The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split into two (soon to be three) parts. Needless to say there is so much to see and do and remember about this incredible land. Read about our top 5 Things to Remember When Visiting the Wizarding World.
1. Interactive Wands
As we know, the wand chooses the wizard/witch. You can find your wand in multiple locations in Hogsmeade and Diagon Ally. However, it’s important to remember that some wands are actually interactive. Yes, you can practice magic in the wizarding world! Look for the golden plaques on the ground or read the spell map you receive with the wand to find all the locations.
2. Rider Swap
If you are a parent of littles, you can utilize rider swap on rides like Escape from Gringotts, Hagrid’s Magic Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. So when we ride Gringotts our daughter is able to stay with us until the very end of the queue. Then there is a special room in which she can wait with my husband while I ride Gringotts. And she waits with me while he rides.
Waiting in the air conditioning and not having to take turns in a long line is so helpful. There are similar ways to wait on the other Harry Potter rides as well as many other rides across both parks. We LOVE rider swap!
3. Rainy Days
Don’t shy away from visiting the Wizarding World on a rainy day, especially Diagon Ally. The crowds clear away to escape the downpour and you can get empty Diagon Ally pictures and video. Not to mention the rain makes it even more authentic somehow.
4. Castle Tour
Did you know you can take a tour of Hogwarts? You can ask a witch or wizard to take you on a muggle tour of the castle to point out all the movie props, hidden secrets and Easter eggs! Keep in mind they may not be able to do so if the crowds are high, but ask nicely and you might get a little extra magic.
This is also a good option if you are worried about getting motion sick, are pregnant or simply love all things Harry Potter. You can enjoy Hogwarts without riding the ride. However, they do allow you to ride it at the end of the tour if you wish. Oh, and did I mention the tour is free?
5. Eating Meals
If you would like to sit down to eat at the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks, I recommend not eating during peak meal times. The lines get a little crazy at lunch and dinner time. Breakfast is usually easy to get right after park opening, because everyone is going for the rides. Dinner is easier to come by later in the day.
Thank you for reading about the 5 Things to Remember When Visiting the Wizarding World. I hope they will help you on your next family vacation. For more helpful tips, be sure to read the additional content below:
The Best Foods at Illumination’s Minion Cafe
The 5 Best Foods at Mythos in Universal Orlando
What to Do at Universal if You Hate Roller Coasters
If you have any questions feel free to send me an email or message on Instagram. Follow @gentryjourneys on Pinterest for more travel tips and tricks and don’t forget to subscribe below for new content every week!
Safe Travels,