The experience includes a flight around Hogwarts castle, an encounter with the Whomping Willow and a horde of Dementors, and a Quidditch match. The ride drops, spins around, twists and turns, but does not turn upside down, though passengers sometimes lie flat on their backs.

The Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando Resort is a family-friendly transportation attraction and does not go upside down. It is not a roller coaster; technically, it is classified as a funicular—a type of cable car railway system where two five-car trains occupy a single track (with a passing loop in the middle) and are pulled by a cable. The ride connects Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure, providing a scenic, immersive journey through the British countryside and London. Because it is a "track-based" dark ride designed to accommodate guests of all ages (with no height requirement for those accompanied by an adult), the movement is very smooth and gentle, limited to standard forward motion and slight vibrations to simulate a real steam train. Instead of loops or inversions, the "thrills" are entirely digital and atmospheric, provided by the screens that act as the train windows and the silhouettes of characters passing by the cabin doors. While it is a "must-do" for fans for its storytelling and immersion, it is a completely different experience from high-intensity thrill rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or the VelociCoaster.