Visiting Orlando? A trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a must for fans of the books and movies. This is your guide to the best things to eat and drink, as well as some other park tips and secrets!
Before I started dating Andrew, I had never watched any of the Harry Potter movies or read the books. Andrew loved the movies and so he insisted we watch them together shortly after we started dating. I loved them so much we decided to read the books too!
Since then, we have watched all the movies multiple times. When we were reading the books, we heard that Universal was going to be expanding their Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Andrew had gone before, but I had never even been to Universal. We have been planning to go and finally made the trip to Orlando this past weekend. I love living in Florida and only being 2 hours away from all the fun things to do in Orlando!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is divided between Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. In order to see it all, you need a Park to Park ticket. It costs a little more than a one park ticket, but it’s so worth it!
Hogsmeade in Island of Adventures
We started our day in the older section, Hogsmeade, in Islands of Adventure. I loved seeing Hogwarts! Our first ride was inside the castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. My favorite ride out of all the Harry Potter attractions is Dragon Challenge. It’s a two-sided roller coaster. If you can, ride both sides! The Hungarian Horntail is my favorite side.
Diagon Alley in Universal Studios
Once you finish your tour of Hogsmeade, be sure to take the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley! The train brings you to London, where you can find Diagon Alley. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is the new ride there. We ended up waiting 3 hours in line! It was fun, but not worth that long of a wait.
The Food!
Being the foodie that I am, I had to try some of the famous foods and drinks that the park has to offer. After reading the books and watching the movies, it’s really cool to be able to try a Butterbeer or eat at the Leaky Cauldron.
If you only try one thing, you have to get a Butterbeer! It’s similar to cream soda with a hint of butterscotch. You can choose between regular and frozen, so I tried them both! I thought that the frozen one was way better. It’s also more refreshing on a hot Florida day.
Another must-try drink is Pumpkin Juice. I am a huge fan of anything pumpkin, especially a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. The Pumpkin Juice was even better! It tastes like Fall in a cup but is still refreshing since it’s iced. I really want to try making it at home. Stay tuned to see if I’m successful!
For lunch, we visited the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. It looks just like it does in the movies! It was such a fun experience to eat there. They had lots of dishes I wanted to try. Andrew and our friends got the Fish and Chips, which came with an amazing tarter sauce!
I chose the Cottage Pie. It tasted homemade and was the perfect thing after a full morning touring the park. It comes with a side salad and goes great with a glass of Pumpkin Juice. It looks small but was really filling.
Are you planning a trip to Orlando? Be sure to check out my review of Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa or take a day trip to try some of the best restaurants in Sarasota.
Have you been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? What was your favorite food or drink?
Elizabeth Lund says
I have heard Harry Potter World is amazing!! Maybe we will get there someday! I must admit that butterbeer sounds so yummy, especially frozen! Thanks for the tips!
Jenna Brussee says
You should go! I’ve seen some pinterest recipes for Butterbeer, so I might try making it at home after I try making Pumpkin Juice.
Jenna Brussee says
Good thing you guys live closer now! It’s nice being able to do a day trip to Orlando, it saves a lot of money to not have to get a hotel.
Jenna Brussee says
The expansion is awesome! You should definitely go see it soon.
Jenna Brussee says
She should check it out! I love living so close to Orlando.
mandy @a sorta fairytale says
My Husband went to Universal a few years ago, they weren’t 100% done with the Harry Potter World but it was *almost* done, and I was super impressed! SO fun!
Jenna Brussee says
I am glad I waited to go until they had both sides done. It was a great experience!
Kayli Schattner says
How fun!!! I’d love to go to Harry Potter World– I’ve heard so much about it!
Jenna Brussee says
It’s so worth it! You will love it.
esther julee says
Love that you did a food post! I might try making some butterbeer on my own. I did have a hard time drinking the entire thing at the park though…. so much sugar!! i think i was on a sugar high the rest of the time. 😛 ii’m also sad that we waited over an hour for the main harry potter ride.. and i couldn’t keep my eyes open after the spider part at the beginning and pretty much missed the entire ride. boooo. 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I went a little over-board on the sugary drinks, too! Next time I wouldn’t have as many but I had to try them since it was my first time there.
Stefany @ ToBeThode says
What a super fun place. My son would get a kick out of all the buildings and things to see. I am with you though, I’d be going for the food and drinks!
Jenna Brussee says
We think alike! They have some amazing food and drink options to try.
Lyssadawson says
How cool is this?! I seriously need to go to Harry Potter World! It’s my childhood all wrapped up into one theme park!
Jenna Brussee says
You will LOVE it!
Laura says
I am personally not into Harry Potter, but those shots of the castle and train are so cool! love them
Jenna Brussee says
I would enjoy visiting even if I wasn’t a fan. The castle is beautiful.
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
This looks so fun!! I’ve never been but have definitely heard that Butterbeer is delish! It looks good! Great pictures too! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I’ve heard Butterbeer is on the “secret menu” at Starbucks! I’ve never tried to order it there, though.
Brooklyn says
This post makes me want to go so bad! It’s on my to do in the next few years hopefully before kids!
Jenna Brussee says
You should! There are lots of fun things to do in Orlando, so it would be a great trip.
Mandi Kane says
This looks too fun.
I said I was going to read the series this year, I have never read it. I was actually called out for it a few months ago, because you’d think as a writer I’d take the time to read the literature that’s defining this generation. This reminded me that I should get on that.
Jenna Brussee says
They are so easy to read! If I wasn’t working and in school full time when I read them I probably would have just devoured them.
Felt With Love Designs says
Wow! That dragon is amazing! I’ve never been a huge Harry Potter fan but that looks like a lot of fun!
Jenna Brussee says
The dragon even blows smoke! It’s crazy because if you stand under it you can feel the heat from it.
Jordan says
Oh my gosh, you don’t know how badly I wanna go here!!! Like seriously SOOOO BAD!!!!!
Jenna Brussee says
I totally understand! I felt the same way. I was literally bouncing in my seat on the way there.
ananda-www.apieceofrainbow.com says
i need to visit this place! love harry potter and this must be so fun!
Jenna Brussee says
It was a blast! It’s so cool to feel like you are there.
Betsy Gettis says
I have been dying to go there! I would LOVE to try a butter beer! My brother and I literally went to the midnight releases of most of the books! haha
Jenna Brussee says
It’s worth the trip for sure! Butterbeers are soooo good.
Deidre Emme says
I need. to. go… SO BAD! so bad.
songbirdsandbuttons says
Oh my gosh I WANT TO GO TO THERE. It looks amazing – just like the movies!
Jenna Brussee says
I was really impressed at how much like the movies it was! They did a great job.
Lauren says
If you do the pumpkin juice at home, share the recipe. I really want to go to Harry Potter World, ugh I will just have to wait until they build it in LA.
Jenna Brussee says
I will definitely share the recipe if I try it! I need to look some up.
Melissa says
Looks like fun! Go Gators!!
Jenna Brussee says
That would be really cool to see!
Jemma Andrew says
I adore Harry Potter and really want to visit here. Looks so good!
Chrissy Jordan says
I’ve got my fingers in my ears and my eyes closed tight screaming LA LA LA LAAAAA! I’m going in a few months with my family and I cannot spoil all things HP! ;P
Jenna Brussee says
You will love it! Have fun.
Neely says
Seriously a major bucket list item!
Chelsea says
I totally want to go to Harry Potter World! I am not like HP’s #1 fan or anything, but it looks totally cool!
Jenna Brussee says
Even if you aren’t a huge fan, it’s still a really neat place to see.
Joanna Sormunen says
I would love to go to Harry Potter’s Wizarding World! My son loves the movies and I’m trying to get him to read the books too.
Jenna Brussee says
I loved reading the books! I’m sure you and your son will love going here.
Jessica at Team Wiking says
This is so cool! I think I saw a special on them making this once?
Jenna Brussee says
That would be awesome! I would love to watch that.
Amy Jo Pendergrass says
Even though I live just outside Orlando, I’ve yet to visit Universal to experience Harry Potter. Thankfully that’s changing in a few weeks! Looks like you had a nice day…I’ll probably have to copy you as well and try both versions of Butterbeer. Because, why not ya know?!
Glad I stopped by via the SITSGirls sharefest today.
Jenna Brussee says
I couldn’t believe it took me so long to go to Universal since I live less than 2 hours away. But it was a lot of fun! Definitely try both versions of Butterbeer!
Nikki Spencer says
I have only watched the first movie, but my fiance is a die hard Potter fan. I’m always missing all his jokes. haha My daughter went to Universal Studios this summer and came back totally excited about the Harry Potter stuff. Now she wants to watch the movies and read the books, too. Guess it’s my time to get caught up! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
You should! I loved the books and movies, and the park is amazing!
Tawny @ GlamorouslyMommy.com says
Even though I”ve never seen a single Harry Potter movie. This look way cool!
Raewyn Smith says
Ah!! I want to go so bad
Sarah says
I’ve been wanting to go here for so so long, looks great 🙂
AlesheaDominique says
I have never seen Harry Potter but this seems like such a fun place
Camesha says
Sounds like such a cool experience. I want to try the pumpkin juice.
Joelle Duff says
I would LOVE to visit this place – I’ve been dying to take a trip for years! I love that they use the theme everywhere, even in the food and drinks! So fun.
Jenna Brussee says
It really is so much fun. It makes it even better that they keep the theme throughout everything.
jessica says
I think my mouth was open as I was hanging on to every word you typed. I am dying to visit this place!!! We’re just waiting for our kids to get a little taller. I can’t wait. Thanks for sharing your tips, I’ve pinned them for later!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks! I’m really glad you liked the post. I hope you can go soon!
Faith Golden says
Wow, that really looks cool! We’ve been to Disney like once…lol..I guess we need to go back. I haven’t watched all the movies and I’ve not read any of the books….I know, I know….shock and horror right? 🙂 Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Jenna Brussee says
It’s a lot of fun! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Jenna Brussee says
I’ve been itching to go back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Fortunately I live close so I can go pretty easily. Have fun visiting!
MrsDonehew says
They now have a hot butterbeer. It’s amazing. The foam stuff on top is like diabetes in a sip.
The Three Broomsticks has this incredible meal. It’s chicken, ribs, potatoes, corn, & veggies. You can get it as a single plate or for a group of 4, it’s a lot of food so find a long line for a ride afterward. My husband & I went with my parents and had a hard time finishing it. Oh, it’s served on a baking sheet. It comes with a big salad too.
The food in this area is the best park food I’ve ever had. If we lived closer we’d probably go just for dinner. (We live an hour and a half away but have annual passes.)
Jenna Brussee says
I tried the hot Butterbeer, too, and it’s soooo good! I think I like it better than the cold version.
I agree with you, the food in this park is incredible! The Three Broomsticks was one of my favorite lunch experiences I’ve ever had in a theme park. It was delicious, and a great atmosphere, too.
The geeky ravenclaw says
I went recently to the new diagon alley and hogsmeade and they were brilliant! Being the weird tea person I am I actually loooooved the fishy green ale at the leaky cauldron. It was a bubble tea drink with the jelly filled bubbles instead of the classic tapioca bubbles. The flavour of the tea was no where near what I expected since it was green with black bubbles I thought it would taste lime-ish or something along those lines but it actually tasted like cinnamon with grape bubbles. I know that sounds strange but it’s strangely good so I will be getting it again! As far as food goes I was obsessed with the combo mini pies at the leaky cauldron which were two small but VERY deep pies that came with a salad. The first was a classic cottage pie and it was filled with beef and vegetables covered with mashed potatoes and baked, as I said very classic but then they had a fisherman’s pie which had I believe two types of fish and shrimp and covered in mashed potatoes. The only bad thing I had to say about this pie was that the bottom had a sort of peppery soup at the bottom which was okay but once again it was the issue with the overload of pepper other than that I loved both of the pies and I highly recommend this because it’s trying something new but not too out of the box. So yeah that was my favourite food at the wizarding world but I still have to go to the three broomsticks sometime.
Jenna Brussee says
I need to try that drink the next time I go! Usually I don’t like bubble tea, but that one sounds really good since the bubbles are jelly instead of tapioca.
Next time I’ll do the combo, too. I really liked the cottage pie, and I’d love to try the fishermans pie as well.
Paige Allison says
I’ve only been to Magic Kingdom (circa 1994) and then to the park in CA a few years ago… But I can’t wait for my kiddos to be old enough to take them here!
Jenna Brussee says
I live about 2 hours from Orlando, so it’s easy to make a trip there. This was actually my first (and only so far) time going to Universal! I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to go back.
Jaelan @ Making Mrs. M says
Ah! I have never been here, but it looks like so much fun. I’m not a Harry Potter fan in general, but I’m always up for a good time… and I would imagine the people watching here is top notch. 😉
Jenna Brussee says
The people watching there is the BEST! Some people go all out and wear costumes. It’s a lot of fun.
Nina B says
I love this!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks, Nina! Isn’t it the best place ever? I have been itching to go back.
Sunny in London says
Great to see you enjoyed it! I’m from Daytona Beach but live in London now. On my blog ‘Sunny in London’ I’ve compared the Harry Bros Warner Bros Studio Tour and the Orlando attraction. This Christmas I toured the studio for ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’ when they decorate it for the holidays. Let me know if you ever make it over this way. Even though I went to Florida State (ha!ha! saw your Gator shirt), I’d be happy to help with tips for seeing Harry Potter stuff in London 🙂
Jenna Owens (@aSavoryFeast) says
It would be amazing to go see Harry Potter stuff in London someday! Hopefully one day I can make it there.