First Timer Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

So you’re here looking for First Timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You’re in the right place because I’m a huge fan of all things Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Universal Travel Agent, a long-time Universal Annual Passholder, and a big Universal fan. I’m also a huge Harry Potter fan; I even have a Deathly Hallows tattoo!

Contact me today if you’re feeling overwhelmed and would like the help of a pro for your Universal Orlando vacation. 

Now, let’s get to the first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Muggle Tip, rent a car in Orlando!

If you’re flying into Orlando, you may need a rental car. I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. Whenever I need to rent a car, I use Discount USA Car Rental, whether I fly into MCO, SFB, or even Tampa. They have the best prices, and you don’t have to pay until you pick it up!

Discount USA Rental Cars doesn’t rent flying cars or broomsticks (yet,)  but maybe in the future. Now, let’s get to those Wizarding World tips and tricks!

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips for First Time Visitors

Let’s first talk about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There are two different parts of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Diagon Alley is in Universal Studios, and Hogsmeade is in Islands of Adventure.

When Epic Universe opens, the Ministry of Magic will be the third part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

For now, you need a park-to-park ticket for the best experience, as that is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express!

If you only get tickets for a day at each theme park without a park-to-park ticket, you can NOT ride the Hogwarts Express. This is a pro tip that some people don’t know! Trust me, you don’t want to miss the Hogwarts Express.

Rides and attractions in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Attractions in Hogsmeade:

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station

Shows in Hogsmeade:

• Frog Choir
• Triwizard Spirit Rally
• NEW Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts “Hogwarts Always Light Show”

Diagon Alley Attractions:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hogwarts Express King’s Cross Station (just outside of Diagon Alley, in London)

Diagon Alley Shows:

• The Tales of Beedle the Bard (my favorite!)
• Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees

First Timer Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Here are 21 First Timer Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, listed in no particular order.

1. Avoid the Crowds

Okay, so telling you to avoid the crowds at Universal Studios is silly! It is almost always crowded when you visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. However, you can do a couple of things to avoid some of the people. 

I always recommend visiting the parks during less popular times of the year. Most people will be at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter during school breaks and in the summer. If you visit outside of these times, you may experience fewer crowds. 

Another option is to arrive at the park early. This will ensure you beat the rush and see some of the magic before everyone else arrives. You can also stay later and enjoy the emptier streets after most people return to their hotel rooms.

If you stay in a Universal Hotel, you get early park admission to certain parts of the parks (including the Wizarding World). You can do so much in that one hour! 

2. Don’t Try to See Everything in One Day

One of the best tips for Wizarding World of Harry Potter first timers is you should not try to see everything in one day.

Yes, you can go on all the rides in both parts of the park in one day. It’s possible, but you’ll get more out of the experience if you have at least two park days, and three would be even better!

If you ONLY have one day, we have tips for that too (I just don’t recommend it!)

3. Take Time to Listen to the Portraits

The queues in the Wizarding World have so many hidden gems. Listen to the portraits, sometimes they’ll have things to tell you!

4. Ride the Hogwarts Express in Both Directions

The Hogwarts Express between parks is different in each direction. So, make sure you ride it each way. 

5. Ship All Purchases to Your Resort

If you stay at one of Universal’s hotels, you can have all your purchases shipped directly to your resort. In my opinion, this is so much better than lugging bags around all day long. Just keep in mind that it may take a day or two, so don’t have anything delivered that you can’t live without!

To learn just what you’ll want to buy at Universal, check out 7 things to buy at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Plus, staying in a Universal Resort is just more fun!

Checking current pricing for all Universal Resorts here:

• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Portofino Bay
• Loews Royal Pacific
• Aventura Hotel
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Universal Endless Summer Resorts – Dockside Inn and Suites and Seaside Inn and Suites.

If you’d like an Express Pass included with your hotel stay, check out Which Universal Orlando hotels offer Express Pass?

6. Utilize the Lockers While on Rides

One of the best first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter if you’re used to Disney is lockers. While most Disney rides allow you to bring stuff on them, most Universal rides require lockers.

There are single-use free lockers available at some of Universal’s rides. These lockers are free during the posted wait time. However, they will only hold smaller bags. If you have larger bags, you will need to use the paid lockers. 

Check out the best bags for Universal Studios to learn more about bags that fit in the free lockers.

7. Use Single Rider Lines When Possible

If you are traveling with children, this first timer tip for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter might not work well for you. But if you have older children or are traveling with adults, I suggest taking advantage of this!

The single-rider lines are almost always shorter than the regular lines. You may be unable to sit with your group, but sometimes you will anyway! Even if your party is separated, you can still wait in line together and save a lot of time.

8. Purchase Your Interactive Wands Early 

You shouldn’t wait until the last day of your visit to purchase your interactive wands. There are many reasons for this. First, the wand ceremony is magical. Having ‘your’ wand choose you is an experience you will love. 

Here is Kainan doing the wand ceremony on his 11th birthday!

Once you receive your wand, you will find a map inside the box. That map has locations where you can do magic with your wand. Each site has a golden interactive wand symbol on the ground. Do the wrist movements with your wand above that symbol to unlock even more magic.

A kind witch or wizard should be nearby to help you if you can’t figure out your wand!

9. Grab Your Favorite Harry Potter Foods in Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley

The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley are the main restaurants in the Wizarding World. Don’t miss Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour if you want a sweet treat. Don’t miss the best food at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for some popular options. 

Of course, there’s also Butterbeer! There are many options for butterbeer, including regular butterbeer, frozen butterbeer, and hot butterbeer (seasonal). You can also enjoy Butterbeer potted cream, Butterbeer fudge, and Butterbeer soft-serve ice cream. 

Also, check out the NEW Vegan food at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

10. Explore Every Harry Potter Shop

You don’t need to purchase anything from every shop, but you should check them out! It’s part of the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

You might also enjoy: Cabana Bay vs Aventura Resort

11. Discover All the Magical Details

Magical details are everywhere in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Despite your best efforts, you will miss some of them during your visit. One of my favorite first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is to do your best and discover as many as possible. 

If you spend multiple days at the park, it will be much easier to spot details you missed during earlier days of your visit. 

12. Experience the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle

Stay late in the Wizarding World at least one night during your vacation to see this spectacular show! Check the app for showtimes.

13. Watch All the Shows

The shows in The Wizarding World are short but well worth the experience. They are a great way to take a break from walking and truly immerse yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

14. Participate in Unique Experiences

Having the wand choose you at Ollivander’s is just one of the many unique experiences you can enjoy. Sending postcards to family and friends with a Hogsmeade stamp is another example of something you can do that you wouldn’t expect. 

 

My kids love mixing their own personal elixirs at Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment kiosk. There are four different elixirs to choose from. They include Fire Protection Potion, Babbling Beverage, Draught of Peace, and Elixir to Induce Euphoria. 

You add the “elixir” to water, or Gilly Water, which is just regular water. 

15. Watch for the Fire Breathing Dragon

If you wait around long enough, you will catch the dragon on top of Gringott’s growling and breathing fire. This happens about every 10 minutes. 

16. Stop Using Muggle Money

Muggle money is cash or credit cards in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. To make your experience more authentic, you can purchase Gringotts bank notes. These banknotes can be used throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and other parts of Universal.

If you have any left at the end of your visit, you can turn them back into cash at Guest Services.  Even if you don’t want to use Gringotts bank notes (since using a card is easier), you can get them as souvenirs! You can choose from a $10 or $20 “bank note.” 

17. Know the Height Requirements for Each Ride

Every ride at Universal has different height requirements. One of the best tips for visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is to know the height requirements for each one. I’ve seen lots of disappointed families because parents didn’t measure their kids first and let them know what they can and can’t go on. 

18. Walk through the Ride Queues

This is one of the best First Timer Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Half the fun of Wizarding World attractions is the queue! No details were left out when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was designed. Even if you have party members who can’t or don’t want to ride, it’s worth a walk-through. Just let a team member know what you’re doing. 

Also, child swap is located within the ride queue and typically has a ride-themed movie clip playing!

You should also check out 30+ Movies to watch before going to Universal. Of course, the Harry Potter movies all made the list!

Kainan wearing his Herbology shirt (get it on Amazon here!) in front of the Herbology class part of The Forbidden Journey queue.

19. Make a Phone Call to the Ministry of Magic

Here’s one of the more random and fun first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You may not know you can call the Ministry of Magic from the red phone booth near Diagon Alley in London. Most people think to grab a selfie in this phone booth, but hardly anyone picks up the phone to make the call. 

Dial 62442 and be amazed when the Ministry of Magic answers!

20. Consider the Weather Before Donning Wizard-Wear

It’s fun to wear wizard robes and other wizard gear to explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. However, before you put those items on, consider the day’s weather. If it is going to be hot and humid, you may carry them around instead of wearing them!

I am the kind of person who would 100% wear a robe, but not when it’s 90+ degrees!

Save your arms from this extra workout, and check the weather before going to the park. 

21. Pack a Portable Charger

One of the most forgotten first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is packing a portable charger. You will take many pictures throughout the day, and your phone will probably die from being used so much. 

If you want to avoid missing out on taking pictures later in the day, I recommend packing a portable charger. It will come in handy at some point during your visit. I use a solar charger, but any charger will do! You can also purchase a Fuel Rod Starter kit on Amazon and swap it out at the many Fuel Rod stations in the park!

First Timer Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

These are all my first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Contact me if you need some help planning your magical Wizarding World vacation. 

Looking for a place to stay during your Orlando vacation? Of course, I always recommend staying at an onsite Universal Resort. You can check out tours of all Universal Resorts on our YouTube channel.

Check the pricing for your dates here:

• Loews Portofino Bay
• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Loews Royal Pacific
• Aventura Hotel
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Endless Summer Resorts – Dockside Inn and Suites and Seaside Inn and Suites.

Do you have any first timer tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Share them in the comments below!

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