The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando has everything for Potterheads and muggles. Hogsmeade Village, located in Islands of Adventure, is magical as you stroll along the enchanting cobbled street surrounded by the snow-capped crooked rooftops. It will have you marveling in awe at the attention to detail.

You don’t need a separate ticket to enter Hogsmeade, all Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands are included in your Islands of Adventure ticket.

The only extra ticket you will need is a park-to-park ticket if you plan to hop on the Hogwarts Express to whisk you away to Diagon Alley in Universal Studios.

Hogwarts Castle Tour

The jewel in the crown of Hogsmeade is of course Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This majestic and imposing castle is jaw dropping in detail.

It’s home to the Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey attraction, BUT! Do not miss the interior of the castle if you don’t want to take the ride.

Hogwarts Castle is chock-full of gems, sights and sounds from the Harry Potter movies.

You don’t need to take the ride to tour Hogwarts Castle. You have two choices. Either tell the ride attendant at the entrance that you only want to tour the castle, and they will directly you to a slightly shorter route. Or, you can just join the regular line (which is a slightly longer route) and take your time browsing each area.

However, do make sure you stand aside and don’t get in the way or block riders from getting past you. For the benefit of all riders in line, ride attendants are keen to keep everything moving as quickly as possible. They will instruct you to move along if you do cause a delay or get in the way.

Hogwarts Castle Tour Hogsmeade Orlando

Highlights from the Hogwarts Castle Tour:

  • Prop Replicas – Mirror of Erised, Mandrakes in Professor Sprout’s Herbology greenhouse
  • Holograms – you’ll see Professor Dumbledore and Harry, Hermione and Ron
  • Notable Rooms – Dumbledore’s Office, Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom, Gryffindor Common Room
  • Portrait Gallery – The portrait gallery features over 100 pictures, many of them animated. Stop and listen to the conversation

Rides in Hogsmeade

Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey

As you enter the imposing castle gates, you will discover lots of memorable props as you wind your way along the passage way. Your tour through Hogwarts will keep you entertained all the way. You’ll hardly notice you’re in line.

There are no loose objects allowed on this ride. If it doesn’t fit comfortably in a pocket, it has to go in a locker.

It’s the first time Professor Dumbledore has opened up the school to us mere muggles. We’ve been granted access to attend a history lecture by Professor Binns.

Once you start your tour through the castle, you’ll make your way through several iconic rooms, including Dumbledore’s Chambers, Gryffindor Common Room and the Room of Requirement.

Harry, Hermione and Ron will be in the Dark Arts Chambers. Being the naughty kids they are, they’ll convince you that it’s much more fun to play Quidditch than it is to listen to some boring lecture.

Being the naughty kids you are, you’ll skip the lecture and join them. And that’s when the trouble with the Dementors and big spiders begin.

That’s what you get for skipping school.

The ride immerses you along a journey that makes full use of innovative systems, robot technology and surround sight and sound with animatronics and theatrical sets. You’ll encounter a Hungarian Horntail dragon, a Whomping Willow in the Forbidden Forest and, of course, Dementors.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

As you venture towards the edge of the Forbidden Forrest, look out for glimpses of Hagrid’s Hut as you reach the ruins. Take some time to stop and explore the small details and Hagrid’s cool collections.

You’ll be up close and personal with Hagrid as he takes you on a Care of Magical Creatures class onboard a magical motorbike.

On Florida’s longest coaster, you’ll hurtle at 50 miles per hour through the Forbidden Forest where you’ll see Fluffy, Hagrid’s Three-Headed Dog, Blast-Ended Skrewts, Magorian the Centaur, Cornish Pixies, Fire Crab, Manticore and more.

Flight of the Hippogriff

The family friendly coaster is a little more gentle and perfect for the younger kids that are too small to make the height grade of the other rides.

With speeds of 29 miles an hour, you’ll have time to take in the sights as you travel the tracks. It might look like a kiddie coaster adults would skip, but this ride gives you great views of Hogameade Village and Hogwarts Castle.

Flight of the Hippogriff in Hogsmeade Village Orlando

Hogwarts Express

This enchanting train journey’s between Hogsmeade Station and Kings Cross Station in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.

You’ll board and ride in your carriage with enchanting views from the window and you meander along the countryside. You’ll pass by landmarks from the movies as you make your way from station to station.

It’s a different experience each way, so ride both directions if you have time.

You’ll need a park-to-park ticket to ride.

Shopping in Hogsmeade

As with Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade Village has several stores to explore.

Ollivanders

There’s a branch of Ollivanders here for that all essential wand. The walls are crammed with thousands of wand boxes. But this isn’t just any old store, Ollivanders is also home to one of the coolest gems in all of the Wizarding World – the Wand Choosing Ceremony.

Owl Post

If you have postcards or letters, get them stamped at Owl Post with a unique postmark. You can buy official USPS Harry Potter stamps too. Plus there’s a whole range of writing implements, plushes, collectables and stationery.

Anything you buy in the store can be shipped with special packaging too.

Honeydukes

The sweet tooth in the family will gaze in wonder at the array of candy treats on offer in the legendary Honeydukes sweet shop. Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans (including Earthworm, Earwax, Rotten Egg and Vomit flavors), Butterbeer Fudge, Fudge Flies, Jelly Slugs, Peppermint Toads and lots more.

Shopping in Hogsmeade

Dervish and Banges

This is the shop for everything a wizard could need. Stationery, quidditch supplies, books, robes, scarves and more.

Check out The Monster Book of Monsters, but don’t worry, it’s caged.

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods

This store is the exit from the Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey ride. The school’s resident caretaker, Argus Filch, has a room full of items confiscated from students, which you can now purchase. There are lots of movie prop replica’s on sale. And make sure you see the Marauder’s Map, complete with moving footseps.

Eating & Drinking in Hogsmeade

Three Broomsticks

If your hunger pangs are kicking in, call into the only restaurant in Hogsmeade, The Three Broomsticks.

The enchanting decor is breathtaking and the attention to detail makes you believe you really are right in the middle of Harry’s magical and mystical world.

They serve a selection of British favorites, such as Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Pastie’s.
And of course that awesome Butterbeer.

Dining in Hogsmeade Orlando

Hogs Head

Connected to Three Broomsticks and also has a separate entrance. If you need to quench your thirst, try a pint of Hog’s Head Brew, created and brewed exclusively for Universal by the Florida Beer Company based in Cape Canaveral. You can of course get Butterbeer in the Hogs Head too.

Take some time to explore the attention to detail in both locations.

Hidden Gems in Hogsmeade

Take some time to explore the many hidden gems in Hogsmeade. Look up, look down and look carefully everywhere!

  • Shop Windows – Peek through the windows of each store front to see intricate details and animatronics.
  • Moaning Myrtle – She hangs out in the public restrooms in Hogsmeade – even if you don’t need the bathroom, pop in and see if you can cheer up this poor unhappy ghost.
  • Borgin & Burkes – look carefully at the second level inside the shop – around 90% of the items up there are original props and sets that were used in the movies

Seasonal Events in Hogsmeade

Christmas in Wizarding World of Harry Potter is magical. The holiday decor on all the buildings enhances the atmosphere even more.

Hogwarts Castle Projections: On select nights and changing seasonally, Hogwarts Castle comes alive with a magical state-of-the-art projections that are beamed onto the castle. The shows usually last between 5-10 minutes, depending on which seasonal show is running, and happen around every 20 minutes from early evening.

Hogwarts Castle Lights

  • Nighttime Lights Hogwarts – On select nights, projections celebrate the four houses of  Hogwarts in a blaze of light and sound.
  • The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle – This show brings the holiday spirit to Hogsmeade and recreates magical Christmas moments from the Harry Potter movies. This show usually runs during Holiday events from mid November to early January.
  • Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle – this show is usually on around Halloween season, from mid September through October. Death Eaters usually emerge from the shadows swathed in a creepy green light followed by the Castle show projections begin. The projections include Lord Voldemort’s followers including Dementors, Death Eaters and Aragog the Acromantula.

Check the Universal park app on the day you are visiting for updated shows that are running that day.


Now you’ve explored Hogsmeade, discover the rest of the amazing attractions at Universal Orlando
Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Diagon Alley
Hogwarts Express


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