Thinking about booking a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios? We highly recommend it, but we have a few tips and tricks to help you through the process! Now that I have experienced it myself, I would love to help!
Buy your tickets in advance
The cost of the ticket typically goes up the closer to the date, so make sure you buy your tickets well in advance! The park can sell out on peak days and seasons as well as holidays so you will want to make sure you plan well in advance to ensure your trip!
Pick the Best Time
Although there are more seasons desirable than others, wait times are typically less in the fall, winter, and spring (except spring break) so if you are wanting a little less of a crowd, those may be the best times to go! We went in August, and it was quite busy but the Express Pass saved us! Speaking of the express pass…
Get the Express Pass!
I can not stress this enough- if you are the type of person who wants more bang for your buck, get the express pass. Some people love it, some people hate it- however the most we waited in line was around 10 minutes, when most people were waiting 2-3 hours. We were able to hit up all the rides we were interested in with some time for rides that weren’t at the top of our list.
Arrive Early!
Arrive ahead of opening, or purchase the early pass to get in on faster wait times! Although not all attractions might not be open, arriving even 30 minutes earlier might get you to the front of the lines. We heard the Wizarding World opened early!
Allow 30-60 Minutes for Parking / Security
Parking opens 2 hours before the park opens, and one hour before early access. Allow yourself plenty of times to park, walk to the park, and get through security.
Bring your Own Water / Purchase Souvenir Cups
Bringing your own water will save on time and money.
You can bring:
- Water bottles (maximum 2 liters)
- Baby food
- Small snacks
- Fruits / Vegetables
- Small, soft sided insulated bag
You can also save money on Souvenir Cups! You can purchase a souvenir cup for $19 (or two for $17 each.) You’ll get access to around 100 drink choices and unlimited refills (one pour every 10 minutes) the day you purchase it. If you are returning, you can purchase an extra day of refills for $12.
Schedule your day around the shows!
WaterWorld is the biggest show, and you DO NOT want to miss it! The show is 5 stars, and is highly sought!
If you are there for Harry Potter like we were, The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle takes place during certain seasons. You can also find smaller shows such as Triwizard Spirit Rally. During Christmas, you can find the Holiday Frog Choir and the Magic of Christmas as the Hogwarts Castle.
Plan to eat during off times
We chose to eat right when The Three Broomsticks opened and it wasn’t too terrible of a line, but we got in line plenty in advance. By the time we left the line was twice as long. My suggestions is to either get in line way ahead of time, or eat during off peak times of the day to avoid wasting time in line!
What to do in the Wizarding World
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Ollivanders (Does not have Express Pass)
- Triwizard Spirit Rally
- Frog Choir
What to Eat
- Three Broomsticks
- Hog’s Head
Where to Shop
- Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
- Honeydukes
- Gladrags Wizardwear
Looking for more vacation guides? Try our Camping With Kids Packing Guide!