Universal Studios is truly the most magical place in the world. The strenuous time and effort that has been put into the amusement park is evident in the mass crowds and satisfied customers. Although, to call this place an 'amusement park' is downright insulting. This place was literally like walking into the movie set and enjoying the sites and shops like a real wizard!
If you are even considering taking a trip to the park, don't doubt it! Even if you aren't a big fan of Harry Potter, the experience is well worth the money. I thought I would walk you through my experience and what you should check out while visiting Universal Studios.
PLANNING
To kick it off, a schedule is key. Sure, it's fun to go on vacation on a whim and go with the flow, but having a plan is always helpful. It doesn't have to be a strict itinerary, but having an outline of the things you want to do or visit is a necessity.
I would also suggest having a list of items you would like to purchase while you're there. If you just want to be surprised or you are not planning on spending money, this step isn't that important for you. Personally, I didn't have that much money to spend on merchandise, and I wanted to plan accordingly. I started at the Universal Store Website and combed through my options. It's pretty fun to peruse the merchandise at my leisure online. I walked into each shop knowing exactly what I was going to get so I didn't have to slowly muddle through the crowd.
Don't know exactly what to pack? Packing the wrong clothes can lead to a miserable time, and you want to have fun in the park! Bring sunscreen because the sun is so hot you will burn quickly without it. Pack either tank tops or short sleeve shirts but definitely no long sleeves if you are going in the summertime. The humidity and heat can get so intense midday that long sleeves are awful (I speak from experience). Also be sure to pack shorts, for the same reason. You can also get super cheap rain ponchos at a drugstore because Florida is known for pretty unpredictable weather. We got rained on twice and had to sprint back to our hotel in thunder but it gave us something to laugh about later! Bringing a backpack with all of the essentials (Phones, park passes, water, etc.) is extremely important. Having comfortable shoes is KEY. I cannot emphasize this enough, especially since I have had back problems for a large portion of my life. I packed shoes that were extremely uncomfortable by the end of the day. At gift shops, they were selling Sanuk flip flops. These shoes saved me from some intense pain each day.
Also make sure that you book a hotel months in advance. Both times I've gone, we have stayed at Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel and it was amazing. The hotel is modeled to look like Italy, and it had a beautiful lake that lets you ride a boat to the parks and back. This is much better than walking!
RIDES
(The rides I'm including are all over Universal, not just pertaining to Harry Potter. These are not listed in any specific order.)
Revenge of the Mummy: This ride was perfection. I hate rollercoasters and this was absolutely flawless. It's part simulation and part rollercoaster complete with intense drops and frightening twists and turns. This rollercoaster was just enough to scare me, but make me want to ride it three more times! I highly recommend this to anyone over 10, because the simulations may be a little intense for some younger kids.
Transformers 3D: This was a fun simulation that is great for transformers fans, and non-fans alike. Personally, I really love the simulations in Universal and the graphics are outstanding on this ride. The line wasn't too long when I went and the simulation was very realistic. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fun ride without too much of a fear factor.
Flight of the Hippogriff: This was the first rollercoaster I've ever ridden. It wasn't too fast or too slow. This is great for all ages and it's all-around a great ride. I rode this twice and it was quite enjoyable both times. The ride is very brief, lasting for only about 20 or 30 seconds, but I only waited in line for 10 minutes, so it was definitely worth it.
Dragon Challenge: Wow. Wow, wow, wow. This ride is killer. The dragon challenge acts as if you are riding a dragon swerving through the air, diving, and taking sharp turns. The only way I can explain this is I felt like I was being pulled inside out. It was so exhilarating and so well made that I rode this six times total. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a thrill ride. I would not recommend this for anyone under 10 because this is very intense.
Escape from Gringotts: I waited in line for an hour and 20 minutes to ride this simulation/rollercoaster and it was a bit disappointing. This ride is always in such high demand that the line is hardly ever shorter than an hour. Although, it is an exciting simulation to try out at least once. The simulation takes you through Gringotts bank vaults as you come across Harry, Voldemort, Bellatix, and more characters from the HP films. If you want more of a storyline ride, try this one.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: This ride was definitely one of my favorites. The waiting line is rather enjoyable, as you travel through the Hogwarts greenhouse, Dumbledore's office, the Dark Arts classroom, and a hallway full of conversing portraits. The ride itself is fantastic. Another simulation with some tangible props proved to be very fun. You swerve through the Hogwarts' grounds and even encounter a creepy cave with jump scare spiders and dementors. I would ride this again, and would recommend it for anyone wanting an adventure.
Despicable Me: Lastly, Despicable Me. This was one of the first rides as you walk into the park, so it just seemed practical to me to try it out. It was a cute simulation that was designed and made very well. In the ride, you "become a minion" and you have to pass a test to see if you qualify. You sit in a bench with a few other people and watch a 3D simulation play on a screen. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a cute and fun ride appropriate for all ages.
FOOD
Mythos: This is rated the #1 theme park restaurant in the world and that's extremely impressive. When I came here last year, they had the most incredible sushi I've ever eaten so upon returning, I planned to get the same again. Unfortunately, they removed this item from the menu so I had to search for something else. I didn't see anything I would have liked, so I got a burger. The burger did not live up to expectations I had and this was a little disappointing. There are plenty of other items on the menu so you most likely can find something you will really enjoy.
NBC Sports Grill and Brew: This restaurant is located right inside of the Universal park and it was so delicious that we came here three times in our week stay. There is a vast menu with so many amazing options for all different palates. I got sliders and burgers here that were cooked very well with superb flavor. I highly suggest trying this out if you come here.
Leaky Cauldron: I got fish and chips here and although I typically do not enjoy fish, this was cooked to flaky perfection with lots of butter. It was absolutely delicious and I can't wait to get it again when I return to the parks. My Dad got Fishy Green Ale which was recommended to us, but it was a little too big and overwhelmingly sweet. It tasted like a lime and blueberry mix with popping pearls in the bottom. If you come to the Leaky Cauldron, I would suggest going with the cult classic: pumpkin juice.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour: The ice cream served here is so delicious! The first time, I got a soft serve butterbeer cone because it was on their featured list. It did not taste very similar to the butterbeer served in the parks, so I was a little disappointed. The next time I came, I got lavender and earl grey flavor and it was perfection. I love everything to do with lavender and the flavor was just subtle enough to be pleasantly enticing. Absolutely delightful, I would recommend this flavor to anyone. Also, for what you pay for, you get quite a large serving.
Trattoria Restaurant: This is a lovely little brunch place located at the Portofino hotel. I got berry pancakes and they were wonderfully cooked! They were soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. Three huge pancakes were too much for me, but absolutely delicious and I would recommend coming here on a morning when you have some time to really enjoy the food.
Sal's Market Deli: This was a quaint little grocery store also located at the Portofino hotel with a variety of food, drinks, and desserts. I got a cheese pizza and it was very good and not too greasy.
Croissant Moon Bakery: I came here for a chocolate croissant and a french toast muffin. The muffin was delicious in flavor, however slightly dry. The croissant was not flaky as I would have liked it to be, but still it had a really rich flavor. They have a large selection of sweets so it is a great place to go when exiting the park for the day.
MERCHANDISE
Time Turner Key Chain ~ $12.95: The time turner is an absolutely beautiful piece to add to your collection. The necklace was too expensive for my budget, so I thought the key chain was a good compromise. It's a heavy, quality piece, and the sand inside the hourglass moves around. I think $12.95 is a really fair price for this quality collectible.
Marauder's Map Mug ~ $18.95: I wanted the Marauder's Map so badly, but I couldn't spring the $50 so I settled for the mug. Surprisingly, this was just as great as the map! I love collecting unique mugs and this is one of my favorites that I own now. The mug is sculpted so that parts are indented and popped up and I think it's a nice touch to the beautiful design.
Butterbeer Collectible Mug ~ $6.95-8.95: I can't remember the exact price of this mug, but it was definitely a product I wanted coming in. This is a basic plastic mug with a simplistic design, but I love it! It wasn't too expensive, and picking it up at a cart in Hogsmeade made the experience that much better!
Gryffindor Banner ~ $26.95: This item is totally worth the price! The banner is huge and very good quality. The layered felt is really thick and the embroidering is gorgeous. This looks epic on my wall and I'm really glad I got it.
Light Up Hogwarts Castle ~ $14.95: I love papercrafting and making complicated crafts, so this was a lot of fun to make. The template sheets are pre-cut, so you just have to fold and assemble. I'll admit- at certain parts, the instructions were faulty so if you purchase this, look more at the picture on the box than the description if you hit a confusing part. It comes with lights that you string through the castle and it looks pretty amazing. I absolutely love this and the cheap price makes it all the more better!
The Quibbler with Spectrespecs Prop ~ $7.95: I am a die-hard Luna Lovegood fan and since she wears the spectrespecs, I knew I had to purchase this unique piece. You can detach the spectrespecs and wear them without ruining the poster which I think is really cool. There are little holographic rainbows that appear over everything you see and it's pretty neat!
Pygmy Puff ~ $14.95: This is probably the cutest stuffed animal I have ever owned, and I had a huge collection as a child! The pygmy puff is literally a ball of fluff. It is so soft and adorable that I couldn't pass it up when I saw it. You can purchase a smaller key chain version as well, but those were $10.95, so I figured for 5$ I might as well get a bigger one for my shelf.
Luna Lovegood's Wand ~ $39.95: The wands are absolutely amazing. Made of fine resin, each one is very heavy and beautiful carved with unique shapes. The box they come in is very nice as well, with the name of your character printed on the side. This is one of the more pricey collectibles available, but I think that any Harry Potter fan should get their favorite character's wand as a keepsake.
Sherbet Lemons ~ $12.95: Lemon drops may not sound like something you want to purchase at Universal, but they come in a collectible Honeyduke's jar, so how can you pass that up? These did not taste like cheap lemon drops, however. Each one is coated in granulated sugar and if you let it melt in your mouth, it lasts for a long time. There are about 100 in each jar, which is a lot for this price! Now I know why this is Dumbledore's favorite!
Pepper Imps ~ $5.95: These are never mentioned in the books or films, but I figured that since it was a reasonable price, why not? These are cinnamon flavored and the consistency related closely with a butter mint. I counted about 120 so you really get a ton of candy with a cool collectible jar for a cheap price.
Fizzing Wizbees ~ $9.95: The Fizzing Wizbees were probably my favorite snack I purchased. Each milk chocolate bee is filled with sweet raspberry popping candy. You don't get as much candy for your price, but I would highly suggest trying them.
Chocolate Frog ~ $9.95: This is the most common treat in the parks because it was largely popularized in the films. If you are a chocolate lover, this is perfect for you. With each purchase you receive a large hunk of solid milk chocolate and a souvenir box with a collectible card containing a world-renowned wizard.
Caramel Cobwebs ~ $7.95: This treat is never mentioned in the books either, but I heard they tasted like the foam on top of the butterbeer so naturally, I had to try it. They really lived up to my expectations. Each caramel flavored chocolate chip is imprinted with a spider web design, and it melts in your mouth beautifully. This was also one of my favorite treats so I highly recommend trying this.
Love Potion ~ $9.95: I purchased this at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and it's a really lovely product with 'liquid sweets' inside. I have tried to figure out what this is for, and I saw somewhere that it was a tea sweetener. I tried it and couldn't really taste it, and I put a good 2 teaspoons in my cup. I think that the original purpose it to simply pour a little on your finger and eat it alone. This has a sweet rosy flavor that I really enjoyed. The bottle looks exactly like it does in the film, so after you finish the sweets, you can keep it as a collectible.
Pink Coconut Ice ~ $9.95: This was not mentioned in the books either, hence another example of a genius marketing ploy - stick the name Harry Potter to a product and it'll sell like hot cakes. The basic plastic package contains a large piece of sweet coconut fudge. It didn't taste like processed chemicals and it had a really sweet and delicious flavor. I really enjoyed it and it lasted for a long time so I definitely recommend this.
Pumpkin Juice ~ $6.99: This tastes like apple cider with lots of spices and a unique flavor. I've heard that a lot of people don't like the flavor, but I really enjoyed it. The collectors bottle is sold cold at vending carts in the streets and is so refreshing after a hot day. I highly suggest trying this out.
EXTRA
Hogwarts Express: To ride this, you can enter through either 'London' or Hogsmeade and wait in line through a remake train station. When you get on the train, the booths look exactly like they do in the movie. During the ride, a video plays on the 'window' screen to correspond with the ride. It's also an easy way to travel from park to park as opposed to walking the whole way.
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes: Located in Diagon Alley, the Weasley twins' joke shop and it is really incredible inside. There are so many bright colors and it's packed full of trinkets and purchasable souvenirs. It is smaller than it is in the films, but so full of detail that it's worth the visit.
Honeydukes: The candy shop in Hogsmeade is full of bright pinks and greens and beautiful, colorful candy. I had a long list of candies I wanted to get here, so this was a fun shopping destination for me. I would recommend checking it out and looking around for something you like. Zonko's used to reside next door, but Honeydukes has recently been expanded into it. So the store is larger and aesthetically pleasing.
Magical Menagerie: This is a small shop in Diagon Alley that basically is a place where you can purchase many different mythical stuffed animals from the wizarding world. If you're a Luna Lovegood fan, be sure to check this store out and look up for the Crumple Horned Snorkack.
The Three Broomsticks: This iconic restaurant is located in Hogsmeade and the aesthetic of the restaurant (inside and outside) is certainly accurate to the films. This is a great place to pop in and rest with tables outside to sit at. Basically, if you're not planning to eat here, at least come in for a cold drink and a break in the shade.
Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions: I wasn't planning on purchasing a robe, but I came in here to see the robes on display. Some costumes from the set are showcased in dim lighting and glass cases. There is also a mirror that gives you fashion advice (or criticism) if you stand in front of it!
Butterbeer carts: If you go to Hogsmeade, butterbeer carts are pretty hard to pass up. Stop by for a refreshing drink (there is more than just butterbeer available, I recommend trying the raspberry tea).
Ollivander's: The illustrious wand shop is absolutely beautiful in person with towering walls of wand boxes that are actually from the movie set. There is a wand choosing ceremony at the back of the shop where one lucky person is chosen from a group and chooses a wand by 'casting spells'. With the fun special effects and fantastic impersonation of Ollivander, this is a must visit. Plus, there is a huge collection of wands to choose from. From minimalist to detail-oriented, there's a wand for everybody.
Quality Quidditch Supplies: This shop is located in Diagon Alley right when you walk in. There is some pretty neat Quidditch gear avaliable for purchase and a uniform on display. This store was never shown in the films, but it certainly looks like it would be right from the set.
Live Performances in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley: It's pretty impossible to go to either park and not see any live performances. There are reenactments of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the frog choir, Celestina Warbeck, and Beauxbatons & Durmstrang. It was so enjoyable to see these things in person and I suggest asking a staff member for a schedule of the performances if there's a certain one you want to see. I saw Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Tale of the Three Brothers which are essentially puppet shows, but the puppets are amazingly detailed. The Hogwarts frog choir was an A Capella show featuring a member from each house and two singing toads. Celestina Warbeck is briefly mentioned in Deathly Hallows as Molly Weasley's favorite singer. In person, she is absolutely stunning in her flowing gown and backup singers, also wearing beautiful dresses. I only saw a portion of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, but it was basically a routine where staff members performed a choreographed dance complete with streamers and special effects.
Phone booth in London: The phone booth is located right outside of the entrance to Diagon Alley and may look very basic but if you go inside and type 62442 (MAGIC) you will be connected to the ministry of magic and hear a prerecorded "employee" from the ministry speak to you.
The dragon at night: The famous dragon towering over the Gringotts bank in Diagon Alley breathes fire about every 15 minutes or so. The heat from the flame can be felt even from far below. The real magic is going at night and seeing it. The flame looks so amazing in the dark sky, it's a must see.
CONCLUSION
Well that's it! I hope you enjoyed reading and learning more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hopefully you found some things you wanted to try, visit, or experience. It really is the most magical place in the world and I was so happy to experience so much in only three days. I fyou want to check out more content, click here.
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