Tips for Millennials Visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Everything you need to know about visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as adults! 

Dragon at Gringotts (breathes fire!!) ⚡️

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter...for adults?

​So, I had held out on visiting for a number of years.  Wow, was I wrong - the attention to detail throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (both parks) is absolutely incredible. Around every corner was some new, unexpected detail from the books. I could not have been more thrilled from the moment we set foot in the park. I loved it so much that we went twice in as many years.  And, naturally, a blog post was born (an updated). Here are a few tips, for my fellow millennials, adult Wizarding World of Harry Potter visitors!​

​Words cannot express how much I enjoyed The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’m a massive Harry Potter fan, and have been for 20 years now.

I’m also in my early 30s and I was, admittedly, expecting The Wizarding World to be a “normal” theme park, which are not where we usually spend our vacations. I also don’t ride roller coasters AND we don't have kids, so, really, I was afraid that I’d be bored.

Buy tickets for both parks in
​the Harry Potter Universe

A visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is expensive. That's just a fact of theme parks, especially extremely popular ones.

The Wizarding World is actually split between two parks within Universal. You will need the Universal “Park-to-Park” pass in order to gain entry into both parks. You will also have access to the parts of the parks that are not dedicated to Harry Potter (my husband explored some roller coasters as well, during both of our visits).

​One way to save money would be to buy tickets only for one park. But, there really should be no question - if you’re going all the way to Florida, you might as well see the whole Wizarding World.

The Park-to-Park Pass is absolutely worth the extra expense.

Visit the parks in order

Assuming that you agree, and are doing both parks, I'd recommend that you do the parks "in order." This will take you from "muggle London," into Diagon Alley, then through Platform 9 3/4, onto the Hogwarts Express, and into Hogsmeade Village, culminating at Hogwarts Castle.

Muggle London & Diagon Alley

Muggle London

Start in "muggle London," in Universal Studios Florida. Take a fair amount of time to explore it before going through the entrance to Diagon Alley. Don't forget to see the Knight Bus!

The Knight Bus, Muggle London

Once you’ve had your fill, pass through the well-done entrance into Diagon Alley (I won’t give it away!) Once inside - spend some time looking through the shops and enjoying the thoughtful touches throughout. Don’t miss Knockturn Alley - hidden toward the back and just as dark and scary as you’d hope. Grab your first (and not last) beer of the day (there’s a cute little watering hole). Personally, I’d wait for lunch at the Three Broomsticks, but if you’re hungry, grab a bite at the Leaky Cauldron! The ‘best’ ride in Diagon Alley is Escape from Gringotts. Both times we have visited in recent years, the wait was over an hour.

For the top 10 experiences you don't want to miss in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, check out the full post!

When you've finished in Muggle London & Diagon Alley, it's all aboard the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts - which is in the Islands of Adventure Park. ​We'll discuss those in a bit!

You don’t need an interactive wand

Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

​Unless you have a child with you, who particularly has his/her heart set on it, there’s no need to purchase one of the park's much-lauded interactive wands.

The wands are quite expensive and the things they can do are, if I’m being honest, not that impressive. For example, there’s a fountain that squirts water when your wand connects with it, etc. There are lengthy lines and children are, as they should be, excitedly pushing to the front to try out the wands. I would have felt uncomfortable pushing my way up there to play with the wand. 

If you really want to get the perfect Instagram snap, either buy a wand that's cheaper and not interactive, or see if one of your fellow Millennials will lend you theirs just for a picture - we're a friendly people.

They sell booze. Everywhere.

Be sure to take your time in Diagon Alley, but once you’re done, it’s time for what was personally my favorite part. Enter the shockingly realistic Kings Cross Station to catch the Hogwarts Express up to Scotland!  ​

Very strong pub game in Hogsmeade

After you pass the ticket inspector (thanking your lucky stars that you splurged for the Park to Park pass!), weave your way through the train station. Be sure to stop at the convenience store as you walk through - they sell a great solution of British beers (I selected Boddington’s), which you CAN TAKE ON THE TRAIN.

Check out the amazing mirror where your co-visitors can watch you disappear onto the platform. And, as long as there's a bit of space, you can get away with being just a little rude - take your time and get a picture - I rarely say that, in all honesty, but it’s worth it.

I REPEAT YOU CAN TAKE THE BOOZE ON THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS.

Platform 9 3/4, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Does butterbeer have alcohol in it?

​No. In a weird turn of events, butterbeer does *not* have alcohol in it. I have been told by multiple Uber drivers that in certain spots you can pay a bit more to have some booze added, though I've just stuck to the "normal" beer for my alcohol fix. 

Butterbeer in Hogsmeade Village

For more on what to eat and drink, check out the full post: Where to Eat and Drink in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ride the Hogwarts Express both ways

The Hogwarts Express

Passing through Platform 9 3/4

Boddingtons on the Hogwarts Express

Corridors on the Hogwarts Express (you're seated in the compartments on either side)

The ride on the Hogwarts Express is absolutely magical. It is undoubtedly a highlight of the experience. You are seated in individual compartments with a handful of other guests (it’s not too crowded) and outside the window you’ll see screens displaying images - Malfoy Manor, the English countryside, and finally a warm welcome from Hagrid as you enter Hogsmeade Station. 

On the return visit, it’s a different show! There's also a stationary version, now just for pictures (Hogsmeade was the original park - Diagon Alley wasn't added until 2014, with the Express connecting them).

You don't have to do the rides

The Sorting Hat in Hogwarts

Personally, almost any amusement park ride ends my day, so I took a firm pass (sadly no break on the ticket price for not doing rides).  
​
I chatted with the sales clerk at the Hogwarts ride who told me people are sick all the time (it’s a combination, according to my husband of screens moving and you physically moving).

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as an adult is 100%, undeniably worth it, even if you don’t do the rides.

Hogsmeade Village

If you’re in a couple, this means your other half can take advantage of the single rider line, and get through the line much more quickly. Additionally, if you're braver than me, staff will allow you to tour the Hogwarts Castle entrance portion without ultimately getting on the ride (I was happy to skip it, but the husband said it was neat). I was happy as a clam while my husband rode the rides (he also ventured out onto some roller coasters in the other parts of the park, since they were covered by our ticket). I shopped, and spent a while just sitting down and taking it all in.

First view of Hogwarts Castle

I hope you'll enjoy your trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as much as we always do! We just keep going back - and I don't intend to stop anytime soon! 

Check out all the Wizarding World
of Harry Potter articles!

And now, with the addition of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, there's even more to explore (for my ride-riding friends!) xx

• Where to Eat (and Drink) in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• 10 Unforgettable Experiences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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