First the books, then the movies… THEN ACTUAL HARRY POTTER WORLD COMES TO LIFE!! If you grew up reading the books and watching the movies like I did then seeing The Wizarding World with your own eyes, up close and personal is an actual dream come true! Honestly… even if you didn’t grow up loving HP (like my husband) I can almost guarantee that you will not only be amazed, but also have a great time!

TOP TIPS:

BEST TIP: Try to go when it’s not busy - if you want to have the best possible time while at Universal then you need to go when it’s least likely to be busy. The Wizarding World is easily the busiest part of Universal. Your experience will be completely different based on the crowds. Here is a link to a frequently updated website with the best times to go - https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/best-time-visit-universal-orlando/ !

Stay on Universal property - you will get free express passes and in some cases early park admission. You will 100% want to have both of these! You can also use your room key to pay for things if you want. PRO TIP: Instead of carrying around all the souvenirs that YOU WILL buy, trust me… You can magically send them to your room if you are staying onsite.

Use your Early Park Admission - Access The Wizarding World an hour before the park opens with Early Park Admission, a free perk when you book a vacation package, stay at a resort hotel or use your Preferred or Premier Annual Pass. You can only use Early Park Admission on Islands of Adventure side so the best way to use this perk is to head to the Velosicoaster to ride it (if you’re into that kinda thing) while the wait is really short. Then head to Hogshead to grab a Butterbeer or cocktail and make your way to the Hogwarts Express. When it opens at 9, you’ll be one of the firsts in Diagon Alley!

Download the Universal App before you go - there is a ton of info on the app including an entire map of the parks. You can make reservations from the app for restaurants and rides! Definitely a must do before stepping foot into the parks!

Be prepared to walk A LOT - comfy shoes are a must because Hogsmead (where Hogwarts Castle is) is in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley (where the dragon is) is in Universal Studios!

Bundle your trip - bundling your trip will save you lots of $$! Being a travel agent I can help ya out. Universal can get expensive QUICK!

If the $250 Universal gift card promo is going on… DO IT - you’ll buy the $250 gift card and then spend it on all of your food, drinks, souvenirs… you name it & you will get a free character wand! They change the options all the time so you never know what you will get but I ended up landing Professor Dumbledore’s ORIGINAL wand! I can’t even explain how pumped I was about that! #Nerd, IK! Character wands are expensive and you will definitely end up spending AT LEAST $250 during your trip so this is a no brainer! *The price of the giftcard promo fluctuates but in my opinion it’s always worth it and help you control your spending.

Use your park to park ticket to ride Hogwarts Express BOTH ways - the ride is different each way and both are worth seeing. Make sure to not only look out the window but also at the doors for some really cool special effects!

Try Butterbeer in all it’s forms - it comes hot, frozen, chilled and in ice cream form! PRO TIP: Get Butterbeer ice cream and mix it with a glass of chilled Butterbeer float!

Try to win Ollivander’s Wand Experience - During the time I went they were only allowing one family into Ollivander’s at a time so I automatically “won” and got the whole “wand chooses the wizard” experience. SO COOL and absolutely worth the wait. Because Ollivander’s is extremely popular there is now a shop in both Hogsmead and Diagon Alley but I will say that the wait was 10x shorter in Hogsmead so if you don’t care about getting your wand from Diagon Alley then head to Hogsmead!

Do not miss Knockturn Alley - easily one of my most favorite parts of the parks! When you walk in the vibe instantly changes. You can also walk into Borgin & Burkes, see the vanishing cabinet and hear the bird chirping. IYKYK! PRO TIP: The map that came with your wand… open it in Knockturn Alley for hidden things you can’t see on the map anywhere else!

Talk to the shrunken head on the Knight Bus - the shrunken head will actually carry conversation with you and he and the Knight Bus Conductor had us cracking up!

Don’t miss the fire breathing dragon - he gives you clues as to when he will breathe fire next… listen for about 3 - 5 grunts and roars and then get ready to feel the heat from the fire!

See Kreature in the window at Grimmauld Place - You DO NOT have to knock on the door for Kreature to pop out. He will do so every few minutes on his own!

Don’t miss The Nighttime Lights At Hogwarts Castle - On select nights, watch in awe from Hogsmeade village as projections are cast against the castle. The lights change themes depending on season! The best way to end your day at Islands of Adventure!

WHERE TO EAT?

The Leaky Cauldron - The Leaky Cauldron is right when you walk into the main entrance of Diagon Alley, you can’t miss it! The detail in here is incredible! Look around and listen closely while enjoying your traditional english fare. For my fellow vegetarians, The Ploughmans is really good and serves two!

The Three Broomsticks - Can’t miss The Three Broomsticks on Hogsmead side! Like The Leaky Cauldron, they serve traditional english food! More details below!

Looking for some adult beverages? I got you!

Hogsmead Side

Hogs Head Pub inside of The Three Broomsticks - You can order pretty much anything you would normally at a bar but also fun themed drinks like The Wizarding World own version of Fireball known as Fire Whiskey, a cider/vodka mix called a Pear Dazzle and the Hog’s Tea which is kind of like a long island! They also have Wizard’s Brew which is a dark porter and Dragon Scale is a lighter beer, kinda IPAish to me! We spent a lot of time here just hanging out because the environment is so fun. PRO TIP: If you stand over by the stairs and barrels past the bar you can hear a house elf causing a ruckus. If you ask me… I think it’s Dobby!

Diagon Alley Side

The Fountain of Fair Fortune - Not only is this a good place to cool off in the summer months but they serve a variety of beers and other beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Non-alcoholic offerings include Butterbeer, Frozen Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Gillywater (bottled water), Fire Protection Potion and more. They also serve Fire Whiskey, Fire Strongbow Cocktail, Wizards Brew and more. PRO TIP: Order a Butterbeer any way and a shot of Fire Whiskey and mix them together after you have drank a bit of the Butterbeer. *They are not allowed to serve it mixed!

Chez Alcatraz - Just outside of Diagon Alley there is a little bar that serves some Jaw’s themed cocktails paying homage to the old Jaw’s attractions that was once at Universal! They also have a full bar so you can order whatever you normally would here as well!

PHOTO OPS:

The Knight Bus - PRO TIP: Go to the back to avoid line!
Grimmauld Place - Wait for Kreature (Right of Diagon Ally Entrance)
With your first Butterbeer (Diagon Alley or Hogsmead)
Diagon Alley - Wait for the dragon to breathe fire.
Gringotts Money Exchange - Try asking him about the dragon & then ask him if he is a house elf.
Phone Booth at Kings Cross Station - Dial MAGIC or 62442 on the phone
Hogwarts Express/ Platform 9 3/4 (Kings Cross Station)
Hogsmead
The Owl Post
Three Broomsticks (Go to bar area to stand in front of the Hog)
The Leaky Cauldron
Knockturn Alley (Borgin and Burkes)
Butterbeer Truck
Hogwarts Castle (Left of Bridge to avoid crowds)

*Copy & paste this part into your notes and check them off as you go so you don’t miss a thing! You can also bookmark this blog to refer back to!

MUST HAVES FOR YOUR TRIP:

HARRY POTTER APPAREL:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is INCREDIBLE! It exceeded my expectations and blew me away at every turn. This will definitely be a vacation that we plan AT LEAST every other year! Hope this helps for your future trips to The Wizarding World!

xo, Kay

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this blog are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love and use myself! The income I get from these links go towards keeping this site updated and free for everyone!