The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in One Day
Thank you so much to Universal Studios for partnering with Everyday Eyecandy for this post! All opinions are my own!
Twenty years ago, I remember hearing about this book that EVERYONE wanted to read. It was about a kid who finds out he is a wizard. Now, at the time, I was 21, and in nursing school. I remember getting my hands on a copy and sitting in the back of microbiology reading and becoming more and more fascinated with wizards and goblins and a place called Hogwarts.
From then on, whenever a book was released, I was one of the first in line, waiting for my copy.
So it was with PLEASURE and a certain glee that I introduced Pookah to Harry Potter almost two years ago when the first illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone was released.
He, like me, was hooked.
So when I knew we were going to Orlando this year, I knew we had to make a stop at Universal Studio’s to finally see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I knew we had ONE day to get as much in as we could. And unlike our trip to Disney, we really DID manage to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in ONE day.
Here is how we did The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in ONE day……
The first thing we did was have to make sure we had a park to park ticket so we could see all of Harry Potter’s world on the same day.
We started on the Universal Studios Florida side because I wanted to start at Diagon Alley. We headed straight into Diagon Alley and strolled up the streets directly to Ollivander’s Wand Shop and let the interactive wand choose the wizard (Pookah wanted one just like Harry’s)!
Next, we grabbed Better Beers while Pookah strolled around Diagon Alley casting and making spells……
The attention to detail is so so rich. It is an amazing thing to see your imagination come to life so vividly and completely. It’s easy to get swept away in the minute details and just wonder all day discovering! But for a one day trip, you must keep it moving! Next time we will linger!
After casting all the spells we headed on over to Kings Crossing Station…
Where we caught a ride at Platform 9 3/4 and took the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade.
Side note: the ride on Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade had the greatest special effects ever! It was like being in the movie! No photos, because they weren’t allowed….
Once we reached Hogsmeade, we strolled down the street making more magic with the wand while checking out Honeydukes and drinking more butter beer.
Finally, we headed on up to Hogwarts and rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This ride was mind blowing! Again, the attention to detail while waiting in line in the castle was fun and interactive. From the moving and talking photos, the animated sorting hat, and the details in Dumbledore’s office, nothing was left out. The ride itself was fun, and a little scary! Pookah did ok, but I got the feeling he won’t be in a rush to go back on it!
By the time we did this and had a late lunch ( we got a late start), we were exhausted from all of the fun.
Which is why, even though the Wizarding World of Harry Potter can be done in one day, I would recommend coming back a second and a third time to catch all those details and ride a few more rides that we didn’t get a chance to get to.
There is something about watching your imagination come to life that is almost magical in itself. From the moment we walked into Diagon Alley, to the moment we left Hogsmeade, I felt like I had stepped into one of the books.
I can’t wait to take Pookah back once he has gotten through more of the books. SO much will make sense to him when he does!
I’m already planning a trip back, who is coming with me?
His FACE!! I literally laughed out loud. I’m not a Harry Potter connoisseur so all of this went over my head! I’m still intrigued and hopefully if we get to Orlando this fall we’ll take a visit to see.
Oh he was done with me by then, I still wanted to keep going! Go see it just for all the detail and the fun!And watch the movies!! LOL
OMG, we are SO going to this FIRST the very next time we’re at Universal. We’re all huge Harry Potter fans in this house so it’s going to be AH-mazing!
We LOVE The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’ve been there three times, and it never gets old. It does an excellent job of bringing the books and movies to life.
This is one of the biggest reasons why I want to get down there. It would be so cool to see what Universal Studios did to bring this look to life. It looks like you all had a wonderful time.
I have heard nothing but fabulous stories from those who have visited The Wizarding World! My kids would absolutely LOVE to visit a land of magic!
I’ve heard so much about this place, it looks like an awesome spot for Harry Potter fans. I hope I get to go if I ever get a chance to go to Florida. The wand store is probably the first stop on my list.
This truly looks so magical and fun! I know my three and husband would have a blast here too!
This looks like quite the experience! I would love to visit this as I am also a huge Harry Potter fan.
That looks so fun!! My kids would love it. One day we will make it.
This would be amazing to see in person. To see the world of Harry Potter brought to reality, what fun.
I have read all of the books and have seen the movies. I would definitely need more than one day to see everything.
We are huge Harry Potter fans would love to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in person. It looks like they did an amazing job.
Gosh, I really need to plan another visit to this place. It always looks like so much fun! It’s awesome that you were able to do so much in a day!
I would love to go there sometime. I’ve been a Harry Potter fan ever since the books came out. I still am a huge fan and I hope to be able to see this!
I have not been at Universal Studio’sin years. It siunds luke it has changed since my last visit.
Of all the times we visited Orlando, we have yet to go here! I am dying to take my son!
My kids have been asking to go to Universal so that they can go to Harry Potter! How fun!
So cool! I didn’t even know there was Harry Potter stuff at Universal. My kids would love this.
I love Harry Potter! I have wanted to go since they added more to it like Platform 9/34, and I’d love to try butterbeer.
This trip is beyond amazing! I can’t wait for my kids to be old enough to go! Thanks for the awesome tips!
We really enjoyed The Wizarding World of Harry Potter when we were there. I love their surprises! Your pics are awesome!
This sounds like so much fun! My friend went the other day and she was so excited to share her adventure. She bought a wand and couldn’t stop talking about how it made magic happen when you waved it at certain windows.
His face!!! He was so done! LOL You know it’s on my bucket list, but my guys aren’t trying to let me be great. I will make it one day.
So… I just went over this post with my son, he’s in heaven! I haven’t read any of the books or seen the movies. He’s on book 4 and loved every detail in this post. I, of course, had no idea what he was talking about. Ha!