For Harry Potter fans, the Wizarding World is as close as Orlando
But I still get to visit the Wizarding World whenever I go to Orlando.
Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort all bring the magic of Harry Potter to life, but only the Florida resort expands the Wizarding World beyond Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Here's what Harry Potter fans can expect at Universal Orlando and how much time and money it takes to visit.
Which Universal park is Harry Potter in?
All three of Universal Orlando's theme parks have their own corner of the Wizarding World.
Universal Islands of Adventure is home to Hogsmeade.
Universal Studios Florida invites guests into Diagon Alley.
Universal Epic Universe transports guests to both the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter's time and 1920s wizarding Paris.
Universal also calls its Volcano Bay water park a theme park, but it's not a traditional theme park and has no Harry Potter presence.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
This was the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter across Universal's resorts, and it remains a fan favorite.
Fans will immediately recognize places like Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks in the snow-capped wizarding village, where Hogwarts Castle looms in the distance. Honeydukes sells all sorts of sweets like Chocolate Frogs and Fizzing Whizzbees, while the Three Broomsticks serves up British comfort food like Shepherd's Pie and wizarding drinks like Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer.
Peering in the shop windows, guests will spot Hermione's gown from the Yule Ball and magical sights that engage when guests cast spells with interactive wands. (Additional wand experiences are available in the other parks.)
The most popular attraction here is Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motobike Adventure, a coaster whose vehicles resemble the motorcycle Sirius Black gave Hagrid, with a sidecar. Younger or more timid guests, like my youngest, may prefer Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster alongside Hagrid's hut with terrific views of the park.
Can you go into Hogwarts at Universal Orlando?
Yes. Hogwarts Castle houses Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which hurls guests through the castle's grounds and into the path of a dragon, acromantula (giant spiders like Aragog) and dementors.
Guests prone to motion sickness may want to avoid this ride, but fans should still walk through the queue filled with familiar scenes from the books and films, like Professor Dumbledore's office, walls of talking portraits, the Sorting Hat and the Mirror of Erised.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Despite its name, there's more to this corner of the Wizarding World than Diagon Alley.
Outside, guests can visit King's Cross Station, where they can catch the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9¾ to Hogsmeade, if they have park-to-park tickets. Guests can also see the Knight Bus, and if they stand outside Sirius Black's family home at the right time, they can spot faithful house elf Kreacher.
Passing through the brick entrance to Diagon Alley feels like stepping into the films, where Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the Leaky Cauldron, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and more await.
Gringotts is topped with a dragon that breathes fire at regular intervals, as weather permits. Inside the bank, guests can ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the main ride besides the Hogwarts Express.
Don't leave without wandering through Knockturn Alley, one of the coolest places in the park, in every sense of the word. Many guests also like to cool off with treats from Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, which serves Butterbeer soft-serve and hard-pack flavors, including Clotted Cream and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Unlike Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, most of this world is set in 1920s Paris during the time of the 'Fantastic Beasts' films. The wizarding neighborhood of Place Cachée feels both familiar and foreign with full-scale Haussmann-style buildings.
Easter eggs include the statue that came to life in the 'Fantastic Beasts' films and myriad magical creatures adorning places like Café L'air De La Sirène, the only place to find Bieraubeurre (Butterbeer) crepes.
There are two major attractions here: the live Le Cirque Arcanus show and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, the most popular ride at Epic Universe and a jaw-dropping recreation of the Ministry itself.
From nifflers to demiguises: These magical creatures make Epic Universe's Wizarding World
Which Universal Orlando Park is better for Harry Potter?
Better is subjective.
My favorite is probably still Diagon Alley, because it's where Harry Potter first stepped into the Wizarding World after finding out he was a wizard, and Universal's version stays true to the films. However, my daughters both favor Hogsmeade, and the Ministry of Magic is dazzling in its own right.
How much does it cost to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando?
Ticket prices vary by date and park at Universal Orlando.
For Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, single-park tickets start at $119 for guests ages 10 and over but do not include access to the Hogwarts Express. Park-to-park tickets for those same parks start at $174.
Universal Epic Universe tickets start at $139 a day.
Fans will want to budget extra for dining and possibly souvenirs.
Tip: Breakfast is the best deal at Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron; it includes a choice of drink, such as Butterbeer. Also, not everyone needs to buy an interactive wand. Friends or family can take turns using one, then reuse it on future trips.
How long does it take to do 'Harry Potter World' Orlando?
Guests should plan for at least two days to explore all three Wizarding World areas across Universal Orlando, but they'll need longer to fully experience the larger resort, which includes many other themed areas featuring beloved franchises like Jurassic World, Minions, Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon.
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