I like Harry Potter (just recently finished all the books, thank you technology for audible!) and thought the movies were pretty rad. Mary, on the other hand, loves Harry Potter which is why we planned an entire day for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. Our primary plan was to fit all the Harry Potter attractions in a quick day trip (from Miami) and back. Well, we did it! We did all we wanted and more! Here’s how we did it:

FULL ITINERARY TO SEE THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER IN ONE DAY!

Head straight to Diagon Alley at Universal Studios first.
Ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Grab a frozen butter beer and explore around Diagon Alley.
Visit Ollivander’s Wand Shop and experience the wizard wand choosing.
Have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron
Go in to Knockturn Alley and cast some dark spells with your interactive wand.
Head to King’s Cross Station and Platform 9 3/4 and take the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure)
Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Ride the Dragon Challenge
Explore Hogsmeade and do more shopping + eating around Harry Potter World!

By pass all the Universal rides and head straight to Diagon Alley – enter the world of Harry Potter.

After being awestruck, and picture taking, we went straight to Gringotts Bank – The building with the dragon on top. The entrance is to the right – lockers are located pass the ride entrance (continue straight).

After riding through Gringotts, and having our Muggle butts saved by Harry and the crew, we grabbed the iconic Butter Beer! There are two main spots to grab these from – the closer one (coming from Gringotts) is to the right of the ride – left if you are looking at the building (as the above picture). We recommend going with the frozen butter beer.

After you grab your beer, head on over to the best wand shop in the land: Ollivanders. For enthusiasts, you should visit this store first (although, the lines may be long to enter in the beginning) and purchase your wand. There are interactive wands that trigger certain things, if coordinated correctly, through out all Harry Potter parks worldwide!

tip: Expereince the magic with an enteractive perfomance. It’s inside Ollivanders and free!

Depending on how hungry you are and how long the lines were, it’s either meal time or time to see how powerful the wand you just purchased is. Seeing that no wand chose us, (is that common? Maybe because we are Squibs but don’t know it??) we opted to have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron.

Right around the corner of The Leaky Cauldron is Knockturn Alley. Be weary, dark wizards be near.

A little past noon we headed to King’s Cross to ride the famous Hogwarts Train!

The train transported us to Hogsmeade, the only known full-wizarding community in Britain. Here, you can visit more shops, drink butter beet and ride a few more rides. We rode the Dragon Challenge – it’s an intesne roller coaster, and if you’re a lover of fast thrills, you’ll love it!

Last but not least, visit a merchandise store! This one had robes, scarves, beanies and more – all sporting the colors of your favorite Hogwarts house.

Well, that does it for our itinerary for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando! It is possible to see both sides of the park in one day while accomplishing everything a real wizard and witch must-do. Leave a comment if you have any recommendations or if our itinerary helped you out! Best of luck on your magical journey.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 363-8000