Information to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando

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’ll additionally take pleasure in 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 may discover the land of Harry’s magical London in Diagon Alley at Common Studios Florida, whereas Hogsmeade — the place you will discover the well-known Hogwarts Fort, Hagrid’s hut and the Three Broomsticks pub — is about inside Common Islands of Journey. The Hogwarts Categorical prepare experience will carry you between the 2 parks, however provided that you have bought a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.

If this seems like your cup of frozen (or scorching) butterbeer, know that even the perfect spells cannot zap away the lengthy strains for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey or enable you select between a one- or two-park ticket. Nevertheless, TPG’s theme park consultants can assist you out with some magical suggestions for the right go to.

Here is what it is advisable to 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 successful.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley

Tips on how to get to Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley is positioned at Common Studios Florida, so you will want a ticket to this park to go to. To get there, stroll straight by Manufacturing Central and switch proper whenever 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 isn’t a signal, however whenever you see a gap in a brick wall, you already know you have discovered it.

Diagon Alley rides: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

As soon as you have entered Diagon Alley, stroll straight to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts indoor metal curler coaster experience. You may’t miss it; it is the constructing with the fire-breathing dragon perched on the roof. It is also the one experience discovered inside Diagon Alley.

Tip: While you hear a low growl, that is your sign that the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some fireplace. 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 fitting of the road so you’ll be able to stash your belongings earlier than the experience.

Kids have to be 42 inches to experience; make sure your occasion meets that requirement so you aren’t getting to the pinnacle of the road solely to be turned away. There may be additionally a “baby swap” room the place dad and mom can take turns alternating using or ready with kiddos not tall sufficient (or prepared) to experience. Let the crew member on the experience entrance know that you simply plan to make use of baby swap and they’re going to instruct you on the protocol.

There may be additionally a take a look at seat in entrance of the constructing the place you’ll be able to affirm whether or not or not the seating configuration will work to your physique type.

Wait occasions can get lengthy for this experience, but it surely does have an Categorical Cross line all through many of the day. There’s additionally lots to have a look at whereas in line since you will snake by 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.

Associated: TPG’s full information to Common Orlando

What’s neat about Escape from Gringotts is the motion-based 3D projections that make you are feeling as should you’re interacting with characters like Invoice Weasley and the goblin Blordak.

Diagon Alley exhibits and sights: Ollivanders and Knockturn Alley

After exiting the Gringotts experience, you are 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. Be aware that there’s an similar Ollivanders wand expertise at Hogsmeade, so be at liberty to skip the expertise right here should you’d choose to see the present there later in your go to.

In the course of 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.

In the event you weren’t fortunate sufficient to be chosen for the present, you’ll be able to select and buy your personal wand. Interactive wands presently value a minimal of $65. You can also order an interactive wand prematurely of your journey or choose one up within the resort present store at most on-site lodges.

You’ll improve your Wizarding World expertise should you 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’ll be able to solid spells and make magic. A map that plots every spot the place you’ll be able to solid spells is included along with your wand buy (together with just a few 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. Which means you’ll be able to carry again a wand from a earlier Common Studios go to or borrow one from a pal to save cash.

Commonplace, non-interactive wands are additionally obtainable if you’re seeking to save a bit money or your youngsters are too younger to know the distinction.

Different exhibits in Diagon Alley happen on an out of doors stage within the Carkitt Market space. Reveals embody “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” — full with puppets — and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (track 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 experience and you will encounter the Gringotts Cash Alternate. Go inside (it is a retailer) and you’ll chat with the Gringotts goblin standing behind a teller’s desk. It is a neat expertise — particularly for curious youngsters. You can even 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 is darkish, feels seedy and is so properly 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; do not miss them. The store right here, Borgin and Burkes, oozes darkish magic and is the place you should buy 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 certainly one of yours, too. The Diagon Alley pub is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to a refreshing butterbeer (common, frozen or scorching). Strains to get in may be lengthy, however you’ll be able to place orders on the Common app to hurry up service.

Breakfast is costly, 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’ll be able to have butterbeer for breakfast). The youngsters breakfast plate is $13.49. You may 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 filled with pub favorites, equivalent to fish ‘n’ chips ($17.99), bangers and mash ($16.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($17.99). Children entrees embody issues like mac ‘n’ cheese and fish ‘n’ chips for $8.29. Desserts — equivalent to sticky toffee pudding and butterbeer potted cream — should not be missed.

Different Diagon Alley spots to get a refreshment embody Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, the place you’ll be able to strive butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. You can even 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 right memento, be alert for just a few “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 is not all the time complimentary of your wardrobe selections.

Associated: Unlock extra magic: 16 Common Orlando secrets and techniques to know earlier than your subsequent journey

One phrase of warning: Harry Potter souvenirs are fairly costly. You may wish to set a price range along with your youngsters earlier than exploring the outlets or clarify to them why you will not be buying sure objects.

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 outdoors Diagon Alley

As soon as you have seen every thing on Diagon Alley, depart this a part of The Wizarding World by the opening within the brick wall. Instantly throughout you will see the Knight Bus. Right here you’ll be able to meet the conductor and the shrunken head that hangs on the entrance of the bus. Children and adults love interacting with these two. Sit by the fountain to pay attention in and be prepared for fun.

Then, look throughout the best way, and you will see a reproduction of a London avenue. Upon nearer inspection, you will 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.

While you’ve totally explored Diagon Alley and the streets of Harry Potter’s London, it is time to make your strategy to King’s Cross Station, the place you will board the Hogwarts Categorical and experience the prepare to Hogsmeade. You may solely experience the Hogwarts Categorical when you have a Park-to-Park ticket. In the event you’ve bought one-day, one-park tickets, there isn’t a strategy to expertise this attraction, however there’s a ticket desk within the prepare station the place you can also make a last-minute improve should you so select.

The Hogwarts Categorical is each an immersive expertise and precise transportation. Do not miss the neat mirror trick within the queue that makes it appear to be people are strolling by a brick wall to entry Platform 9 3/4. While 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 will 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 completely different on the return journey, so followers will wish to experience it each methods.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade

Tips on how to get to Hogsmeade

You may discover Hogsmeade contained in the Islands of Journey theme park. Right here, you’ll be able to go to each the city of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This space has three rides, plus the Hogwarts Categorical.

To get there, take a proper after passing by the Port of Entry and head towards Seuss Touchdown. Proceed by Seuss Touchdown to The Misplaced Continent and on to Hogsmeade.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey is a well-liked thrill coaster, and the attraction doesn’t settle for the Common Categorical skip-the-line move. Wait occasions may be longer than an hour and generally as much as two hours or extra.

If in case you have your coronary heart set on using 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 will wish to make this experience your first cease as quickly because the park opens. Have somebody maintain your spot in line whilst you put belongings within the lockers subsequent to Hogsmeade Station and the experience entrance.

That is by far the quickest experience 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 essential to be at the least 48 inches tall to expertise it. You may both experience Hagrid’s motorbike or get within the sidecar. Both spot will make your coronary heart pound, however I feel the experience 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 experience that takes you inside Hogwarts Fort. The queue itself is crammed with fascinating scenes from the books; take into account skipping the Categorical 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 experience the experience, you’ll be able to undergo the road after which bail out earlier than boarding the experience.

On this experience, you “experience a broomstick” in and round Hogwarts Fort. The attraction is a “robocoaster,” the place a robotic arm holds your seat above a monitor and also you pivot in a large number of instructions. It makes you are feeling as should you’re flying by the air and, if you’re vulnerable to movement illness, may make you are feeling queasy.

As well as, in case your waist is bigger than 40 inches, you may not be capable of experience. In the event you’re unsure, take a look at out the pair of seats in entrance of Hogwarts Fort on the entrance for this experience or one other pair about midway by the queue.

The experience is darkish at occasions, with encounters with risks like Aragog the spider within the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow and a gang of Dementors. However you will additionally screech across the Quidditch discipline. You have to be 48 inches or taller to experience Forbidden Journey. There are lockers to the left of the fort entrance to retailer your belongings.

Hogwarts Fort can also be the important thing picture op on this land. You may discover the perfect views from the bridge leaving Hogsmeade for Jurassic Park. That is the place you’ll be able to seize that quintessential picture of the fort

On choose nights all year long, Common exhibits “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Fort.” Mild projections are beamed onto the fort partitions, celebrating the 4 Hogwarts homes. It is an ideal 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 Fort. Kids should be simply 36 inches tall or taller to experience.

Associated: 7 magical locations each ‘Harry Potter’ fan ought to go to

This experience 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 monitor 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 will acknowledge the Care of Magical Creatures class web site.

In the event you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll be able to simply give this experience a miss, however if you’re visiting with younger youngsters they’ll adore it.

Hogwarts Categorical — Hogsmeade Station

While you’re prepared to go away this a part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, stroll by the arch towards Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Categorical.

The prepare will take you again to “London” at Common Studios. The expertise is a bit completely different in every route, so you’ll want to hop on — even should you rode the prepare from London to Hogsmeade earlier within the day.

Reveals and sights at Hogsmeade

In the event you did not 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 should you do not have already got one. Hogsmeade additionally has magical spots the place you’ll be able to solid spells along with your interactive wand. (This can be a nice exercise when you have early park entry however do not wish to experience Hagrid’s Motorcycle Journey; strains can get lengthy on the spell-working spots.)

For extra exhibits, head to the outside stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Fort. Right here you’ll be able to 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 should you arrive a couple of minutes earlier than showtime.

Hogsmeade eating places

In the event you’re hungry at Hogsmeade, you’ll be able to 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.)

You can even purchase British favorites like fish ‘n’ chips, beef pasties and shepherd’s pie, plus soups and salads. Children ages 9 and youthful choose 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, scorching 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 much like The Leaky Cauldron’s.

In the event you simply desire a Butterbeer to go, search for the pink kiosks with large wood casks arrange in the course of the road. You may order common and frozen Butterbeer to go.

Hogsmeade outlets

You may discover loads of locations to buy inside Hogsmeade, together with this space’s outpost of Ollivander’s. Many souvenirs repeat amongst shops, however every provides one thing distinctive.

Honeydukes is a candy store crammed with confections like Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Truffles, Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott’s Each Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs.

You may mail postcards or letters from the Owl Put up, full with an official Hogsmeade postmark. You can even buy every kind of writing implements (suppose quills and seals) in addition to owl-themed souvenirs.

In the event you did not experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you’ll have missed Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Items because the experience empties into this store. This can be a terrific store should you’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 fitting 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 may be discovered at Common Studios. Splitting this land into two sections was an excellent transfer on Common’s half because it means it is advisable to buy the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket should you 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 isn’t any manner to make use of these tickets to board the Hogwarts Categorical. A one-park ticket is your most cost-effective 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, have a look at all of the mixtures and costs to find out which is the perfect 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 might prevent cash.

The proper bank card and transferable factors can assist prevent cash or earn you factors towards future free journey along with your Common Orlando reserving.

If you would like to buy Common tickets with factors, you might have the choice to take action by the Chase Journey℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Factors or by Citi Journey.

Associated: Tips on how to use factors to save cash at Common Orlando

In the event you’re paying money, you will wish to use a bank card that offers you additional factors or miles to your theme park purchases. Nevertheless, information factors from many vacationers inform us that tickets purchased at an on-site Common resort and charged to the resort room have coded as “journey,” however tickets and VIP excursions bought instantly from Common have coded as “leisure.”

If you already know your cost will code as journey, you will do properly to make use of any of the greatest bank cards for normal journey purchases, however should you suppose your buy will code as leisure, you will wish to use one of many greatest playing cards for leisure spending.

Associated: The perfect bank cards for Common holidays

And, after all, you should utilize factors and miles to cowl your airfare or resort keep should you’re coming from out of state to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Tips on how to see extra of The Wizarding World in much less time

I will not mislead you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will get very crowded.

Even at slower occasions of 12 months, the sights in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will likely 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, it is advisable to be strategic.

First, you should utilize Common’s Categorical Cross. This can be a skip-the-line move that works on most sights at Common’s two theme parks, aside from Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey.

There are 3 ways to get an Categorical Cross. The simplest manner is to e-book certainly one of Common’s on-site Premier lodges equivalent to Loews Portofino Bay Resort, Onerous Rock Resort or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room fee comes with a free Categorical Cross Limitless to make use of all through your go to.

If in case you have a Premier-level Common annual move, you are entitled to Categorical Cross entry starting at 4 p.m.

In any other case, you should buy Categorical Passes. The Common Categorical This move permits you to skip the common line one time per taking part experience at each Common Studios and Islands of Journey theme parks. The Common Categorical Limitless move permits you to skip the common strains at taking part rides as many occasions as you need.

The perfect 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 Categorical Cross for all the opposite sights.

If you’re staying at any of the on-site Common lodges, 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 data.

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 is the one strategy to beat the crowds and benefit from your additional time.

Solely sure sights open throughout Early Park Admission, however this sometimes contains all the Wizarding World sights. Those you’ll most certainly wish to knock out are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorcycle Journey at Islands of Journey and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Common Studios Florida.

In the event you’re spending a number of days within the park, or have people in your journey occasion who don’t love thrill rides, it’s also possible to 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.

Associated: Tips on how to get essentially the most out of 1 day at Common Orlando

A pricier strategy to skip the strains is to e-book a VIP tour. You may e-book a small-group or personal VIP expertise at Common, which is able to bundle collectively walk-on experience entry throughout the tour, Categorical Passes and complimentary meals at designated Common eating places. These excursions will get you on rides like Hagrids that in any other case do not 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 improbable. It is enjoyable to look at the day by day performances that each one relate to a facet of Harry’s magical world, and you need to elevate 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 Categorical Cross. Solely then will you be capable of get in early and (with a bit magic) skip the worst of the strains. The added expense is value it for a day or two of immersion into Harry Potter’s magical world.

Planning a visit to Common Orlando? Begin with these tales: