Summer Vacations: Harry Potter World

On April 7th 2016, hundreds of Muggles waited in anticipation as theme park history was made. The inaugural reveal of Universal Studios’ newest Hollywood attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was every bit as magical as expected. Online ticket sales were halted after selling out on opening day, and after two months of operation, visitors still experience long lines and magical memories, as excitement continues to fill the air.  

The stunning Hogwarts Castle is a majestic addition to the Los Angeles skyline, towering over the recreated village of Hogsmeade. The castle’s brilliant presence during the day is transformed to an even more spectacular sight at nightfall, as candles gently illuminate each window. Below, magical snow fills the evening sky, and makes visitors feel as though they have traveled through space and time to a quaint, snow-capped village in England.

Witches and wizards zoom about as you make your way through the intricately designed Wizarding World to the enchanted Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each room of the castle features supremely detailed decor, replicating the book and movie series and submerging you deeper into the world of fantasy.


A trip through Hogwarts Castle provides the unique opportunity to relive the Harry Potter experience, revealing familiar details throughout the ornate halls. Past the train station, you will see the stairway to Dumbledor’s glorious library, and the jinxed Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Harry and his classmates learned to duel. You will also find the Gryffindor Common Room, the familiar shared lounge adorned with a large fireplace and house colors. To the delight of visitors, talking portraits fill the room with eerie chatter.

One of the attraction’s interactive rides, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, is buried deep inside Hogwarts Castle. This dark ride delivers a 3D experience; riders attempt to out-fly a fire-breathing dragon before zooming over the Hogwarts grounds and hitting the marveled Quidditch pitch. 

The Wizarding World’s other attraction, The Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster, is just as magical. The exhilarating thrill of its brief but breathtaking twists and turns are best enjoyed by younger audiences.

Your entire experience inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feel like a secret, mysterious adventure. The exciting surprises around every corner will ignite your imagination and leave you feeling rather famished.

Tasty, high-end English theme park fare can be found at The Three Broomsticks, a traditional pub-style dining hall. You will find fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, Butterbeer and a delightful dessert of sticky toffee pudding. The long lines are well worth the wait. 

As you continue to peruse the grounds, satisfy your sweet tooth while shopping for candy at Honeydukes, and find all of the specialty wizardry goods, Hogwarts uniforms, crystal balls, and a plethora of other wizard-themed merchandise at one of the many inviting stores. Visit The Owl Post to send a letter with a special Hogsmeade postmark; you will also be able to purchase stationery and Wizarding World of Harry Potter stamps.

A visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would not be complete without the single most important apparatus for any wizard, a wand! Ollivander’s Wand Shop Experience offers a delightful opportunity for wizards young and old to find the perfect wand. While you will find a large assortment of beautifully crafted interactive wands, priced from $47.95, there are some who say that the wand picks the wizard. Real-life character reenactments make this wand selection one of the most memorable experiences of the day, one you will surely reminisce fondly about as you attempt to use your wand to cast spells after the magical visit has come to an end.

Harry Potter fans will absolutely adore this themed attraction. It has been almost 20 years since the first book of J.K. Rowling’s series was released, and the cult following continues to grow as the fantastical stories are fondly shared with the next generation of literary lovers.  A trip to this enchanted theme park attraction is highly recommended for fantasy fans of all ages.

As Muggle attendance rates continue to climb, plans to expand the attraction with the heavily rumored Diagon Alley may be revealed in the near future. Expansion would introduce more rides, shops, and magical features to enhance visitors’ experiences as they explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.