Is it worth it to ride the Hogwarts Express?

The main reason is this is the only way to make sure you see absolutely everything that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has to offer. The other main reason we think the Hogwarts Express is worth it is that it's a convenient way to travel between the two parks and you can enjoy a different experience both ways.



People Also Ask

How scary is the Hogwarts Express? We rate the Hogwarts Express one out of five Dementors in terms of fear factor. With a smooth ride and a mostly passive experience, the attraction really is designed for the whole family.

MORE DETAILS

Q: How much does it cost to ride the Hogwarts Express? A: While it will cost you a park-to-park ticket, it does not cost any extra. You will never have to purchase a ticket to ride only the Hogwarts Express.

MORE DETAILS

We learned from a Universal employee that it takes 35 minutes to leave Diagon Alley, exit the park, enter Islands of Adventure and walk to Hogwarts. So if the wait is 40 minutes for the Hogwarts Express (and your kids can handle the hike) don't take the train. You'll save time just walking around.

MORE DETAILS

The Hogwarts Express ride is actually a one-way transportation element bringing guests from one park to the other. So, you could travel from Universal Studios to the Islands of Adventure or the other way around.

MORE DETAILS

Can you ride the Hogwarts Express multiple times? Yes! As long as you carry a park-to-park ticket, you can go back and forth as many times as you wish between the parks.

MORE DETAILS

The Hogwarts Express uses two trains that can transport 168 passengers each, giving a total of 336 passengers per cycle. Each train is an articulated cable car formed of five sections: a replica of a steam locomotive and its tender plus a set of three passenger coaches each with seven passenger compartments.

MORE DETAILS

However, the ride is not a roller coaster but a scenic dark ride. The experience includes a flight around Hogwarts castle, an encounter with the Whomping Willow and a horde of Dementors, and a Quidditch match.

MORE DETAILS

Hogwarts Express is the only ride in the Universal Orlando Resort parks that lets Guests go back and forth between the two theme parks. Food and beverages are welcome on the Hogwarts Express.

MORE DETAILS

Two five-car trains occupy a single track that runs through the backstage area of the Universal Orlando Resort – but guests will never know because there are no windows in the cars. Both trains face the same direction and will not turn around.

MORE DETAILS

When it comes to which Harry Potter park is better at Universal, Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure is the clear winner. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for Gringotts bank notes. Plus, the younger kids will love the stuffed animals at the Magical Menagerie!

MORE DETAILS

The attraction will be closed from December 10 through December 16, 2023. Please keep in mind that these dates can change. The brief closure is most likely maintenance related.

MORE DETAILS

There are of course some differences of opinion as to whether you should go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley first. If you are just focussing on the Harry Potter elements of both Universal parks I would say visit Diagon Alley first.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, there are. Some people are comfortable changing in their cabins, but others change in the bathrooms. It is a long journey, so there are toilets, definitely.

MORE DETAILS