The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando is more than just a little magical. When it first opened in 2010, it brought the Harry Potter series to life. Since then, it has expanded and allows fans a chance to immerse themselves into the series itself. And although there are many spellbinding areas inside the Wizarding World, there are 16 attractions that are just a little more magical.
Casting your own spells
One of the most magical things you can do at the Wizarding World, is to cast your own spells. To do this, you’ll need to purchase a wand from Ollivander’s. Specifically an interactive wand. There is a wand shop in Hogsmeade Village and a larger shop in Diagon Alley. Additionally, you can purchase a wand from Gregoravitch’s Wand Shop in Diagon Alley.
The interactive wands will have a censor in the end. This allows you to interact with the “spell” locations in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village. You can get a map from Ollivander’s with all the different locations and the spell you’ll need at each one in order to produce your magical result.
There are gold markers on the ground at each of the “spell locations.” Some of the arm movements needed to perform the spells are easier to make than others. However, it seemed like the younger witches and wizards had no trouble with them.
But this is not just an activity strictly for the younger crowd as I witnessed witches and wizards of all ages practicing their spells in these locations. Interactive wands start at $55 each and can be purchased ahead of time.
Fun Fact: There are also secret spell locations that are not located on the map!
Drink a Butterbeer
No trip to the Wizarding World would be complete without a butterbeer and the butterbeer mustache you’ll likely have after drinking one! You can actually buy them several different ways. There is of course a traditional one, but you can also purchase a frozen butterbeer and a hot butterbeer seasonally.
Eat at the Three Broomsticks or the Leaky Cauldron
You can drink your butterbeer or Gilly Water while having lunch inside the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade Village. While they are completely different on the inside, they serve several of the same items.
The Three Broomsticks serves items like shepherd’s pie, roasted turkey leg, beef pasties, spare ribs, fish and chips, and rotisserie chicken while the Leaky Cauldron serves Ploughman’s lunch, Toad in the Hole, bangers and mash, fisherman’s pie, beef, lamb and Guiness Stew, cottage pie, fish and chips, and scotch eggs.
You can’t go wrong with either one but I recommend trying both!
Visit Knockturn Alley
You can visit the darker side of the Wizarding World by making a wrong turn into Knockturn Alley. Just look for the stack of cauldrons and you’ll see the entrance into the alley. This is actually a great spot to cool off when it gets hot as it is dark and much cooler. It’s also a good spot to hide when there are afternoon showers! And there are also 5 spell locations to help you practice casting your spells.
Locate Diagon Alley
When you’re in the London side of the Wizarding World, you’ll have to first locate Diagon Alley. If you ask any muggle cast member in London how to get to Diagon Alley, they’ll simply tell you that they don’t know what you’re talking about. If you go past King’s Cross Station, you’ll see a small entrance on the left. Just go through the bricks and you’ll find yourself at the end of Diagon Alley.
Contact the Ministry of Magic through the payphone
You’ll come across a red phone booth on the London side of the park. If you hop inside and dial M-A-G-I-C (62442) on the payphone you’ll be connected to the Ministry of Magic who will give you a message.
Catch Kreacher spying on you
If you stand outside of No. 12 Grimmauld Place on the London side of the Wizarding World, you can catch Kreacher the house elf peeking out through the curtains. Keep your eyes on the bottom windows and every few minutes you will see him peeking out at you.
Listen to the shrunken heads tell jokes
You can stand outside of No. 12 Grimmauld Place and see the Knight Bus with the shrunken heads. Several times a day you will see Stan Shunpike outside of the bus. If you go over and talk with Stan, you can also talk to the shrunken heads and they will talk back to you.
You can also find more shrunken heads inside Knockturn Alley. They’ll even sing to you!
Walk through Platform 9 ¾
After you walk through King’s Cross station, you’ll have to pass through Platform 9 ¾ in order to get to the Hogwart’s Express. From a short distance it actually appears as though you are going through the wall. You’ll have to have someone stay back and take a photo of you as you disappear through the wall.
Ride the train from King’s Cross Station to Hogwarts….and back
You can board the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station which will take you to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade Village. Boarding this train requires that you have the park-to-park option for your Universal Studios tickets as you will cross from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure. Once the doors close, you’ll see the countryside as you leave London and travel to Hogwarts. You’ll also hear the snack trolley come by. If you take the train back to King’s Cross Station, you will get an entirely different experience on board the train.
Fun fact: The train actually has no engines on board. It’s pulled along the track by a cable.
Participate in a Wand Choosing Ceremony at Ollivander’s
Several times a day you can actually visit Ollivander’s where he will choose one lucky witch or wizard to go through the choosing ceremony. Ollivander will hand pick a wand to see if it is the right fit. It may take a few tries, but eventually each witch or wizard will find the right wand.
Watch a fire breathing dragon
The dragon that sits on top of the Gringott’s bank will actually breathe fire around every 15 minutes. You’ll hear a little bit gurgling shortly before he breathes fire which will give you just enough time to get your camera ready. If you’re close by at the time, you can really feel the heat from the fire!
Visit the vaults in Gringott’s
When you ride Escape from Gringott’s, you’ll get to see Bellatrix’s vault and then plummet down the thief’s downfall as it washes away your disguise. You’ll also get a chance to see the Gringott’s goblins in action while they count their gold.
Exchange your money for Wizarding currency
You can exchange your muggle money for Wizarding currency at the Gringott’s Money Exchange. The smallest denomination that you can choose is $10. You can use this currency anywhere in the park, however, I recommend that you use this in the Wizarding World area as the muggles at the other stores at Universal did not quite know what to do with it.
Mail yourself a postcard from the Owl Post
You can purchase a postcard from the Owl Post in Hogsmeade Village and have it postmarked with a Hogsmeade postmark inside the Owl Post. Then just simply drop it off in one of the mailboxes and the owls will make sure that it is delivered safely.
Enjoy your own chocolate frog
You can buy your own chocolate frog from Honeyduke’s in Hogesemeade’s Village. They really do come with a collectible card featuring one famous witch or wizard so you’ll have to purchase a few if you want to collect them all. Honeyduke’s also sells Bertie’s Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, but you may end up with a flavor you don’t want!
While Universal Studios has many other themed areas and many more rides, you could spend an entire day just in the two sections of the Wizarding World and never want to leave. There are so many things to see and do and these 16 attractions are just the beginning of what will definitely be a magical experience!
Have a few extra days in Orlando and want to experience even more magic? Check out my Top 10 Tips for Disney World!
