Wizarding World of Harry Potter 101: Basics for Universal Orlando beginners

“You’re a wizard, Harry!” With those words in the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) – published in the U.S. as Harry Potter as the Sorcerer’s Stone (1998) – 11-year-old Harry Potter embarks on a crash course in all things Wizarding World.

Fast forward to 2010, and all of us muggles (non-magical folks) were finally able to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort, followed by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in 2014, and soon The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic coming to Epic Universe in May 2025.

If you love the Harry Potter books and movies, you may think you already know everything about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, but even the most die-hard fans might not know all the ins and outs of the magical theme park lands.

Luckily, we’re here to help.

What is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Contrary to some beliefs, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort is not an entire theme park, but rather two separate magical “lands” – Hogsmeade Village in Universal Studios Florida and Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure – connected by the Hogwarts Express attraction, which requires a park-to-park ticket to ride.

On May 22, 2025, a third Wizarding World land themed to the Fantastic Beasts movies and the Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter films will debut at Universal Epic Universe.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure

The first Wizarding World land to open features the quaint cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade village, including highly-themed Wizarding World shops, the Three Broomsticks quick-service restaurant, the Hogs Head pub, plus three attractions.

The highlight of Hogsmeade, of course, is the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (also called Hogwarts Castle), which looms over Hogsmeade and houses the brand’s signature attraction.

FUN FACT: The ghostly Moaning Myrtle made it out of Hogwarts, but it seems she didn’t wander too far. Listen for her inside the bathrooms outside the Three Broomsticks.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

The attraction’s immersive queue experience takes riders through the halls of Hogwarts Castle, including the headmaster’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Gryffindor Common Room.

They’ll also encounter Professor Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione, the Sorting Hat, and eavesdrop on conversations between the talking portraits of the founders of the four Hogwarts Houses – Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Godric Gryffindor.

The motion-based dark thrill ride uses set pieces coupled with projections to take guests on a high-flying adventure through the grounds of Hogwarts, including past the Whomping Willow, onto the Quidditch pitch, and into the Forbidden Forest. Along the way, they’ll face Dementors, Aragog (a massive Acromantula), and a fire-breathing Hungarian Horntail dragon.

NOTE: While the attraction does not go upside down, riders are sometimes positioned on their backs.

The original actors from the Harry Potter movies – Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione), Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Mathew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), and Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) – all reprise their characters for the attraction.

• Minimum Height: 48”
• Child Swap Available
• Single Rider Line Available
• Universal Express Pass Accepted
• Guests must be able to transfer to the attraction’s seating

FUN FACT: Riders who are too small (or don’t want to ride), can still walk through the queue. Just tell the Hogwarts students at the entrance that you just want to take a school tour and they’ll direct you.

Read our guide to discover hidden magic on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey:

Flight of the Hippogriff

The second ride that opened with the land in 2010 is a family-friendly outdoor roller coaster that takes riders on a “test flight” over Hagrid’s Hut. Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) voiced his character for the ride.

• Minimum Height: 36”
• Child Swap Available
• Universal Express Pass Accepted
• Guests must be able to transfer to the attraction’s seating

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

In 2019, the highly-themed multi-launch “story coaster” was added to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.

Following a long, meandering queue experience (designed to make riders feel like they’ve traveled a long distance from Hogsmeade to the heart of the Forbidden Forest), riders explore ancient ruins where Hagrid teaches a special Care of Magical Creatures class.

The vehicles are Hagrid’s enchanted motorcycle, with one rider seated on the bike and a second in a sidecar. The coaster’s thrill ride elements include seven launches (both forward and backward), a maximum speed of 50 mph, a vertical peak of 65 feet into the air at a 70-degree angle, and a unique free-fall vertical drop element. Riders also encounter Fluffy (the three-headed dog from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), Cornish Pixies, Blast-Ended Skrewts, centaurs, and Devil’s Snare. Robbie Coltrane once again voiced his film character for the ride

• Minimum Height: 36”
• Child Swap Available
• Universal Express Pass NOT Accepted
• Guests must be able to transfer to the attraction’s seating

London in Universal Studios Florida

To reach Diagon Alley, park guests have to pass through London, where there are several “don’t miss” magical experiences, so don’t scurry past too quickly.

The Phone Box

It may look like an there’s just an ordinary red London telephone box standing outside the entrance to Diagon Alley, but if you step inside and dial M-A-G-I-C (62442), you’ll hear a message from the Ministry of Magic. 

Number Twelve Grimmauld Place

Across the street from the Knight Bus is Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix (and the former home of Sirius Black). Eagle-eyed Harry Potter fans can spot the Black Family’s House Elf, Kreacher, peering out from an upstairs window.

The Knight Bus

The purple triple-decker Knight Bus is parked outside the entrance to Diagon Alley where guests can interact with the cheeky conductor.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida

Universal Orlando’s second Wizarding World land (and currently the only one of its kind) recreates the magical shopping district where Harry Potter (and his fellow Hogwarts students) purchase school supplies, complete with an entrance from London that’s hidden behind a magical wall of bricks.

Once inside Diagon Alley, Harry Potter fans can dine at the Leaky Cauldron quick-service restaurant, sample Wizarding World sweet treats at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, and shop at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop owned by proprietors Fred and George Weasley.

A menacing dragon perched at the top of the Gringotts Wizarding Bank periodically breathes fire. You never know when it will happen, but patience is rewarded with a spectacular display.

Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts

Gringotts Wizarding Bank houses a thrilling multi-dimensional coaster experience that takes riders on a daring chase with Harry, Ron, and Hermione to evade Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort.

Riders enter the queue through the ornate lobby, where Goblin bank tellers are hard at work. Just like in “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” Harry, Ron, and Hermione are there to infiltrate the bank’s vaults and retrieve a Horcrux, but with the help of Bill Weasley and a goblin named Blordak, we’re cleared to proceed to the cart loading station for a “tour.”

The ride experience in motion-based vehicles combines a thrilling indoor roller coaster, large-scale set pieces, water effects, and 3D projection screens. Rupert Grint (Ron), Domhnall Gleeson (Bill), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix), and Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) all reprise their film roles. The other characters have voice doubles.

• Minimum Height: 42”
• Child Swap Available
• Single Rider Line Available
• Universal Express Pass Accepted
• Guests must be able to transfer to the attraction’s seating

Knockturn Alley

If guests make a wrong turn in Diagon Alley, they may find themselves in darkened Knockturn Alley, where sketchy witches and wizards lurk and shop for artifacts of Dark Magic at Borgin and Burkes.

The Hogwarts Express

Guests with a Park-to-Park ticket can travel between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley on the Hogwarts Express, the Wizarding train that departs from Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station in the Harry Potter books and movies to transport Hogwarts students to school.

From Kings Cross Station at Universal Studios Florida, travelers can pass through the magical wall (like Harry does in the movies) to board the train bound for Hogwarts. This is certainly a “must-do” for Harry Potter fans; however, the images in the windows of the compartment (both outside the train and in the corridor) are different in each direction, so first-time Wizarding World visitors should be sure to ride both ways.

From Kings Cross to Hogsmead, riders travel through London, passes Malfoy Manor, and through the firsts to arrive at Hogsmeade Station; From Hogsmeade to London, the train travels back through the forest and past Malfoy Manor (where this time, Voldemort is lurking) and to the outskirts of London where the Knight Bus can be seen squeezing through the buildings. None of the original actors voiced their characters for the Hogwarts Express.

• Universal Express Pass Accepted
• Guests may remain in ECVs or standard wheelchairs throughout the attraction

Ollivanders Wand Shop Experience

One of the Wizarding World’s most famous wand makers has shops in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley where guests can not only shop for a wand but also participate in an interactive experience where one lucky witch or wizard is selected to see if a wand chooses them.

NOTE: The person selected has the option whether or not to purchase their wand.

Interactive Wands

Whether you choose the wand or the wand chooses you, true Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to cast spells to make “magical moments” throughout Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

All wands come with a map that shows locations where spells can be cast, and if cast correctly, spells can move items in shop windows (Wingardium Leviosa), unlock doors (Alohomora), or cause water to magically appear (Aguamenti) – but don’t worry if you haven’t taken Charms class, expert spellcasters will be on hand to assist.

NOTE: You’ll find medallions on the ground to tell you where to cast a spell (and which spell to cast).

When The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic opens at Epic Universe, fans can purchase wands from Parisian wand maker Cosme Acajor, which will be able to cast spells throughout the Wizarding World.

FUN FACT: If your interactive wand isn’t working, you can take it to any Wizarding World wand shop to be repaired for free.

Butterbeer

It wouldn’t be the Wizarding World without Butterbeer. At Universal Orlando, Harry’s favorite drink (described as a combination of butterscotch and shortbread) is available as frozen (like a slushy), cold (like a cream soda), and hot, as well as in the form of ice cream (both soft serve and hard packed), fudge, and potted cream. There’s even vegan Butterbeer.

Where Can You Find Butterbeer?

In Hogsmeade:

• Hog’s Head Pub
• Three Broomsticks
• Butterbeer Carts

In Diagon Alley:

• The Leaky Cauldron
• The Fountain of Fair Fortune
• The Hopping Pot

NOTE: In Epic Universe, Butterbeer is known as Bièraubeurre.

Live Shows

Each of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands has live shows.

In Hogsmeade:

• The Frog Choir from Hogwarts performing acapella music
• The Triwizard Spirit Rally, where representatives from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Durmstrang Institute, and Beauxbaton Academy of Magic prepare for the Triwizard Tournament

In Diagon Alley:

• Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees starring the Wizarding World’s biggest singing sensation (Celestina performs holiday songs during the Christmas season)
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard features stylized puppetry to tell the story of The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Tale of the Three Brothers (the story of The Deathly Hallows)

Celestina Warbeck and The Hogwarts Frog Choir perform holiday songs during the Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter seasonal celebration.

Hogwarts Projection Shows

Throughout the year, light and projection-mapping shows are displayed on the facade of Hogwarts Castle, all featuring scenes and music from the Harry Potter movies.

The Nighttime Lights of Hogwarts Castle – The first digital mapping show created for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter debuted in 2017 and features a tribute to each of the four Hogwarts Houses (Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor) accompanied by lighting effects, pyrotechnics, and a score from Oscar-winning composer John Williams.

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle – Also introduced in 2017, the seasonal show features whimsical holiday scenes from caroling ghosts to magically-conjured snowmen as well as segments dedicated to the elegant Yule Ball from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the wacky stocking stuffers available at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes (this show is performed during Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle – The “Halloween” show debuted in 2019 showcasing the more sinister side of the Wizarding World, including Aragog and his spider children, Voldemort’s followers known as Death Eaters, and the soul-sucking Dementors, all accompanied by fog, fire and lighting effects.

Hogwarts Always – The newest castle projection show debuted in 2024 and is hosted by the Sorting Hat who highlights the magical Hogwarts experience with a different Hogwarts house “winning the house cup” at the end of each of the show’s four versions.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – The Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe

Thanks to a time travel-y twist, Harry Potter fans can explore 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beast franchise and 1990s London as seen in the Harry Potter films. How will they do that? With magic, of course.

Guests will journey from a Muggle park in Paris to Place Cachee in wizarding Paris, where they’ll encounter fantastic beasts at Le Cirque Arcanus, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s first full-scale live theater experience featuring aerialists, puppetry, and special effects. 

They’ll then be able to travel across countries and time to London using the Metro-Floo (a mode of wizarding transit inspired by the Floo Network from the films) for an all-new adventure inside the British Ministry of Magic. 

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Riders arrive at the British Ministry of Magic just in time for the trial of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix villain Dolores Umbridge. After passing through the Ministry’s iconic grand atrium, they’ll board magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial.

Of course, Umbridge attempts to escape, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione take off for a thrilling chase, all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters and other “rampaging creatures” along the way. Universal has announced that Imelda Staunton is reprising her role for the attraction.

More Wizarding Worlds

Versions of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade can be found at Universal parks around the world.

At Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Beijing, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter features Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which originally opened as a 3D attraction in California, but was later converted to 2D like the other versions of the ride.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan includes the village of Hogsmeade, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Two features in the Japanese park not found elsewhere are Hogwarts’ Black Lake and live owls.