Orlando, Hollywood, or Japan. No matter which park you go to, here is everything you need to know before going to Universal Studios Harry Potter World.

Which Park Has What?

Universal Studios Singapore does not have any Harry Potter attractions or lands. However Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando, and Universal Studios Japan all have Harry Potter-themed lands. So if you are trying to decide which park to go to, based on Harry Potter, we recommend one of these three.

  • Universal Studios Orlando: Orlando has both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, as well as the Hogwarts Express which brings guests to and from each land. Hogsmeade can be found at Islands of Adventure Park and Diagon Alley can be found at Universal Studios Florida. This means you will need a park hopper ticket to experience both and ride the Hogwarts Express to and from locations. Hogsmeade includes Hogwarts Castle, various stores from the films and books, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Flight of the Hippogriff, a Hogwarts Express train station, Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Diagon Alley includes Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Nocturn Alley, various other shops, the outside of Sirius Black’s home (where you might see a “Kreacher” or two if you look hard enough), King’s Cross Station, The Knight Bus, and Escape From Gringotts.
  • Universal Studios Hollywood: Hollywood’s version of Harry Potter World includes only Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade includes Hogwarts Castle, various shops, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
  • Universal Studios Japan: Universal Japan only features Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade in Japan features Hogwarts Castle, various stores, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journe.

Universal Studio's Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips:

  1. If you’re visiting Orlando, ride the Hogwarts Express both ways; there are different experiences for both. You can have a real conversation with the goblins at Gringotts Bank, where you can even trade your muggle money for Gringotts bank notes. These banknotes really work in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. If you are going to ride the Hogwarts Express, we recommend boarding from King’s Cross Station at Universal Studios Florida Park. The experience feels more like the movie, complete with Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Guests really walk straight through the brick wall! How? Magic, of course!
  2. Escape from Gringotts and the Forbidden Journey have been known to make some guests nauseous. While usually survive it just fine, it's recommended that you take sickness medication prior to riding if you are prone to motion sickness.
  3. Send a postcard from Owl Post in Hogsmeade.
  4. Moaning Myrtle can be heard in both the women's AND men's restrooms.
  5. While riding Flight of the Hippogriff, look down and to the right (toward Hagrid’s garden) during the duration of the ride. It’ll help turn a ‘kiddie-coaster’ into a heart-pounding, stomach-dropping adventure. We don’t know why, it’s just physics.
  6. Which should you do first? Ride either Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey first. They will probably have the longest line in Hogsmeade. If you are visiting Diagon Alley, then ride Escape from Gringotts first.
  7. When is the best time of day to visit? Go early in the morning or just before closing.
  8. What kind of Butterbeer should you get? In our opinion, Butterbeer is by far the best treat at Universal. It comes either hot, cold, frozen, or even soft-serve. Most guests think that frozen or soft-serve is the best. So if you can’t decide and/or don’t want to try all possible options, we recommend one of those two.
  9. How do you qualify for a job in Harry Potter World? Employees in the area were hired only after passing trivia quizzes about the Harry Potter franchise. After that, they went through traditional employee training like every other employee. However, they had an additional day of training that consisted of studying the Wizarding World.
  10. How can you get chosen at Ollivander’s? You can be magically chosen to have a wand ‘fitted’ for you at Ollivander’s. It helps if you are nice and/or a child.