Visit attractions on the Islands of Adventure side to see a replica of Hogwarts Castle with sound-and-light shows on select evenings and ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. There's a little kid-friendly rollercoaster, the Flight of the Hippogriff, and a more hair-raising alternative, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Don't miss the tavern-style Three Broomsticks restaurant and shops.
Head to the Universal Studios Florida side to explore a model Diagon Alley, dine at the Leaky Cauldron restaurant serving British fare, and browse the shops; you can also stop at Ollivanders to buy a wand. The only ride on this side is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. You need a combo ticket to visit both sides of the attraction, and prebooking is recommended for the best deal.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a must-visit for fans of the series and anyone who appreciates magic and fantasy.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, and be prepared to wait in long lines.
Lockers are available for storing bags while on rides.
A combo pass to Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventures is needed to ride Hogwarts Express.
To reduce your wait times for rides, buy a Universal Express Pass.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction is inside Universal Orlando Resort, just off Interstate 4, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from downtown Orlando, for a 20-minute drive. If you arrive by bus, get off at Universal Boulevard and Hollywood Way, and walk about 10 minutes to the park entrance. The Hogwarts Express train ride connects the two parks.
It can be hard to predict the crowds at Islands of Adventure, but the busiest times of year are over spring and winter breaks, summer vacation, and school holidays. Go on a rainy day or midweek between Labor Day and Thanksgiving for what's likely to be smaller crowds.
The two amusement parks have a lot to offer. Universal Studios Florida has more film-inspired rides—many of which use motion graphics to enhance the experience—while Islands of Adventure has more outdoor rides and water rides, plus a number of rides and attractions aimed at younger children (including a couple inspired by Dr. Seuss).
