For Columbus Day our family took a trip to Orlando to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’ve been to the Disney parks and Sea World on previous trips. We’d heard so much about the Harry Potter park we knew we had to make another trip to Orlando. We are not diehard Harry Potter fans over here but my kids have certainly enjoyed reading the series. I have to admit I did not approach the planning for this trip as elaborately as I planned our previous Disney vacation. I just had too much going on. So with airfare booked, a car rental secured, and hotel reservations planned in advance I figured we’d wing the rest of the details of this trip. That included purchasing tickets at the gate. No fast passes for us this time.
Hogwarts Castle
The Scene in Hogsmeade
So is it worth it? I have to say, . . . .it’s pretty incredible. I have to applaud Universal. Whether it is Diagon Alley at Universal Studios or Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure (the Harry Potter stuff spans two different theme parks within Universal Orlando) you feel like you have stepped into the movies. No detail has been missed. From a fire breathing Dragon atop Gringott’s bank to “Moaning Myrtle’s” voice in the ladies room. And I’m pretty confident I did not pick up on one tenth of the detail die hard fans will appreciate.
Hogwarts Express
Here are just a few of the highlights for my crew.
- Inspired characters. The actors playing Potter World parts really get into character. The goblin running Gringott’s and the shopkeep at Ollivander’s wand store — who reminded us that the “wand chooses the wizard” — were particularly memorable
- Honeydukes candy store. Where else can you get a chocolate frog with a wizard card included or Every Flavor Beans with green apple and cherry but also earthworm, rotten eggs, and vomit! (Fear not girlfriends — while I couldn’t identify all of the flavors they all taste like candy even if your kids have fun pretending some are disgusting).
- A chance to cast spells. If you buy an “interactive” wand from Ollivanders you have the ability to perform spells and make “magic” happen at various marked locations. Wave your wand right and you can turn on the rain, make bludgers move about (remember bludgers from the Quidditch match?) or make other magic happen.
- Butter beer, butter beer, butter beer. The favorite drink of Harry Potter and his friends is available everywhere frozen and in the regular version. It tastes a lot like a root beer float and is pretty fabulous. I hear the butter beer ice cream is pretty terrific as well.
- A fire breathing dragon. The first time the dragon above Gringott’s breathed fire down Diagon alley we all jumped — what a shock! Then we had to wait to see it again and take pictures.
Of course there are rides too but I think we all enjoyed the Potter World immersion the best. No lines for that! (The lines for the rides were crazy long.) Between the two experiences I slightly preferred Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure because Diagon Alley is an actual alley and was pretty tight with the crowds. For the diehard Potter fan, nothing but a visit to both parks will do or you are going to miss out on some of your favorite stuff.
I didn’t know if Harry Potter registered with my six year old — who was up for butter beer and candy at Honeydukes but doesn’t know Harry Potter and the gang too well yet. But the next morning he was up bright and early waving his wand around and inviting his siblings to “spell school.” Another satisfied customer.
For those planning a trip or interested in some of the practicalities of visiting the Universal parks and Potter World, check out my post on planning a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter here.
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