Which Harry Potter world should you visit first?

Starting in either park guarantees you a great day — obviously, you're at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you really can't go wrong — but we recommend starting at Hogsmeade, catching the train over to Diagon Alley mid-day, and then coming back to Hogsmeade to finish the night.



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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.

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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!

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood is great for a concise getaway, but ultimately, nothing beats Universal Orlando when it comes to the full magical experience. Those looking to enjoy the best of all the flavor, fun, and attractions will want to head to Orlando to find it.

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It's incredibly convenient to travel on the Hogwarts Express between parks and it gives you way more flexibility if the weather throws a wrench in your itinerary. Either way though, you're going to need 2 days to see both areas of Harry Potter World.

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You can only access this attraction if you have a park-to-park ticket, though! In my opinion, you can absolutely fit everything you want to do in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day, even without Express Passes. You just need to be strategic about your itinerary!

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The recommended time to complete the entire tour is 3-4 hours. However, if you are a hardcore fan, you might want to stick around for at least 5 - 6 hours for a more in-depth look at the Harry Potter universe.

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keep in mind, they are part if 2 large theme parks that are connected at the back by the Hogwarts Express. the Universal parks offer many fun rides & experiences... so if you want enough time to ride every ride in both parks, 2 days is sufficient, 3 days is good to give you wiggle room to revisit favorite rides.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Orlando has two Wizarding World lands — Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley — connected by the Hogwarts Express train, while Hollywood has only Hogsmeade with the iconic Hogwarts castle (and plenty of Butterbeer, of course).

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You get to walk through Platform 9 3/4 and experience a magical train ride just like Harry Potter did, versus taking a long walk on foot between the two parks that contain the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter worth it? Yes, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is worth it.

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That said, Wizarding World (like most of the rides at Universal Studios) is probably best suited for kids 7 & up. Kids who are already well-versed in all things Potter will have the best time since every nook and cranny is inspired by J.K. Rowling's sprawling imagination.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood is great for a concise getaway, but ultimately, nothing beats Universal Orlando when it comes to the full magical experience. Those looking to enjoy the best of all the flavor, fun, and attractions will want to head to Orlando to find it.

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Both Orlando and Hollywood offer guests an engaging Wizarding World experience. However, Universal Orlando logistically has more to provide in the way of themed options for visitors to explore. Thus, travelers with time to spare wanting a comprehensive Harry Potter experience will find it at Universal Orlando.

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And as you can imagine there are so many amazing things to do in each section, you should give yourself at least two days to experience everything the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has to offer.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has five rides, split between Islands of Adventure Hogsmeade and Universal Studios Florida Diagon Alley.

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Felt like we were definitely in wizarding world. If you want to see all of Harry Potter at Universal, you'll need to buy tickets for both parks (and that's the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express). Makes it very expensive, but we felt it was worth it after having enjoyed it. Absolutely awesome!

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If you want to revolve the entire vacation around theme parks, then Universal Orlando is probably your best bet. However, if you consider visiting a theme park as only part of a larger itinerary, then Universal Studios Hollywood may be a better option.

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How much does a trip to Harry Potter World cost? The estimated cost of a visit to Harry Potter World is approximately $1,260 for four adults with 2 park-to-park tickets. This allows for a full day of exploration in Hogsmeade and another day in Diagon Alley.

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How much does a trip to Harry Potter World cost? The estimated cost of a visit to Harry Potter World is approximately $1,260 for four adults with 2 park-to-park tickets. This allows for a full day of exploration in Hogsmeade and another day in Diagon Alley.

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You'll need a Park-to-Park ticket to ride the Hogwarts™ Express and visit both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

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Things to consider: There is A LOT of walking around. We were there for just over SIX HOURS, and most of that was walking. There is a fair amount of queuing as well (see tip two!).

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Visit Harry Potter™ Studios during the first half of the day. The tours are lengthy and take anywhere between 3 and 7 hours. Hence, it is recommended that you book an early slot because the crowd peaks at around 4 PM. You can enjoy a stress-free and pleasant experience.

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ENTRY TIME We recommend you arrive 20 minutes prior to your ticketed time. Before your tour begins you will have access to the Food Hall, Hub Café, Studio Shop*, cloakroom and toilet facilities. Those arriving after the last tour of the day cannot be guaranteed entry.

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