We are going on a Disney World Trip in October. Two families with 5 kids in total. 1 day of our trip we are going to universal/island of adventures to do all things Harry Potter. We have a 1 day - 2 park ticket with hopes to spend all day there and get all the cool things done. We won’t have early morning entry because we are staying at Disney. We are not buying express passes, seems like a waste of money since we aren’t doing the entire park. Universal Studios closes 5pm for horror nights, so we will need to finish the night at Islands. This will be our first time to USO so we really don’t have a good plan on how to conquer the day. I’m looking for any “touring plans”, advice on order of attack, what to “rope drop”, and any must do’s. Bonus points if we have time to do velocicoaster and mummy. Thank you for your help community.
Hi!
I am a Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) and big WWOHP fan. I routinely do “Harry Potter” days where all I do are these attractions.
You didn’t say your dates, but assumming you are not going on a Monday or Tuesday. Those are the nights HHN doesn’t happen and Universal Studios Florida (USF) is open longer. The name of the entire resort and the park that has Diagon Alley are too similar. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t confusing anyone.
IME - Starting at USF is going to be the best choice as going into Diagon Alley (DA) is amazing. Whereas, Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure (IOA) while having the better rides is lacking in “WOW” factor when you enter.
I’m going to presume that while you are not doing Early Park Admission (EPA) that you’ll be there soon after Rope Drop.
My advice, is to stop by Mummy on your way into the park. A good wait time is 30 minutes or less. It’s a super fun ride. Before Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure it was my favorite ride at UOR. I suggest this because if you aren’t staying at USF for anything else then you can exit the park later to IOA via The Hogwart’s Express. (HE)
Then head to DA. Ride Gringott’s whenever the queue is 45 minutes or less. It will be really busy in the morning as the majority of visitors go straight to it. You should absolutely plan on seeing the Tales of Beetle the Bard show in this area. The other show, Celestina and the Bansihes is fun but more entertain for adults that want to hear “big band” style music.
Keep an eye on the Ollivanders wand shop show queue and wait. It will habitually say “20 minutes” as the lowest wait time. Any wait around that is reasonable.
Explore the area and shop as much as you want. I don’t know if you are buy a wand(s) or not. This activity will take up a good chunk of time. Otherwise, DA is only one ride, a show and a lot of shopping and eating.
Take the HE over to Hogsmeade and anytime you see the queue for Hagrid’s at 60n minutes or less get in that queue. A wait of 75 minutes or more isn’t unreasonable either.
Hogsmeade had two shows. I enjoy them, but IMHO they are both “skippable.” If you are going to see one I recommend the Frog Choir.
The Forbidden Journey queue moves quickly. However, Flight of the Hippogriff is such a slow loading “kiddie” coaster, like Barnstormer at MK, that a one our wait is not unusual. It’s a 30 second ride!!! No thanks!!
Between the two lands I would eat lunch or dinner at Hogsmeade. The Three Broomsticks menu is more American family friendly while The Leaky Cauldron in DA focuses a lot on traditional British food.
The WWOHP areas typically only take me about half a day to do both. I tend to enter at RD and I’m done with everything around 3pm.
You should have plenty of time to ride Mummuy and VC, plus a few other things.
FYI - Forbidden Journey is NORTORIOUS for motion sickness. Be aware if anyone in your party even slightly gets sick from these things.
PLEASE ask us as much as you want! I’m thrilled to help your family on their first WWOHP journey!
Welcome!
The good news is, USF only has EPA during busy Holidays. So, you will not have a disadvantage if you start your day there.
I like this touring plan, because it mostly follows the time line. You can choose your priorities and decide what not to do.
Some side notes:
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Here is a helpful map of Diagon Alley Diagon Alley Map.pdf (5.9 MB)
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And also Hogsmeade Hogsmeade Map.pdf (6.4 MB)
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Arrive at the UOR parking garage at least 60 minutes before park opening time, and the USF gates at least 45 minutes early. (they will typically allow you to enter a little early)
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A great photo opportunity is entering Diagon Alley when completely empty, it’s amazing.
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Try do visit The Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks restaurants, even if it’s just drinks/dessert at one.
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Don’t skip the Knight Bus interaction.
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Get one or two Gringotts Bank Notes, makes a great souvenir.
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If you see “No loose items” signs at Gringotts, Hagrid’s etc., it just means no bags. Make sure to keep your phone with you to take lots of great queue pictures!
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With a large group, you may want to do all the Potter stuff before other attractions. Things will take time, especially if you want to do and see all things Potter.
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Hagrid’s in the dark right before close is one of the most thrilling things to do in all of Florida.
(I do like @darkmite2 suggestion of doing the Mummy first. That is, if you do rope drop)
How long before park close would you recommend getting in line for that?
Aim for 10-15 minutes before close time.
And ask them if they’ve heard any rumors about you know who? Bonus if you say his name….
*Also ask someone at King’s Cross Station if they know how to find Platform 9 and 3/4.
Check out the Harry Potter sections of my scavenger hunt for more interactive fun in WWHOPs
I suggest here either a bandolier style phone case that you can wear cross body around your body or a one of those water resistant cell phone holders around your neck. They might make you tuck them in your shirt but on rides where you can take your phone this is a good way to keep it safely with you.
Highly agree, jump in line 5 minutes before park close. 45 min wait-ish prolly at this time despite what they post. They lie. And this ride while already the best ride in Florida (but I haven’t been to Epic yet) is 10 times better at night
We are going on October 17. Should we ride the Train both directions? If so, how would you plan that into the day?
Yes will will rope drop. We are a go all day type of vacation family. Thank you so much for your response. Those are some great suggestions. Do they do a night time show in the land? Do you recomend riding the train both directions? If so, how would you work that into the day?
We are going on October 17. And yes we will get there early and enter as soon as they let us. We are rope droppers. Thank you so much for all of your tips. Should we do the train both ways/ If so, how would you work this in? Are there any night time shows that we should see? Is doing the wand ceremony worth it even if your kids are not picked? if we do the Mummy on the way in, it won’t put us to far behind in WWOHP?
Glad to help.
Unfortunately, Hogwarts Always light show only restarts in November.
The plan does have a hop back to DA later in the day, just not sure if you’ll have time since USF closes early.
Cinesational, the USF night show also only returns in November.
I would still experience Ollivanders, no need to buy a wand. It’s pretty neat.
Mummy should be no wait, you’ll be ok entering DA afterwards. (Don’t forget to hit the lockers first, to store your bags)
You could enter IOA and ride the train into USF to start your day but I’d personally rather ride mummy than ride the train both ways.
Mummy is my fave ride in USF.
OMG! I can’t believe that I forgot about the Knight Bus Driver!!
IMHO - If you are on limited time seeing both “shows” the HE does is cool, but not necessary. Sometimes the queue for HE can be an hour or more to travel between parks.
(You can walk in between each park in 30 minutes or less! 
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The train is different each way, so I would ride it both ways.
Dial Magic in the phone booth and listen to what they say.
Make sure to notice the owl poop under the owls. That amuses me.
Stand in front the mirror in the ? store and have it comment on your outfit.
Bookmarked! You have the best tips.
Check out YT for a few vloggers that will tell you all the “hidden” magic around WWOHP.
If you stand right outside the door of The Daily Prophet you’ll hear the editor barking orders at the reporters typing up stories!!
I got that one from RixFlix!!
Bookmarked! I like getting liner tips, and there’s only so much time. I’ve got several of yours bookmarked I’ll be studying when it’s closer to time for us to go.
Here’s a Potter scavenger hunt if interested.
WWOHP Scavenger Hunt.pdf (266.2 KB)