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A Muggle’s Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Tips, Tricks, & Recommendations

  • July 30, 2024
  • | 11:32 PM

Experience the Wizarding World

Insider tips, hidden gems, and more recs!

Welcome to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Calling all witches and wizards

Immerse yourself in the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s your turn to follow in Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s footsteps as you enter a world full of enchanting thrills, magical spells, and fantastic beasts!

Located within Universal Orlando Resort, this immersive land will make you feel like you’re stepping right inside the movies. Follow along as we give you the best tips, tricks, and recommendations for making the most of your visit.

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Two immersive lands

With Diagon Alley, located within Universal Studios, and Hogsmeade, located within Islands of Adventure, there are plenty of things to do and explore!

Diagon Alley

Walk through the streets of London, and through the brick walls you’ll find yourself within the streets of Diagon Alley – located in Universal Studios. Dine at the Leaky Cauldron, make a deposit at Gringotts Bank, or select a wand at Ollivander’s. But be careful – if you aren’t careful, you might just wander into Knockturn Alley.

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Hogsmeade

Inside Islands of Adventure, nestled at the foot of Hogwarts castle, you’ll find Hogsmeade – a wizarding village just waiting to be explored. Here, you can try a chocolate frog at HoneyDukes, soar through Hogwarts with Harry Potter, or brave the forbidden forest with Hagrid. Don’t forget to grab a butterbeer!

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Tickets

Photo credit Universal Orlando Resort

All aboard the Hogwarts Express

When purchasing tickets for Universal Orlando Resort, make sure to choose the park-to-park ticket option! This is the only way you will be able to board the famous Hogwarts Express! Enter platform 9 ¾, and make your way to the train to begin your journey. You might even see some familiar faces along the way!

Our recommendation: Be sure to ride the train both ways between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley! You’ll have a totally different experience, and see a completely different view, when traveling each direction.

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Explore Universal Orlando

See everything the resort has to offer!

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Butterbeer

It isn't a trip to the Wizarding World without some butterbeer. There are several ways to enjoy this delicious, magical treat, so make sure you try them all!

Classic Butterbeer

The easiest place to grab this type is at any Butterbeer cart, or The Hopping Pot.

Butterbeer Soft-Serve

Grab this treat at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour!

Frozen Butterbeer

You can find this type at any quick-service spot, or any Butterbeer cart!

Hot Butterbeer

Find it at The Leaky Cauldron, The Hopping Pot, The Three Broomsticks, or Hog's Head.

Butterbeer Fudge

Find it at Honeydukes in Hogsmeade or Sugarplum's Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley.

Butterbeer Potted Cream

Try this version at The Leaky Cauldron or The Three Broomsticks!

Thrilling attractions

Fly through Hogwarts, brave the forbidden forest, or ride around the vaults of Gringotts!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Flight of the Hippogriff

Hogwarts Express

Universal Express Pass

Get to the magic faster! Maximize your fun by skipping the regular lines at some of your favorite rides and attractions. With so much to see and do at Universal Orlando Resort, you can fit more fun into your trip with a Universal Express Pass.

Universal Express Pass allows you to bypass the regular line at all rides in the Wizarding World except Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

Attraction Details

  • $132.26
    Universal Studios Orlando, 6000 Universal Blvd
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Our favorite tips and tricks

Stop at The Knight Bus

Before journeying into Diagon Alley, make sure to check out the Knight Bus! Parked outside of King’s Cross Station, this 3-story bus allows guests to take a peek inside! You can even chat with the bus driver – and his witty, shrunken head companion, Dre Head.

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Spot a familiar face

Right down the road from King’s Cross Station, make sure to stop by 12 Grimmauld Place, which is the home of Sirius Black. Look up in the window, and you just might spy Kreacher the House Elf peering through the curtains.

Make a phone call

Right outside the entrance of Diagon Alley, step into the red phone booth. From there, be sure to dial MAGIC (62442), and you just might hear a message from the Ministry of Magic on the line!

Stroll through Knockturn Alley

Hidden in the corner of Diagon Alley, is the dark and mysterious Knockturn Alley. Witches and wizards who practice dark arts tend to roam around these eerie streets.  This gloomy corridor is home to the famous Borgin and Burkes, known for its dark oddities and curious objects. Beware, you might even see a dancing skeleton!

Our recommendation: Check out the Vanishing Cabinet located in the back of Borgin and Burkes. Listen carefully, and you may hear Draco Malfoy’s bird chirping inside.

Photo credit Universal Orlando Resort

Grab wizarding currency

Be sure to head into the Gringotts Money Exchange when visiting Diagon Alley. Here, you can trade in your U.S. currency for Gringotts bank notes! These notes can be used to make purchased throughout the Wizarding World. Be sure to chat with the goblin at the ticketing counter!

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Listen for a familiar voice

Moaning Myrtle is everyone’s favorite ghost who loves to haunt and mope around the 2nd floor lavatory at Hogwarts – but not anymore! When visiting Hogsmeade, you may hear her moaning and wailing in the restrooms. Look for the “Public Conveniences” sign near the Hog’s Head Pub to find Moaning Myrtle’s favorite hangout.

 

Send mail

Be sure to stop in the Owl Post while visiting Hogsmeade Village. Here, you can send a letter or postcard with a speciality ink stamp that can only be found here at the Wizarding World! Forget a postage stamp? Don’t sweat it, they offer two official stamps – one featuring Hogwarts Castle, and another with The Hogwarts Express.

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Photo credit Touring Plans

Order a drink

Need a drink? Head into Hog’s Head Pub when strolling through Hogsmeade. We recommend ordering The Triple, formerly known as The Deathly Hallows. This secret drink layers Strongbow Cider on the bottom, Hog’s Head Brew in the middle, and is topped off with Guinness.

Our recommendation: Though often referred to as The Deathly Hallows by fans, you cannot call it this when ordering the drink, or they will not serve it to you. You must specifically ask for these three drinks layered!

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The weekend is calling

Experience Orlando like never before!

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Shopping in the Wizarding World

Find your robes, Quidditch gear, and maybe even a mysterious creature!

Honeydukes

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes

Magical Menagerie

Ollivanders Wand Shop

Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions

Wiseacre’s Wizard Equipment

Quality Quidditch Supplies

Borgin and Burkes

Dervish and Banges

Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods

Wands at the ready

Cast spells with an interactive wand

With a gentle flick of the wrist, you too can cast spells throughout the Wizarding World! With an interactive wand, you are able to create magical experiences throughout both lands. Just use your map to guide you, look for the wand symbols on the ground, and watch as Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade come to life!

Our recommendation: Check out the wand show at Ollivanders Wand Shop, where the wand chooses the wizard. You might even be the one to get selected!

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Food and drink in the Wizarding World

From butterbeer to fish and chips, you'll find all the best magical bites here!

Hog's Head Pub

Hogsmeade

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Leaky Cauldron

Diagon Alley

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Three Broomsticks

Hogsmeade

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The Fountain of Fair Fortune

Diagon Alley

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Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream

Diagon Alley

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The Hopping Pot

Diagon Alley

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Enchanting entertainment

Don't miss these incredible shows in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Frog Choir

Hogwarts Always

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Triwizard Spirit Rally

Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees

Ollivanders Experience

Get your wands ready, Orlando

If you’re visiting Harry Potter World Orlando, have your wand and your phone ready. We’re wanting to see all your magical adventures. So make sure to tag us @StuffToDoInOrlando in all your wizarding pics, and stay up to date with all things Orlando by following us @StuffToDoInOrlando on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok!

Curated by

Lauren Trupo

Lauren Trupo

📍WV native; ORL local with a love of coffee shops, theme parks, happy hours, vintage markets, and live shows✨

Contributing curators

Lauren Trupo
  • Lauren Trupo

Contributing curators

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