The Most Magical Moments (and Practical Tips) from My First Visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Written by

Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara is Apartment Therapy's News & Culture Director. When not scrolling through Instagram double-tapping pet pics and astrology memes, you'll find her thrift shopping around Boston, kayaking on the Charles, and trying not to buy more plants.
updated May 3, 2019
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(Image credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando )

On the spectrum of Harry Potter fandom, I’m somewhere in the middle. Thanks to Pottermore, I know my houses (Hufflepuff and Horned Serpent at Ilvermorny, the American equivalent of Hogwarts), my Patronus (fox), and my wand (redwood, phoenix feather core, 12 and a quarter inches, pliant). I’ve read the original books and seen the movies, but I won’t win any trivia competitions, and I’m in no rush to sit through the five-plus hours of “Cursed Child.”

So when a friend and I planned a trip to visit her parents outside of Orlando, it was a no-brainer to check out Universal Studios and the Harry Potter parks for the first time. Here are the most magical moments—and some practical tips—I learned from my visit.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando )

Magical moment: Kids (and adults!) in wizard gear

It was an 82-degree day in Florida when I visited the parks, but that didn’t stop wannabe witches and wizards from donning their house robes. At Disney, the part of the magic comes from the characters themselves, but at Universal, it was the parkgoers who made Harry Potter’s world come alive for me. Watching folks exit the Hogwarts Express, or walk the streets of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade repping their house colors is an immersive experience.

Practical tip: There’s more Gryffindor and Slytherin merch

After visiting basically every shop in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, this Hufflepuff (and my Ravenclaw friend) noticed that our houses got a little less representation than the more “famous” ones. Of course, major items like robes and Quidditch tees repped all houses, but some of the more niche pieces were only available in two of the four. You can always browse the official Harry Potter Shop in advance of visiting, so that you already have your gear.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando )

Magical moment: Riding around Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to fly on a broom around a Quidditch field? That’s exactly what you get on the signature Harry Potter ride in Islands of Adventure (the same ride is also at Universal Studios Hollywood and Japan). It’s one of those multi-dimensional dark rides that makes you feel like you’re right in the action. Until the new ride opens, this is the one to spend your wait time on.

Practical tip: Be ready to wait, but here’s how to wait less

Long waits are a reality of every theme park, and the ones at the Wizarding World are no different. In the morning and early afternoon of my visit, the two Harry Potter rides had wait times of 150 minutes. Saving rides for later in the day can cut your wait time by 30 to 45 minutes, or you can spring for the Express Passes. You can also track wait times and set reminders via the Universal Orlando app.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando )

Magical moment: The Hogwarts Express

At its core, the Hogwarts Express is just a tram to get you from the Harry Potter area of Universal Studios to the one in Islands of Adventure and vice versa. But they add a story element where the characters are walking the halls of the train car and are outside the window, and it was actually my favorite ride of the day.

Practical tip: Ride it both ways

The ride is different whether you’re heading from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade or Hogsmeade to King’s Cross, so make sure to travel in both directions to get the full experience. You’ll need a 2 Park, 1 Day ticket to travel between the two parks.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando )

Magical moment: Shopping like a Hogwarts student

With only two rides currently (and a third on the way), much of the Wizarding World is about the shopping experience. I got to scour Ollivanders for a wand, pick up magical sweets in Sugarplum’s, check out Fred and George’s prank shop, and even browse Borgin and Burkes for dark magic.

Practical tip: You don’t have to buy your wand at Ollivanders (or even in the park)

Wands are one of the most sought-after purchases in the Wizarding World, and cramming all the magic-craving muggles into one little shop isn’t going to work. There are actually multiple stores in each park where you can buy a wand, and even some freestanding kiosks for those who don’t like close quarters. Most of the wands are also available in an interactive version, which comes with a Marauder’s Map of places where a flick of the wrist will make some magic happen.

If you prefer to have your wand at the ready (or want to save a couple galleons), they’re also available on the Harry Potter Shop and Amazon.