Join our family for Grant’s Wizarding birthday trip, then use our visit notes and current planning links to compare the parks, hotels, tickets, and details that matter for your own Harry Potter adventure.
Grant’s Wizarding Birthday in Orlando · Full film (8 min 31 sec)
Playback isn’t available here. Open the full film on Vimeo ↗
This film records our earlier birthday visit. Universal Orlando has since expanded its Wizarding World offerings; current park, ticket and hotel information is linked in the article.
Are you dreaming of drinking butterbeer, casting spells, and living all of your Harry Potter fantasies, in real life? If so, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida is the place for you. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter now has lands in three Universal Orlando theme parks: Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, and Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. The parks, attractions, and ticket options have changed since our visit, so check the current Universal Orlando ticket information before planning. Use the following tips to ensure your visit is filled with magic.
Watch our original related video on YouTube
The linked film follows Grant’s 11th-birthday trip. We have a tradition of taking the birthday child on a special trip, and our family shares his love of Harry Potter, which made Orlando an easy choice. Use the film as a memory of our birthday visit; park operations and ticket advice in this article are updated separately for current planning.
The Knight Bus and the streets of Diagon Alley were part of our birthday visit. This short scene moves from the purple bus into the themed streets, giving you a glimpse of the atmosphere beyond the ride list.
The Knight Bus and Diagon Alley on our visit · Scene from our film (25 sec)
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When we visited, the two Wizarding World lands were split between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and we chose tickets that let us visit both. Since then, the Ministry of Magic land has opened at Epic Universe, so decide which lands matter to your group and compare current date-specific admission options. A Park-to-Park ticket is required to ride the Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade; check Universal’s current park ticket details before choosing.
You can compare rates and purchase tickets ahead of time here.
The Hogwarts Express connects Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. A Park-to-Park ticket is required to ride. Whether it is running and the operating details can change, so check Universal’s app or attraction page for your date.
During our January visit, we asked about a possible connecting entrance and were told it was not open that day. That was what we heard on our trip, not a current access rule; check the park map and staff guidance during your visit.
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On our visit, reaching the Wizarding World areas meant a fair amount of walking through each park. The route and park layout may change, so check the current map and plan for walking between the lands.
Universal Studios houses Diagon Alley, including Gringotts while Islands of Adventure houses Hogsmeade and the castle.
For the two lands we visited, I recommended allowing two days rather than squeezing everything into one long day, with a maximum of three for that itinerary. With a third Wizarding World land now at Epic Universe, compare the current park map and admission options to decide how many days suit your itinerary.
During our two-land visit, we explored shops, the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley, the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, and the themed rides. That describes the original itinerary we tried, not a current overview of every Wizarding World land.
On our visit, Islands of Adventure had Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle, while Diagon Alley was in Universal Studios Florida. Epic Universe now has another Wizarding World land. Which park has the rides you want is easier to compare on Universal’s current maps and attraction pages.
Our birthday-trip film includes the hotel arrival and a look out over the property. It gives a little context for the stay behind these planning notes; today’s benefits and availability depend on the hotel and booking.
Arriving at our Universal Orlando hotel · Scene from our film (25 sec)
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We opted to stay in Sapphire Falls on our last trip and I did enjoy the ease of the water taxi. We completed our security check for the park right outside the hotel, with little to no line, and were free to walk around City Walk (the Universal “downtown” area) right off of the taxi.
During our stay, early access was offered at Islands of Adventure on the days we visited. Early Park Admission eligibility, parks, attractions, and hours are date-dependent; check Universal’s current Early Park Admission information.
For us, yes. We loved the experience of staying at a Universal Resort.
Check the Universal App or website for the early park hours. The eligible groups, participating parks, attractions, and start times can vary by date. Check the current park-hours page before you plan around Early Park Admission.
During our visit, we showed our admission and room key. Current verification requirements can differ by ticket or eligible group, so follow the instructions for your reservation and date.
We found the early access, which started at 8amn during our visit, to be mildly helpful. We typically arrived to the park by 8:30 am and the lines for Hagrid’s Motorbike (the most popular and best ride by far) we’re already insanely long. We found that if we waited a couple of hours, the wait time decreased significantly (from 100 to 60 minutes, for example).
During our stay, we aimed to arrive early by water taxi. Transportation timing and Early Park Admission start times vary by date; check your hotel and current park-hours information rather than relying on our old 7:15 a.m. departure suggestion.
We really enjoyed the little extras that came with booking the “Harry Potter Package” for hotel and park tickets. We ate breakfast in the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks for free, which I would not have done otherwise. These meals didn’t seem to have many restrictions. We were able to order any entrée and any drink, including butter beer (which makes it a good deal!)
We also enjoyed the photo package. We acted out several scenes in front of a green screen and took home a small “movie” of us in several Harry Potter locations.
We also enjoyed the small “gift box” which included lanyards to use in the parks. These came in very handy!
If you already planned to stay in a Universal hotel, the extra bonuses of this package are quite fun and well worth it!
Explore package options here.
Our birthday film brings you back into the park near the rollercoasters. It is a glimpse of the setting during our trip; check each attraction’s current height requirements and access information when choosing rides for your family.
Walking near the rollercoasters on our visit · Scene from our film (20 sec)
Playback isn’t available here. Open the full film on Vimeo ↗
With the main attraction being Harry Potter World, you may be asking yourself if it’s even worth worrying about the other rides that Universal houses.
Honestly, I wouldn’t. We’ve done all the “big rides” in Universal outside of Harry Potter and I can tell you, you won’t be missing much. I personally don’t like the “experiences” that Universal offers with huge screens and moving carts. They leave me feeling car-sick and overstimulated.
The only other ride we enjoyed in the entirely of the two parks was the Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Winding, twisting and moving unlike any other roller coaster we’ve ever seen, this coaster is worth the wait. It’s quite the thrill!
You will also find many shows around the park, which are enjoyable, but left us a bit underwhelmed.
Check the weather! Our first two days were quite warm, but our last was freezing cold. Humidity makes slight temperature differences feel extreme.
If it will be a sunny day, dress for warm weather, even during the winter. If cloudy or drizzly weather is predicted, bring your coat and maybe even some gloves. Layers are always a win!
As always, don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses, you’ll want both.
Bring only what you need and check current ride-specific storage rules before arriving. On our trip, I brought a small backpack the first day and spent nearly $20 on locker fees; locker rules and fees can change by attraction and date.
During our visit, we paid by card and did not need cash. Payment options can vary by location, so check your plans and bring a backup payment method if you prefer.
During our visit, some rides required us to store robes and wands, and we fit them in small lockers. Ride storage rules and locker sizes or fees can change; check the current guidance for each attraction before bringing bulky items.
You’ll use your park ticket OFTEN at Universal, including for locker rentals. Be sure to keep your ticket handy and do not lose it. Lanyards make life easier for sure.
Universal Express is a separate line-skipping option, with attraction participation and ticket terms that can change. I bought Express for one day on our visit to try the other rides; check the current participating attractions and pass terms before deciding.
On our January visit, we found the lines for some rides manageable and occasionally saw the Express queue move more slowly than the regular queue. Attraction participation changes, so use the current official list rather than our old visit as a guide.
Perhaps during busier times this pass would be worth the cost. I know it does work for other Harry Potter rides and the Hogwarts Express.
However, based on my experience, I’d say skip this. I didn’t find it to be worth the money and would prefer to spend that money on something else.
If you do opt to get the Universal Express Pass, you can explore the options and purchase here.
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