Exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood
Our kids love to go to theme parks! We’ve been to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Discovery Kingdom and now Universal Studios. It was the first time for Brian, Dallen and Sam to go to Universal Studios and they were stoked as they’ve been asking to go for quite some time. It was also the first time for all of us to experience the wonders of Hollywood, with many hotels around the area we had many places to choose from and each with very unique attractions near by. At the end of the trip, we all agreed that our favorite was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
To make it even more awesome for all 6 of our kids, we bought annual passes! I think that buying the annual pass (we bought ours at Costco) is the best deal, especially if you live in California and may visit Universal Studios again during the year. There are a lot of blackout dates, but plenty of open to dates to go too.
For this particular trip, we sweetened the deal and purchased Front of the Line tickets. In my opinion, this is totally worth the extra fee as it allows us to go in a much shorter line, as well as get priority seating at the shows. If you’re going to purchase the Front of the Line pass, you’ll want to make sure you get there right when the park opens up as they do sell out earlier in the day. Another thing we love about Universal Studios is that they are disability-friendly, one can rent a scooter in Universal Orlando.
One of the areas our kids were most excited about exploring was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. All 6 kids enjoy the Harry Potter series (some a little more than others) and were looking forward to checking out the rides and the design of the world itself. Dallen even dressed up as Harry Potter for Halloween with his best friend.
When we walked through the gate, we were greeted by the Hogwart’s Express and a conductor. The kids liked talking to him to for a minute and then took a pic with him. Every few minutes, the train would let out steam. It was a pretty cool effect.
I snapped a few pictures as we were walking through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They loved all the pretty buildings and were really taking it all in! I really loved the buildings too!
As we were walking through, I noticed different kids playing with interactive wands. The kids didn’t notice them this time, but I definitely would like to get them each a wand one of these next times we go. They looked like a lot of fun and would be something I’m sure they’d spend a lot of time doing.
Frank and I went on one of the two rides there and let the kids go on the other one on their own. We went on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I get motion sickness sometimes, so this was a ride I only wanted to go on once, but the kids had a blast! They also went on Flight of the Hippogriff, which they wanted to be a longer ride, but they were happy to go on it.
While waiting for them to finish on the Flight of the Hippogriff, Frank and I ordered a few cups of hot Butterbeer. They were so good!!! I know they serve the Butterbeer both as hot and cold, but I really like it hot! All the kids liked it too.
We had a blast in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios! The kids can’t wait to go back again!! I’m looking forward to it too!
Have you been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before?
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This will a lot of fun to check out! I have not been able to get there yet and I think what I want to do is have my kiddo read the books first and then go as a reward! I think that he would really love it even more then! I can’t wait to go! Looks like you all had a blast!
We LOVE the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We were recently at Universal, and it was so hard to pull ourselves away.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is just as magical as the movies. We loved it so much.
Let me just tell you right now. Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Best. Thing. Ever. My family could have stayed there all day.
What a beautiful place, my son is a huge fan of Harry Potter, he must be wanted to go there.
I can not wait to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. We are planning a trip for next winter. I have heard so many amazing things about it.
Oh my!! I want to go to Universal Studios soooo bad!!! I would kill to get the chance to go one day!!
This looks like a lot of fun! It’s funny because I think my family would have an interesting perspective on this place as we have just seen the first Harry Potter for the first time last week. We are planning out the rest of the movies to hopefully watch them all soon.
My seven year old just got into Harry Potter. I think he’d love to know there’s a theme park designed around the books. Over winter break he enjoyed watching several of the movies.
That looks so cool! I have been wanting to visit and hopefully this summer we finally can.
I took my family to the Harry Potter world and we had so much fun! I really enjoyed the ride and I have to admit the butterbear wasn’t half bad either.
It looks like you all had lots of fun! This is definitely on my list of things to do 🙂
I haven’t been, but several family members have & they all thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d love to see this place (and I’m over 50, lol.)
Theme parks are so fun. I love Harry Potter and I am dying to go. I think when my toddlers get bigger we will make the drive from Chicago. It looks like a blast!
What a wonderful time you all had. We missed tthe Universal Studios when we visited Japan last year. But we’re going back this April. I’ll make sure we stop by Osaka. I want my family to experience this as well.
We’ve never been to the Universal Studios in Hollywood but we loved it in Florida, Harry Potter world is our favorite!
My husband and I are huge Harry Potter fans! I would love to visit here one day – what a magical experience!
I went to Universal Studios when I was in high school. That was way before Harry Potter. I’d love to go back again with my whole family!
[…] – We are excited to have annual passes to Universal Studio Hollywood. Not only do they have the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but we also found awesome wands, shirts, scarves and […]