Enter another world – a world so familiar and fantastical that you feel yourself step into the books and movies. Our resident Harry Potter fan recently visited Universal Studios Hollywood, having done her research on how to make the experience a little cheaper, a little easier, and a whole lot more fun. She shares her 9 tips for Navigating the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

When you see this sign, you know the fun is about to begin.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is THE place to be in Universal Studios Hollywood and everyone knows it. That’s why, as soon as you pass through the park’s ticketing gates, head to the snow-topped village and let the magic of Hogsmeade enthrall you. But don’t get too caught up in the magic or you’ll spend most of your day waiting in line. Here are my Wizarding World of Harry Potter tips to make the most of your visit.

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Look! It’s Hogwarts!

9 Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips

1. Buy in advance

Purchase tickets online through Universal Studios or thrifty websites such as undercovertourist.com beforehand to streamline the entry process: You won’t have to make the additional stop (and wait) once inside to purchase tickets. Getting tickets early has the added benefit of saving you some galleons better spent towards food and merchandise in the park. For a limited time, you can also buy your ticket online at UniversalStudiosHollywood.com to receive Early Park Admission for visits through 9/3/2019 to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ 30 minutes before the Theme Park opens.

2. Wave to the parking hoards as you breeze by

If you can’t apparate, take a portkey, or ride a broomstick, you’re faced with finding parking for the day in the studios’ various lots. If you’re going for the full day, this pricing is $25, $35, or $50 depending on how close you want to be to the theme park entrance (reduced pricing for entry after 6pm). However, if you want to arrive on the front doorstep, take the Universal City Metro Red Line and rendezvous with the (free) Universal Studios shuttle at the base of the park. Use the Metro Trip Planner website to find the easiest route to the park. While taking public transportation may seem less than ideal, it is a speedy and inexpensive alternative to the hassle of parking in the lots.

3. Foolish Wand Waving

Being chosen by a wand in Ollivander’s wand shop is a rite of passage for all witches and wizards that attend Hogwarts. Yet for us muggles, the experience is a little less grand than what most imagine. Being the attraction that it is, you’ll be lucky if you’re waiting in line for only 30 minutes. Chances are, you and your little one(s) will only be audience to the one lucky member of your group of 20 or so people who gets to perform “magic” before being “chosen” by their wand. After that, you are shepherded into the shop where all of the movies’ characters’ wands are available, as well as wands with unique cores that you can match to your personality.

If you are not chosen by the wandmaker, the experience is much the same as watching Harry Potter’s experience at Ollivander’s in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Therefore, unless you just absolutely have to go through it all, go around to the side entrance or through Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment to choose your wand right off the bat. Or, head to the castle or the stand nearby to skip the shop’s lines and still have a good-sized selection of characters’ wands to choose from.

Wand prices are $46 for the non-interactive ones and about $56 for the interactive wands (which all of the custom core wands are). That being said, there are 15 interactive spots around Hogsmeade where you can conduct magic with your new wand – find them with the handy dandy map of spells tucked away in your wand box. However, take into consideration, if you intend to go on either of the rides in Hogsmeade, you will be toting around the long wand boxes and trying to fit them into the (free) lockers.

4. Wild Rides

The Flight of the Hippogriff sounds exciting when one remembers Harry’s ride on Buckbeak during Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. And while the ride itself is thrilling and the view fantastic, the long line for such a short experience is less so. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, however, is a whole different quidditch game. You enter through the winged-boar-guarded gates and stash your bags in the castle’s locker room before winding your way through the castle. Even if you are in a group, I highly recommended heading towards the single rider line. You coast through the halls, passing the long line while still absorbing all the moving portraits and general ambiance of the castle. You may get split up, but once you’re on the ride itself, you can’t see the person next to you, let alone interact with them as you’re put through the incredible journey.

And incredible it is. Hold on tight because you are flown, rattled, twisted and turned in all directions as videos that take up your entire field of vision pull you into the harrowing story and frightfully life-like animatronics come within inches of you over the course of a few breath-catching minutes. If you are split up, not to worry, you can make your way back in line to catch a few details you undoubtedly missed during the first go, peruse the gift shop, or step outside for a breath of fresh air if you’re feeling queasy after the wild ride.

Snow on the roof, shorts on the people, you’ve entered the Hogwarts Village.

5. Grab a Bite and a Pint

If you’re feeling peckish and have recovered enough after the rides, head to the Three Broomsticks or the Hogshead Pub for hearty British meals with wizarding specials and beverages dispersed throughout the menu. If you don’t feel like sitting down to take in the quirky hodgepodge atmospheres of the restaurants, find one of the beverage booths on the main street and get your very own helping of butterbeer, pumpkin juice, or gillyweed water.

6. Take a Breather

It’s easy to get swept up with the crowds and attractions, but don’t forget to pause and take a moment to fully absorb where you are. Take a seat at the picnic benches under the cover of the Owl Post or stand in the shade near the castle to sip your beverage and feel the excitement in the air. Do also keep an eye and ear out for the performances coming up on the stage, including a very impressive recreation of the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton students’ entrances from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as well as a rocking acapella version of “Do The Hippogriff” from the Yule Ball.

Sing along during performances at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

7. Hit the Shops

Nearly every building you’ve seen in the movies has been constructed, intricate details and all. From HoneyDukes Sweet Shop and Zonko’s Joke Shop to the Apothecary and Gladrags Wizardwear, you are truly immersed in what it’s like to be a student at Hogwarts. Take your time exploring all the shops because they’ll have items you didn’t even know you needed with magical encounters surprising you at every turn. Make sure you cast a spell of your own outside most of the shops with your new interactive wand!

8. Check Your Account at Gringotts Bank

While you don’t need to worry about exchanging your muggle currency for galleons, sickles, and knuts, be prepared to spend a little money. And by little, I mean a generous amount, for butterbeers alone are around $8 each and all the delicacies, accessories, and knick knacks you’ll undoubtedly want will add up quickly. If this is a once in a blue moon vacation for you and yours, it’s ok to splurge, just set a limit for yourself and keep in mind what you can or can’t take back home with you (especially if you’ll be flying the muggle way).

You can step into the action for a great photo opp, like the author did.

9. Pictures!

While they won’t have the same interactive flare as wizarding photos do, there are so many opportunities for photos throughout the village. Nearly everyone takes a photo of the village entryway right off the bat, but keep a lookout for all the witches and wizards (staff) walking around in their Hogwarts or everyday robes. They are more than happy to pose with you. The Hogwarts Express conductor, performers on the stage, and castle greeters are several you can snap a memory with. And of course, once you have your butterbeer or other drinks, take those aesthetic photos with the castle or village in the background to show off on social media. Make sure you charge your phone battery the night before – it’s going to get low fast.

 — Story and photos by Olivia Kent

Hungry for more? Olivia took the advice of Rich Grant, making her way around Los Angeles (including to Universal Studios Hollywood) without a car. Find out how it’s done, here.

Keep these tips handy by pinning them to Pinterest for later!

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