Halloween at Hogwarts: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Guide

I solemnly swear that I am up to not good…

To say that I am a ‘Harry Potter fan’ is an UNDERSTATEMENT. I’m that annoying person that will come up with any excuse just to watch the films. “Oh its raining?” *puts on a Harry Potter movie* etc. I’m the girl who can quote any line from the movie or book and use it in my daily conversations with normal people haha. So to finally be able to go to Universal Studios Orlando and visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter… I was beyond excited!

I finally got to try ButterBeer (its yummy! Hot or cold, but too much of it will send you into a sugar rush) and ride the Hogwarts Express. However, from the moment I walked through the hidden brick wall dividing the muggle world from Diagon Alley, I knew that the people who built this park had gotten it right. They really made everything you imagined while reading the books and watching the films come to life in a more than magical way. There are so many things to see – both big and small.

Heres what to look out for when you plan your next trip:

Get a wand from Ollivanders Wand Shop. There’s a secret little wand show right next door that takes you on a 5 min walk through the wand shop and if you’re lucky enough they might pick YOU in your tour group who receives a special (free) wand. “The wand chooses the wizard, Harry”. Also, with your wand there are a ton of interactive wand games through out the park that will make anyone a believer in magic.Its not about the rides, its about the adventure. Although the Harry Potter World only has about 4 rides (including the Hogwarts Express), there’s so many shops and hidden things to see. While walking in and out each shop really pay attention to the detail. The makers of this magical place really put all their effort into it because there isn’t a thing I could think of they might have left out from the series. My favorite shop was definitely Fred and George Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes joke shop. Its exactly like the movie and has some really fun gadgets and toys inside. I bought a chocolate frog just like Harry did! My favorite ride was the Escape from Gringotts, it was just like the Gringotts Bank scene in the movie when they’re trying to get into Bellatrix’s vault.For breakfast we decided to stop in the Leaky Cauldron and grab some butter beer & food before we start our adventure through the wizarding world. If you’re feeling adventurous theres an option to choose a traditional British meal just like Harry, Ron or Hermione would normally eat. It was delicious and the restaurant looked exactly like the movie, it was almost an eerie feeling because while I was eating my food I felt as if Harry or Ron would be turning the corner any minute haha. One last thing I’ll mention, don’t get confused like I did when buying your tickets. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has two park locations at Universal Studios Orlando. So you’ll have to get a park-hopper ticket so that you can visit both Harry Potter parks; Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Overall, it was an amazing trip and I finally got to live out all my Hogwarts dreams haha. So if you’re as big of a fan as I am start planning your trip and feel free to ask me any questions! I’d love to help!