Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando – Complete Guide
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an area in all three Universal Orlando theme parks:
- Universal Studios Florida: Diagon Alley
- Islands of Adventure: Hogsmeade
- Epic Universe: Ministry of Magic
Across these three theme parks, there are six rides:
- Hogwarts Express (Universal Studios & Hogsmeade)
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios)
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Hogsmeade)
- Flight of the Hippogriff (Hogsmeade)
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Hogsmeade)
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (Epic Universe)
As well as a host of Harry Potter inspired shows, stores, restaurants and food carts.
It used to be easy to visit both Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter in one day. But since the opening of the new Universal Orlando theme park Epic Universe, it’s become a little harder.
That said, it is still possible to visit all three Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter in one day. However, that will take up the full day. You’ll have no time to explore anywhere else in the three theme parks.
You’ll also need to make sure you have the park-to-park ticket upgrade. As this is the only way you can move between multiple Universal Orlando parks in a single day.
Universal Studios Florida: Diagon Alley
🎢 Rides: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts & Hogwarts Express.
🎙️ Shows: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
🍽️ Restaurants: The Leaky Cauldron
🍔 Food Stores & Carts: Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour, The Hopping Pot & Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment.
🛍️ Stores: Ollivanders, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Scribbulus, Magical Menagerie, Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio, Globus Mundi, Borgin and Burkes, Gringotts Money Exchange, The Hopping Pot, The Owl Post, Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop & Museum of Muggle Curiosities.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area at Universal Studios is known as Diagon Alley. However, there are actually two areas here:
- London
- Diagon Alley
London
You’ll see the London area when you’re walking around the lagoon. Meanwhile, Diagon Alley is hidden behind the iconic brick wall, just like in the films and books.
The first thing you’ll notice in London is the iconic Knight Bus. Here, you can chat with the attendant and the Shrunken Head while getting a great photo. There’s no official queue here, but I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes.
You can find one of the more hidden interactions in London at 12 Grimmauld Place. Knock on the door and look for Kreacher peering out from behind the curtains.
Finally, the red telephone booth in front of Diagon Alley’s entrance is more than just a prop. Dial 62442 (MAGIC) to connect to the Ministry of Magic.
There are two Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios Florida, and the first is the Hogwarts Express in London. This 8-minute train ride departs from King’s Cross Station and takes you to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
Pro Tip: Since the ride connects two Universal parks, you’ll need a park-to-park ticket to board the Hogwarts Express.
Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is a broad term when referencing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida. However, much like this area is split into two:
- Diagon Alley
- London
Diagon Alley itself is actually four separate areas:
- Diagon Alley
- Knockturn Alley
- Horizont Alley
- Carkitt Market
When you go behind the brick wall from London, you’re entering Diagon Alley, and the first thing you’ll notice is the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon atop Gringotts Bank. This dragon breathes fire roughly every ten minutes and is the most iconic Wizarding World photograph you can get.
This Gingotts Bank is actually the cover of the only ride inside Diagon Alley: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Alternatively, you’ll find the interactive Gringotts Money Exchange in the Carkitt Market.
If you walk all the way to the end of Diagon Alley, you’ll make it onto Horizont Alley. Turn left when you get to Gringotts Bank and walk all the way to the end to find Knockturn Alley. Alternatively, turn right and follow it around to find Carkitt Market.
The stores inside Diagon Alley include:
- Ollivanders
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
- Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
- Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio
- Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
- Quality Quidditch Supplies
- Scribbulus, Magical Menagerie
- Globus Mundi, Borgin and Burkes
- Gringotts Money Exchange
- The Hopping Pot
- The Owl Post
- Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
- Museum of Muggle Curiosities
There are also some facade shop fronts in Diagon Alley. You can’t enter these stores, but the exterior is perfect for taking photos or casting spells with interactive wands. They include:
- Flourish and Blotts
- Slug and Jiggers Apothecary
- Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary
The eateries inside Diagon Alley include:
- The Leaky Cauldron
- The Hopping Pot
- Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment
- Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour
Islands of Adventure: Hogsmeade
🎢 Rides: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff & Hogwarts Express.
🎙️ Shows: The Frog Choir & Triwizard Spirit Rally.
🍽️ Restaurants: The Three Broomsticks & Hog’s Head Pub.
🍔 Food Stores & Carts: Butterbeer Cart & Honeydukes.
🛍️ Stores: Ollivanders, Dervish and Banges, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Honeydukes & Gladrags Wizardwear.
Unlike Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade is the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter area at the Islands of Adventure theme park. There are two iconic photo spots here:
- In front of the Hogwarts Express facade
- On the bridge in front of Hogwarts Castle
Pro Tip: If you arrive in Hogsmeade before general guest admission (a benefit of staying in a Universal Orlando hotel), you may find the Hogwarts Express facade blocked by the line for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
There are fewer shops in Hogsmeade than in Diagon Alley. As per the Harry Potter series, Hogsmeade was the village students could visit on the weekend from their third year onwards. Meanwhile, Diagon Alley was dedicated to shopping in preparation for a year at Hogwarts.
Ollivanders is one store that can be found in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. However, the one in Hogsmeade is far superior as it has the “Wand Chooses The Wizard” interactive show.
That said, while Hogsmeade has fewer stores, it has more rides. In fact, Islands of Adventure has the most Harry Potter themed rides of any Universal Orlando theme park.
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Hogwarts Express
When it comes to food and drink, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade serve British Cuisine. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Magic in Epic Universe offers French. However, if I had to choose between eating in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, I’d always choose Hogsmeade. There’s a couple of reasons for this.
Firstly, there are more Butterbeer carts here. The first is across from the toilets near the undercover seating area, and the other is across from the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey entrance.
There’s also better lighting and backdrops for taking photos with said Butterbeer – because how could you get one and not take a picture, ha! You can also get a better range of Butterbeer and other Harry Potter-inspired drinks from The Hogs Head pub.
Meanwhile, the only restaurant in Diagon Alley, The Three Broomsticks, has a fantastic outdoor seating area at the back with a great view of Hogwarts Castle.
Epic Universe: Ministry of Magic
🎢 Rides: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
🎙️ Shows: Le Cirque Arcanus.
🍽️ Restaurants: Café L’Air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir & Bar Moonshine.
🍔 Food Stores & Carts:
🛍️ Stores: Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique & Les Galeries Mirifiques.
The new Epic Universe theme park is home to a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The Ministry of Magic covers two cities:
- Paris: Both Muggle Paris & Wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films
- London: Specifically, the British Ministry of Magic, from Harry Potter
Like all lands at Epic Universe, you’ll enter The Ministry of Magic through a portal. Beginning your journey in 1920’s Muggle Paris. Here, you’ll pass through the Phoenix Arch, which takes you to Place Cachée in Wizarding Paris.
This area is dedicated to the Fantastic Beasts films and is the first time a Wizarding World has featured references from this Harry Potter spin-off franchise.
The biggest drawback I have to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade is how small they are. During busy times, the crowds in these confined areas can often feel overwhelming, taking away some of the magic of being in such a highly immersive land.
By contrast, the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe is significantly bigger. So much so that the streets and many attractions have been built to scale. The shortest building in the Ministry of Magic is taller than the tallest building in Diagon Alley.
The Metro-floo connects Paris to London. This multi-sensory transitional area features the iconic giant fireplaces and is designed to make you feel like you’re going through the floonetwork.
Coming out of the Metro-floo, you’ll enter the British Ministry of Magic. Here hosts the only ride in this Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
The story of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry takes place on the day of Dolores Umbridge’s trial for her crimes against the Wizarding World. This ride combines movement with a motion simulation and has some latest ride technology.