The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the most popular themed lands at Universal Orlando. To be totally immersed in this magical world is spectacular!
In Universal Studios you can visit Diagon Alley where you can journey into Gringotts, walk down Knockturn Alley to shop in Borgin and Burkes, be amazed by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and witness a wand choosing ceremony at Ollivanders Wand Shop!
The Hogwarts Express train can then take you to Hogsmeade where you can visit the quaint shops to buy your school uniform, visit Owl Post to send a letter with the Hogsmeade postmark, see the Frog Choir, drink Butterbeer in Hog's Head Pub and see Hogwarts Castle!
But is it possible to do everything in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in one day?
The great news is, yes, it is! If you want to focus your trip exclusively on spending time in the Wizarding World you will be able to see and experience everything in just one day.
Depending on the time of year you visit will impact how long you will wait for the rides and also if you can experience the other attractions on offer at Universal.
If visiting in a quieter month you can easily do all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day and even have time to visit the rest of the parks too!
In busier times of the year it still may be possible to see and experience everything in The Wizarding World but you may not have time to visit other parts of the Universal parks.
Universal Hotel Guests
If staying in a Universal Hotel you will get one hour early entry to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This is fantastic news as you can head straight to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to ride with far fewer people in the parks!
If you are staying at a Universal Hotel definitely use this one hour early entry to your advantage! Head straight to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade to start your Wizarding World day off!
If you are staying in a premier level hotel you will receive free Express Pass for everyone in your party for the duration of your stay, including check in and check out days. This is a massive perk! The free Express Pass can save you big money and help you to see everything in The Wizarding World by skipping the queue!
If you are visiting during a busier time of the year opting to stay at a premier level hotel to get the free Express Pass is a great way to be able to experience everything in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as you will save a lot of time being able to skip the queues!
Express Pass
If visiting during a busy time you are able to purchase the Universal Express Pass. This allows you to skip the queue on many of the rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
The rides in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that you can use Express Pass on are:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Hogwarts Express
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Flight of the Hippogriff
The only Wizarding World ride not included in the Express Pass is Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Park Hopper Tickets Needed
To be able to ride the Hogwarts Express you need park hopper tickets. To experience the whole of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day be sure to purchase this type of ticket!
The Hogswarts Express takes you between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, which are in two separate parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
You cannot ride the Hogwarts Express or visit both parks in one day without a park hopper ticket so this is your key to getting everything done in one day!
Be sure to ride the Hogswarts Express both from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley as the experience is different both ways!
Best Way To Visit
To visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter the way Harry did start your day in Diagon Alley. When you arrive at Universal Studios head straight to the back of the park when you will be able to see London, The Knight Bus and King's Cross Station. Keep an eye out for Kreacher peeking out of a window in Grimmauld Place!
Then step into Diagon Alley and take in the incredible sights of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Olivander's Wand Shop and the fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringotts!
There is lots of see and experience in Diagon Alley and you can easily spend a good few hours doing it. Once you have done everything walk back to King's Cross Station to take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade.
In Hogsmeade you will find three rides to enjoy, plenty of shops to buy all your wizarding gear and Hogwarts Castle! Be sure to visit the restrooms to hear Moaning Myrtle!
Be sure to ride the Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley as the journey is completely different!
To finish off your Wizarding World experience take in the nighttime show at Hogwarts Castle!
Rides in The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
In Diagon Alley journey into Gringotts in the ride Escape from Gringotts. Here you will journey into Gingrotts bank for an adventure in 4D. This is the only ride in Diagon Alley but it is an incredibly, fully immersive experience!
Next door in King's Cross station you can take a trip on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade. At King's Cross head to Platform 9 3/4 and walk through the brick wall! This is a must-do photo opportunity!
Once aboard the Hogwarts Express get ready as this not your usual train ride! See characters and creatures from the Harry Potter films on your journey!
In Hogsmeade there are three attractions: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a thrilling rollercoaster full of twists, turns, launches and drops! Travel on a motorbike or sidecar to Hagrid's Hut before journeying through the Forbidden Forest. Keep an eye out for characters from Harry Potter throughout the ride!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey lets you fly on a broomstick on an adventure around Hogwarts. This ride is a mixture of motion simulation and 4D elements, making it truly immersive. Get to see inside the stunning Hogwarts Castle in the queue!
Flight of the Hippogriff is a family-friendly coaster that swoops you around a pumpkin patch by Hagrid's Hut whilst riding a Hippogriff!
Dining In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
In Diagon Alley you can dine in The Leaky Cauldron. This quick-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner where you can dine on traditional British cuisine.
There are also plenty of snacks and treats to try out in Diagon Alley!
Visit the Fountain's of Fair Fortune pub to the famous Butterbeer or indulge in some alcoholic beers.
The Hopping Pot is a quick service location where you can get Butterbeer and other Wizarding World drinks such as Pumpkin Juice, Tongue Tying Lemon Squash and Fishy Green Ale.
Cool off at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for classic British flavours such as Sticky Toffee Pudding and unique ice cream flavours like Earl Grey.
Eternelle's Elixir of Refreshment is where you can Wizard drinks such as the Draught of Peace and the Elixir to Induce Euphoria.
Sugarplum's Sweet Shop is the place to visit for iconic Wizarding World treats such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Cauldron Cakes or pick out some iconic British sweets like pink coconut ice.
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is the place to visit for sweets such as puking pastilles!
Over in Hogsmeade visit the Three Broomsticks for classic British foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Head next door to Hog's Head for Butterbeer, adult beverages and the Hog's Head Brew!
Honeydukes is a must visit for a range of sweet treats such as Chocolate Frogs and Fizzing Whizzbees.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is unbelievably incredible and a totally immersive experience! There is so much to see and do and is a must visit for all Harry Potter fans! The great news is that you can adventure through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in just one day, which is fantastic news for anyone visiting Universal Orlando for a day but who want to get the full Wizarding World experience!
Be sure to check out my blog to find out more tips about Universal Orlando!
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