All of the top recommendations, tips & tricks to have the most magical Harry Potter experience at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Includes options on where to stay, eat, shop & play for all witches & wizards.
This hotel is my top hotel choice for Universal. Nice lobby & hotel restaurant, clean modern rooms, a pool and a free shuttle to the park (but you can walk in about 10 minutes if you'd like).
Another great hotel option for Universal trips. This hotel is much larger than the Sheraton. It also has a restaurant, fun pool area & the same free shuttle to the park.
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Tickets & General Tips
-- 1 Day GA tickets start at $109, but can go up from there depending on the day. 2 day tickets start at $149 (2023)
-- Universal Express Passes can get you into a shorter line on *most* rides in the park ONE TIME each day. These passes do work for both rides in the Wizarding World. They do not work for shows like Ollivander's. A 1 day Express Pass starts at $199
-- Download the Universal Studios app before visiting the park. It will help you plan your day, navigate the area and check wait times.
-- Bring a refillable water bottle (no glass). There is a water fountain in the Wizarding World but there are also Coca-Cola Freestyle stations & other points in the park where you can refill. A water bottle will cost about $5.
Get ready for a day of magic ✨
If you take the hotel shuttle it will drop you off at Universal City Walk. Just hang a left and walk through city walk all the way to Universal security.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter can feel extra special in the morning, so head straight there when you arrive for all the magical vibes.
Make sure you visit The Three Broomsticks for one of your meals. The theming is amazing & you'll feel like you are in the movies for sure. You order at a counter & then the kitchen calls your name to pick up your food. Traditional British tavern fare.
- Breakfast is served until 11am. Kids menu options are available.
- For lunch/dinner you can get the "Great Feast" to serve 4 people
- Other items include shepherds pie, fish & chips, bangers & mash & more!
- You can order Butterbeer here - hot, cold or frozen. My favorite is either hot (on a cool day) or frozen (if it's hot out).
- For a non-Butterbeer option I recommend the Pumpkin Fizz.
- For those 21+ there are two beers available here OR see the "Hog's Head" for more options.
TIP: To avoid lines of doom I recommend coming first thing for breakfast or timing your lunch a little early (11am) or late (after 2pm). This second option can also help you avoid the afternoon heat.
The "Hog's Head" is a pub that you'll find at the back of the "Three Broomsticks" restaurant. Here you can order a variety of beers and hard cider as well and wine, spirits & mixed drinks.
There is no seating at the Hog's Head. You can either enjoy your drink with your meal at the restaurant or take it out into the park.
RECOMMENDATION: In the spirit of the magical world, try a butterbeer or hard cider with "Fire Whiskey" - a cinnamon flavored whiskey.
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** Butterbeer carts - there are two of these centrally located in this part of the park. You can get butterbeer hot, cold or frozen.
** Magic Neep Cart - Stop here to pick up water, drinks like pumpkin juice and light snacks (chips, fruit, etc.)
This is a short but fun rollercoaster. My daughter started riding it a 6 years old so it's appropriate for younger kids. Even though it only lasts about 30 seconds I really enjoy this ride and we typically do it multiple times each visit. Another perk is the line is usually not too bad.
Just like the rest of the Wizarding World at Universal, the theming on this ride is fantastic. It's like you are hanging out inside and around hagrid's hut. You'll even get a glimpse of Buckbeak on the ride.
This is THE ride in the Wizarding World. Waiting in line for the Forbidden Journey is basically taking a tour through Hogwarts castle (I especially love seeing the greenhouses). The line will be long, but at least this makes it way more enjoyable.
FREE LOCKERS: You can't take ANYTHING on the ride with you so make sure you put all your belongings in one of these. You'll find them right when you enter the castle. The lockers are not that big, so make sure you don't bring a huge bag with you. I typically have a small backpack.
HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: You must be at least 48" to ride. Although some kids may be tall enough, it could still be a bit scary for them. My daughter started riding at 6 but we had already read a few books & watched a few of the movies.
MOTION SIMULATION: This ride is amazing but it does have the potential to give you motion sickness. I don't usually have a problem with this and the first time I rode it I was feeling a little off for hours after. I now take dramamine before riding (not medical advice) and it makes all the difference. You may want to take whatever precautions you see fit before riding.
FILCH'S EMPORIUM: The ride spits you out into a pretty cool gift shop at the end. I love taking some time to walk around this one as you can find items here that aren't elsewhere in the park.
This is a must for all witches & wizards.
You can just shop for a wand, but then you'd be missing a big part of the fun. Wait in line for the show and see a wand choose a wizard.
Around 20 people will be ushered in at a time. One witch or wizard is plucked from the audience to have a wand choose them. The show lasts only about 5 minutes but is super fun! After you will be shown into the retail store where you can shop for your own wand.
Interactive wands cost $55. There are different spots where you can cast spells around the Wizarding World and your wand comes with a pretty sweet map indicating where they are.
TIP: To increase your chances on being chosen for this experience...
- Dress up! Wear your robes or other HP attire. The more decked out the better. I have also read that many wand masters will opt for those in Gryffindor house.
- Get a birthday button. If someone in your group is celebrating a birthday, stop by guest services and get them a button
- Be a kid. My daughter is a huge fan and always dresses up. She has been selected 3 different times (so these tips come from experience). I've never seen an adult chosen but I have heard that it happens.
You will see the Hogwart's Express as soon as you enter the Wizarding World. This is a great place for a photo op and there is usually a conductor stationed there. The man working on our very first visit seriously made our day. He spotted our daughter later on, after she had gotten her wand, and called to her by name and took some time to talk to her about it. So fun!
There is a cute little shop next to the train with Hogwarts Express themed items.
I also love coming back to the train on our way out because pictures here at night with the steam puffing out look so awesome!
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Casting spells around the park is our favorite thing to do. It takes some practice and staff members are always more than happy to help you. Use the map that comes with your wand and look for medallions on the ground to indicate where to stand and how to do the spell.
Shows are another fun thing to check out. You can catch the Triwizard Spirit Rally & the Frog Choir (seasonally) at the stage right across from the entrance to the Forbidden Journey ride. Times are not advertised for when these take place but you can ask a staff member when the next one will be. There will also be seasonal light shows projected onto Hogwarts castle - check the app for more details.
Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom - I always forget about how cool the restrooms are here until I have to go. Be sure you make a pit stop to experience this one.
Don't sleep on Honeydukes!
Shop for all kinds of candy, treats & souvenirs here. Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans & so much more adorn the the shelves and you can find baked goods like Cauldron Cakes in a case by the registers.
MY FAVORITES: I always have to pick up some Fizzing Wizzbees when I go. I'm also a fan of Peppermint Toads.
Zonko's Joke Shop is attached to Honeydukes. It is small but you can also shop for some silly souvenirs here.
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Owl Post - Here you can shop for stationary, quills, ink, notebooks and the like. One of my favorite little extras here is that you can purchase postcards and stamps and then drop them in the mail and they will be postmarked from "Hogsmeade." How cool is that?!
More Shopping - At Gladrag's Wizardwear you'll find Hogwarts robes, attire to show off your house pride & more. Inside Dervish & Banges is where you can purchase your Quidditch gear and magical gadgets. You can also catch a glimpse of the "Monster Book of Monsters" here. Madam Malkin's talking mirror can be found between these two shops - stand before it in your robes and see what she says!
I would advise you to make a plan & maybe a budget before heading to the Wizarding World. So much of exploring this area has to do with going into all of the immersive shops. If you are anything like me, things can quickly spiral out of control. Here is a price list of common items just so you have an idea before you get there.
Merchandise Prices-
ROBES: $145. I know! But I will say they are very good quality and there is even a "wand pocket" inside.
INTERACTIVE WANDS: $60. If you are going to buy one thing, this should be it! It definitely adds to the fun.
HOUSE SCARF: ~ $40
HOUSE BEANIE: ~ $30
POSTCARDS: ~$13 for 10
CHOCOLATE FROG: ~$14
BERTIE BOTTS: ~ $13
Favorite Photo Spots
1. Hogwarts Castle - Go behind Ollivanders to get a great shot of the castle without people in the way.
2. With the Hogwarts Express Conductor - just stop on your way in and grab a pic with the conductor in front of the train. I also recommend coming back at night to get some shots with the steam floating up in the night air.
3. Butterbeer Cart - Stand behind the red cart with a butterbeer in your hands
Hi, I'm Kara and I love telling Tales of Adventure. Nothing makes me happier than traveling the world and helping others do the same. I live on the central coast of California and have traveled extensively on the west coast as well as to Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, New Zealand & more!
I travel often with my husband & daughter, now 10 years old. We've been traveling since she was 10 months old, so I can be an excellent resource for family travel. From multi-week stays in Sayulita, Mexico to active itineraries in Canada & the UK, I'm an endless researcher of destinations. I love to include details and helpful tips in my travel guides. Follow along for some history, adventure and a sprinkle of magic.
