Alley, and just like every wizard in Hogwarts you will be able to try Butterbeer, shop wizard supplies, visit the Gringotts Bank and dine at the Leaky Caldron. Then you will take the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station, run through the wall to Platform 9 3/4 and enjoy the beautiful views of Hogwarts from the train. Once in Hogsmeade, you will meet Hagrid and ride on his motorbike, see the majestic Hogwarts Castle and dine at the Three Broomsticks.
TIP: I had a 3 day 3 park-to-park ticket when I went and I didn’t get an Express Pass. It was the last week of September and the parks weren’t as crowded so I was able to ride everything! My strategy was to look at the Universal’s app to check the wait times and we were able to ride some of the rides (not in the HP area) without having to wait in line! Also, you can go to the ‘single riders’ line! Your party will be split though, but it saved us so much time that we didn’t mind it at all, and some of the times we got to ride on the same cart but separated seats/rows.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OR ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE?
They are both different parks, and both have a Harry Potter area. For the complete experience, you need to visit both parks! Diagon Alley is at Universal Studios and Hogsmeade is at Islands of Adventure. Diagon Alley is where Harry Potter and the other wizards shop for supplies and it’s where you will be able to ride “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts”, eat at the “Leaky Cauldron” and see the “Knight Bus“. Hogsmeade village is an all-wizarding area and it’s where you can ride “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike” and see the majestic “Hogwarts Castle“.
DO I NEED A PARK-TO-PARK TICKET?
If you want to take the Hogwarts Express train YES! But you can’t have a complete experience without riding the train, right? So make sure to add a park-to-park ticket to your vacation plan. The other benefit is that you get to see both parks in the same day. For this guide you will need a 1 day park-to-park ticket, a 2-day-2-park ticket or a 2-day-2-park to park ticket (recommended).
HOW MANY DAYS DO I NEED TO DO EVERYTHING?
If you are visiting the park mainly for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter you can do everything in one day, but if you also want to visit the other areas of the parks you will need at least 2 days to complete everything. The guide below is better if you have at least a one day park-to-park ticket to experience only the Harry Potter areas. Remember that some of rides may have a very long wait time (most of the time it’s 40-60 minutes for the motorbike ride), so if you don’t have an Express Pass keep that in mind.
COMPLETE EXPERIENCE GUIDE
Start at Diagon Alley – Universal Studios
Diagon Alley is a wizarding alley located in London behind a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. It’s a place full of shops and restaurants and it’s also the place where all of the Hogwarts students go to buy things from their school supply list. We will start our day at Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. If you’re staying at one of the Universal’s resorts, you get early access to the park so take advantage of it if you can. Remember that there are free shuttles around the resorts.
Have breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron
Start your day having breakfast at the Leaky Caldron, a grubby-looking pub and inn that’s also the entrance to Diagon Alley in the movies. They serve Traditional British Breakfast (Fresh scrambled eggs, sausage links, black pudding, English bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms and breakfast potatoes $17.99), American Breakfast (Fresh scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, crisp bacon, and link sausage with butter croissant $17.99), oatmeal, pancakes, coffee, tea, milk and juices. Check out the menu here. Not a breakfast person or already ate at the hotel? No problem! Come back here for lunch for some delicious fish&chips!
Ride: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Ride the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, a motion simulation/multi-dimensional thrill ride that takes you underground through the subterranean vaults, where you will meet Harry, Ron, and Hermione and see Voldemort, Bellatrix and other creatures. You will need to leave bags and loose objects in the locker. You can use the free lockers nearby using your ticket to open/close it. Above the building there’s a massive fire-breathing dragon that breathes real fire (3,560F)! Wait for a few minutes to watch it happening!
Exchange real money for Gringotts money
At the Gringotts Money Exchange you can exchange real U.S. currency for Gringotts bucks ($10 and $20), that can be used for purchases within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade and select locations throughout Universal Orlando Resort. Any unused wizard money can be transferred back into U.S. currency at Guest Services.
Experience the unique moment when a wand chooses a wizard at Ollivanders
Ollivanders is where wizards and witches go in search of their wand. You can experience the moment when a wand chooses a wizard. One person in the group will be ‘chosen‘ and will be able to cast some spells until the right wand choses them. Remember that even if you’re the chosen one, you would still have to purchase the wand at the end if you want to keep it. Interactive wands works throughout both parks at select spots where you can cast spells and see magic happening. They cost about $59 and you can also buy them online here.
Cast spells throughout Diagon Alley and see magic happening
If you want the full Harry Potter experience and to become a wizard yourself, you can purchase an interactive wand at Ollivanders or Wands by Gregorovitch (about $59) and look for these golden markers on the floor with the spell written in it, cast the spell and see some cool stuff happening. You can also save time and purchase your wand online here.
Try Butterbeer at The Fountain of Fair Fortune
Butterbeer is a popular wizarding beverage in the Harry Potter world. It a non-alcoholic beverage and it tastes like a cream soda with butterscotch. It’s very sweet and it has a thick whipped topping. You can find it at The Fountain of Fair Fortune and at The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley and at Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade. You can also find it at the Leaky Cauldron and the Three Broomsticks. You can try it cold, frozen, as ice cream or even as a candy. Tip: I personally recommend the frozen one!
Use your Gringotts money and go shopping around Diagon Alley
Want to feel like a real wizard? Use your Gringotts money to shop around Diagon Alley! There are lots of different shops with unique souvenirs! [Check out this post about all the cool and interesting souvenirs that you have to get at the park!] The shops at Diagon Alley are: Borgin and Burkes, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Magical Menagerie, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Scribbulus, Sugarplum’s Sweetshop, Wands by Gregorovitch, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, and Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment.
TIP: Remember that if you are staying at any of the Universal’s Resorts you can ask them to deliver your purchases to your room, so you don’t have to carry it around the park!
Watch a show or two
If you enjoy singing and dancing shows or just want to take a little break, go watch the The Tales of Beedle the Bard (using stylized scenic pieces, props and puppetry) and/or Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (singing show). Use your Universal app to check out the times for the shows.
Hungry for lunch? The Leaky Cauldron has great Fish&Chips!
The Leaky Cauldron has great Fish&Chips! You might have to wait for a little bit to get a table but I think it’s worth it. You will order your food and drink at the counter and they will take you to the next available table and then they bring your food to your table. They also have Ploughman’s, Toad in the Hole, Fisherman’s Pie, Cottage Pie, Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew, Bangers & Mash, Soup & Salad, sandwiches, kids menu and desserts. You can check out their lunch/dinner menu here.
Dessert time at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour
Nothing better to beat Florida’s heat and humidity then getting an ice cream at the Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour! It doesn’t matter if you’re a wizard or a muggle, you’ll want to try some of their fantastic flavors that includes: Butterbeer, Granny Smith, Earl Grey and Lavender, Chocolate Chili, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Salted Caramel Blondie, Chocolate and Raspberry. They also sell Pumpkin Juice, ciders, teas, and water.
Go go The Hopping Pot to try Fire Whisky or Pumpkin Juice
The Hopping Pot is a walk-up counter where you can cool off with a variety of drinks including Fire whiskey, Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Tongue Tying Lemon Squash, Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, Peachtree Fizzing Tea, Fishy Green Ale, Wizard’s Brew and beers.
Check out the Knight Bus and talk to the conductor and the head
Right before entering the Diagon Alley area you will see the Knight Bus. If the conductor is there, go talk to him and to the head. You can have a real conversation with them. Also, if you go behind the bus you can see inside and see the beds, curtains, and other decorations. Fun fact: This is one of the two actual prop buses used in the film.
As seen in the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Knight Bus is a purple, three-storied bus used as an emergency transport for witches and wizards.
Take a photo at the iconic London telephone and dial 62442
The famous London telephone is outside near King’s Cross Station. If you dial 62442 you will be called the Ministry of Magic. The number is written on the telephone so you don’t need to memorize it before going.
Take the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station*
Time to go to Hogwarts! Go to King’s Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios. You will need to show your Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express. As you walk, you will see some cool decor and then walk straight through a solid brick wall onto Platform 9 ¾. When the train arrives, you’ll hear the horn and once the train comes to a complete stop you will be able to board it. It’s just like in the movies but instead of real windows there’s a screen. The whole ride takes about 5 minutes but it’s very fun!
Hogsmeade – Islands of Adventure
Hogsmeade is an all wizarding village full of enchanted shops and a tavern. Once you pass the shops, you will see the majestic Hogwarts Castle. In Hogsmeade you will be able to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and watch the night show projection at the castle.
Ride: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
One of the best rides in the Harry Potter area and also the one with the longest wait time! You will need to leave bags and loose objects at the nearby free locker. It’s a very fun highly themed and immersive roller coaster! You can choose to sit on the motorbike (like Hagrid) or the Adjacent Sidecar (like Harry Potter).
FUN FACT: This coaster has the most launches of any roller coaster in the world with 7 total launches! It’s also the first coaster in the U.S. to feature a free-fall vertical drop and it’s the longest roller coaster in Florida, measuring nearly a mile in length (5,053 feet)
Take pictures in front of the majestic Hogwarts Castle
Dream picture yay or nay? There are lots of spots to take a nice picture in front of the castle. I took this one on the bridge that goes to Jurassic Park for reference. This bridge will be closed at night for the projection show.
Ride: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This is a motion simulation ride located inside the Hogwarts castle. You will soar above the castle grounds and join Harry Potter and his friends on a thrilling adventure. It’s a one-of-a-kind ride!
Cast spells throughout Hogsmeade and see magic happening
Just like in Diagon Alley, you can also purchase an interactive wand at Ollivanders in Hogsmade (about $59) and look for the golden markers on the floor with the spell written in it, cast the spell and see some cool stuff happening. You can also save time and purchase your wand online here.
Watch a show or two
Frog Choir is a cool show where you can hear the vocal stylings of a small choir of Hogwarts students and their giant throaty frogs. One student from each house: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. There’s also the Triwizard Spirit Rally show.
Visit Hog’s Head for an afternoon refreshment
Hog’s Head is a pub located in the back of the Three Broomsticks. It’s a great place to try Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice if you haven’t already (or if you just want some more! Why not?). They also have domestic and imported beers, the pub’s exclusive Hog’s Head Brew, specialty drinks, wine, spirits, and mixed drinks.
Go shopping around Hogsmeade
Use your Gringotts money to shop around Hogsmade! There are lots of different shops with unique souvenirs! [Check out this post about all the cool and interesting souvenirs that you have to get at the park!]. The shops in Hogmeade are: Dervish and Banges, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Honeydukes, Owl Post, and Ollivanders Wand Shop.
Ride: Flight of the Hippogriff
This is a kid friendly ride and it’s pretty quick! You’ll have a nice view of the castle and Hogsmade from it.
Have time to spare? Ride the Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley! It’s a different experience!
Ride the Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley from Hosmade. It’s a different experience and the film that is played on the screen/window is also different. If you have time to spare I recommend you doing it.
If you do go back to Diagon Alley…
If you decide to go back to Diagon Alley, go ride the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts again or maybe explore other parts of the park outside the Harry Potter world. Some of the BEST RIDES that you CAN’T MISS at Universal Studios are: Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit! And a show/ride that I super recommend is The Bourne Stuntacular! It’s a unique live show, with special effects that makes you feel like you’re in the Bourne movie! Check your Universal app for show times. You can also check this post about What To Do At Universal Studios Florida and this one about What To Eat At Universal Studios Florida.
Get back to Universal’s Islands of Adventure for the castle show: To get back to Universal’s Islands of Adventure you can either take the Hogwarts Express again or walk through City Walk.
Dinner time? Visit the Three Broomsticks restaurant in Hogsmaede
The Three Broomsticks is a rustic tavern that serves tasty British fare including ‘The Great Feast’, Fish And Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Pasties, Turkey Legs, and fresh vegetables. Check out the menu here.
Watch Hogwarts Castle projection show*
This spectacle of lights and musics is a must see in Hogsmade! Some areas of the park will close earlier because of the projection show that also includes some fireworks. The show takes less than 10 minutes and it’s worth watching it at least once! They did a very good job with this one.
You can also watch it here: The Nighttime Lights At Hogwarts™ Castle COMPLETE IN 4K IGTV
Need help planning your vacation?
Need help planning your Universal vacation? Send me an email to hello@laizahill.com and I’ll be happy to assist you. I can help you answering your questions, booking your hotels, park tickets, events and looking for the best prices at no extra cost to you.
