Attraction of the Week: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando
Rides at Hogsmeade
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
The highlight here is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, housed inside the Hogwarts castle. The ride itself is one of the most intense in the park, very thrilling and entertaining at the same time. You will follow Harry on a broomstick through various Hogwarts scenes. Overall, the journey is pretty fun with lots of twists, turns, and surprises. Caution: this ride is not recommend for those with motion sickness!
The waiting line inside the castle is simply amazing. A few of the highlights include talking portraits, Dumbledore’s Office, the Gryffindor Common Room, and appearances by Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Flight of the Hippogriff
This family-friendly coaster is located right next to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. You might as well check the wait time as you will be right there. The coaster is not very intense, however, it’s fun and the views of Hogwarts castle are great! This is a great alternative for those who can’t handle the more intense upside down/big drop roller coasters. The Harry Potter theme is great and it’s much less intense than Gringotts and the Forbidden Journey, yet still enough fun enough for those who prefer thrill rides.
Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure
The newest addition to the HP ride scene is loads of fun although the line can be unbearably long! It’s also directly in the sun, so the wait can be excruciatingly hot! It’s best to visit this one right at opening to cut down on your wait time! The ride takes off at 50 mph as you enter the Forbidden Forest. Two interesting facts. This is currently the longest coaster in Florida at 5053 feet! And, it is the first coaster to feature a free falling vertical drop (17 feet!).
A magical experience for fans!
Overall, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is just so detailed that you could never take everything all in, which is also part of the reason why the park is so great! Have fun exploring everything Harry Potter and be sure to explore every magical nook and cranny. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a magical experience for book fans, movies fans, and anyone else who enjoys the theme park atmosphere. It would be difficult not to have a great time with all the excitement around.
**Additionally, don’t forget all the other awesome rides available throughout Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Check out my 13 Can’t Miss Rides at Universal to see which rides are a must and which you can skip over.
Where to stay
*Stay at a Universal on-site for hour early admission. Not surprisingly, the HP section of both parks get extremely crowded. That hour early admission will allow you to get on some rides & take some great pictures without the hefty crowds. Another benefit is the ability to send your store purchases directly to a hotel. No lugging around souvenirs all day! Cabana Bay is a nice budget friendly choice which features on-site restaurants, a Starbucks, and 2 pools with a lazy river!
Helpful Tips for visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
*Avoid summer and holiday visits. Summer afternoons in Orlando are brutal, both in terms of heat and humidity. Holidays, especially the week between Christmas and New Year’s, spring break, 4th of July, and Memorial Day often see the highest crowds. January, February, and November are great times to visit as the crowds aren’t as bad as the above mentioned times, plus the weather is a bit cooler.
*Pack a backpack with water bottles and snacks. Universal does allow you to carry food and drinks throughout the parks. Don’t worry about where to put your stuff while on rides – free lockers are available!
*Save shopping at Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade for early morning or late evening. During the afternoon hours, you can barely walk. Not a pleasant experience!
*Purchase at least a 2 day pass to give yourself time to explore both everything at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and all the other fantastic rides, attractions, and shows within Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
*Download the free Universal Wait Times App. Conveniently, this handy app will let you check wait times for all rides, and thus, plan your day accordingly.
*Get on the major rides (Gringotts, Hagrid’s Motorbike, and The Forbidden Journey) early in the morning – first thing! This will allow you to get one of the rides out of the way before the big crowds hit.
Extras throughout the parks
*There are little extra touches throughout the park such as Kreacher looking out the window at 12 Grimmauld Place (near King’s Cross Station in Diagon Alley). At the Gringotts Money Exchange, you can talk to the goblin and he will answer questions. You can also exchange your money for special Gringotts bank notes which can be used at the park gift shops. Also, if you dial 62442 inside the telephone booth at Diagon Alley, you will hear a special message from the Ministry of Magic. There are lots of cool extras throughout the park, so keep your eyes peeled!
For ticket pricing, hours, and more info visit the Universal Wizarding World of Harry Potter website.
Have you ever visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? What were your favorite rides and attractions?
