It's no surprise, this place is incredible!
Visiting the World of Harry Potter, in Universal Studios, has been on my bucket list since it opened.
We were in the parks for three days and here's what a first-time visitor/Potterhead HAS TO DO:
1. Butterbeer
I definitely think the frozen version is more delicious, but they are both good.
AND/OR try some Pumpkin Juice. It's almost like apple cider.
2. The Hogwarts Express
Riding the Hogwarts Express is every Harry Potter fan's dream come true and to make it even more enchanting, it's a ride!
The ride each way has a different experience. Also, you can only ride the Hogwarts Express if you have the park hopper pass for Universal Studios and Island of Adventure.
3. Buy an Interactive Wand
There are a bunch of different wands to choose from. They have options for each character's wand (interactive and regular) and they have wands you can buy that match your personality.
Like the books, there is Ollivander's and Gregorovitch's smaller shop. Ollivander's features an experience where you and a bunch of other guests go into the shop piled high with boxes of wands, and the wand maker picks a person that will find their true wand. It's cool, but if you're pressed for time just go into the regular shop and look at all the cool wands.
The interactive wands come with a map to show the places it can be used in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. I would recommend it, because exploring all the little hidden areas is super fun.
4. Knockturn Alley
I couldn't get any good pictures inside Knockturn Alley, because the place is so so dark.
Knockturn Alley is a creepy place in Diagon Alley that is frequented by dark wizards and witches. Universal captures the creepy essence perfectly with it's recreation of Borgin and Burkes (that shop that Harry slides into after the floo powder incident.)
There are other things in there too, like a window of Shrunken Heads and a magical skeleton, which mimics your movements if you cast the correct spell.
5. Escape from Gringotts
Escape from Gringotts is possibly the best ride in Universal Studios. In the building located underneath the dragon, the wait takes you through the magnificent Gringotts bank and through the tunnels to your mining car. The ride is half roller coaster and half a 3D experience. Well worth the 45 minute wait.
6. The Forbidden Journey
The Forbidden Journey is less exciting than Gringotts, but it is an adventure that whirls you through some of the creepy parts of Hogwarts. The ride is located in the castle, which makes for another really cool way to wait in line. It is another 3D experience with a little bit of coaster.
7. Shopping
Grab your wand, throw on some robes, and pretend like you're getting ready to buy Gilderoy Lockhart's new book. Seriously, wandering around the fully-functional replicated Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade shops is super fun. Everything is probably overpriced, but the grab a wand and a little candy and it will all be worth it.
8. Knight Bus
Not only can you get a picture with Stan Shunpike and Dre Head, you can actually have a funny conversation with them! Stan was hilarious and Dre Head somehow asks specific questions about you too.
9. Call the Ministry of Magic
There is a phone booth before entering Diagon Alley, ya can't miss it, that has the number for the Ministry of Magic. They will leave you a very nice voicemail.
10. Have a Magical Time
(and enjoy the rest of Universal)
Here's the rest of my pictures from the trip!
-âš¡KBâš¡