Ever have those parenting moments when you think, Hey, I’m doing something right?
That happened a few months ago when Buddy started reading the Harry Potter series.
Dr. G. and I are huge Harry Potter fans and I think we were more excited that the kids to check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during our recent trip to Universal Studios Orlando.
And honestly, it was everything we hoped it would be…and more.
I have a post scheduled soon with some overall tips for visiting Universal, which can be confusing at first, since it is basically two different theme parks – Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios – and both parks have their own Harry Potter-themed attractions.
But in the meantime, let me share with you my love for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
1> Diagon Alley
On the way to Diagon Alley, you pass through “London” in Universal Studios, complete with the iconic red telephone booth, an Underground station, and King’s Cross Station.
Yet things feel suspicious when you pass the Knight Bus, to enter the “hidden” Diagon Alley.
And honestly, once you enter Diagon Alley, it literally feels like you are entering a different world.
It looked SO MUCH like it did in the movie, and how I always pictured it would look when I was reading the book. The stores, the cobblestone street, everyone walking around in their Hogwarts robes and with their magic wands.
Once you wind your way through the streets of Diagon Alley you end up at Gringotts Bank, complete with the most impressive thing; the giant dragon looming atop the roof.
Turns out it also randomly breathes fire without warning, which was quite a sight to see.
Which leads me to….
2> The Escape from Gringotts Ride
This was the first ride we went on our first day at Universal Studios (we made a beeline there, having heard the lines get ridiculously long) and wow, what an introduction!
After we stored our backpacks (many rides at Universal Studios require you to stow your bags and/or cellphones, etc. in nearby free lockers), we entered the bank and, again, the detail! It really did feel like the scene in the movie. Even the goblins, which were obviously mechanical, looked and sounded real.
Eventually, you wind your way through the tunnels of the bank, just like Harry and his friends, before boarding the ride, which plays off of that part of the book when Harry rides the cart down below the bank to reach his vault. However, nothing goes as planned and then result is a thrilling, 3D multidimensional ride.
A bonus: The height limit on this ride is 42 inches, so Mimi was able to ride with us, and enjoyed it just as much as we did.
3> Butterbeer
Oh, sweet, delicious butterbeer.
Unfortunately, it’s not alcoholic, but it does taste like a delicious cream soda – especially the frozen version. I don’t normally drink sweet drinks like that, but wow, what a yummy treat.
Buddy and I enjoyed ours later in the day (sometime after 3pm) at a stand in Diagon Alley and there was no line AND we had a place to sit (unlike the insane butterbeer lines we saw in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley earlier in the day). So if you’re jonesing for a butterbeer, try to wait until the late afternoon.
Bonus? We also got to catch a production of Tales of Beedle the Bard on the stage in Diagon Alley (just behind us and to the right in the photo above) while we finished our tasty treats.
4> Hogwarts and the Forbidden Journey Ride
The best part of this ride wasn’t the actual ride itself (although it was a lot of fun!). It was winding through the hallowed halls and passageways of the hallowed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Along the way you pass Dumbledore’s office, the sorting hat, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classrooms (where you can “see” some dialogue between Harry, Ron and Hermione), issues of the Daily Prophet newspaper, talking paintings, the Gryffindor common room, the Room of Requirement, and more.
I don’t want to spoil the ride, but know it involves some pretty awesome technology and special effects and makes you feel like you are part of the “story.” Unfortunately Mimi didn’t meet the 48 inch height requirement, which gives you an idea of the thrill-level of the ride (it’s also another one of those rides where you have to store your bags and phones in a locker).
5> Riding the Hogwarts Express
I’m a big fan of multitasking, and that’s one of the things I love about the Hogwarts Express. Yes, it is a”ride” (well, more like an experience, but it is technically a moving train), but it also serves the purpose of transporting guests with park-to-park passes (more to come on that in a future post) from Kings Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
When boarding from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade, the real treat is walking through Platform 9 3/4.
As you can see, it’s a pretty cool effect to make it appear as if you’re running “through” the wall to access the platform, just like Harry and his friends. Once you’re through, you reach the platform and are assigned to a particular carriage on the train.
The ride takes about 5 minutes but along the way you watch out the window as something unfolds…but I don’t want to ruin it for you. Just know that the experiences from King’s Cross-Hogsmeade and Hogsmeade-King’s Cross are totally different, so definitely plan to ride the train both ways.
The train also provides a nice respite from the heat and sun, too.
6> Dragon Challenge Ride
I know this is one of the rides that pre-dates Harry Potter and was rebranded when this part of the park opened (I think it was previously called Dueling Dragons). But whatever the history, this was probably my favorite ride — not just in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but in Universal itself.
It’s one of those upside down, legs dangling roller coasters…the kind when Buddy looks at me before the ride starts and says, “Mom, please don’t throw up on me.” (Disclaimer: I have never once been sick on a ride, yet my child never seems to think I have the constitution to handle intense roller coasters).
The theme for the ride is the Triwizard Tournament, which was featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (RIP Cedric Diggory). The roller coaster has two dragons — a Chinese Fireball and a Hungarian Horntail — which loop and race along the tracks at the same time…but in opposite directions. And, yes, it’s upside down at points, with some corkscrew turns and some awesome views of Hogwarts Castle.
7> The Candy
No trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is complete without a trip to Honeydukes for some of the same sweet treats that are featured in the movie. Mimi selected a chocolate frog (with a Dumbledore card) and Buddy — naturally — went for Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.
And when they say every flavor, they mean every flavor. Vomit, ear wax, boogies…they’ve got them all. And, based on Dr. G’s reaction to a soap-flavored jelly bean, they lived up to their promise.
Was it delicious? No. Was it expensive? Heck yeah, at $10 each. But for us, buying the candy was part of the experience and made Buddy feel like he was walking in Harry’s shoes.
And even if you decide not to buy any candy, at least poke your head in either Honeydukes in Hogsmeade or Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Both are a lot of fun.
8> The Flight of the Hippogriff Ride
Okay, I admit I threw this one on the list because it was Mimi’s favorite ride. Located next to Hogwarts, it’s a pretty mild roller coaster…one that a 43-inch 4-year-old can ride with confidence.
Yet it’s not completely lame — there are enough dips and whipping around corners to make you scream. She demanded to go back on this ride what felt like a hundred times, and I have to say, I was proud of her when we got to sit in the front car and she had her arms raised up over her head as we zipped down a hill.
Not bad for a kid who was once so timid and nervous about rides!
9> Ollivander’s and the Magic Wands
We were warned (advised?) about “the wand thing” before we got to Universal. Ollivander’s (you know, Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.) sells magic, interactive wands that the kids can use to cast spells and create magic — with just a few flicks of the wrist — at designated places throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeeade.
So I use the word “warned” because they are not cheap. The most inexpensive ones are $50 a pop…so $100 for both kids. Hard to swallow, but since we weren’t buying any other souvenirs while we were there, we bit the bullet. And, to be honest, I kind of wanted to give it a go, too.
Each wand comes with a map that details the locations where the kids can cast spells (also marked on the street or building with gold medallions), along with instructions for each spell.
It takes a little while to get the hang of it, and it was a little tricky for Mimi at times, but in the end, they had a blast casting spells.
Another note: There are two Ollivander’s locations…one in Diagon Alley and one in Hogsmeade. We went to the shop in Hogsmeade so we could experience the interactive show where you enter the dusty shop and see a wand choose a wizard. Unfortunately, neither of the kiddos were chosen for this, but we were quickly ushered back into the shop, where an Ollivander’s employee helped Buddy and Mimi select the most appropriate wand, using their birthday as a guide.
Buddy ended up with a vine wand; Mimi with birch. And yes, both wands are sitting in their boxes now that we’re home. But in the end, I think it was worth it to have that magical experience.
10> Hogsmeade
It’s totally surreal: you’re standing in 85-degree Florida heat surrounded by rooftops glistening with snow, but it feels so real. Welcome to Hogsmeade!
The highlight of Hogsmeade is obviously Hogwarts, and several of our favorite rides are here (Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff), but we liked strolling through the shops, checking out some of the live shows, and people watching.
The kiddos bought their candy at the Honeydukes in Hogsmeade, and after we found the Hog’s Head pub where we sat down so the kiddos could eat their treats, and Dr. G and I could enjoy a tasty beverage.
And just beyond the Hogsmeade boundaries is an awesome view of Hogwarts…and the perfect place for a family photo without having to deal with dozens of photobombers in the background.
So there you have it! I’ll be sharing some other advice and tips about visiting Universal Studios Orlando soon, along with some of the other highlights of our Florida trip (including my amazing dolphin experience at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys).
Are you a Harry Potter fan?