My first trip to Universal and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was wasted. WASTED! My second trip, however, was full of redemption. With this guide, I hope that your next trip to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will be both fulfilling and magical.
First things first: Universal Studios is split up into different parks. Universal Studios has all the city settings (New York, San Francisco, etc.), Men in Black, The Simpsons, and most importantly, the Diagon Alley section of Harry Potter. Island of Adventure has the Incredible Hulk Ride, Seuss Landing, and the Hogsmeade section of Harry Potter. So, to see both sections in one day, you need a park hopper pass and this also allows you to ride the Hogwarts Express. With out the multi-park pass, you won't be able to take the train between parks.
If you're going to be there multiple days, I suggest going to one section first thing in the morning, browsing through uncrowded shops, do the rides with a minimal line, and then take an uncrowded Hogwarts Express to the other section and repeat. Fair warning, the parks get crowded and the Harry Potter sections are easily the most crowded.
If you're only going to be there one day, I highly recommend going to Hogsmeade first. Then taking the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley, and then doing the Gringott's ride(, and Florean Fortescue's, if morning ice cream is your forte, because the line for this place will be crazy. It's very good and very hot in Florida). Then, in the evening, head back to Hogsmeade for the Nighttime Lights on the castle. Each direction on the Hogwarts Express has their own distinct experience during the ride. And starting your day at Diagon Alley won't help you avoid the crowds because Universal Resort guests will get early access to this side of the park and not the other.
Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade has 3 rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a ride through the Hogwarts Castle; Flight of the Hippogriff, a mild rollercoaster on about a mile of track; and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which goes into the Forbidden Forest and since is the newest attraction, it may reach capacity on the day of your trip.
Hogsmeade also sports: Honeyduke's, the legendary sweets spot from the books; The Three Broomsticks, restaurant; Hog's Head, tavern that Harry and friends would frequent when they were scheming for trouble, and also where you can get alcohol in Hogsmeade (because Butterbeer is alcohol free); the Owl Post, where you can mail a letter to home and features a pavilion with owls in the rafters; Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Hogwarts memorabilia and replicas from the movies (Who knew Filch was on the take?); Dervish and Banges, get your Sneakoscopes here and watch out for the Care of Magical Creatures Textbook, The Monster Book of Monsters, from Harry's 3rd year; and an Ollivander's, wand shop like the one in Diagon Alley.
There are displays in the windows for the interactive wands. The Frog Choir and Tri-Wizard Spirit Rally shows perform throughout the day.
Secrets: On the Forbidden Journey ride, a teacher can be heard lecturing behind the potion's classroom door; In the bathrooms, you can hear Moaning Myrtle; and In Hog's Head, look for the talking heads from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley only has one ride: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott's. Make sure to stop by the Gringott's Money Exchange and have a goblin give you wizard currency to use. The dragon on top of the bank will blast fire every hour.
There are also two shows: The Tales of Beetle the Bard, and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.
Diagon Alley features: The Leaky Cauldron, sit down restaurant; Florean Fortescue's, ice cream parlor and home to Butterbeer ice cream; The Fountain of Fair Fortune, offers an assortment of beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic; Eternelle's Elixir of Refreshments, a kiosk where you can make (drinkable) potions; and The Hopping Pot, another stop for the thirsty witch or wizard.
Shop at: Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, infamous joke shop from the book and movies; Madame Malkin's Robe Shops, garment and apparel shop; Sugarplum's Sweet Shop, magical sweets and treats; Magical Menagerie, creature shop; Scribbulus, wizardly stationary supplies; Shutterbutton's, create your own moving photograph; Quidditch Shop, pick up your Nimbus 2000 here; Globus Mundi, travel agency and shop; Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, crystal balls, moon charts, and more; Ollivander's, THE wand shop from the books; Wands by Gregorovitch, an Ollivander competitor.
Make sure to take a wrong turn down Knockturn Alley. There are more interactive wand displays down this way. And, of course, Borgin and Burkes, the dark wizard eccentricities shop.
Secrets: On the sign to Weasley's Wizard Wheeze, watch the disappearing and reappearing rabbit; In Madame Malkin's Robe Shops, get compliments from the mirror; At Magical Menagerie, speak parseltongue to the snake in the window; At the Daily Prophet, listen to the type writer outside the window; At Flourish and Bott's, listen to Gilderoy Lockhart's book; At Borgin and Burkes, listen to the vanishing cabinet; At the apothecary, you'll find Jaw's jaw, a tribute to the ride; At the telephone booth, dial MAGIC (62442) to connect to the Ministry of Magic; At 12 Grimmauld Place, look for Kreacher in the 2nd story window; At King's Cross Station, you can reenact a still from Harry Potter and the Half Blood-Prince in front of the "Make a Little Magic" billboard.
BONUS: In the New York area, there is a poster for The Blind Pig, from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
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