When it comes to theme parks, California seems to have it all. When the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first announced the opening in Florida, I must admit I was gutted. California always gets the awesome theme parks first. WHY FLORIDA?!?! WHY!! So when the news that Universal Studios Hollywood was opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I lept for joy!
Harry Potter has fully enveloped modern literary culture. Imaginative minds collaborated together to transform you from normal every day-to-day life straight into the wizarding world. While there are a few differences between the Hollywood and Orlando location, both experiences are equally as magical. Let's grab your broom, a portkey, or (if you're of age) apparate down to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and let's explore the magic together...
Related Post: A Working Holiday in Orlando
The Hogwarts Express
If you chose to get to Hogsmeade via the Hogwarts Express, you'd be greeted by the train's conductor before exploring the village. Have a nice little chat with him before you start exploring. He is quite knowledgeable about everything in Hogsmeade.
The Shops
Not sure where to go first? Hop on over to Olivander's and find your perfect wand. Mr Olivander will help the ideal wand choose you. Already have your wand? Why not head over to the Owl Post to send a letter back home or to Zonko's or Honeydukes for some fantastic treats. One of the many emporiums will help you change out of your muggle clothes and into your house colours. You'll be looking like a Hogwarts student in no time!
Harry Potters and the Forbidden Journey
Venturing into Hogwarts castle, you'll be entertained regardless of how many muggles are there to visit. Unlike the Florida counterpart, you actually get to enter Hogwarts! There you'll weave in and out through the various rooms of Hogwarts, learning a bit more about this magical place. Even if you have to wait for hours, you will be thoroughly entertained.
Once you finally make it to the Great Hall, hop on your broomstick to help Harry, Ron and Hermione. But be careful! You'll be faced with a few scary moments. Make sure you've been practising your spells. This way you'll be able to get yourself out of any sticky situation.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Who doesn't want to ride a Hippogriff? A quick warning, if you are not vertically challenged, this ride may feel a bit cramped. However, if you blink for too long, it will be over so your discomfort will not last long. While the ride is fun, if the line is super long I would suggest helping Harry, Ron, and Hermione one more time.
Wizarding Culture
While visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, its only appropriate that one dresses the part. Forgot your wizarding robes? Fear not my friends! There are plenty of shops throughout Hogsmeade to help you look the part.
The witches and wizards from Borbax Academy and Durmstrang are excited to show off their talents for any muggle, witch or wizard. The Hogwarts choir is also known to perform just outside of Hogwarts Castle. You definitely don't want to miss out on that! Make sure to wear your house colours to show your support!
Dine like a Local
No trip to Hogsmeade is complete with a stop at Hog's Head. Located at the back of the Three Broom Sticks, which offers a variety of tasty foods, Hog's Head is the spot to go to get your Butterbeer fix. Not a fan of Butterbeer? No worries mate! They've got Pumpkin Juice and other beverages to sort you out.
At the end of the day, you'll sadly enter back into the muggle world. But after spending the day in Hogsmeade, the muggle world will seem a little more magical. Have you ever been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Share your experience in the comments below!
Harry Potter has fully enveloped modern literary culture. Imaginative minds collaborated together to transform you from normal every day-to-day life straight into the wizarding world. While there are a few differences between the Hollywood and Orlando location, both experiences are equally as magical. Let's grab your broom, a portkey, or (if you're of age) apparate down to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and let's explore the magic together...
Related Post: A Working Holiday in Orlando
The Hogwarts Express
If you chose to get to Hogsmeade via the Hogwarts Express, you'd be greeted by the train's conductor before exploring the village. Have a nice little chat with him before you start exploring. He is quite knowledgeable about everything in Hogsmeade.
The Shops
Not sure where to go first? Hop on over to Olivander's and find your perfect wand. Mr Olivander will help the ideal wand choose you. Already have your wand? Why not head over to the Owl Post to send a letter back home or to Zonko's or Honeydukes for some fantastic treats. One of the many emporiums will help you change out of your muggle clothes and into your house colours. You'll be looking like a Hogwarts student in no time!
Harry Potters and the Forbidden Journey
Venturing into Hogwarts castle, you'll be entertained regardless of how many muggles are there to visit. Unlike the Florida counterpart, you actually get to enter Hogwarts! There you'll weave in and out through the various rooms of Hogwarts, learning a bit more about this magical place. Even if you have to wait for hours, you will be thoroughly entertained.
Once you finally make it to the Great Hall, hop on your broomstick to help Harry, Ron and Hermione. But be careful! You'll be faced with a few scary moments. Make sure you've been practising your spells. This way you'll be able to get yourself out of any sticky situation.
Flight of the Hippogriff
Who doesn't want to ride a Hippogriff? A quick warning, if you are not vertically challenged, this ride may feel a bit cramped. However, if you blink for too long, it will be over so your discomfort will not last long. While the ride is fun, if the line is super long I would suggest helping Harry, Ron, and Hermione one more time.
Wizarding Culture
While visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, its only appropriate that one dresses the part. Forgot your wizarding robes? Fear not my friends! There are plenty of shops throughout Hogsmeade to help you look the part.
The witches and wizards from Borbax Academy and Durmstrang are excited to show off their talents for any muggle, witch or wizard. The Hogwarts choir is also known to perform just outside of Hogwarts Castle. You definitely don't want to miss out on that! Make sure to wear your house colours to show your support!
Dine like a Local
No trip to Hogsmeade is complete with a stop at Hog's Head. Located at the back of the Three Broom Sticks, which offers a variety of tasty foods, Hog's Head is the spot to go to get your Butterbeer fix. Not a fan of Butterbeer? No worries mate! They've got Pumpkin Juice and other beverages to sort you out.
At the end of the day, you'll sadly enter back into the muggle world. But after spending the day in Hogsmeade, the muggle world will seem a little more magical. Have you ever been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Share your experience in the comments below!
And until next time...
Stay curious!
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Never miss an adventure by following along on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
ReplyDeleteThe more I see people who can and I go here and the more I feel like crying, from potterhead it is the dream of a lifetime!
I cannot recommend it more for a holiday. It's not as big and magical as the one in Orlando but its still just as cool!
DeleteSO JEALOUS. I would love to go there sometime. Maybe one day. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWe went here once and it was pretty cool. I'll be honest though, I don't know much about Harry Potter, but it was still neat to explore.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the cool parts about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is that even if you don't know much about the stories, you're still completely immersed in the world!
DeleteOMG! I am such a Potterhead! I wanna go to The Wizarding World! It must be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI love how immerseful this amusement park is! I’m dying to go!
ReplyDeleteAhh this looks like so much fun! I went to the WB Harry Potter Studio in London las fall and it was incredible.
ReplyDeleteI am so incredibly jealous! I wanted to go on the HP tour the last time I was there but it was sold out.
Deleteoh i've never been to the Harry Potter world at Disney. This must have been an amazing experience. Would love to go for sure.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar experience in Harry Potter Universal Studio Hollywood in LA two years ago. It was an exciting day for me especially trying out all the different cool rides and interaction. We have Universal Studio in Singapore but there is no Harry Potter theme so it was really my first and eye opening to have this experience.
ReplyDeleteI hope one day they'll bring HP to Universal Studio in Singapore. Singapore is a much closer trip to Australia than LA. I'm glad to hear you had such a magical time!
DeleteI grew up watching Harry Potter movies. I am his fan and I would love to visit this place.
ReplyDeleteYou have to admire them for bringing an entire village to life from someone's imagination. It is a great way of comic relief or even stress relief for anyone needing a break from intense work.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the intricate designs the people at Universal and Disney manage to create. To bring such imagination to life is incredible!
DeleteDid you really say pumpkin juice? That is a fairly good Harry Potter reference. This looks like a nice place.
ReplyDeleteYes and its super tasty too!!
DeleteI am not a die hard fan of Harry Potter but I do love it and I do hope I will visit this place one day!
ReplyDeleteWe are big fans of Harry Potter and this sounds like an amazing place to visit. My family would really enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteThat would be such a fun trip. I was mesmerized by Harry's world as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the Harry Potter Series and can't imagine naything better than a related theme park. The closest one to where I live is in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the opportunity to see the studio tour in London but I bet it would be absolutely incredible!
DeleteI have you send your post to my Harry Potter fan son! He'll be more than happy hear! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete