Summary of Instructions for Your First Family Visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter



(These instructions are especially designed for fitting a visit to Universal Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter into a first family trip to Walt Disney World.)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter1. When to Go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

The general advice this site provides on when to go to Walt Disney World also applies to Universal Orlando. (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located within the Islands of Adventure, one of two theme parks at Universal Orlando.)

However, if your goal is to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as soon as possible, reporting by the Orlando Sentinel suggests that at least something will be open sometime in the period April 23 to May 28, 2010.

If I had to go this summer, the date I’d bet on would be June 20.

If it were my family, I’d delay until mid-October, not only because of uncertainty about opening dates, but also to beat the crowds, summer heat, summer pricing, and peak of the hurricane season.

See this for more on when to go…

2. How Long to Stay at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Universal Orlando is a remarkable place, and easily repays a three or even four day visit, especially if your kids are 12 or older, and/or love thrill rides.

If you are simply trying to fit Harry Potter into a trip otherwise spent at Walt Disney World, use a morning of your trip for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

See this for more on how long to stayat the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

3. How Old/Tall Your Children Should be for Harry Potter:

Pretty much any school-age kid will find be able to find something to enjoy at Harry Potter. Younger kids, or kids without a deep engagement in the books or movies, may find it less interesting.

The old “Dueling Dragons” roller coaster is being re-themed into a Harry-Potter based “Dragon Challenge” attraction. This is a very intense, very cool coaster, and in the past has had a minimum height requirement of 54 inches.

The new signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, will have a 48 inch minimum height requirement.

See this for more on How Old/Tall Your Kids Should befor the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

4. Where to Stay at Universal Orlando:

Those simply aiming for a morning at Harry Potter could maintain their Walt Disney World lodging plans…

However, families wishing either to guarantee access to Harry Potter’s rides without long lines, or contemplating spending more time at Universal Orlando, should consider adding a night at Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific resort. Doing so gives you special “front of the line” privileges for your visit to Harry Potter.

They should do so even if—to preserve their Magical Express airport transport, Extra Magic Hours access, etc—this means being double booked one night, at both a Disney and a Universal resort.

See this for more on where to stay during your visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

5. How Much to Budget for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

The typical family of four seeking to spend a morning seeing Harry Potter should budget, in addition to their Walt Disney World budget, $310 for park tickets.

If you can afford it, budget either another $250-$375 for a night at the Royal Pacific (the best way to do Harry Potter), or, as a not nearly so good alternative, $100-$200 for Universal Express Plus passes.

See this for more on what to budget for Harry Potter.

6. When Your Plans for Visiting Harry Potter Need to be Firm:

If you are simply planning to visit Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter during one of the mornings of a trip otherwise spent at Walt Disney World, you don’t need to worry beyond your Disney timing requirements about when your plans need to be firm.

If you are planning to reserve a night at the Royal Pacific, you should do so now, as soon as your dates are firm. This is because as rumored opening dates are confirmed, or simply get nearer, these hotels will sell out.

If you are planning to buy Universal Express Plus passes, do so as soon as they are available for your dates.

See this for more on when your plans should be firm.

7. How to Spend Your Time at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

  • If checking in to the Royal Pacific, or another Universal Orlando resort, be at its front desk by 7-7:30a to check in and get your hotel keys, which are also your front of the line passes
  • Whether a hotel guest or not, be at the entrance to Universal’s Islands of Adventure (the theme park within which the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located) by 30-90 minutes before opening

See this for the rest of the guidance on how to spend your time.

8. What to do When to Get Ready for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

  • Pick your dates as soon as possible
  • Set your approach—hotel or not, and if not, Universal Express Plus passes or not

See this for the rest of the details of What to Do When to Get Ready for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Last updated 3/2010

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1 comment

1 oticketc { 12.14.09 at 7:14 am }

Pretty useful tips. Discount tickets to universal studios orlando, disney world, seaworld and other orlando parks are also available at http://www.officialticketcenter.com

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