Information to Common Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Every little thing you could know from butterbeer to magic wands
A go to to Common Orlando to expertise The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is on most Potterheads’ journey want lists.
Right here, followers don wizarding robes (even within the Florida warmth), wave interactive wands to work magic spells and fake that they’re following within the footsteps of Hermione, Ron and Harry. They will additionally get pleasure from some epic themed rides, fill their tummies with butterbeer and pub favorites, and wander the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, immersing themselves inside the magical world of “Harry Potter.”
Common divides its Harry Potter sights throughout two parks. You’ll discover the land of Harry’s magical London in Diagon Alley at Common Studios Florida, whereas Hogsmeade — the place you’ll discover the well-known Hogwarts Citadel, Hagrid’s hut and the Three Broomsticks pub — is ready inside Common Islands of Journey. The Hogwarts Specific prepare journey will carry you between the 2 parks, however provided that you’ve bought a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.
If this feels like your cup of frozen (or sizzling) butterbeer, know that even one of the best spells can’t zap away the lengthy strains for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey or show you how to select between a one- or two-park ticket. Nonetheless, TPG’s theme park consultants will help you out with some magical suggestions for the proper go to.
Right here’s what you could find out about every of the Harry Potter-themed lands, your ticket choices and our greatest recommendation to make the journey to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando a hit.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
How you can get to Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is positioned at Common Studios Florida, so that you’ll want a ticket to this park to go to. To get there, stroll straight by way of Manufacturing Central and switch proper if you attain the New York part of the park (in entrance of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction). Proceed on till you see a reproduction of King’s Cross Station in your left.
Watch out to not overshoot and stroll previous the considerably hidden entrance to Diagon Alley. There is no such thing as a signal, however if you see a gap in a brick wall, you already know you’ve discovered it.
Diagon Alley rides: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
When you’ve entered Diagon Alley, stroll straight to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts indoor metal curler coaster journey. You’ll be able to’t miss it; it’s the constructing with the fire-breathing dragon perched on the roof. It’s additionally the one journey discovered inside Diagon Alley.
Tip: Once you hear a low growl, that’s your sign that the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some hearth. The dragon doesn’t carry out on a schedule, however spend an inexpensive period of time in Diagon Alley and you will note its fireworks.
There are free and paid lockers to the proper of the road so you possibly can stash your belongings earlier than the journey.
Kids should be 42 inches to journey; be certain your occasion meets that requirement so that you don’t get to the top of the road solely to be turned away. There’s additionally a “youngster swap” room the place dad and mom can take turns alternating driving or ready with kiddos not tall sufficient (or prepared) to journey. Let the crew member on the journey entrance know that you simply plan to make use of youngster swap and they’ll instruct you on the protocol.
There’s additionally a take a look at seat in entrance of the constructing the place you possibly can verify whether or not or not the seating configuration will work to your physique type.
Wait instances can get lengthy for this journey, however it does have an Specific Cross line all through many of the day. There’s additionally loads to have a look at whereas in line because you’ll snake by way of the Gringotts Financial institution foyer and see a large number of goblins at work. The 4 chandeliers that cling contained in the financial institution’s foyer are made up of 62,000 particular person crystals.
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What’s neat about Escape from Gringotts is the motion-based 3D projections that make you’re feeling as for those who’re interacting with characters like Invoice Weasley and the goblin Blordak.
Diagon Alley reveals and sights: Ollivanders and Knockturn Alley
After exiting the Gringotts journey, you’re simply throughout from Ollivanders Wand Store, the place you will get in line to see the present that depicts how a wand chooses its wizard. Word that there’s an similar Ollivanders wand expertise at Hogsmeade, so be happy to skip the expertise right here for those who’d choose to see the present there later in your go to.
Through the present, one visitor is picked from the viewers, and the wizard in residence facilitates the wand selecting. The visitor then has the choice of buying the wand (or one other of their selecting) on the wand store subsequent door.
For those who weren’t fortunate sufficient to be chosen for the present, you possibly can pick and buy your personal wand. Interactive wands presently price a minimal of $65. You can also order an interactive wand upfront of your journey or decide one up within the lodge reward store at most on-site inns.
You’ll improve your Wizarding World expertise for those who spring for an interactive wand that helps you make “magic” at many areas in each Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Search for brass medallions set into the pavement that mark the spots the place you possibly can solid spells and make magic. A map that plots every spot the place you possibly can solid spells is included together with your wand buy (together with a number of unmarked “secret wand spots”).
Wands are reusable and Ollivanders workers will fortunately “re-magic” your dying wand free of charge if it will get scratched or damaged. Meaning you possibly can convey again a wand from a earlier Common Studios go to or borrow one from a buddy to save cash.
Customary, non-interactive wands are additionally out there if you’re seeking to save slightly money or your youngsters are too younger to know the distinction.
Different reveals in Diagon Alley happen on an outside stage within the Carkitt Market space. Reveals embody “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” — full with puppets — and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (tune and dance). Discover a close by bench or simply sit or stand on the bottom by the stage.
From the stage, stroll towards the Gringotts journey and also you’ll stumble upon the Gringotts Cash Trade. Go inside (it’s a retailer) and you may chat with the Gringotts goblin standing behind a teller’s desk. It’s a neat expertise — particularly for curious youngsters. It’s also possible to change muggle cash for Gringotts financial institution notes that can be utilized to make purchases inside Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and at choose areas elsewhere at Common.
One other easy-to-miss attraction in Diagon Alley is Knockturn Alley. It’s darkish, feels seedy and is so nicely hidden that you simply may miss it. There are two entrances — one subsequent to the Leaky Cauldron and one subsequent to the Fountain of Honest Fortune.
The enclosed house is darkish and a cool break from the warmth. It additionally has a number of enjoyable spots the place you should utilize your interactive wand to solid spells; don’t miss them. The store right here, Borgin and Burkes, oozes darkish magic and is the place you should purchase souvenirs paying homage to Demise Eaters and the darkish arts.
Diagon Alley eating places: The Leaky Cauldron
One in every of Harry’s first stops in magical London is The Leaky Cauldron, and it may be one among yours, too. The Diagon Alley pub is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to a refreshing butterbeer (common, frozen or sizzling). Strains to get in might be lengthy, however you possibly can place orders on the Common app to hurry up service.
Breakfast is expensive, however the place else are you able to dine amongst witches and wizards? Breakfast plates for adults all ring in at $18.99 and embody a small beverage (sure, you possibly can have butterbeer for breakfast). The youngsters breakfast plate is $13.49. You’ll be able to select choices like an English-style “Conventional Breakfast” with scrambled eggs, sausage, black pudding, English bacon and baked beans or go for the extra American pancakes.
The lunch and dinner menu is stuffed with pub favorites, comparable to fish ‘n’ chips ($17.99), bangers and mash ($16.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($17.99). Youngsters entrees embody issues like mac ‘n’ cheese and fish ‘n’ chips for $8.29. Desserts — comparable to sticky toffee pudding and butterbeer potted cream — shouldn’t be missed.
Different Diagon Alley spots to get a refreshment embody Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, the place you possibly can attempt butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. It’s also possible to seize a drink at The Fountain of Honest Fortune or The Hopping Pot.
Purchasing in Diagon Alley
Purchasing choices are plentiful in Diagon Alley. Together with the proper memento, be alert for a number of “magic moments.” Amongst them is a snake talking Parseltongue within the window of the Magical Menagerie and a speaking mirror in Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Events. Be forewarned, she isn’t at all times complimentary of your wardrobe selections.
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One phrase of warning: Harry Potter souvenirs are fairly costly. You may wish to set a finances together with your youngsters earlier than exploring the retailers or clarify to them why you received’t be buying sure gadgets.
Retailers in Diagon Alley embody Borgin and Burkes for extra sinister souvenirs, Ollivanders for wands, High quality Quidditch Provides to help your favourite groups and Sugarplum’s Sweetshop for impulse buys of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Each-Flavour Beans.
Harry Potter sights exterior Diagon Alley
When you’ve seen every thing on Diagon Alley, go away this a part of The Wizarding World by way of the opening within the brick wall. Straight throughout you’ll see the Knight Bus. Right here you possibly can meet the conductor and the shrunken head that hangs on the entrance of the bus. Youngsters and adults love interacting with these two. Sit by the fountain to hear in and be prepared for amusing.
Then, look throughout the best way, and also you’ll see a reproduction of a London road. Upon nearer inspection, you’ll see 12 Grimmauld Place, the house of Sirius Black (Harry Potter’s godfather). He gifted the property to the Order of the Phoenix, which used it as a headquarters. Lookup towards the second flooring and also you may catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black household house-elf, peering at you from the window.
Once you’ve totally explored Diagon Alley and the streets of Harry Potter’s London, it’s time to make your method to King’s Cross Station, the place you’ll board the Hogwarts Specific and journey the prepare to Hogsmeade. You’ll be able to solely journey the Hogwarts Specific you probably have a Park-to-Park ticket. For those who’ve bought one-day, one-park tickets, there isn’t any method to expertise this attraction, however there’s a ticket desk within the prepare station the place you can also make a last-minute improve for those who so select.
The Hogwarts Specific is each an immersive expertise and precise transportation. Don’t miss the neat mirror trick within the queue that makes it appear to be people are strolling by way of a brick wall to entry Platform 9 3/4. Once you’re able to board, eight passengers can slot in every prepare compartment. Greet your fellow Hogwarts schoolmates after which flip your consideration to the home windows, the place you’ll watch because the prepare leaves London on the best way to Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Be ready to see some Dementors on the four-minute journey to Hogsmeade. The present is barely totally different on the return journey, so followers will wish to journey it each methods.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
How you can get to Hogsmeade
You’ll discover Hogsmeade contained in the Islands of Journey theme park. Right here, you possibly can go to each the city of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This space has three rides, plus the Hogwarts Specific.
To get there, take a proper after passing by way of the Port of Entry and head towards Seuss Touchdown. Proceed by way of Seuss Touchdown to The Misplaced Continent and on to Hogsmeade.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey is a well-liked thrill coaster, and the attraction doesn’t settle for the Common Specific skip-the-line cross. Wait instances might be longer than an hour and generally as much as two hours or extra.
If in case you have your coronary heart set on driving this thrill coaster, get in line as quickly as you arrive in Hogsmeade; it’s best to see crew members directing you towards the beginning of the road earlier than you even attain Hogsmeade from The Misplaced Continent. If in case you have early park entry, you’ll wish to make this journey your first cease as quickly because the park opens. Have somebody maintain your spot in line when you put belongings within the lockers subsequent to Hogsmeade Station and the journey entrance.
That is by far the quickest journey in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It reaches speeds as much as 50 mph and contains each spikes into the air and quick drops. It’s worthwhile to be at the least 48 inches tall to expertise it. You’ll both journey Hagrid’s bike or get within the sidecar. Both spot will make your coronary heart pound, however I believe the journey within the sidecar is a bit simpler for anybody that is perhaps nervous.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the journey that takes you inside Hogwarts Citadel. The queue itself is full of fascinating scenes from the books; take into account skipping the Specific Cross line to have time to take all of it in. If in case you have youngsters who wish to see the sights however not journey the journey, you possibly can undergo the road after which bail out earlier than boarding the journey.
On this journey, you “journey a broomstick” in and round Hogwarts Citadel. The attraction is a “robocoaster,” the place a robotic arm holds your seat above a observe and also you pivot in a large number of instructions. It makes you’re feeling as for those who’re flying by way of the air and, if you’re susceptible to movement illness, may make you’re feeling queasy.
As well as, in case your waist is bigger than 40 inches, you won’t have the ability to journey. For those who’re unsure, take a look at out the pair of seats in entrance of Hogwarts Citadel on the entrance for this journey or one other pair about midway by way of the queue.
The journey is darkish at instances, with encounters with risks like Aragog the spider within the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow and a gang of Dementors. However you’ll additionally screech across the Quidditch area. You should be 48 inches or taller to journey Forbidden Journey. There are lockers to the left of the fort entrance to retailer your belongings.
Hogwarts Citadel can be the important thing photograph op on this land. You’ll discover one of the best views from the bridge leaving Hogsmeade for Jurassic Park. That is the place you possibly can seize that quintessential photograph of the fort
On choose nights all year long, Common reveals “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Citadel.” Gentle projections are beamed onto the fort partitions, celebrating the 4 Hogwarts homes. It’s an excellent finale to your day on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff, dubbed a “family-friendly coaster,” is throughout from Hogwarts Citadel. Kids must be simply 36 inches tall or taller to journey.
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This journey is tremendous fast, and the twists, turns and drops may remind you of a barely tamer Large Thunder Mountain Railroad from Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The observe is elevated so that you get a pleasant view of Hogsmeade. The queue is neat, too, as you stroll by Hagrid’s Hut and on to an open space the place you’ll acknowledge the Care of Magical Creatures class web site.
For those who’re a thrill-seeker, you possibly can simply give this journey a miss, however if you’re visiting with younger youngsters they’ll find it irresistible.
Hogwarts Specific — Hogsmeade Station
Once you’re prepared to depart this a part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, stroll by way of the arch towards Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Specific.
The prepare will take you again to “London” at Common Studios. The expertise is a bit totally different in every course, so be sure you hop on — even for those who rode the prepare from London to Hogsmeade earlier within the day.
Reveals and sights at Hogsmeade
For those who didn’t see the “wand picks a wizard” present on the Ollivanders location at Diagon Alley in Common Studios, you will get in line to see it right here. After the present, store for a wand for those who don’t have already got one. Hogsmeade additionally has magical spots the place you possibly can solid spells together with your interactive wand. (It is a nice exercise you probably have early park entry however don’t wish to journey Hagrid’s Bike Journey; strains can get lengthy on the spell-working spots.)
For extra reveals, head to the outside stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Citadel. Right here you possibly can attend showings of the Frog Choir (songs by human and amphibian singers) and the Triwizard Spirit Rally (cheer in your favourite magical college). The stage is small however you will get a close-up spot for those who arrive a couple of minutes earlier than showtime.
Hogsmeade eating places
For those who’re hungry at Hogsmeade, you possibly can sit right down to a meal on the Three Broomsticks or seize a drink on the Hog’s Head bar subsequent door (serving butterbeer, beer and spirits).
At Three Broomsticks, many households go for The Nice Feast, which features a mixture of rotisserie smoked rooster, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes and greens. (A platter for 4 is $74.99; extra servings are $19.99.)
It’s also possible to purchase British favorites like fish ‘n’ chips, beef pasties and shepherd’s pie, plus soups and salads. Youngsters ages 9 and youthful decide from fish ‘n’ chips, rooster fingers, rooster legs and mac ‘n’ cheese — every entree is $8.29 and served with grapes and applesauce.
Desserts embody Butterbeer ice cream, apple pie and chocolate trifle ($5.49 to $6.99).
Nonalcoholic butterbeer (common, sizzling or frozen) is $8.99. Draught beers on faucet are Hog’s Head Brew, Daisyroot Ale, Darkish Forest Ale and Dragon Scale ($13).
Three Broomsticks additionally serves breakfast day by day till 10:30 a.m. with choices just like The Leaky Cauldron’s.
For those who simply desire a Butterbeer to go, search for the pink kiosks with big wood casks arrange in the course of the road. You’ll be able to order common and frozen Butterbeer to go.
Hogsmeade retailers
You’ll discover loads of locations to buy inside Hogsmeade, together with this space’s outpost of Ollivander’s. Many souvenirs repeat amongst shops, however every affords one thing distinctive.
Honeydukes is a candy store full of confections like Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Desserts, Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott’s Each Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs.
You’ll be able to mail postcards or letters from the Owl Put up, full with an official Hogsmeade postmark. It’s also possible to buy every kind of writing implements (assume quills and seals) in addition to owl-themed souvenirs.
For those who didn’t journey Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you’d have missed Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Items because the journey empties into this store. It is a terrific store for those who’re on the lookout for home crest banners, T-shirts, hats or scarves.
Get your Hogwarts uniforms and robes, Sneakoscopes, Quaffles and Golden Snitches at Dervish and Banges.
Shopping for the proper ticket for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade is a part of Common Orlando’s Islands of Journey whereas The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley might be discovered at Common Studios. Splitting this land into two sections was a superb transfer on Common’s half because it means you could buy the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket for those who want to see each elements of Harry’s world on the identical day.
You should utilize single-day one-park tickets to go to every land individually, however there’s no method to make use of these tickets to board the Hogwarts Specific. A one-park ticket is your least expensive possibility, however you’ll miss out on a key Harry Potter attraction. For the complete Wizarding World expertise, you actually wish to select the Park-to-Park ticket.
When shopping for Common tickets, take a look at all of the combos and costs to find out which is one of the best deal for your loved ones. We discover all of the choices in our full information to Common Orlando. You also needs to search for limited-time Common Orlando offers that would prevent cash.
The appropriate bank card and transferable factors will help prevent cash or earn you factors towards future free journey together with your Common Orlando reserving.
For those who’d prefer to buy Common tickets with factors, you may have the choice to take action by way of the Chase Journey℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Factors or by way of Citi Journey.
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For those who’re paying money, you’ll wish to use a bank card that offers you further factors or miles to your theme park purchases. Nonetheless, information factors from many vacationers inform us that tickets purchased at an on-site Common lodge and charged to the lodge room have coded as “journey,” however tickets and VIP excursions bought immediately from Common have coded as “leisure.”
If you already know your cost will code as journey, you’ll do nicely to make use of any of one of the best bank cards for normal journey purchases, however for those who assume your buy will code as leisure, you’ll wish to use one of many greatest playing cards for leisure spending.
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And, in fact, you should utilize factors and miles to cowl your airfare or lodge keep for those who’re coming from out of state to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
How you can see extra of The Wizarding World in much less time
I received’t mislead you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will get very crowded.
Even at slower instances of 12 months, the sights in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will probably be jammed. If you wish to see as a lot of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as potential within the shortest period of time, you could be strategic.
First, you should utilize Common’s Specific Cross. It is a skip-the-line cross that works on most sights at Common’s two theme parks, excluding Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey.
There are 3 ways to get an Specific Cross. The simplest method is to ebook one among Common’s on-site Premier inns comparable to Loews Portofino Bay Lodge, Exhausting Rock Lodge or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room fee comes with a free Specific Cross Limitless to make use of all through your go to.
If in case you have a Premier-level Common annual cross, you’re entitled to Specific Cross entry starting at 4 p.m.
In any other case, you should purchase Specific Passes. The Common Specific This cross enables you to skip the common line one time per collaborating journey at each Common Studios and Islands of Journey theme parks. The Common Specific Limitless cross enables you to skip the common strains at collaborating rides as many instances as you need.
The very best technique to make sure you do as a lot as potential inside the World of Harry Potter is to hurry straight for Hagrid’s when the park first opens after which use your Specific Cross for all the opposite sights.
If you’re staying at any of the on-site Common inns, you will get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour sooner than normal admission.
Which park opens early varies by day and generally each parks open early. Examine the Common Orlando web site for essentially the most up-to-date info.
Irrespective of which park is opening early, plan to reach on the entrance gates at the least 45–60 minutes earlier than the Early Park Admission opening time. It’s the one method to beat the crowds and benefit from your further time.
Solely sure sights open throughout Early Park Admission, however this sometimes contains the entire Wizarding World sights. Those you’ll most definitely wish to knock out are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey at Islands of Journey and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Common Studios Florida.
For those who’re spending a number of days within the park, or have people in your journey occasion who don’t like thrill rides, you may as well use these early, much less crowded hours to make use of your interactive wand on the designated spots with out having to attend behind different budding wizards.
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A pricier method to skip the strains is to ebook a VIP tour. You’ll be able to ebook a small-group or personal VIP expertise at Common, which is able to bundle collectively walk-on journey entry through the tour, Specific Passes and complimentary meals at designated Common eating places. These excursions will get you on rides like Hagrids that in any other case don’t have short-cut entry.
Backside line
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando is an unbelievable place to go to for muggles and wizards alike.
The rides and sights are incredible. It’s enjoyable to observe the day by day performances that every one relate to a facet of Harry’s magical world, and you will need to increase a pint of butterbeer (or one of many beers specifically brewed for The Wizarding World) in one of many themed institutions throughout the land, such because the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks.
To get essentially the most out of your go to, splurge on Park-to-Park tickets and pair that with an Specific Cross. Solely then will you have the ability to get in early and (with slightly magic) skip the worst of the strains. The added expense is price it for a day or two of immersion into Harry Potter’s magical world.
Planning a visit to Common Orlando? Begin with these tales:
- TPG’s full information to visiting Common Orlando
- How you can use factors to save cash at Common Orlando
- How this muggle used bank card perks and different hacks to make a Common theme park journey extra reasonably priced
- These are one of the best inns at Common Orlando
- These are the ten greatest rides at Common Orlando
- Essentially the most surprisingly charming lodge I’ve stayed at in years: Common’s Cabana Bay Seashore Resort
- Glossy and fashionable, but reasonably priced: A assessment of Common’s Aventura Lodge
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