Top 10 in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with all things Harry Potter and wizardy. Although I had been on an amazing trip to the Hogsmeade side of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2014, I had been itching to get back and explore Diagon Alley as well! This January, I got to make this dream come true! This Gryffindor got all sorts of nerdy as we bounced back and forth between the two parks. If you ever doubt that magic exists, go to Orlando and leave your muggle woes behind. Here are the top 10 things you HAVE to experience in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ride the Harry Potter + the Escape from Gringott’s Bank

I’m a ride-lover, but I’d never done anything like the Escape from Gringott’s Ride before. It was a surprisingly smooth ride and uses VR along with other crazy elements, like fire, while riding on a steel coaster. You’re taken on a journey to help Harry + friends find a horcrux to defeat Voldemort. In addition to being my favorite ride (hence being #1 of my top 10 in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) you walk through the Wizarding Bank to get down into the vaults. You pass goblins working at their desks and go through offices where you see characters in the Daily Prophet moving around. It’s just so incredible and a ride you could ride again and again!

Cast Spells with An Interactive Wand

Admittedly, I already owned a wand before visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this time. However, the interactive wands didn’t exist at that point, which meant I got another wand. This was worth every single penny. I don’t know that a purchase has ever brought me so much joy. At first, my wand didn’t work, and after speaking with a more experienced wizard, I learned that my wand was broken. Luckily, a quick trip to Olivander’s was all I needed to get my wand fixed and then I was off casting spells across the Wizarding World.

Drink at Least One Butterbeer

My real recommendation would be to always have a butterbeer in hand. The number one question I get asked about this tasty treat is whether or not there’s alcohol in it. The answer is no; it can be enjoyed by witches and wizards of all ages. It’s essentially a cream soda with a butterscotch foam on top. It’s so delicious that you might even call it magical. In Diagon Alley there’s a lovely Butterbeer Shop in Diagon Alley that we went to first and it has a very awesome pub feel to it and the other location to go for butterbeer is the stand with the huge red barrel in Hogsmeade. It’s a great backdrop to snap a pic –  don’t forget to leave your foam-mustache on in the pic. If this doesn’t sound like your thing, I also highly recommend the pumpkin juice.

Explore Hogwarts Castle and Ride Harry Potter + the Forbidden Journey

On this forbidden journey, you’re a muggle who has wandered into Hogwarts Castle. While, I prefer to just be a witch while I’m there, the ride is still super-fun. However, it does make me a bit motion-sick (but that hasn’t kept me from riding it over and over). Even more amazing than the ride, is the walk through Hogwarts Castle. It’s the one place I always hope there’s a bit of a line because there’s so much to see here: talking portraits (including the fat lady), the House Points Hourglasses tracking the House Cup battle, the greenhouses and so much more.

Take the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogshead (And Back)

I would absolutely start in Diagon Alley so you can do the Hogwarts express “right”. Of course to get to Hogwarts Castle you first have to go through platform 9 3/4. Which, thanks to a bit of magic, you can do if you enter from the Diagon Alley side. Then you ride to Hogwarts in a cabin with 6 people total. During your journey to Hogwarts you can watch the landscape change, here’s the trolly lady go by and even be saved from the Dementors. If you think taking it one way is enough, you’re wrong, because the ride is totally different on the ride back.

Treat Yourself to All Kinds of Wizarding Goodies at Honeydukes

This is the shop that I have done the most damage in both times I’ve visited. Remember all those intriguing treats from the Harry Potter books? They exist here! Chocolate frogs – including the Famous Witches + Wizards Cards, Fizzing Whizzbees, Ton-Tongue Toffees and more. Matt’s favorites are the Fizzing Whizzbees and my favorites are the Chocolate Frogs – they’re solid milk chocolate.

Watch the Demonstration at Olivander’s

I know I already talked about Olivander’s a bit, but this is different than just walking in the store and buying a wand. It’s worth the wait in line to get to see the wand presentation where someone from the audience (it’s been a child all four times I’ve gone) gets to let the wand choose them. It’s so fun and magical. Don’t miss out on seeing this.

Watch the Ukranian Ironbelly (dragon) Breathe Fire

On top of Gringott’s is a massive dragon who periodically breathes fire. She isn’t on a time schedule or anything, but you’ll be able to hear her growl a bit beforehand and know it’s coming. Actually, I happened to be filming as we walked into Diagon Alley and right as we passed through the brick walkway she breathed fire. Talk about an entrance! When you’re standing under her, it really heats up and I smiled every single time.

Enjoy the Magical Details of the Park

It’s easy to get excited about all the big things, but don’t be so distracted by those that you don’t take time to notice all of the little things. They didn’t scrimp on any of the details and it’s all so well done. The Knight Bus sits outside Diagon Alley and it was complete with bunk beds and toothbrushes. Knockturn Alley was aptly dark and a little creepy. Its infamous shop Borgin and Burkes was filled with all kinds of interesting items. In shop windows you’ll find knitting needles that are under a spell just knitting away, bludgers itching to get out of their case and even the Monster Book of Monsters.

 Have Lunch at The Three Broomsticks

Often times, theme park food is mediocre at best. That is not the case here. Both times I’ve had a meal in the park it’s been at The Three Broomsticks and it is delicious. The food is good quality and good-sized portions. I can only assume that the Leaky Cauldron would be just as good.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter does need to have a bit of a warning: you may leave obsessed with Harry Potter. We brought my grandma along with us to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (we were in Florida visiting my grandparents) and she was not a fan of HP at all. She’s now a massive fan and has read all the books! This place will leave you believing that there truly is magic in this world.

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