Harry Potter Orlando

Wizards and muggles alike will find a lot of magic and wonder based on all things Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando is divided into two parts: Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in Universal's Islands of Adventure. Today we’ll share all the Harry Potter Orlando details from both parks that you need to know before you go.

Harry Potter Orlando - Diagon Alley

Once you enter Universal Studios Florida from Universal's CityWalk, you’ll want to head to the back of the park to find Diagon Alley, flanked on either side by the Fast & Furious and Fear Factor Live attractions. This part of Harry Potter Orlando features the famous London shopping center that all young wizards visit to prepare for school at Hogwarts Castle. You can also visit Knockturn Alley, where less-than-upstanding wizards often conduct their shady business in secret. Also in Diagon Alley is King’s Cross Station, so guests with Park-to-Park admission can hop aboard the Hogwarts Express and travel to Islands of Adventure to visit Hogsmeade. Here are more details about what you can find in Diagon Alley:

Harry Potter Orlando - Diagon Alley Attractions

From Harry Potter rides to shows and entertainment, Diagon Alley has it all. Look for the following in this bustling shopping district of London:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts - Travel below Gringotts Bank in a 3-D/4-D adventure full of thrills! For riders at least 48 inches tall, this adventure to get past the goblins' extensive security under Diagon Alley will provide encounters with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Bellatrix Lestrange and even Voldermort.

• Hogwarts Express (you need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the train) - Get through Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station to climb aboard Hogwarts Express. You'll ride through a bit of British countryside and find yourself at Hogsmeade Village at the other end of the line.
• Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees - Enjoy the wizard warbling of Celestina and her Banshees just outside Gringotts Bank.
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard - Experience a live performance by the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts. See tales of the Bard played out with actors, props, puppets and more.
• Gringotts Money Exchange - If you need to change muggle money into wizard currency, stop by Gringotts. You can get $10 and $20 banknotes to use for purchases in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
• Knight Bus - Get a peek inside the windows of the Knight Bus, parked in London. You can't miss this purple double-decker!

Harry Potter Orlando - Diagon Alley Shopping

When it comes to shopping, the choices are seemingly endless in Diagon Alley. Visit shops you know and love from the Harry Potter franchise, and get all the school supplies you’ll need when your Hogwarts letter finally arrives.

• Ollivanders - Here you can participate in a wand-choosing ceremony or simply pick a wand from the shop for purchase. Choose between unique wands, or ones modeled after styles carried by your favorite Harry Potter characters.
• Magical Menagerie - Here, you can purchase a variety of plush pets including Crookshanks, Fang, Buckbeak or Scabbers.
• Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes - visit the novelty joke shop owned by Ron's twin brothers Fred and George Weasley.
• Quality Quidditch Supplies - If you're ready to fly, get your Quidditch supplies here.

• Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley - Don't get caught in this shady shop! But if you do manage to sneak in, look for Death Eater masks, skulls, Harry Potter film costume replicas, apparel, accessories, jewelry and collectibles.
• Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions - This shop features all manner of wizard apparel, from robes to hats and jewelry.
• Scribbulus - This is your stop for all your writing supply needs.
• Sugarplum's Sweetshop - From classic fudge to the infamous Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans, you'll find loads of sweets here.
• Wands by Gregorovitch - A wizard can never have too many choices when looking for just the ride wand.
• Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment - Get supplies such as crystal balls, telescopes, hourglasses and more so you're ready for classes at Hogwarts.

Harry Potter Orlando - Diagon Alley Dining

All the magic in Harry Potter Orlando will make you hungry; thankfully you can enjoy more than just Butterbeer in Diagon Alley! There is one main restaurant, plus a number of quick-service options so you can get your fill of Butterbeer, Gillyweed and more.

• Leaky Cauldron - Sample traditional British dishes at the Leaky Cauldron, including Bangers and Mash, Toad in the Hole, Ploughman's Platter and a Kid's Menu offering Fish And Chips, Macaroni Cheese and Cottage Mini Pie.
• Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour - Cool off with scoop and soft-serve ice-creams featuring flavors like Butterbeer, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Earl Grey and Lavender. You can also purchase refreshments such as Pumpkin Juice, teas, ciders and water. 
• Eternelle's Elixir of Refreshment - Combat the London heat (or Orlando humidity, rather) with an assortment of refreshing elixirs.
• The Fountain of Fair Fortune - Find non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages here.
• The Hopping Pot - This is a walk-up counter where you can purchase regular or frozen Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Tongue Tying Lemon Squash, Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, Peachtree Fizzing Tea, Fishy Green Ale, our Wizard’s Brew and Dragon Scale beers and more.

Harry Potter Orlando - Hogsmeade

The wizard village of Hogsmeade is situated near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, both in the Harry Potter franchise and in Universal’s Islands of Adventures. If you enter from Universal’s CityWalk, you’ll head to the back of the park, where Hogsmeade is nestled between the Jurassic-themed attractions and the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad. A visit to Hogsmeade offers a look into the snow-capped village itself, as well as the classrooms of Hogwarts castle. As mentioned before, there is also a Hogwarts Express station in Hogsmeade, so you can ride between the two Harry Potter Orlando locations with a Park-to-Park ticket. Last, but not least, Hogsmeade is home to a brand-new Harry Potter ride, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Here’s what you should know about Harry Potter Orlando - Hogsmeade:

Harry Potter Orlando - Hogsmeade Attractions

As the original of the two Harry Potter Orlando worlds, Hogsmeade offers three major Harry Potter rides. There are also a number of other experiences, some seasonal and some available year-round.

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - Race along a mile of track through the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid's motorbike. Two riders, at least 48 inches tall each, will experience twists, stops and drops surrounded by the magical creatures Hagrid loves.
• Flight of the Hippogriff - Heed Hagrid's advice about Hippogriffs before taking flight on this roller coaster. For riders 36 inches and taller, this family-friend coaster flies over the pumpkin patch and Hagrid's hut.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - This virtual experience is designed for guests at least 48 inches tall. Take a 3-D/4-D adventure through Hogwarts' gates and beyond. You'll visit classrooms, corridors and creatures on this journey.
• Hogwarts Express (you need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the train)

• Frog Choir - A small choir of both wizards and frogs can be found on the grounds, providing unique musical stylings.
• The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle - On select nights in the village, Hogwarts Castle will be transformed with light projections and music to celebrate each of the four houses.
• Triwizard Spirit Rally - Cheer for your favorite school in this energetic rally of wizards! Be dazzled by Durmstrang, bowled over by Beauxbatons and shout hooray for Hogwarts.

Harry Potter Orlando - Hogsmeade Shopping

Much like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade offers lots of opportunities for you to get outfitted as an official wizard in training. From wands to owls, you’ll find it in this little wizard village.

• Ollivanders - Here you can participate in a wand-choosing ceremony or simply pick a wand from the shop for purchase. Choose between unique wands, or ones modeled after styles carried by your favorite Harry Potter characters.
• Owl Post - If you want to send a letter, you can purchase stationery here, as well as owl-themed gifts. When you send your letter via Owl Post, it will have a commemorative Hogwarts stamp!
• Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Things - If you've ever wondered where things end up once they're confiscated by Filch, wonder no more! You'll find apparel, toys, and other merchandeise here.
• Dervish and Banges - Get sneaky supplies such as Sneakoscopes, Spectrespecs and Omnioculars so you'll be ready to fight the Dark Arts.

Harry Potter Orlando - Hogsmeade Dining

Much like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade has one main restaurant supplemented by a number of other dining choices. Grab a bite at one of the iconic options modeled after the Harry Potter franchise.

• Three Broomsticks - This rustic tavern boasts British foods such as Fish And Chips, Shepherd's Pie, Beef Pasties, Turkey Legs, and Fresh Vegetables. Plus, of course, Butterbeer.
• Hog’s Head Pub - This is located in the back of Three Broomsticks, and serves up specialty drinks.
• Honeydukes - Sweet shop selling an assortment of goods such as Acid Pops, Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Cakes, Fizzing Whizzbees, and Chocolate Frogs.

As you can see, there is so much to see and do between two parks at Universal Resort Orlando. From rides to Butterbeer, wand shopping to magical choir performances, Harry Potter Orlando is an aspiring wizard’s dream come true!

Book Discount Universal Orlando Tickets

If you've ever looked at the Universal Studios ticket options, you may have been overwhelmed by all the different choices. Base Tickets, Park-to-Park Tickets, 2-Park verses 3-Park... it's a lot to sort through! We actually have a blog article that breaks down all the different Universal Studios discount tickets offered through Get Away Today so you can figure out exactly which ones you need for your dream vacation. Remember, you need some version of a Park-to-Park Ticket in order to visit both Harry Potter Orlando destinations via Hogwarts Express. If you want to pass on the Hogwarts Express and instead visit one park per day, there's a Base Ticket for that. To book a Universal Resort vacation, check out our packages online, or call an expert travel muggle, errrr agent, at 855-GET-AWAY. Planning a Harry Potter Orlando vacation can be almost as easy as waving your wand!