There is so much to do and see at Universal Studio Harry Potter or officially known as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter it’s hard to narrow it down to the top 10. After visiting this amazing attraction, my family sat down and came up with the following list. I’ll start with our tenth top item and proceed to the #1.
#10 Moaning Myrtle — You can’ t actually see her, but you can hear her wailing and moaning in the restrooms across from Ollivander’s.
#9 Durmstrang & Beauxbatons — See the lovely French girls flaunt their ribbon dancing talent followed by the blokes from Durmstrang showing off their martial arts skills in the Triwizard Spirit Rally. There are no set show times, but you can catch performances throughout the day across from the friendly snowman (between the Three Broomsticks and Hogwarts) in Hogsmeade.
#8 Honeydukes — This is where you will find all of Harry’s favorite treats…chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts Every-Flavour Beans and treacle fudge. Honeydukes is connected to Zonko’s Joke Shop.
Be sure to look up at the ceiling in Zonko's for the Extendable Ears.
#7 Zonkos — Here you’ll find Sneakoscopes, Pygmy Puffs, and more wizarding pranks. Be sure to look up near the cash register to see extendable ears dangling from the ceiling.
#6 The Hog’s Head Hog — Go inside the Hog’s Head for a refreshingly sweet Butterbeer, or if you are 21 choose your favorite ale. Be sure to tip the bartender to see the hog’s head (mounted behind the bar) come snorting to life.
#5 Dragon Challenge — This fantastic coaster is based on the first Triwizard contest in The Goblet of Fire. The inverted steel coaster is actually two coasters. After queuing through the line you choose either the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail. The two dragons — coasters — travel separately, but closely As I mentioned this is an inverted coasted so your feet will dangle. If you are wearing sandals or flip flops, you can either put them in a nearby locker before getting in line, put the in your pockets or leave them when boarding. I actually held mine in my hands, although I wouldn’t recommend it.
There are so many cool objects in Hogwarts including the Class Point Hourglasses.
#4 Hogwarts — The castle itself is awesome. Even if you don’t want to ride the Forbidden Journey, go through the line anyway as there is so much to look at in the castle. You’ll see the Mirror of Erised, the Sorting Hat, the House Point Hourglasses, the greenhouse, the Pensieve, Dumbledore’s office, the Dark Arts classroom and much more.
#3 Ollivander’s Wand Shop — Although it doesn’t even appear on the park map, Ollivander’s is not to be missed especially if you have young Potter fans. Look toward the right as you make your way toward the castle. You will see a levitating wand in one of the shop windows that says Maker of fine wands since 382 BC. You will also most likely see a long line. You will probably have to wait awhile. I believe we waited at least an hour which is longer than anything else we waited to do in the entire Islands of Adventure park. It was worth the wait, however. It is like being dropped right into the first movie, The Sorcerer’s Stone. About 20-25 guests are invited into the shop at once. Ollivander comes down the stairs and chooses someone — usually a child — to come to the front. He proceeds to try various wands on that child. Things proceed almost exactly like in the movie. The first couple of wands are goobers and cause a mess. The third one is the charm as they say and there’s a swirl of light and voila — the wand chooses the wizard. The guests are ushered next door where there are wands available for purchase.
Cars for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.
#2 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — This ride located in Hogwarts Castle is perhaps the best ride I’ve ever ridden. It is a continuoulsy moving ride so you have to step quickly to enter your car. It combines a continually moving car of four passengers seated side by side (there are dividers between each individual seat to make the experience very personal – you don’t see the other riders) with forward and backward tilting motion and video which gave the feeling of falling down a chimney after Hermoine blows flue powder your way; flying with Ron and Harry; playing quidditch and much more. You’ll even see a few animatronic creatures on your journey. Be aware, however, this ride is not for people with motion sickness issues. My husband didn’t care for it, but I rode it with our son 5-6 more times.
Butterbeer — Yum!
#1 Butterbeer — Butterbeer is perhaps the tastiest beverage I’ve ever had and it is only available at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I know there are numerous recipes on the Internet, and I’ve tried a few. They do not hold a candle, however, to the real stuff. The vanilla shortbread cookie flavored soda was developed especially for the Wizarding World and has J.K. Rowling’s stamp of approval. It is topped off with a thick head of butterscotch non-dairy whipped topping. It is served either cold or frozen (slushy). My family preferred it just cold. You can purchase it at the kiosk in the middle of Hogsmeade — you can’t miss is as it looks like a big beer barrel. It is also available at the Three Broomsticks and the Hog’s Head.
The Wizarding World is truly the most amazing amusement park I’ve ever visited. It literally is like being dropped into a Harry Potter movie. It definitely ls not to be missed. ‘Harry Potter World’ is located in Orlando at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure theme park. Why not plan your trip and you can come up with your own top 10 list.
