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Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips

If you came here today looking for Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips, you’re in the right place!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (sometimes wrongly called “Harry Potter World”) is one of the biggest attractions at Universal Orlando. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you might spend most of your time at Universal in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. 

Even if you’re just a Muggle looking for some great rides or snacks, you’ll love visiting Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. 

If you’re visiting Universal Orlando for the first time, check out 20 things to know before visiting Universal Orlando.

Do I need a rental car in Orlando?

I like to get around as needed while on vacation, so I like to rent a car. I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. They offer the best rates available. Sadly, they do not have flying cars, but you don’t pay until arrival, so if you find a flying car elsewhere, you can cancel at any time. 

Planning a Universal Vacation? I’ll be your Travel Agent!

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Universal travel agent, a travel blogger, and a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder. I’d love to share my knowledge and help you plan an epic Universal Orlando vacation. Contact me today to learn more.

Now, let’s get to the 25 Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips. 

If you only have one day, check out How to do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day.

1. Make sure to have the park-to-park tickets

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. (Nice one, Universal, well played!)

Multi-day packages offer the best deals, and you’ll want multiple days to explore the two (or three if you choose to visit Volcano Bay) parks, especially during the busier times of the year. Check out my post answering the question “Can Universal Orlando be done in one day?” to learn more.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is in Diagon Alley (Universal Studios) and Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure.) The Hogwarts Express runs between the two parks. It is the easiest way to get between them and also an adventure in itself!

As a Universal travel agent, I’ve had several clients who had no idea that you needed park-to-park tickets to ride the Hogwarts Express. Don’t miss out on this experience!

2. Arrive Early

There are several reasons to arrive early. Most importantly, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is included in early park admission and is located at the back of both parks. 

It does take a while to get back there, and you’ll want to arrive as quickly as possible to take advantage of the shorter lines (more on that later.)

Another reason to arrive early is the chance of being chosen as the “First Family.” When my oldest son and I visited Universal for his 11th birthday several years ago, we were at the very front of the Islands of Adventure line.

We were asked if we’d like to participate in the opening ceremony, and my son was able to announce the park’s opening! That also meant that we were the very first people to be let inside, and we were given a free photo pass for all three parks for the three days we were there. 

3. Carefully choose which side to enter

If you want the whole experience of walking through London to Diagon Alley, enter through Universal Studios.

If you’d rather skip the experience and go to the rides, enter through Hogsmeade. If you have early park admission, go to whichever park is open first! 

Staying in a Universal resort will give you early park access, and booking with a travel agent will too. Here are the current Universal hotels:

• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Portofino Bay
• Loews Royal Pacific
• Aventura Hotel
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Universal Endless Summer Resorts – Dockside Inn and Suites and Seaside Inn and Suites.

Since the opening of Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, Islands of Adventure has been incredibly busy. If the line is already long when you arrive, head to Flight of the Hippogriff or the Forbidden Journey, where you may be able to walk right on. 

4. Don’t miss the wand ceremony at Ollivanders

In both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, you can visit Ollivander’s wand shop and watch a wand ceremony. You may even get chosen to participate!

My oldest was selected for the wand ceremony on his 11th birthday, and my daughter was chosen when she was 11 too.

If you want more of a chance of being chosen. 1) Be a kid close to 11 years old. 2) Wear a robe or at least Harry Potter clothes. 3) Wear your birthday pin. That’s what we did, and it worked. 

5. Get an interactive wand

Even if you aren’t chosen for the wand ceremony, get an interactive wand!  They are about $50 and probably the best souvenir you can buy at Universal.

You can use the wand to cast “spells” in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and it’s so much fun!

There are even secret spell areas that aren’t marked, so pay close attention to the map that comes with your interactive wand. Don’t miss this post about the secrets of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

6. Try a butterbeer or specialty beverage

There are several Butterbeer varieties (regular, frozen, hot, ice cream), so choose one or try them all! If you are intolerant or do not eat dairy, don’t worry – you still have options!

The Butterbeer itself does not contain dairy, but the topping does, and they will not serve it without it. However, Pumpkin Juice and several other drinks are all dairy-free. We love Pumpkin Juice. Universal now offers dairy-free Butterbeer, too—just ask for it!

Although you can purchase pumpkin juice in a bottle, it’s cheaper to purchase the “draft” version at The Hopping Pot.

7. Ride the Hogwarts Express both ways

The experience is different each way, so make sure to ride in both directions. My one pet peeve is Hermione’s voice; it sounds nothing like the movie Hermione (Emma Watson). Otherwise, riding the Hogwarts Express both ways is so much fun!

8. Platform 9 3/4

Don’t miss a fun surprise when you’re going through Platform 9 3/4. You can’t see it yourself, so watch someone else and have someone film you walking through. 

9. Buy your house gear in advance

Yes, you can purchase them at the park, but they are pretty expensive! The robes are of good quality, but they are still quite expensive.

I would suggest buying most of your house gear in advance and then purchasing things like interactive wands, candy from Honeydukes, and other specialty items at the park.

The one thing that might be worth the splurge at the park is the robes. However, if you want to save a little money, there are plenty of Wizarding World robes on Amazon.

Make sure to check out 7 things to buy before going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

10. Adopt a Pygmy Puff

You can adopt a Pygmy Puff at Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. We love the experience. They are cute little pink or purple stuffed animals. You can buy three different sizes, keychain, regular size, and jumbo. Check out our things to buy at the Wizarding World video for the sizing options. 

They will also do a naming ceremony if you choose to do that (we have), and it’s a lot of fun! You can also adopt a Pygmy Puff at Magical Menagerie and several other shops.

11. Stay late

If you want to head back to your hotel for lunch, a nap, or just a short break, do it in the middle of the day! The crowds are the highest mid-day, and the temperature can be brutal in the summer.

We found that the evening is even better than the morning for low crowds and low wait times, especially just before the park closes.

12. Get the PhotoPass

I used not to get a PhotoPass because, as a photographer-turned-travel blogger, I thought I would take photos myself. That said, I’m not always in them, and getting a photo pass at least once a year is now a family tradition.

13. Don’t miss the queues

Even if you’re lucky enough to walk straight through the queues, go back when there is a line. Waiting in line might seem like weird advice, but the queues for most of the rides at Universal are part of the experience. You can also ask to walk through without riding. 

The queue details are particularly significant in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There are so many small details that all true Harry Potter fans will enjoy.

14. Don’t miss the shops

You might want to get out of the gift shops as quickly as possible at most theme parks, but they’re part of the Wizarding World experience!

My kids love Honeydukes, which sells items such as Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Acid Pops, and more.

15. Call the Ministry of Magic

Don’t forget to call the Ministry of Magic from the telephone booth in London! My son had no idea how to use a rotary phone, so keep in mind kids might need a little help. 🙂

16. Say hello to Stan Shunpike

Well, he’s not Stan but say hello to the Knight Bus driver outside Diagon Alley.

Make sure to interact with him (and the shrunken head!) and take a few photos. The driver told me that I had more ink than the Daily Prophet.

17. Stay in a Universal Resort

I would recommend staying in a Universal Hotel. The experience is just not the same at a “regular” hotel.’ You will probably want to take a break during the day, and the shuttles run all the time from the Universal Resorts. Check out the best Universal hotels here. 

They do not do this at the partner hotels, which the partner hotels will not tell you! The partner hotel shuttles only run in the morning and evening, which won’t help you take an afternoon break.

Another huge reason to stay in a Universal Resort Hotel is the early entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Staying at a Universal Resort can be a considerable advantage during busy times (summer, Christmas break, etc.)

If you’re planning for any days that you won’t visit the parks (which I recommend), you can enjoy things like the lazy river at Cabana Bay.

You can also pool hop at all the resorts, no matter which one you’re staying, and enjoy the restaurants or spas at any other resort. The only exception is that you cannot pool hop if staying at Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside.

18. Check out the Dark Magic in Knockturn Alley

It’s a little spooky, but don’t miss Knockturn Alley! You can even walk around Borgin and Burkes, and there are some interactive spells in Knockturn Alley.

Tip: Check out the cabinet in Borgin and Burkes! You might hear something. I’m not a dark wizard, but I enjoyed Knockturn Alley; it’s also very cool on a hot day.

19. Make some new friends

Make sure to talk to the wizards and muggles in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. They stay in character and will keep you on your toes with your Harry Potter knowledge!

You can also chat with the Goblin inside Gringott’s Money Exchange.

If you’re celebrating a special event, such as a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, etc., make sure to get a pin and wear it on your lanyard.

20. Check out a show

There are several fun shows throughout the day. You can even see Celestina Warbeck (Molly Weasley’s favorite singer) and The Tale of the Three Brothers puppet show.

I have a Deathly Hallows tattoo on my arm, so of course, this was my favorite! Other shows include:

• Hogwarts Frog Choir (we love this one too!)
• Triwizard Spirit Rally
• The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard (alternating between the before-mentioned Tale of Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune.)

21. Have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks

Although the options are somewhat limited if you’re on a special diet, The Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks are top-rated lunch or dinner options.

Hint for those with food allergies or special diets: check out the official website and plan your meals ahead of time.

We found some places outside of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that were very accommodating (gluten-free, vegetarian).

You might enjoy eating vegan at Universal or how to eat gluten-free at Universal if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. 

22. Buy the Express Pass

If you’re visiting the parks on a busy day, buy the Express Pass. Important note: you still cannot use the Express Pass on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

If you visit the parks during a slower time of year, you may be able to save that money for souvenirs or other purchases.

Three of the Universal Resorts offer a free Express Pass for each guest, so it can be worth checking the numbers and seeing if this is doable for your family! The resorts include Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, and Royal Pacific Resort.

You can read my Royal Pacific Resort tour to learn more about the Premier resorts. 

23. Bring a small bag

If you need to carry a bag for sunscreen, reusable water bottles, etc., make sure that it’s a smaller bag. Most of the rides do not allow you to bring a bag but do have free lockers.

Keep in mind that the lockers are small. Larger bags will not fit, and you’ll have to pay for a larger locker.

We used a bag similar to the one below but paid twice as much for it at Universal. Trust me, buy your bags ahead of time (refer to #9.) Click the bag below for other houses and bag options.

The Loungefly mini backpacks are the perfect size for a Universal bag. Most of the rides also allow a 3-prong fanny pack.

I share more Universal bag ideas in my what to pack for Universal post and the best bags for Universal Studios.

24. Say hello to Kreacher

While in London, don’t forget to check out #12 Grimmauld Place. Look up at the 2nd-floor window, and you might see Kreacher peek out occasionally.

25. Moaning Myrtle

If you use the women’s restroom at Hogsmeade, you will hear Moaning Myrtle. This shows how unique and immersive the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter really is!

It’s this restroom. You’re welcome. 🙂

26. Bonus Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips

When you exit the elevator at Gringott’s, try to move to the far side of the small room. Most people will try to get in the middle for a better view of the pre-show with Bill Weasley.

If you go all the way to the end of the room, you’ll be the first one out and move farther up in the line.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips

Did this Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips help you? If they did, or if you have any Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips of your own, please let me know in the comments!

Although I am a certified Universal Travel Advisor, I only take on a few monthly clients for 2024. You can contact me if you’d like more information. I would recommend starting with my Universal travel guide if you plan to DIY your vacation!

I highly recommend buying your tickets through Undercover Tourist if you choose not to use a Travel Agent! There are many really scammy sites out there, so make sure you’re booking through an approved partner (like Undercover Tourist.)

The best way to get Universal travel tips and the most current travel information is to sign up for my email list. I send out one weekly email with the latest news, travel deals, and more. Sign up below.

 

I had to take a picture in front of this sign!

I hope that these 25 Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips help you. Again, if you need any help planning your Universal vacation, I’d love to hear from you! Which Hogwarts house are you in? Let me know in the comments. Bonus if it’s Ravenclaw. 😉

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