The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park destination that recreates the magical world of Harry Potter from the books and movies.
It is an immersive experience that allows visitors to walk through the streets of Hogsmeade, shop for wizarding supplies at Ollivanders, and even ride on the Hogwarts Express.
Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are both areas within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort, but they have different themes and attractions.
Hogsmeade is designed to look like the quaint, snow-covered village that Harry and his friends visit during their school years at Hogwarts. Visitors can stroll down the cobblestone streets, visit shops like Honeydukes and Zonko’s Joke Shop, and enjoy rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. There are also restaurants like the Three Broomsticks and the Hog’s Head, where visitors can sample traditional British fare.
Diagon Alley, on the other hand, is set in the bustling, magical shopping district in London where Harry and his friends buy their school supplies. Visitors can explore the winding alleys and hidden corners, visit shops like Ollivanders and Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, and ride attractions like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. There are also restaurants like the Leaky Cauldron and Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, where visitors can enjoy wizarding treats.
Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade is a section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Islands of Adventure theme park at Universal Orlando. It is designed to resemble the fictional village from the Harry Potter books and movies. Hogsmeade is a popular destination for Harry Potter fans, as it offers an immersive experience that brings the books and movies to life.
What is Hogsmeade in Harry Potter?
Hogsmeade is a fictional village in the Harry Potter book series and movies. It is the only all-wizarding village in Scotland and is located near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the story, Hogsmeade serves as a popular destination for Hogwarts students, who are allowed to visit on weekends with permission from their guardians.
Throughout the Harry Potter series, Hogsmeade plays an important role in the plot, as it is the site of several key events, including the introduction of the Marauder’s Map, the discovery of Sirius Black’s secret hideout, and the formation of Dumbledore’s Army.
What Attractions are in Hogsmeade Islands of Adventure?
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Orlando features several attractions in Hogsmeade, including:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: This ride takes visitors through Hogwarts Castle, where they encounter some of the characters and creatures from the Harry Potter books and movies, such as the Sorting Hat, Dumbledore’s office, the Chamber of Secrets, and more.
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: This attraction takes Muggles on a journey through the Forbidden Forest, coming face to face with magical creatures of the Wizarding World on Rubeus Hagrid’s motorcycle
- Flight of the Hippogriff: This rollercoaster takes visitors on a family-friendly ride past Hagrid’s hut and over the Forbidden Forest.
- Ollivanders: Visitors can enter the wand shop and watch a demonstration of a wand choosing its wizard, followed by an opportunity to purchase their own wand.
- Triwizard Spirit Rally: This live show features performances by the students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang, showcasing their magical skills and talents.
- Frog Choir: This musical performance features Hogwarts students singing and playing musical instruments with a group of frogs.
What Dining is in Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure?
- Three Broomsticks: This is a restaurant located in the heart of Hogsmeade that serves traditional British fare such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and roast chicken. They also have a selection of beverages, including Butterbeer.
- Hog’s Head: This is a pub located next to the Three Broomsticks. They serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including Butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and a selection of beers and spirits.
- Butterbeer carts: There are several carts located throughout Hogsmeade that sell Butterbeer and other beverages.
- Honeydukes: This is a candy shop that sells a variety of sweets and treats inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies.
- The Hopping Pot: This is a kiosk that serves a selection of snacks, including pretzels, popcorn, and other treats.
What shops are in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure?
Hogsmeade is a themed land within the Universal Orlando Resort theme park in Florida. It is modeled after the Hogsmeade village from the Harry Potter series, and it features various shops and attractions that cater to Harry Potter fans. Some of the shops you can find in Hogsmeade at Universal Studios include:
- Honeydukes – a candy shop that sells a variety of sweets and treats from the wizarding world, including Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans, and Fudge Flies.
- Ollivanders – a wand shop where guests can experience a wand choosing ceremony, similar to the one seen in the Harry Potter books and movies.
- Zonko’s Joke Shop – a novelty store that sells a variety of practical joke items, toys, and games.
- Dervish and Banges – a shop that offers Hogwarts school supplies, including robes, brooms, and Quidditch equipment.
- Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods – a store that sells various items confiscated by Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch, including Marauder’s Maps and Sneakoscopes.
- The Three Broomsticks – a restaurant that serves traditional British fare, including fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and butterbeer.
- Hog’s Head Pub – a bar that serves a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including butterbeer and Firewhisky.
Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is a section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Universal Studios theme park at Universal Orlando. It is a fictional shopping district in the Harry Potter series, located in London, England. It is a magical hidden street that can only be accessed by wizards and witches, and it is home to many magical shops and businesses.
What is Diagon Alley in Harry Potter?
In the Harry Potter books and movies, Diagon Alley is where Harry and his friends first purchase their school supplies for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They visit shops such as Ollivanders, the wand shop where Harry obtains his wand, Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore where they purchase their textbooks, and Gringotts Wizarding Bank, where they exchange Muggle currency for wizarding money and store their valuables.
What Attractions are in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios?
Diagon Alley is an immersive experience at Universal Studios, and there are several attractions and activities to enjoy. Here are some of the main ones:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: This is a thrilling 3D indoor roller coaster ride that takes you deep beneath Gringotts Bank.
- Ollivanders Wand Shop: Visitors can participate in a wand choosing ceremony and purchase their own interactive wand.
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes: This is a colorful and whimsical store that sells joke items, magical toys, and other items from the Harry Potter universe.
- Leaky Cauldron: This is a popular restaurant that serves British pub-style food, including fish and chips, bangers and mash, and butterbeer.
- Knockturn Alley: This is a darker and more mysterious area of Diagon Alley that features stores selling dark magic items.
- Gringotts Money Exchange: Visitors can exchange their Muggle money for Gringotts Bank Notes that can be used as currency within the Wizarding World.
- Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees: This is a live singing performance by the popular wizarding singer Celestina Warbeck.
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard: This is a storytelling show featuring actors retelling the famous wizarding fairy tales from the book of the same name.
What Dining is in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios?

- Leaky Cauldron: This restaurant serves traditional British fare, such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie.
- The Hopping Pot: This is a great place to grab a quick snack or a refreshing drink. They offer a variety of Butterbeer options, as well as other Wizarding World beverages.
- Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour: If you’re looking for something sweet, head over to this ice cream shop. They have unique flavors inspired by the Harry Potter books, such as Butterbeer, Chocolate Chili, and Earl Grey and Lavender.
- The Fountain of Fair Fortune: This pub offers a selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, as well as light bites like charcuterie boards and cheese plates.
- Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment: This cart serves non-alcoholic beverages with magical twists, such as Pumpkin Fizz and Tongue-Tying Lemon Squash.
- The Carkitt Market: This is an outdoor marketplace with various food stalls and carts, including the popular Fishy Green Ale and Gillywater cart.
What shops are in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios?
Diagon Alley at Universal Studios is a magical shopping experience, where visitors can find a variety of stores selling products inspired by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here are some of the main shops you can find in Diagon Alley:
- Ollivanders: This is the famous wand shop where visitors can watch a wand-choosing ceremony and purchase their own interactive wand.
- Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes: This is a colorful and whimsical store that sells joke items, magical toys, and other products from the Harry Potter universe.
- Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions: This is a clothing store that sells robes, scarves, and other clothing items for wizards and witches.
- Quality Quidditch Supplies: This is a sporting goods store that sells Quidditch-related items, such as broomsticks, Quaffles, and Bludgers.
- Borgin and Burkes: This is a dark and mysterious store that sells magical items and artifacts, some of which are associated with the Dark Arts.
- Flourish and Blotts: This is a bookstore that sells a variety of books, including textbooks for Hogwarts students and popular wizarding literature.
- Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment: This is a store that sells a variety of wizarding tools and equipment, such as telescopes, hourglasses, and compasses.
- Scribbulus Writing Instruments: This is a store that sells quills, inkwells, and other writing supplies for wizards and witches.
Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express is a train ride that connects Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure to Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida, allowing visitors to experience the journey that Harry and his friends took to get to Hogwarts and get between the two sections of the Wizarding World seamlessly without walking all through both parks.
Both sections of the Wizarding World are in the rear of their respective parks.
A park to Park (hopper) ticket, annual pass or Military Freedom Pass is required to ride Hogwarts Express as your will be switching parks when you ride it.
Read more about the Hogwarts Express.
Links to Associated Wizarding World Content:- When is the Best Time to Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
- Harry Potters Wizarding World: All About the Magic Wands
- Why Every Harry Potter Fan Needs to Visit Madam Malkin’s
- Ranking Butterbeer's at Universal Orlando Resort
- Wizarding World Spells, Secrets, and Tips
- Treats From The Harry Potter Books That You Can Get in Universal Studios!
- 5 Hidden Details at Escape From Gringotts
- All About the Hogwarts Express
- Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley at the Universal Orlando Resort
- Dark Look Inside Borgin & Burkes
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This Universal Orlando Guide Post By: Erin Schreiver Erin loves going to Universal with her family and all things Harry Potter! Check out her bio. |
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