Universal Studios: Harry Potter World Tips

Last updated on December 22, 2024

Diagon Alley.

Steve and I are huge Harry Potter fans, and now Otis and Arlo have joined the family obsession. So of course our trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando was a huge highlight of the trip. And before that, Steve and I had been to the California edition at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Like with anything theme-park related, planning a trip to Harry Potter world can be mind-boggling, especially as it’s far from cheap, so you might feel pressure to get it right. This post is here to help you get the most out of your visit.

It has details on the basics, like where to find the Harry Potter worlds, to more detailed guidance on the best Harry Potter rides for every adrenaline level. Plus tips on planning your day and where to get the best Harry Potter treats.

It covers the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Beijing (China) and Osaka (Japan). However, the main focus is on Orlando and Hollywood, as these are the parks I’ve been to.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Where to find the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks

There are four main Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations around the globe. They are all part of larger Universal theme parks. Plus there’s also the studio tour in London, which isn’t a theme park so not covered in this post. Here’s a quick overview of each one.

Universal Orlando, Florida

This is the largest and most comprehensive Harry Potter experience, with two separate areas—Diagon Alley (in Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade (in Islands of Adventure). The two are connected by the Hogwarts Express, which requires a park-to-park ticket to ride. This location also includes the most attractions and interactive experiences, making it the ultimate destination for die-hard fans. It’s the only park with a Diagon Alley area. And in 2025, a third Universal Orlando park – Epic Universe – is due to open, which will have another Harry Potter land, themed on the Ministry of Magic.

Universal Studios Hollywood, California

While smaller than the other locations, the Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Hollywood still has many iconic experiences, including the rides, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. It’s based on Hogsmeade and is very similar to the Hogsmeade area at Universal Orlando. It doesn’t have a Diagon Alley area.

Universal Studios Japan

Located in Osaka, Universal Studios Japan is also based on Hogsmeade village, similar to the ones in Islands of Adventure and Hollywood. One unique feature here is the Black Lake, which is a great spot for photos of the Hogwarts Castle reflected in the water. Plus they also have some Harry Potter shows and experiences that you can’t find at the other theme parks.

Universal Studios Beijing

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Bejing is very similar to the one in Hollywood. It’s also based on Hogsmeade and has the same rides, and mostly the same shows and shops.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London – The Making of Harry Potter

This one isn’t a Harry Potter World theme park, but the studio tour is a must-visit for fans interested in seeing the actual sets, costumes, and props from the movies. Located just outside of London, it’s where much of the filming took place, and you can explore iconic locations like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest.

As it isn’t one of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks, this post is not about the studio tour (I’ll write about that another time!)

How to buy tickets for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Studios for toddlers

You get entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as part of your normal Universal theme park ticket. You can’t buy access for just the Harry Potter section alone.

Choosing the best Universal ticket isn’t always straightforward as there are a few different things to consider. I’ve written all about how to choose the right ticket in Florida in my post on planning a trip to Universal Orlando. And I also explain it in my post on Universal Studios Hollywood.

In short, the things to consider are:

  • How many days you’re going for (more days equals more discount)
  • Are you buying an express pass?
  • Are you staying in an official Universal hotel (if so, you may get discounted tickets/a free express pass)
  • Do you want a park-to-park ticket (the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express in Florida)

Where to buy your Wizarding World of Harry Potter tickets

You can buy tickets directly through the Universal website or through third parties like Undercover Tourist and Get Away Today. The third parties sometimes have better deals, especially when it comes to combined hotel and ticket bundles.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides

Harry Potter rides in Florida, California, Japan and China

There are two rides that you can find at all the Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations. They vary a little in each park, but are overall very similar.

Flight of the Hippogriff 

Flight of the Hippogriff is the most gentle of the Harry Potter rides and can be found in all three locations. It’s a fairly gentle roller coaster and the minimum height is only 36 inches. Unfortunately, our sons aren’t into rollercoasters yet, so we didn’t ride it in Orlando. But Steve and I loved it in Hollywood. 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey 

We rode this for the first time in Universal Studios Hollywood and it’s an incredible ride, combining motion simulation and animatronics. The minimum height requirement is 48 inches so most little kids won’t be able to ride it, including our 6-year-old who was around 47 inches. It’s quite frightening in places, and also be aware that it’s known for causing motion sickness, which I fell victim to (I reckon it was worth it though!).

Unique Harry Potter rides at Islands of Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure 

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is currently the most popular ride in Islands of Adventure and always has a long line from park opening to close.

The story coaster takes you on a ride through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s motorbike. It’s the fastest and most thrilling ride in the wizarding world and one that’s not suitable for little kids. Plus you have to be 48 inches to ride it, which rules out most little children anyway.

Hogwarts Express 

You can only ride this train if you have a park-to-park ticket as it connects the two parks. It’s a gentle ride, literally a normal train, but with magical window displays that make it an immersive experience.

The special effects are impressive, and it’s a ride that’s suitable for all ages – although nervous little ones might find it a bit too real. I’d recommend sitting them on your lap for reassurance. It’s a really quick ride.

The experience is different in both directions – and on the Diagon Alley-Hogsmeade journey, you even get to walk through the wall to the famous 9 ¾ platform, which can be captured on camera for a fun special effect.

Unique Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios Florida

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts was more thrilling than I expected. I took my 6-year-old on it, and while he was happy/proud to have experienced it, he definitely didn’t want to ride it again. It’s an interesting mix of rollercoaster and 3D dark ride. The rollercoaster part isn’t too intense, but the 3D elements make it feel that way. For example, you don’t actually drop very far at all, but the screens make it feel as though you’re free falling. 

It’s also quite scary in terms of how dark it is and the story you become a part of – you even see the Dark Lord himself along the way. Definitely don’t ride this with toddlers, but brave little Harry Potter fans might enjoy it.

Hogwarts Express

I’ve included this in the Islands of Adventure section, but remember, the ride is different in both directions, so it’s worth going both ways. If you start on the Universal Studios side, you get to go through the special 9 ¾ platform.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter experiences

Harry Potter experiences at all Harry Potter Worlds

Ollivander’s wand shop

One of the best attractions in all the Harry Potter worlds is the Ollivanders wand experience. You get to enter the famous wand shop and watch while one lucky volunteer gets to discover their perfect wand with help from Ollivander.

It’s a magical, immersive experience with impressive effects that leave kids enchanted. It’s quite dark in there and an intimate space, so if you think your kid might be scared or unable to stay quiet, I’d perhaps give it a miss. 

When the experience ends, you’re led straight into the wand gift shop where you can buy your own wand. Be warned, these are expensive, but they do unlock some cool interactive experiences in the Harry Potter world.

You can do the Ollivanders experience at all the parks, including at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.

Interactive wand experiences

If you buy an official Harry Potter wand from Universal, you can use it to unlock a bunch of interactive experiences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This is available across all locations (no wonder as they must be making a fortune from it!)

The wand comes with a map and instructions for how to do each spell at various points around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Wave your wand, recite the spell, and watch as feathers levitate and puppets dance.

Some of the spells are a bit finicky, which doesn’t mix well with impatient kids, but we did get most of them to work. Early entry is a good time to do the spells as the lines can get a bit long later in the day (and are especially annoying if the people ahead are struggling to do the spell!).

The wands are expensive, starting at around $60, but our son did count it as one of his favourite things at Universal. It’s kind of a must for Harry Potter fans.

Unique Harry Potter experiences at Islands of Adventure

Walk through Hogwarts Castle 

The queue for Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey involves walking through the Hogwarts Castle, and you can ask to do this even if you’re not riding the ride. That way you get to see things like the Moving Portrait Corridor and Portrait of the Fat Lady. It’s pretty dark, so might be scary for some kids. Plus it does mean you’re in the queue, which again might not be appealing to everyone.

Unique Harry Potter experiences at Universal Studios Orlando

The Knight Bus

On Universal’s London Embankment outside Diagon Alley, you can see the famous Knight Bus from Harry Potter. Peek inside, and if you’re lucky interact with the talkative shrunken head, also known as the bus conductor! 

It’s pretty cool as he responds in real time to what you say, so it’s a proper conversation. As you can imagine, it’s not easy to get a go as lots of people want to try it, but it’s fun just listening in even if you don’t get a chance to chat yourself.

Explore Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley is an incredibly immersive part of Universal Studios where you’ll feel transported the land of Harry Potter. Highlights include Honeydukes sweet shop and Zonko’s joke shop. Don’t miss Knockturn Alley which is hidden passage around the back where you can explore the darker side of magic.

Gringotts Money Exchange

Ask a Gringotts goblin any questions you have and trade your dollars for Gringotts bank notes. The bank notes can be used within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade and at selected locations throughout the Universal Orlando Resort. You can only get $10 or $20 notes.

Unique Harry Potter experiences at Universal Studios Japan

Meet magical creatures

Universal Japan is the only place where you can meet characters at a Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It isn’t the wizards, but instead the magical creatures, including nifflers, and pygmy puffs.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter shows

Harry Potter shows in Florida, Hollywood and Japan

There are a couple of shows you can find in all three locations…

Frog Choir 

The Frog Choir is a fun singing show where students from Hogwarts sing songs while accompanied by a bunch of frogs who provide the bass. The frogs are a fun novelty for kids, but this is still a show that might be more entertaining to slightly older kids or definite Harry Potter fans. In Orlando, this is at Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

TriWizard Spirit Rally 

The TriWizard Spirit Rally is an acrobatic dance show where students from Hogwarts, the Durmstrang Institute and the Beauxbatons Academy lead a fun spirit rally for the famous TriWizard tournament. It’s good, but our kids weren’t that captivated by it – I think partly because they were keen to get to other parts of the park. In Orlando, this is at Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

Unique Harry Potter shows at Islands of Adventure

Hogwarts Always

Hogwarts Always is a new nighttime show set against the backdrop of Hogwarts. It features projections of favourite Harry Potter scenes. It’s 7.5 minutes long and plays from around dusk every 20 minutes, but it doesn’t show every night.

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle

During the Halloween season, the Hogwarts Always show is replaced by the more spooky Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle show. And they sometimes have a Christmas show too.

Unique Harry Potter shows at Universal Studios Orlando

The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees

In Diagon Alley, there are two shows that happen throughout the day: The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. Both are geared towards older kids, and neither my 3 or 6 year old were very interested in them. That said, kids who love live music of any kind might enjoy Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. 

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is great for slightly older kids – my 6-year-old was almost old enough to enjoy it. It tells the stories of old wizarding fairy tales using some fun puppetry and effects. 

Harry Potter shows at Universal Studios Japan

Hippogriff Magical Lesson

In this immersive experience, visitors can take part in a Hogwarts’ Care of Magical Creatures lessons. Under the guidance of a friendly Hogwarts professor, guests receive instructions on how to properly approach and interact with magical Hippogriffs.

Wand Studies

A show where Hogwarts students from all four houses train and hone their wand skills. Some guests are invited to join in the fun and lend a hand in casting spells!

Unique Harry Potter shows at Universal Studios Beijing

Universal Studios Beijing has one Harry Potter show that’s not found in the others.

Nighttime Magic at Hogwarts Castle

This gorgeous nighttime show, similar to the one in Orlando, is a spectacle of lights and music. Harry Potter scenes are projected onto the castle in a 6-minute show that plays around every 15 minutes from dusk onwards.

Where to shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Exploring all the Harry Potter themed shops is one of the highlights of a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You can feel fully immersed in the Harry Potter world as you explore and buy treats from your favourite shops from the books.

There are two shops – Ollivanders and Honeydukes – that you can find at all the parks. And then there is some overlaps between the other parks, plus a few that are unique. Here’s a guide to where to find them all.

Harry Potter shops at all Harry Potter worlds

Ollivanders

Even if you don’t do the Ollivanders experience, you can still visit the shop. There are all sorts of wands and you can even choose your favourite character’s wand. It’s here that you can but the interactive wands that allow you to do “magic” around the Harry Potter world. The non-interactive wands are slightly cheaper.

Honeydukes

This was my favourite of the Harry Potter stores and one the kids love too! The charming sweet shop is filled with magical treats the books, including Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, and Fizzing Whizzbees.

Harry Potter shops at Islands of Adventure

Dervish and Banges

Dervish and Banges sells a big mish mash of products that are separated into different shops at Universal Studios Florida. It means you can still buy many of the same products, including Sneakoscopes, Spectrespecs and Omnioculars. It’s also where you’ll find Hogwarts uniforms and Quidditch supplies, like golden snitches and the Nimbus Two Thousand and One.

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is the place to buy treasures seized by the school’s resident caretaker, Argus Filch. You’ll find Hogwarts apparel, house crest banners, stationery, toys, and more.

The Owl Post

At the Owl Post shop, you can send a postcard back home, complete with a special Hogsmeade postmark.

Harry Potter shops at Universal Studios Florida

Borgin and Burkes

One of the most atmospheric shops of all is hidden down the secret Knockturn Alley. The shop is infamous for its shady patrons and objects with unusual and powerful properties. Find all sorts of spooky treasures, from Death Eater masks to skulls.

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes

It’s the Weasley twins’ joke shop, filled with silly jokes and magical pranks. You’ll find everything from Skiving Snackboxes to U-No-Poo pills.

Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions

Choose your very own wizarding robes, perfect for anyone looking to dress like their favourite characters or add a touch of magic to their wardrobe.

Magical Menagerie

Explore this charming pet shop filled with magical creatures. Find all your favourites, including Crookshanks, Buckbeak, Hedwig, and Pygmy Puffs. Our kids were obsessed!

Scribbulus

Find all the writing supplies a witch or wizard could need including ink and inkwells, feather quills, parchment and writing paper.

Sugarplum’s Sweetshop

This delightful Diagon Alley shop has all sorts of wizarding sweets and treats, from butterbeer fudge to Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

Wands by Gregorovitch

As well as Ollivanders, you can also buy wands at Wands by Gregorovitch in Diagon Alley.

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

At Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, you can get all your Ministry of Magic merch and all sorts of wizarding wares, including crystal balls, telescopes, hourglasses, and more.

Quality Quidditch Supplies

For the Quidditch fans, this shop has a variety of broomsticks, Quidditch gear, and apparel.

Globus Mundi

Perfect place for travellers – find Harry Potter theme passport holders, luggage tags and more.

Shutterbutton’s

At Shutterbutton’s you can get a moving photo of yourself. Act out famous Harry Potter scenes and then buy a DVD photo album of moving photos, like the ones you see in the Hogwarts castle.

Harry Potter shops at  Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan has some of the same shops as Universal Orlando, including:

There are a few other shops that are unique to Harry Potter world in Japan (although fairly similar to some of the others in Orlando)…

Gladrags Wizard Wear

Gladrags Wizard Wear has all sorts of fun clothing, from ball dresses to socks to robes.

Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment

This is the place to go for all your wizarding equipment, including binoculars, magnifying glasses, compasses and robes.

Zonko’s Joke Shop

Similar to the Weasleys own joke shop in Orlando, Zonko’s Joke Shop is their inspiration. Buy tricks like Extendable Ears, Sneakoscopes and pet pygmy puffs.

Harry Potter shops at Universal Studios Beijing

The shops you can find at Universal Studios Beijing are similar to those in Hollywood, but with one addition – Hogsmeade Station – where you can buy platform 9 ¾ branded items, like train tickets, wallets, jewellery and more.

Harry Potter shops at Universal Studios Hollywood

Like Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood has some of the same shops as other Universal parks. It doesn’t have any that are unique only to Hollywood.

Where to eat at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Butter Beer in Higsmeade Universal.

The Hogsmeade villages at Islands of Adventure, and the Universal Studios in Hollywood, Japan and China all have the same restaurant and bar, plus little carts selling snacks and butterbeer.

Three Broomsticks

A visit the iconic Three Broomsticks is a fun experience for all Harry Potter fans. The pub serves British classics and is quick service but the line to get in can be pretty lengthy. 

The Hog’s Head

The Hog’s Head is at the back of the Three Broomsticks and is the place to grab a butter beer (this stuff is way too sweet for me, but it’s an iconic experience to try a butter beer in Hogsmeade!)

Harry Potter restaurants in Universal Studios Florida

The Leaky Cauldron

The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley is another iconic spot. The quick-service restaurant serves British pub food in a themed setting. It’s popular so you may have to wait for a table.

Fountain of Fair Fortune

The Fountain of Fair Fortune is a quick-service bar serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including frozen butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor

This cute ice cream parlour is known for its magical flavors and charming atmosphere. It’s super popular so be prepared to queue.

Tips for visiting Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

1. Buy a park-to-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express

If you’re visiting Universal Orlando, buy a park-to-park ticket as that’s the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express. Also be sure to ride it in both directions as the experience is different each way.

2. Get there early

If you’re staying at a Universal hotel, you’ll likely have early entry, which is a game-changer for visiting the Wizarding World as you’ll get to see it without the crowds or beat the queues for some of the rides.

Only one park is open each day out of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. And only certain parts of the park are open, but it always includes the Wizarding World. This means you can beat the crowds and explore either Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade ahead of the park opening.

We used this time to visit Ollivanders and explor Hogsmeade without the usual hustle. It’s also a good time to try the interactive wand spots without too many people around (which can get a bit tricky when everyone is trying their spells!).

3. Consider getting the Universal Express Pass

The Universal Express pass definitely saves you a lot of time and most of the Harry Potter rides are included. However, there are two main exceptions: Ollivanders and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. This makes them popular choices for a first ride/experience.

If you have an Express Pass and early entry to the parks, this is a great combination as it means you can use your early entry for Ollivanders and exploring the Wizarding World with fewer crowds. And then you can use your Express Pass to get on the rides.

4. How to choose your first ride

People who have early entry for Islands of Adventure tend to head straight to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure because it isn’t included in the Express Pass. While this makes sense, unless you’re right at the start of the line, you may still be facing a wait of up to two hours. We didn’t bother with this as the kids were too small for the ride, so it was potentially going to mean up to 4 hours apart in the day, which didn’t seem worth it. We heard that the very end of the day is a good time to try Hagrid’s as the line can get a bit shorter then.

We chose Ollivanders as our first experience as it was one of our “must dos” and we knew we’d have the shortest wait at early entry. In fact, we were second in line. We then used the rest of the early entry time to explore Hogsmeade without too many crowds. This was particularly handy for getting to try the different wand stations around the village.

If you don’t have an Express Pass but do have early entry, you could use early entry as a time to ride the Harry Potter rides without such long lines. But if you do have an Express Pass, I recommend using that time to visit Ollivanders and do the interactive wand experiences with fewer crowds.

If you have neither early entry or an express pass, head straight to the Wizarding World and keep an eye on the app to see which rides/experiences have the shortest wait times. A popular first choice is Escape from Gringotts.

See our guides to Universal Orlando for more tips on choosing a first ride.

5. Use single rider lanes

Single rider lanes are sometimes even faster than the Express Pass lane. And they’re super handy when it’s a ride that only part of the party can do ( e.g. the adults want to do but the kids can’t). The Harry Potter rides with single rider lanes at Universal Orlando are:

  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

6. Watch out for the fire breathing dragon in Diagon Alley

There’s an incredible dragon above Gringotts that breathes fire periodically. It’s clear when it’s about to happen as crowds gather around to take photos. I’d be careful of this with toddlers as our 3-year-old found it terrifying! And certainly let little kids know what’s about to happen as it is pretty intense. You can feel the heat from the fire.

Tips for visiting Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios for toddlers - Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Because the Wizarding World at Universal Studios Hollywood is much smaller than Orlando, there are fewer specific tips. I still recommend getting the Express Pass so you can skip the queues, especially if you’re hoping to visit most of the park in one day.

Now that Super Mario World has opened, many people prioritise that area, so there is less competition for the Harry Potter rides. This means it’s possible to ride them both without big queues even if you don’t have an Express Pass. See our full post on Universal Studios Hollywood here.

Tips for visiting Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan and Beijing

As I haven’t been to Universal Studios in Japan or China, I don’t have any of my own insider tips. However, the same tips still stand in that buying an Express Pass will save you time. Japan also has timed entry tickets to certain areas, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, on days when the crowds are big.

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