For anyone thinking of visiting Universal Orlando you mustn’t miss The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s an amazing place even if you aren’t a huge Harry Potter fan or haven’t read any of the books.

By coincidence my other half and I were holidaying in Orlando and visited when it was opening day for Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010. The crowds were huge and it took a while to realise what was happening. We took advantage of the fact that queues for the other rides were shorter and returned later in the week to see Hogsmeade. Even then we queued for two hours just to get in and it was so busy we didn’t get to see everything properly or do the rides until we went back again the year after. See my tips for beating the queues and reducing waiting times here.

King’s Cross Station – Universal Studios

In 2014 Diagon alley was opened in Universal Studios. You enter this via a brick wall as in the Harry Potter books and is quite a hidden entrance – no sign posts – just follow the inquisitive person in front of you. The sight beyond the wall is amazing, like walking into a secret garden – only better.

Tip – The Red British Phone Box in front of KIng’s Cross Station will connect you to The MInistry of Magic if you dial 62442.

Transporting you from London and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios to Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure is the Hogwarts Express. Straight from the Harry Potter books and films. You can catch the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios. The train is actually a working funicular railway and connects the two parks. Unfortunately to ride it you will need tickets to both parks and your ticket and fingerprints will be checked again as you go through the station.

The entrance is themed like a realistic station having uniformed staff on duty and last year I even spotted a busker. The guards stay true to character and if asked about Harry Potter will deny all knowledge of his existence. You’ll pass a British style snack and beverage kiosk, piled up suitcases, and a vintage brass water fountain as you queue.

Platform 9 3/4

There is a flight of stairs (a lift is available ) where you’ll pass through the brick wall onto platform 9 3/4. You may have to stand back depending on the queue to get a photo of your group appearing to walk through the wall. The effect uses a trick called Peppers Ghost.

All Aboard the Hogwarts Express

Carriages hold up to eight people and are just like the old steam trains I rode as a youngster, complete with luggage rack, wall lights and sliding door onto the corridor. There are two trains which pass each other at a loop on the track . The windows are actually a screen showing video of your journey which is different depending on the direction you’re travelling. The train goes forward from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade but then leaves backward returning to King’s Cross.

During the journey you will see Harry, Ron and Hermione on the corridors and meet Dementors, spiders and frogs from the safety of your carriage. You’ll feel the rocking action of your train beneath your seats.

As well as being a highly themed ride it also acts as a short cut to the other park. However during Halloween Horror nights when Universal Studios closes at 5pm the queues are very long to catch the train to Islands of Adventure which closes at 7 or 8pm.

Hogsmeade Station

Tip – If you don’t have two park tickets you can still get a photo of the Hogwarts express as there is a static engine only a short walk from Hogsmeade Station.

Hogsmeade is where you’ll find the ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, choose a wand, send a letter via Owl Post, grab a bite to eat at The Three Broomsticks restaurant and try a Butterbeer.

A new ride opens this summer 2019 – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Hogsmeade. Will this be my new favourite instead of Escape from Gringott’s?

What’s your favourite ride at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’d love to read your comments.