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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

05/13/20 | Florida, movies, Orlando, Travel, United States

Back from Florida - Harry Potter World Hogwarts Selfie

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” ⚡️  Today, I welcome you to the magical wizarding world of Harry Potter. Before we get into it, I have heard you loud and clear, you are liking all of the Egypt content but want me to mix it up a bit. Well, your wish is my command (while I still have a backlog of travel content that it is) and I wanted to highlight my favorite parts of our two day trip up to Universal Studios. I mentioned our visit in my March post about our Florida holiday but it really deserves it’s own.  In fact, I knew after only 20 minutes in the park i was going to write about it and spent two days taking notes so I would make sure not to miss anything!  And to confirm,, yes, we went with four adults and no kids – without further ado: 

1 | Beat the Lines  Arrive early or stay late to get away from the lines which can extend for hours.  For example, on our second day we rode the Escape from Gringotts ride  twice by 8:32am. The first time the four of us went in the regular line and in the second time we went single file in the singles line which was less than five minutes (four minutes of which was walking the length of the queue). But if early does not work for you then try late –  on the end of our first day we got in line for the Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure past 7pm  Islands of Adventure theme park closes at 8 p.m.) and the ride in the near dark created a nearly different ride.  Plus at dusk Hogwarts Castle is gorgeous on it’s towering position on a hill. 

The Inside of Gringotts at the Wizarding World of Harry PotterOn the Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at the Wizarding World of Harry PotterNIghttime Selfie on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

2 | Buy a Park-to-Park Ticket   Buying a park to park ticket means you get to experience both aspects of the park, Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.  There are unique attractions on both side and you get to take the Hogwarts Express between the two which is a ride in and of it self complete with death eaters! 

Entrance to HogsmeadeSelfie Outside the Hogwarts Express

3 | Wear the Right Clothes  This is a very spread out complex (never mind the rest of Universal) and as you will see in the photos despite my hatred of them – I wore sneakers both days.  however, given the amount of walking (10 miles plus) and the fact that many rides did not allow flip flops I was glad I did.  In addition, you can bring snacks in (do it, park food is expensive and not nutritious) and also a a water bottle (all restraints will fill the up, and you will save a ton of money). And don’t worry about the rides – there are lockers otuside each of the rides that are free for two hours – though be careful, only the small ones.  Oh, and make sure you have pockets as you will need your card ticket quite often!  Take a look at what I wore – day one and day two: 

Travel Blogger Kelly Donlin at Wizarding World of Harry PotterKelly and Mark at Universal
4 | Plan Ahead for the Key Rides:  I would say there are four key rides; Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Escape from Gringotts, and the newest is the Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Try and go on all of them and as I mentioned, the single’s line can really help with the line – it said 95 on the side for Forbidden Journey and we got through In 18 with teh single line. 

Gringotts Bank in Diagon AlleyEscape from Gringotts Ride at the Wizarding World of Harry PotterGoblins in Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley.Mom on the Escape from Gringotts RideHarry Potter - Hagrids AdventureSeats on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike AdventureFlight of the Hippogriff at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

5 | It’s Not Just about the Rollercoasters –  While the rides are awesome – like playing Quiditich with Harry – there is so much more to this amusement park!  You can see real life chocolate frogs at Honeydukes, get a frozen butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, go to Ollivanders and get fitted for your perfect wand, and on the other side of the park pick up an ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour.  Plus there are photo worthy backgrounds all over! 

Kings Cross at Harry Potter WorldPlatform 9 3:4 at Harry Potter WorldFrozen Butterbeer at Harry Potter WorldOutside the Three Broomsticks in HogsmeadOllivanders in HogsmeadOllivanders Wands at the Wizarding World of Harry PotterKelly and Mark in Diagon AlleyGringotts Bank at Harry Potter WorldKelly with the Night Bus at Harry PotterWanted Poster of Bellatrix LestrangeFlourish and BLotts at the Wizarding World of Harry PotterFlorean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour at Wizarding World of Harry Potterjpg

 

And the last two tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, while not picturesque, are still worth nothing: 

6 | Get Techy with It Download the Universal App before your first day and check the wait times for each of the rides which change in real time. In addition, to expedite things you will scan your finger for rides and purchases – make sure you know what finger you use for the sensor.  

7 | Note the Kid Requirements – We saw quite a very kids devastated (or gutted as the Brits say) that they were not able to go on rides due to the height requirements so make sure to check these out before you go.  Also, unless kids have read the books / watched the movies this may not be as much fun for them (this is more age 7-12 then age 3-6).  That siad, the little kids running around quoting the books just did me in – “honestly, am I the only person who’s ever bother to read Hogwarts: A History?”   ⚡️

And now next up I really want to take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, located just outside of London to see  The Making of Harry Potter though with the current situation, this is a ways out! 

 

Does the Wizarding World of Harry Potter sound like somewhere you would want to visit? 

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Comments

  1. ปั้มไลค์ says

    May 31, 2020 at 4:54 am

    Like!! I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.

  2. Kate says

    May 18, 2020 at 11:51 am

    My HP loving heart needs to get back to Universal with the expansion. I haven’t been since the original park opened in 2010! Also craving a Butter Beer <3

    Green Fashionista

  3. Bernie says

    May 16, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    What amazing tips. when I get a chance to visit the park.

    Heard fantastic things about it and am so looking forward to going with my children.

  4. Tammy says

    May 16, 2020 at 9:06 am

    Wow. This looks like a lot of fun. Boyfriend. would love this. He would be on almost every ride. This goes on the travel list once the world reopens. Yeah I know that sneakers are not your thing especially in the warm Florida heat but those sneakers especially the black/white one looks good on you. Boyfriend lives in sneakers unless it’s work in any temperature.

  5. Samantha says

    May 15, 2020 at 8:34 am

    The rides in this park are insane. They are unlike anything I’ve ever been on before and everyone must go even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan. If you’re all a Harry Potter fan oh my gosh, you have to try the butter beer, get a wand, and just immerse yourself in the whole experience. I can’t say enough wonderful words about what a terrific job they did on this park.

  6. Felicity says

    May 14, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Oh my boyfriend can’t wait to go here. He has heard all about the new motorcycle ride and is just dying to go.

    I am thinking of surprising him with a trip there at Christmas time if it is ok to visit them with travel and the virus etc. Your photos sure do bring it to life and it looks like it was a lot of fun.

  7. Greer says

    May 14, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Heard about this magical place. I am such a HUGE Harry Potter fan that I just have to get to this now.

    Glad you got to go before the virus lock down and I really can’t wait to go now. Glad it lived up to all of the hype.

  8. pauline says

    May 14, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    It is the best Park I’ve ever been to in the entire world. I love amusement parks and this is above and beyond anybody’s expectations. I would highly recommend it to anybody.

  9. TAMMY says

    May 14, 2020 at 11:50 am

    Wow boyfriend would love this. I am not a ride person but visiting Universal Studios would still be a lot of fun anyway. I showed this to boyfriend when the world reopens again and he wants to go. He has not been to Disney World since 1989. This would be fun for him. Yeah I know wearing sneakers all day in the Florida heat is not the most pleasant but sneakers are my boyfriends go to shoe. He wears them in almost any weather. He was an 80’s child and sneakers was the in thing then. For me sneakers are for exercising, distance running/comfort. Flip-flops/t-strap/Flat sandals/Wedges are for casual comfort, shorter distance and warm weather. Heels my favorite is for fashion especially in warmer weather. I love your cute printed romper. I can’t wait for summer. Thank god I went to South Beach just before the world went bonkers.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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