Tuesday, December 5, 2023
HomeDisneyExtra MagicTouring Plan - Universals Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Touring Plan – Universals Wizarding World of Harry Potter

2-Parks in 1-Day to tour the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

In this touring plan well visit the Wizarding World at Universal following Harry’s journey through the books!

This attraction is part of Early Park Admission that is included with your stay at a Universal Resort Hotel.

Start at Universal Studios Diagon Alley

  • 1. Start your day with an English Breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.
  • 2. Next stop – Gringott’s Money Exchange. Change your muggle money into Gringott Bank Notes with a bank goblin
    • The bank goblin is interactive, go ahead and ask him a question but make sure to speak loudly, he is a bit hard of hearing.
  • 3. Visit Ollivander’s Wand Shop. Let Ollivander help a wand choose you.
    • Due to COVID safety measures reservations are required and are limited.
      Reservations are made the day of behind the wand shop at Dr. Fillibuster’s Fireworks near Globus Mundi
  • 4. Shop for your Hogwarts School Supplies in Diagon Alley at:
    • Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions. Stop in front of the mirror to check yourself out in your wizarding robes.
      Quality Quidditch Supplies
      Scribbulus
      Magical Menagerie Practice your Parseltongue with the snake in the window
      Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

    5. While shopping watch for the dragon above Gringotts Bank to breathe fire.

    • Send your purchases to the front of the park (It’s a Wrap) for pick-up later but keep your wand with you.

    If Islands of Adventure is not yet open try some spells with your wand from Ollivander’s.

    6. Board the Hogwart’s Express at the King Cross Station

    • Head to Platform 9 and ¾ for your voyage to Hogwarts.
    • Have your phones or cameras ready as you vanish through the wall between platforms 9
      and 10.
    • This works best if one member of the party hangs back to capture the moment on
      video.

    This attraction requires a Park-to-Park ticket and that both theme parks are open.

    You’ll arrive at the Hogsmede Station in Islands of Adventure

    7. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

    • If you do not care to ride this attraction you are permitted to do a “castle tour” where you will stand in line but exit just before loading onto the attraction.
    • The queue will take you to the green houses, Professor Dumbledore’s Office, a class room, past the Sorting
      Hat, house point hour glasses, moving pictures and more.
    • If you have Express Pass – do not utilize it if you want to see the castle as this queue will by-pass most of it.
    • Child Swap is available however might be limited due to new COVID procedures, please check with the ride attendant.
    • Large items are required to be stored in a locker.
  • 8. You’ll visit Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods as you exit the attraction.
    • Ride Photos from Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are located on the left, locker re-entry is located on the right.
  • 9. Flight of the Hippogriff
    • Soar with a Hippogriff on this family friendly roller-coaster. Remember to bow when you
      meet a Hippogriff.

    10. Three Broomsticks

      Time for lunch, the Great Feast is a popular choice.
      Parents can get grown-up drinks here and at the adjoining Hog’s Head.
      Hogs Head Brew is a Wizarding World exclusive.

    11. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

      Fly in Hagrid’s Motorbike through the Forbidden Forest.
      This attraction does not currently accept Express Pass but occasionally will utilize Virtual Queue.
      Child Swap is available however might be limited due to new COVID procedures, please check with the ride attendant.
      Large items are required to be stored in a locker and wizard robes may not be worn on this attraction.
  • If you have time, ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure twice!
    • Once in the sidecar and once on the motorbike.
  • 12. Hogsmeade – Shopping
    • Dervish and Banges
      Owl Post
      Honeydukes
  • 13. Try Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Cart

      Time for a Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice
      I prefer the Frozen Butterbeer over the other options at the cart.
      Hot Butterbeer (my favorite of the Butterbeers) is only available during
      winter months and only in the restaurants not at the carts. Grab yours at Hogsheads Brew.
      Note that Gillywater is just good ol’ H2O.
  • 14. Time to use your Interactive Wands!
    • Time to put your wizarding skills to the test. The wand from Ollivander’s includes a map of the locations.
      If timed correctly both the Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally will occur during this time.
      Both events occur on the stage near the bridge into Hogsmeade from Jurassic Park.

    15. Time to board the Hogwarts Express at the Hogsmeade Station.

    • Remember we’re following the order of the storyline and not necessarily going in the “fastest” order. If you’d like a touring plan to cover it all without considering the storyline see the Universal Studios Touring Plan – For the Gotta Do It All Family.
    • The Hogwarts Express has a different view each direction.
    • This attraction requires a Park-to-Park tickets and that both theme parks are open.
  • You’ll arrive at Universal Studios – London Cross Station
  • 16. Visit the London Phone Booth
    • Pop into the London Phone Booth for a photo op and call the Ministry of Magic. The number is MAGIC (62442).
  • 17. Visit the Knight Bus
    • Have a chat with the shrunken head, Dre Head, and a photo op with the Knight Bus Conductor, Stan Shunpike.

    18. Visit 12 Grimmauld Place

      Photo op at the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix
      Watch for Kreacher in the 2 nd story window
  • 19. Knockturn Alley – Borgin and Burkes
    • This is not your ordinary gift shop. This location is filled with items from the darker side of the Wizarding World.

    20. Knockturn Alley – Interactive Wands

    • Use your Ollivander’s Wand and practice spells
    • Small children might be frightened/startled by the spells in Knockturn Alley specifically Alohamora and Incendio.

    21. Eat at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour

      Butterbeer is a fan favorite, also Chocolate Chili (this one has a little bite) and Earl Grey & Lavender but Harry Potter’s favorite is the Strawberry Peanutbutter.

    22. The Tales of Beedle the Bard

    • If timed right enjoy this show while enjoying your ice cream.
    • Check the Universal Orlando app for show times
  • 23. Weasleys Wizard Wheezes
    • Enjoy a laugh at Fred and George Weasley’s joke shop.
  • 24. Diagon Alley – Interactive Wands
    • Complete the rest the rest of your spell practice before concluding your tour.
      Remember that Aquamenti is the spell for water, you may get wet.
  • 25. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott’s
    • Lockers are required for loose articles. If your phone can fit securely in your pocket you
      may want to keep it with you to take pictures in the bank before you ride.
      In non-COVID times it would be recommended to not use Express Pass as you would miss part of the pre-show but due to the current state of things you will not miss
      anything using Express Pass so enjoy the shorter line.
  • As you exit the park remember to pick-up your purchases from It’s a Wrap located to the right of Universal Studios exit.
  • Note: Please note that Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle and Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle are currently suspended due to COVID19.

    Written by: Dana Johnson

    Request a no obligation quote from Dana@LOTMV.com

    Jamie Rumph
    Jamie Rumphhttps://www.loveofthemagic.com
    Hi, I'm Jamie, traveling mama, entrepreneur, and travel advisor. I'm addicted to Disney, traveling and exploring the world with my family, and have a passion for helping families experience the magic of travel. My home is filled with love and chaos, 2 crazy girls, 2 large dogs, and the most spectacular architect and Disney Cast Member I call my husband. We live in Florida and spend our weekends playing at Orlando's many theme parks and visiting the beach. In 2015, after helping numerous families plan their vacations to various Disney Destinations, I started a blog to answer all of the many travel questions I received daily. In 2016, the blog grew into a travel agency, and Love of the Magic Vacations was born. With a team of nearly 20, we spend our days creating family vacations around the world. What started as a blog is now a full service, worldwide vacation destination planning service. I create custom itineraries for each of my clients that not only meets but exceeds expectations. There is no greater gift than making memories while sharing the world and its cultures with your kids.
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