Harry Potter Visitor Tips — Part 1

August 2, 2010

Today we will get into what you, as a Muggle planning to visit Harry Potter Theme Park should be aware of. We think that if you prepare yourself, and know what to do and how to do it. Your adventure to the park will be more fun and satisfying and maybe we can save you some time.

So, first, before you do anything, please take a minute and look at the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter map.

Wizarding World Harry Potter Map

Wizarding World Harry Potter Map

Click on the Map to enlarge the view.

In the map you can see three major areas of interest. Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade Village, and the Dueling Dragons roller coaster.

Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey

Our focus today will be the infamous Hogwarts castle, and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride. So to start off we should tell you that to ride the attraction you have to be 48 inches tall (sorry about that little wizards).
Please go to our Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey page, to see exactly what will happen on the ride.

As we continue to inform you, please know that if you are wearing flip flops or any other loose shoes you might be asked to take them off, before entering the ride. Also you should know that if you have a bag with you, you will be kindly asked to store it in the “school lockers”. Usually there is a line to rent those, so come prepared-without a bag. Cameras, cellphones etc should also be stored in the lockers or you are running a chance that those items will fly out of the ride without casting a single spell.

Another thing you should be aware of is that the seats are not designed for bigger people, there is a sample seat outside the entry, so you guys can check if you are able to fit in.

Now we get to the very important part where we discuss the lines, and yes the lines are pretty heavy. As is with every major attraction that just opens its doors. During day time you can expect about 2-3 hours wait time. The good news is, that for the most part you are hidden from the Florida blistering sun, as you are touring inside of the Hogwarts Castle.

The tour is an attraction by itself: you get to see Harry’s dorms, the big entry hall and Dumbledor’s office.

We recommend to visit the castle before 9 AM or after 5 PM if you don’t feel like standing 2-3 hours in the line. As an alternative try to go to the single riders line, that should move you along faster. If you don’t really care getting on the ride, you can just tour through the castle.

And finally if you want a keepsake from this experience, they do take a photo as you are riding so you can purchase it after you are done, keep some galeons on you.

Hope this bit of info was useful, please come back in a day or two—we will discuss Hogsmeade Village tips.

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 pm and is filed under Attractions, Miscelaneous. You can follow responses to this entry using RSS feed.
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8 Responses

  1. Harry Potter Visitors Tips Part – 2 | Harry Potter Wizarding World Theme Park in Orlando, Florida

    August 13th, 2010 at 4:17 pm.

    [...] Harry Potter Visitor Tips — Part 1 [...]

  2. Leslie Hurwitz

    November 6th, 2010 at 7:31 am.

    Are reservations required for dinner at Three Broomsticks. I see no phone number to call them. We are a party of 3 who will be at the Universal Theme park on Wed. Dec. 8 and would like to have dinner there at about 5PM. Please advise
    My name is Leslie Hurwitz

  3. Elizabeth Wharmby

    November 12th, 2010 at 9:19 am.

    I just LOVE Harry Potter and the whole cast of the Harry Potter movies!!!! :)

  4. Nancy Guernsey

    July 6th, 2011 at 2:56 pm.

    How do you get reservations for Three Broomsticks? phone number???

  5. jon paquette

    July 12th, 2011 at 9:04 am.

    Are the school lockers located in/around the Hogwarts castle? And also, what is the policy on fanny packs? Will those be required to be stored in a locker?

  6. Nav

    October 29th, 2011 at 8:02 pm.

    I have a quick question about storing items in lockers.
    If I carry my purse, which would be a small cross body bag one, would they still want me to put it in the locker, considering that my passport, phone, and bank cards would be in there, I don’t feel comfortable leaving it there.

  7. Jazzabelle508

    December 14th, 2011 at 6:22 pm.

    @ jon paquette: Unfortunately they still make you store fanny packs in the lockers for the ride :( My reccommendation for the whole day would be only bring a phone, money and a camera and any other true park necessities into the park on any day you enter universal. I know from experience how horrible those lockers can be. it may seem inconvienent to not have much stuff on you that day but it will be even more inconvienent to constantly have to transfer stuff from ride locker to ride locker and dealing with the whole experience of storing bags different places is NOT fun!

    @Leslie: When I was there a year ago reservations were not required for the three broomsticks. I would reccomend going into the restaruaunt around about a half hour to a hour before the big meal rushes of the day. The three broomsticks is really a great dining experience. Before i went the first time i kept hearing that the three broomsticks was a nightmare to eat at and that you would be better served to go to hogs head or one of the beverage carts around the park. DON’T LISTEN TO THAT SAME ADVICE!!!! When i was last their we found that the truth about which places to avoid was the exact opposite from what we had been told. I also reccommend to anyone in harry potter land GET THE FROZEN BUTTERBEER!!!! It is amazing where as the regular butterbeer was only ok.

  8. Potter Lover

    February 29th, 2012 at 6:56 am.

    You said there were size restrictions, I am not huge by no means but I have bigger hips and I would say that I am really athletic built. I was wondering if I fit in the rides at the fair then would i fit in this one?