Which side of Harry Potter world to start?

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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Start in Hogsmeade Make a mad dash to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, then go straight to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey if rides are your top priority. You can usually find a 10-15 minute wait at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey if you are there early enough.

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Maximize Your Morning: Always utilize the Early Park Admission to beat the rush. If you're on a tight schedule or visiting Harry Potter World Florida for just one day, kick off your adventure at Islands of Adventure. Must-Experience Ride: Prioritize Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

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Start your day in Islands of Adventure and head straight for the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station. Because this ride is so limited, even with Express Pass lines can get a little long for it later in the day, so do it first thing in the morning.

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Best Attractions at Universal Harry Potter Right off the bat, Islands of Adventure has an advantage because it has 4 rides instead of just 2. Plus, while I'd say the experience is better coming from Diagon Alley, you can ride The Hogwarts Express on either side.

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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.

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Yes, it is possible to see both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day. You will need a one-day two-park ticket to experience all that the Wizarding World has to offer, since Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade is located in Islands of Adventure.

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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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Hogwarts™ Castle Walk You can walk through Hogwarts™ castle without riding the ride attraction. Fully enjoy the world of Harry Potter™ including “Moving Portrait Corridor” and “The Portrait of the Fat Lady” like Harry Potter™ and his friends did! *Please ask crew members about the operation hours.

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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™. The train travels between Hogsmeade™ in Universal's Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley™ in Universal Studios Florida.

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Yes there's definitely a difference. I would purchase a both park ticket. To have the whole Harry Potter World experience. It was indeed (well worth) the extra money.

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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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With our Harry Potter Experience, your family's tour includes: Getting Sorted into your House (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw) before the trip even begins. A pre-trip package and activities for your kids (or you) to get them ready for admittance to Hogwarts.

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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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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.

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At Islands of Adventure, you can visit Hogwarts™ castle and explore Hogsmeade™ village. And at Universal Studios, you can enter Diagon Alley™ and enjoy a mind-blowing thrill ride, magical experiences, and more. Plus, stay at one of our spectacular resort hotels.

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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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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 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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