Absolutely! Harry Potter World in Universal Orlando is a must-visit destination for any fan of the books or movies. The attention to detail is incredible, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into the wizarding world. The rides, shops, and food are all themed to perfection, and the whole experience is truly magical.
The Wizarding World is not just for Harry Potter fans, either. Even if you haven’t read the books or seen the movies, the attention to detail and immersive experience make it worth a visit. You can try some of the Wizarding World’s signature treats, like Butterbeer and Chocolate Frogs, and even pick up a wand and try some spells of your own. Or just ride the incredible rides unlike anything you’ve experienced elsewhere.
The Wizarding World is split into two sections, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and they are located in separate parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure respectively). So to see everything, you would need a Park-to-Park ticket, which allows you to travel between the two parks on the Hogwarts Express.
The Rides
Now, if you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan and want to see and experience all of Harry Potter world, you might have to skip some other attractions in Universal Orlando. It’s recommended to arrive early and prioritize your must-see attractions. The rides in the Harry Potter World are:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Islands of Adventure)
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Islands of Adventure)
- Flight of the Hippogriff (Islands of Adventure)
- Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station (Islands of Adventure)*
- Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios)
- Hogwarts Express Kings Cross Stations (Islands of Adventure)*
*only available with a Park-to-Park Ticket
Expect long lines, especially during peak season. Hagrid’s consistently has long lines, and we have found that either very early in the morning or right before park closes are optimal times to try to ride. The lines for the Hogwarts Express also get much longer as the day progresses as guests us it to switch between parks.
The Shops
No trip to Wizarding World is complete without visiting the Wizard shops and browsing the merchandise, and maybe taking a bit home 🙂
Diagon Alley
There are several shops in Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Resort, including:
- Quality Quidditch Supplies: A sports store that sells everything you need to play Quidditch, including brooms, and your favorite teams apparel.
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes: A colorful store filled with joke and novelty items, such as Extendable Ears, Skiving Snackboxes, and Puking Pastilles.
- Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions: A clothing store that sells Hogwarts school robes, Quidditch robes, and other wizarding attire.
- Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC: A wand shop where you can purchase your own wand.
- Magical Menagerie: A pet store filled with magical creatures, such as Pygmy Puffs, Hippogriffs, and Owls!
- Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment: A general store that sells a variety of magical items, such as ornaments, apparel, and home decor.
- Scribbulus Writing Implements: A store that sells quills, inkwells, journals, and other writing supplies.
- Globus Mundi: A wizard travel agency offering a variety of magical travel souvenirs, such as luggage tags and travel attire.
- Gringotts Money Exchange: A unique interactive experience in Diagon Alley where visitors can exchange Muggle money for Wizarding Bank Notes and purchase Gringotts souvenirs.
- Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley: A dark magic shop filled with sinister items, such as Hand of Glory, Vanishing Cabinets, and dark merchandise to purchase.
Hogsmeade
- Owl Post – Here, you can send a letter or postcard with a Hogsmeade postmark or purchase your own owl plushie to take home.
- Dervish and Banges – This shop sells Hogwarts school supplies, as well as Quidditch gear and magical toys.
- Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods inside the Castle- This store sells a variety of Harry Potter souvenirs, including t-shirts, hats, and house robes.
Food and Drink
Sampling a wide variety of delicious food and beverage options that will transport you straight to the wizarding world.
Diagon Alley
- Leaky Cauldron: A restaurant serves traditional British fare like fish and chips and bangers and mash
- Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour: A sweet shop that sells a variety of ice cream flavors, including Butterbeer, Chocolate Chili, and my favorite, Salted Caramel Blondie.
- Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment: A beverage stand that sells Gilly water and magical elixirs and potions, such as Draught of Peace and Fire Protection Potion.
- Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop: A candy store that sells a variety of wizarding sweets, such as Chocolate Frogs, Fizzing Whizzbees, and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
- The Hopping Pot: An outdoor counter that serves Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, and other wizarding drinks, as well as a variety of savory snacks.
- Fountain of Fair Fortune: Refreshment store that sells Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, and wizarding beer.
Hogsmeade
- Honeydukes – This colorful candy shop is packed with an array of sweets, including Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.
- Three Broomsticks: which offers hearty meals like shepherd’s pie and turkey legs
- Butterbeer Cart: this serves both frozen and regular butterbeer, a popular beverage in the Harry Potter series
- Hog’s Head: a bar that serves a variety of Butterbeer and wizarding drinks and some alcoholic options as well
The Shows
The immersive entertainment options that transport you into the magical realm, well worth seeing!
Hogsmeade
- The Frog Choir: This show features a group of Hogwarts students singing songs accompanied by their pet frogs. The show is located in Hogsmeade and is a great way to take a break from the rides and immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter.
- The Triwizard Tournament: Whis show brings the excitement of the Harry Potter books and movies to life with thrilling stunts and magical effects.
- Ollivanders: This is an interactive show where a wand chooses a lucky member of the audience. (there is one in each park)
- Hogwarts Express Conductor: Don’t miss an opportunity to talk take photos with the Conductor of the Hogwarts Express
Diagon Alley
- Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees: This is a musical show featuring Celestina Warbeck, a popular singer in the wizarding world. The show is located in Diagon Alley and is a great way to take a break from the crowds and enjoy some entertainment.
- Tales of Beedle the Bard: A show brings the story of the Three Brothers to life, featuring live performers and special effects.
- Ollivanders: This is an interactive show where a wand chooses a lucky member of the audience. (there is one in each park)
- Knight Bus Conductor: Meet Stan Shunpike and the Shrunken Head who greet guests and provide them with a humorous and interactive experience.
Interactive Wands
Interactive wands at Universal Orlando are special wands that can perform magical spells at designated spots throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Each wand comes with a map detailing the various spell-casting locations, and guests can practice their wizarding skills by waving their wands and casting spells to make objects move, create special effects, and more. It’s a fun and immersive way to experience the Wizarding World and feel like a real wizard or witch, and it’s not just for kids! Don’t forget to look for the hidden spell casting spots in Diagon Alley! These wands can be purchased at
- Ollivander’s Wand Shop (there is one in each park)
- Wands by Gregorovitch in Universal Studios
- Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley(for limited dark wands)
