Address: | 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA |
Phone: | +1 407-363-8000 |
Site: | universalorlando.com |
Rating: | 4.8 |
Working: | 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM |
AL
Alice Wang
When I learned that I would be in Orlando this month, I made sure to secure my ticket in advance for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Ive been wanting to come here ever since they announced the first phase of the park back in 2007. As most 90s kids did, I lived and breathed the Harry Potter series, dreaming of the day I would receive my Hogwarts letter (and still waiting for that darn owl to make its way across the pond!). I was beyond ecstatic to come to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split into two parks - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade/Hogwarts at the Islands of Adventure. You can purchase tickets for either park or both. You can take a Hogwarts Express train between the two parks. Diagon Alley includes all of the Diagon Alley shops, including Ollivanders, Florean Fortescues Ice-Cream Parlour, the Leaky Cauldron, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Wands by Gregorovitch, Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions, and Gringotts Money Exchange. There are shows here including Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees and the Tales of Beedle the Bard show. The main attraction ride is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. There is even a Knockturn Alley you can wander off into, where you stumble upon Borgin and Burkes. I checked out most of the shops, grabbed some butterbeer (a MUST), and ate at the Leaky Cauldron. Afterwards, I went to the Kings Cross Station to catch a ride on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade. You need a Park-to-Park ticket in order to board and ride from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and vice versa. At Hogsmeade, there is another Ollivanders, Dervish and Banges, Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Owl Post, Honeydukes, Hogs Head, and the Three Broomsticks. There are a couple more attraction rides here, including Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I bought a Chocolate Frog and some other sweets at Honeydukes, went to the Three Broomsticks for more food and another butterbeer, and then rode Forbidden Journey. This ride uses robocoaster technology, meaning the seats can pivot around. Its not really a roller coaster but more of an interactive dark ride - there is 3D animation, sound, and special effects like mist. The ride takes you through Hogwarts castle and grounds. I had a magical time at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For any Potterheads, I strongly recommend stopping by for a visit. I was able to get through what I wanted to see in one day but if you have at least two days, you can visit all the shops and ride everything related to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The price is definitely a bit steep, but keep in mind that you get access to all Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure attractions.
EL
Elliott Glass Co. Inc.
Diagon Alley was more intelligently designed than the Hogsmeade area, with plenty of corners to avoid the sun or find a place to sit, as well as giving the impression of being in a legitimate, secluded wizard area hidden from muggles. The staff seems genuinely happy, and more conducive to the guests than in most areas of Universal which is wonderful. The guests are fairly considerate, especially compared to my recent experiences at other theme parks such as Disney World. While at Disney, my family was constantly swarmed by large groups visiting from other countries who were obnoxiously loud and inconsiderate of everyone around them. Altogether I only counted three large groups, who hardly caused a problem as I ran into them around the parks of Universal. Additionally, the fast passes we received from the Hard Rock Hotel allowed us to have some small advantage over those who chose to stay outside the parks, avoiding the brunt of the waves of other visitors. We were pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the food. As a family with extensive experience of English meals, we were not at all disappointed with the English fare in the Leaky Cauldron and Hogs Head and the meal prices were comparable to those in real pubs and bars. My only complaint is that they use kids nonstop for Ollivanders wand choosing show, yet expect families to spend full price on such an expensive prop. They really should offer some sort of discount to the family of the kid who is lucky enough to be chosen. Overall, this has been the most pleasant amusement park trip my family has taken in recent years, which will definitely factor in when considering our next family trip.
BE
Becca Tunstall
It really is like being transported to a whole other world. I think you need to be a real Potter fan to fully appreciate every aspect but it is still enjoyable for all ages. It was fun watching the kids with their wands casting spells. Im still not sure how I feel about Butterbeer. It is pretty much an obligation to try it while youre there but I dont think I would order it again. It tastes like liquid hotcakes in a cup! If you just order the butterbeer for $7 you get a cool plastic glass that says The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on it in gold which is a nice touch and you can rinse it out in the bathroom and take it with you or you can pay an extra $6 for a butterbeer souvenir mug. We had a park-to-park tickets so we got to ride the Hogwarts express between parks which was a nice touch and there is a photographer ride outside the Kings Cross station entrance who takes professional photos of you with the knight bus. *Tip: In the phone booth outside Kings Cross, dial the number on the phone to be connected to the Ministry of Magic! If you are headed to Universal it is definitely a must-do area! The only downside were some of the lines for the rides which were ridiculously long!
JO
Johnson Wu
Fun place to bring family for visit. If you know where to go while visiting the park, you can actually get a one day two parks pass, so you can spend half day at first one and half day at second. Most of the wait time was around an hour, the good thing with Universal studios, is they created a thing called CHILD SWAP, this allows the family to line up together to go in the rides, and when you reach to the ride, there is the CHILD SWAP ROOM for those who cant get on the rides to sit and wait with the child, then once the first group come back from the ride, they can come in and switch with the person who didnt get on the ride, and you are basically right at the ride to hub on without extra line up time. This was how we played: First entered to Universals Islands of Adventure: we were there till 5 pm, then to the train ride to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. With the huge crowds in the park, we were still able to ride all MUST RIDE rides, and total up to 9 rides including the fun train ride.
MI
Michael Schwager
If you are a Harry Potter fan, this place is a must go! However, DO NOT go over spring break. Go in January, after New Years, or go in September after school starts. We went just before Presidents Day weekend in February and crowds were fine on Thursday but nuts on Friday afternoon. We went to Ollivanders wand shop early Thursday morning. It was nice, maybe 5 or 6 employees and 10 or 12 customers. We had plenty of time to look and ask questions. By the afternoon, you are elbow-to-elbow with people. So go in the morning. Anyway, the employees there told us that Saturday was going to be more crazy, and Presidents Day weekend was the start of the season which peaks at Spring Break time. One more thing: Dont drive there. Take a cab or an Uber, if you can. Your pick up/drop off place is MUCH closer than the parking garage, and after spending all day walking around the last thing you want to do is drag your tired self- and children- another half mile to the car.