The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Hogsmeade village and Diagon Alley span Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Ride the Hogwarts Express between them, and try Butterbeer and interactive wands as must-dos.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is spread across two Universal Orlando parks. Hogsmeade (opened 2010) is in Islands of Adventure, and Diagon Alley (opened 2014) is in Universal Studios Florida. The two are linked by the Hogwarts Express train, and riding it requires a two-park ticket. Hogsmeade’s highlights are the snow-covered village and Hogwarts Castle. Inside the castle, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is an award-winning 4D ride, and its queue route passes through Dumbledore’s office and moving portraits. “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure,” which opened in 2019, is the park’s most popular coaster, with queues often exceeding 2 hours, so go right when the park opens. The village also has the Three Broomsticks restaurant, the Honeydukes candy shop and the Ollivanders wand shop. Buying an interactive wand (about $65) lets you trigger effects around the village. Diagon Alley is hidden behind a brick wall in the London street set of Universal Studios. It features Gringotts Bank, with the 3D ride “Escape from Gringotts” and a fire-breathing dragon that performs every 10 minutes, as well as Knockturn Alley, the Witch Trials wand shop and a Ministry of Magic phone booth and Knight Bus photo spots. Tips: A two-park, two-day ticket is the most sensible option, or you can buy an Express Pass to save time. The Wizarding World area is busiest at midday, so arrive right at opening or come back in the evening to see the castle light show. Butterbeer (about $8, available cold, frozen or hot) is a must-try. Getting there: take the I-Ride Trolley or an Uber from International Drive. From the Universal parking garage, it is about a 15-minute walk through CityWalk to the park entrance. Note: Forbidden Journey requires you to use lockers (free storage), and some rides have height restrictions.
Opening hours
Follows park hours, 09:00–21:00
Nearby sights
- Universal Islands of Adventure
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal CityWalk Orlando
- Universal Volcano Bay
- ICON Park / International Drive
- Universal Epic Universe
- Aquatica Orlando
- SeaWorld Orlando