Which Universal Theme Parks Have Harry Potter Attractions? | Simply Explained
There are three different Harry Potter themed lands across two states and three Universal theme parks!
In this guide we'll explain where each Harry Potter land is located as well as what you can expect to find in terms of attractions, shopping and dining experiences at each!
Questions We'll Answer About Harry Potter Attractions
- Which Theme Parks Have Harry Potter Rides & Shows?
- What Rides & Shows Are At Each Park?
Universal Studios Florida (Diagon Alley)
Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida (part of the Universal Orlando Resort) was the second Harry Potter themed land to open.
Diagon Alley opened in 2014 just a few years after the original Harry Potter themed land, Hogsmeade Village, opened at Islands of Adventure.
Diagon Alley is home to two popular attractions: Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts as well as the Hogwarts Express which is in the London/King's Cross themed area.
You can also find multiple locations to purchase wands, like the iconic Ollivanders Wand Shop, as well as other popular wizarding world goods such as robes.
You'll have no trouble finding all of your favorite food and drink from the Harry Potter series when visiting Diagon Alley.
Multiple locations to purchase Butterbeer are available including The Fountain of Fair Fortune and the Leaky Cauldron where you can sitdown and sip a Butterbeer while enjoying a classic English meal.
Outside of wands and robes, other Harry Potter merchandise is plentiful including shirts, trinkets, scarves, candy and fun toys which can be purchased at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Sugarplum's and Quality Quidditch Supplies.
If you can only visit one Harry Potter themed land when visiting Orlando, we recommend making Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure, but you can't go wrong with Diagon Alley either.
While Diagon Alley is incredibly well themed and packed with a ton of shopping and dining options, we find Hogsmeade Village and its rides and shows to be more impressive for Harry Potter fans.
See our Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure section below for more details!
Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade Village)
Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure (part of the Universal Orlando Resort) is the original Harry Potter themed land and home to the best Harry Potter experience you can find.
Announced in 2007 and then open in the summer of 2010, hundreds of thousands of Harry Potter fans from around the world would start flocking to Orlando, Florida to experience the first, and at the time only, immersive Harry Potter experience.
Hogsmeade Village has two of the most incredible and innovative rides in the world: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey as well as Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a can't miss attraction for Harry Potter fans that takes you into Hogwarts Castle for a thrilling adventure with Harry, Ron and Hermione.
If you only have one day at Hogsmeade Village or Islands of Adventure for that matter then Forbidden Journey ride needs to be the #1 ride on your priority list.
The Flight of the Hippogriff is another ride in Hogsmeade Village, but it's a much more tame rollercoaster designed primarily for children and families.
You'll also find plenty of opportunities to purchase merchandise including wands at an Ollivanders "sister location", robes at Dervish and Banges as well as a huge variety of Harry Potter trinkets and souvenirs at Filch's Emporium.
While Hogsmeade Village doesn't have as many food and drink options as Diagon Alley, Butterbeer is still easy to find at the Three Broomsticks restaurant, Hog's Head bar and Butterbeer carts.
Likewise, you'll be able to get a good classic English meal at the Three Broomsticks while knowing you're sitting in a real life recreation of Harry, Ron and Hermione's favorite hangout spot from the Harry Potter books!
If you only have one day, and can't make it to both Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando, then we definitely recommend heading to Islands of Adventure to visit Hogsmeade Village.
The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction alone makes the visit to Hogsmeade Village worth it.
While there aren't as many shopping and dining options at Hogsmeade compared to Diagon Alley, the rides at Hogsmeade Village are superior and you'll find the themeing and design of the overall area just as good even though Hogsmeade was built four years earlier than Diagon Alley.
Universal Studios Hollywood (Hogsmeade Village)
If you live on the west coast or will be visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, then Hogsmeade Village is the only place you can find Harry Potter themed attractions and experiences.
Hogsmeade Village at Universal Studios Hollywood is very similar to its counterpart at Universal Studios Florida, except you'll only find two rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff.
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Hogwarts Express only at Universal Studios Florida, you won't find these two attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The good news is that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is truly the best Harry Potter ride for fans of the books and movies, so you won't need to worry about missing out on this incredible experience.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a can't miss attraction for Harry Potter fans that takes you into Hogwarts Castle for a thrilling adventure with Harry, Ron and Hermione.
TIP: Check out our rankings and reviews of the Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios Hollywood for more information on these attractions!
The ride often sees wait times which can stretch multiple hours and you'll easily find yourself spending a few hours enjoying Hogsmeade Village, so be sure to plan carefully to ensure you can experience Forbidden Journey!
The Flight of the Hippogriff is another ride in Hogsmeade Village, but it's a much more tame rollercoaster designed primarily for children and families.
You'll also find plenty of opportunities to purchase merchandise including wands at an Ollivanders "sister location" (fans of the series will know the real location is at Diagon Alley), robes at Dervish and Banges as well as a huge variety of Harry Potter trinkets and souvenirs at Filch's Emporium.
The wizarding beverage of choice, Butterbeer, is also in plentiful supply at the Three Broomsticks restaurant, Hog's Head bar and Butterbeer carts.
Likewise, you'll be able to get a good classic English meal at the Three Broomsticks while knowing you're sitting in a real life recreation of Harry, Ron and Hermione's favorite hangout spot from the Harry Potter books!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER AT UNIVERSAL THEME PARKS!
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