If you’re visiting LA any time soon and you’re a Harry Potter, a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. The theme park and working film studio opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on 7 April 2016; the new land includes the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle. Here’s everything you need to know about the spellbinding attraction.
What rides are there?
The new land features two rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a dark ride set inside a huge replica of Hogwarts that takes guests on a thrilling journey where you come face-to-face with all sorts of creatures and characters from the world of Harry Potter, including Dementors, spiders, the Whomping Willow, a Hungarian Horntail and many more. Flight of the Hippogriff is a family friendly roller coaster where you take flight past Hagrid’s hut and pumpkin patches.
What entertainment and shows are there?
Located in between Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade is a performance area where the Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally take place. For the Frog Choir performances, a group of Hogwarts students take to the stage with large croaking frogs and perform a selection of popular wizarding world songs. The Triwizard Spirit Rally encourages you to cheer on students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang as they prepare for the Triwizard Tournament. Head to Ollivanders and a group of guests will get to watch a show where one lucky witch or wizard is selected at random to have a wand choose them in a ceremony that recreates the scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
What is there to eat and drink?
The Three Broomsticks is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves a range of British dishes including shepherd’s pie, fish & chips and bangers & mash , along with wizarding world drinks such as Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer. Next door is the Hog’s Head, a full-service bar where you can try drinks such as Fire Whisky, Dragon Scale, Hog’s Head Brew and Wizard’s Brew, as well as a range of spirits, wines and beers.
What shops are there?
There are plenty of shops selling all sorts of merchandise – it’s hard to visit and not buy lots of Harry Potter souvenirs! Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey exits into Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, which sells Hogwarts clothing, replicas of movies props and Marauder’s Maps, while in Hogsmeade village you’ll find Zonko’s Joke Shop and Honeydukes, where you can buy Chocolate Frogs, Peppermint Toads, Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans and more. There’s also Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, which sells hourglasses, crystal balls and telescopes, and Dervish and Banges, where you can buy Hogwarts uniforms and Quidditch supplies. Visit Gladrags Wizardwear to stock up on jewellery, hats and robes, and stop by the Owl Post to buy letters and stationary.
