35 Magical Things to Do in Harry Potter World in Universal Orlando
When you first step foot into the Wizarding World in Orlando, it can be as much overwhelming as magical. You’re bombarded by the sights and sounds of this fantastical world that honestly, it can be easy to miss all the incredible things to do, see, and eat!
But, after visiting numerous times over the years as an annual passholder to Universal Orlando, I’m confident I know all the best things to do in Harry Potter World! Allow me to share all the incredible ways you can spend your day discovering Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Wizarding Paris, the Ministry of Magic, and more!
Islands of Adventure
1. Listen for Moaning Myrtle
The restrooms in Hogsmeade may seem like an odd place to start, but not even the bathrooms are safe from witches…or in this case Moaning Myrtle, our favorite basilisk-slain, toilet-residing ghostly girlie.
If you listen closely, you can hear Moaning Myrtle speaking in and around the bathroom entrances in Hogsmeade.
2. Mail something from the Owlry
The owlry in both parks are certainly realistic, but in Hogsmeade can you actually mail something and get a unique Hogsmeade stamp. You can mail things from the Owl Post in Diagon Alley, but it’s honestly closed more often than not in my experience.
Anyway, in Hogsmeade, they have a set of postcards, greeting cards, and even a Howler that you can record your voice into. Just approach the team member under the overhang outside Dervish and Banges to mail your item of choice.
You can also ask them to stamp a piece of paper or your card without actually mailing it. They’re pretty awesome like that!
3. See a “live” Monster Book of Monsters
Inside Dervish and Banges, you’ll find a live Monster Book of Monsters. He might seem like he’s sleeping, but if you’re patient, he’ll go on the offensive and start “attacking” inside his cage. So fun!
You can also spot Monster Books of Monsters in a shop window in Diagon Alley, but this one moves more freely for a better show in my opinion.
4. Watch the Hogwarts Castle show
There are a few shows on the Islands of Adventure side, but you should absolutely prioritize the Hogwarts Castle nighttime show. You can see this show around sunset to closing each night that it is operating. Check the app or ask a team member for the most updated times.
It does run seasonally as each show is themed. For example, during the winter holidays, a Christmas themed show is played.
Regardless of when you see it, it’s spectacular and such a beautiful way to enjoy the castle.
5. Listen to the Frog Choir
Another show to add to your list is the singing frog choir. You may recognize them from Prisoner of Azkaban when they helped perform Double Double Toil and Trouble. Now, you can see them in person performing a show on the stage near Ollivander’s.
6. Get in the spirit at the Triwizard Spirit Rally
On that same stage, you can also catch a Triwizard Tournament show where you’ll see performances by students from Beauxbaton’s Academy and Durmstrang.
7. Pose with the butterbeer carts
While the butterbeer served across Harry Potter World is all the same recipe, Hogsmeade is unique in that it has butterbeer carts that have the most picturesque barrels to snap a photo with.
Grab a frozen or hot butterbeer (my two favorites) and get to snapping those photos!
8. Take the Hogwarts Express to King’s Cross Station
One must-do in the Wizarding World is ride the Hogwarts Express in both directions. The experience is different each time, so it’s important to ride it both ways.
From Islands of Adventure, you’ll take it from Hogsmeade Station to King’s Cross Station, where you’ll be greeted by Fred and George and the Knight Bus, among lots of other fun stuff.
9. Smile with Sirius Black
Outside the Three Broomsticks, you’ll see the infamous Sirius Black poster from his 12 years (!!!) in Azkaban. It moves and everything!
Snap a photo with our favorite fictional godparent! Just a note that this poster is one-sided, so unfortunately, if there’s a line, you can’t grab a photo from the back.
10. Try the Deathly Hallows drink
Drinks in Universal are a beast of their own, with original brews like Duff Beer and those in the Wizarding World.
For an even more special concoction, you can ask for them to triple layer the brews for what’s colloquially known as the Deathly Hallows (you can’t order it by saying that though, unfortunately).
The Deathly Hallows drink is Strongbow Cider on the bottom, Hog’s Head Brew in the middle (an amber), and Guinness on top.
You can only get this one at Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade because they’re the only spot that carries the Hog’s Head Brew.
Another option is the Black Hog, which is their version of the Black & Tan, aka the Deathly Hallows without the cider.
11. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Of course, I can’t forget the rides. Forbidden Journey is the ride inside the Hogwarts Castle and it’s my most underrated pick to be honest.
The ride mechanics are unique and combine actual sets with screens for an unforgettable journey through Hogwarts.
What makes this ride even better is that the queue takes you through a number of rooms in Hogwarts Castle including the greenhouses, Dumbledore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor Common Room, and more!
12. Ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
This is the big kahuna, the ride everyone is after, and for good reason! Hagrid’s is a roller coaster with fantastic animatronics, intense speed, and few surprises that I know you’ll love.
I have an entire strategy for making it on this ride with the shortest queue, so read my post on a Harry Potter World itinerary for all the deets!
13. Ride Flight of the Hippogriff
If the line is short, Flight of the Hippogriff is another fun, but small roller coaster. It has a great view of Hogwarts and Buckbeak!
For anyone over the age of 25, this thing flings you around like a ragdoll, so just be prepared.
Universal Studios of Florida
14. Exchange muggle money and chat with a goblin
One of my favorite interactions you can participate in is at the Money Exchange in Carkitt Market (the covered alley adjacent to Diagon Alley).
Not only can you speak with a goblin and ask him questions, but you can exchange your muggle money for wizard money. These take the form of Gringotts bank notes, which are really gift certificates that work all over Universal, not just in the Wizarding World.
This is such a fun way to make the area more interactive for witches and wizards of all ages.
15. Watch the dragon breathe fire
You can’t go to Diagon Alley and not witness the incredible dragon breathe fire.
He’s quite regimented and breathes fire every 10 minutes on the dot. He does make noises in between, but I promise it’s always 10 minutes on the dot, so 1:00, 1:10, 1:20, etc.
He also breathes fire at night and in the rain, so unless he’s having technical difficulties, he’s still huffin’ and puffin’.
16. See the vanishing cabinet
There are so many fantastic details in Diagon Alley especially, but one of my favorites is seeing the vanishing cabinet from Half Blood Prince.
It’s located in Borgin and Burke’s in Knockturn Alley, where the entrance is right next to The Leaky Cauldron. Borgin and Burke’s is hidden back in this dark alley.
17. Get complimented in Madame Malkin’s
Inside Madame Malkin’s, the clothing and robes store, there is a magic mirror that will compliment you as you admire yourself in its reflection.
You can find it on the left side of the shop on the base level (not up the little steps).
18. See the literal Leaky Cauldron
Did you know the Leaky Cauldron is actually leaking? No, not inside all over your food, but the sign out front, which features a witch stirring a brew in a cauldron, has an actual leak. It literally is always dripping and has a little puddle under it.
What a fun detail!
19. Listen to the Wizarding Wireless Network
Next to the pet store across from Florean Foretescue’s Ice Cream Parlour is a tower that has a megaphone on it. That’s the Wizarding Wireless Network and if you listen closely you can hear broadcasts coming from the speaker!
20. Adopt a Pygmy Puff
Inside Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, you can adopt a Pygmy Puff, aka the cutest, fluffiest fur ball. Once you pick yours out and go to the counter to complete your purchase, they have a whole adoption ceremony right there!
You’ll pick a name and the shop keeper will get everyone’s attention to welcome your new pet to its home. How cute!
21. Sing and dance along to Celestina Warbeck
Just like in Hogsmeade, there’s also a stage in Diagon Alley where performances happen daily including the one and only Celestina Warbeck, a singer of the Wizarding World.
Catch her show to enjoy some live music.
22. Recount the Tale of the Three Brothers
Alternatively, on this stage you can also witness a retelling of the Tale of the Three Brothers. I don’t know if anything can beat the STUNNING animation in the Deathly Hallows film for this story, but the live performance is certainly worth a watch.
23. Take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade Station
That’s right, I’m here to remind you that you have to take the Hogwarts Express the other direction from King’s Cross Station to Hogsmeade Station.
King’s Cross Station is way more interesting than Hogsmeade because there are trunks everywhere, an illusion that makes it look like you’re running through the wall to Platform 9 ¾, and advertisement posters from the films.
The ride itself is unique, too. You’ll encounter Dementors, the flying Ford Anglia, and more!
24. Dial M-A-G-I-C
In muggle London, be sure to step into the phone booth and dial M-A-G-I-C for a delightful message that plays on the phone inside.
25. Peek inside the Knight Bus
This is one that seems to always get overlooked, but you can actually walk around the Knight Bus to see the back and inside. Once you’re back there, the door is open and you can peer inside to see the beds, chandelier, and even the little toothbrush holders.
It’s the perfect spot for a photo op!
26. Converse with a shrunken head
Of course, don’t miss the interaction at the front of the Knight Bus with Stan Shunpike (or similarly dressed Knight Bus conductor) and the shrunken head that talks. Ask him questions and grab a photo.
27. Spot Kreacher
Also in muggle London is Number 12 Grimmauld Place, aka the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, aka the home of the Black family.
Wait 30-45 seconds (yes, I’ve timed it), and you’ll see Kreacher peeking his head out from one of the windows above. No, you don’t need to knock on the door to bring him out, but it is a fun way to make the space more interactive.
28. Ride Escape from Gringotts
The only ride on the Universal Studios side is Escape from Gringotts. This 4-D roller coaster is so much fun and the queue is also incredible. You’ll step inside Gringotts and see the goblins working under the massive chandelier and walk over gorgeous marble floors.
29. Listen to the happenings at the Daily Prophet
Another fun spot to listen to your surroundings is outside the door to the Daily Prophet. While this is a façade door meaning you can’t go inside, you can still hear the happenings inside like the editor yelling to his journalists about assignments.
30. Try beef pasties or jacket potatoes
There are so many unique foods to try in Universal and Harry Potter World that it’s a bit impossible to narrow it down.
Some of my favorites that you can only get in this park are the beef pasties from the Hopping Pot and the jacket potatoes in London as you walk toward Men in Black.
Epic Universe
31. See Le Cirque Arcanus
Epic Universe has introduced a stage show to the Wizarding World called Le Cirque Arcanus. It’s an enchanted circus that features magical creatures that you know from the Fantastic Beasts films.
The story is easy to follow and the animatronics will impress you!
Showtimes are every 45 minutes, and I recommend getting there 20-30 minutes before showtime, because it can reach capacity.
32. Admire the British Ministry of Magic
Whether you decide to ride Battle at the Ministry or not, everyone can still view the Ministry of Magic and I promise you’re going to want to!
If you’re not riding the ride, you can enter the single rider line, which doubles as a viewing area access point. There’s a sign and everything, so I promise this is how it was meant to be accessed.
You’ll enter the floo network and pop out in a life size recreation of the Ministry of Magic. It’s absolutely insane!
It also makes for a great AC break if you need one.
Things to Do in Harry Potter World in Every Park
33. Use an interactive wand
One of the biggest to-do’s I haven’t mentioned yet are the interactive wands. You can purchase these in Ollivander’s Wand Shop or from Gregorovich Wands for ~ $60.
These wands allow you to perform spells around the Wizarding World in both parks. When you purchase the wand, it comes with a beautiful map that has the spells and locations. You just follow along and work on perfecting your “swish-and-flick” movements and you’ll get it in no time.
There are also a few secret wand spots, so look for the red sensor. When you see it and there’s no spell motion on the ground or map, you can just point directly at it and it will initiate the spell’s response.
34. Partake in Ollivander’s Experience
If I want to cry, this is my go to haha! There’s something so moving about seeing someone go through Ollivander’s wand experience.
This is an interactive show at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, where a team member will guide someone from the audience through a wand selection allowing the wand to choose them.
I did it once and it was SO FUN. A literal dream come true. You are given multiple wands and have to try to cast spells without destroying anything (spoiler: you destroy a bit before your wand chooses you…but nothing the pros can’t magically repair).
If you want to be chosen as an adult (because yeah, they pick kids almost always), I recommend going at the end of the night when most kids are gone. The smaller the audience, the better your chances are!
35. Taste butterbeer in one of its forms
Butterbeer, a butterscotch cream soda drink, takes on many forms, so you have to try at least one of them.
My favorites are the frozen and hot depending on the Orlando weather. I also love butterbeer ice cream and fudge. And, you can also try a regular carbonated soda version and butterbeer potted cream, a puddling-like dessert served in a jar at the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks.
They also have a new butterbeer crepe at Café L’air de la Sirène in Wizarding Paris in Epic Universe. It’s super sweet, so I definitely recommend sharing that one!
PS: looking to take the magic outside the park? You can join my Potter-inspired group trips to England and Scotland to visit the movies’ filming locations in real life. We get to step into the story in a totally magical way! Think Oxford, the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, and the Scottish Highlands. See the itineraries here.
Looking for more Universal Orlando posts? Check these out:
- Harry Potter World tips and itinerary
- Best inexpensive souvenirs from Harry Potter World
- Top snacks in Universal Orlando
- Best beaches to visit from Universal Orlando
- Tips for choosing how long to visit Universal Orlando
- First timer’s guide to Halloween Horror Nights
- Tips for visiting Epic Universe
- How to spend a day at Epic Universe
- Guide to Epic Universe in the Rain
- 1 day itinerary for Universal Orlando
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