Are you looking for the best things to do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
Well, look no further!
Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter transports you straight into the magic from J.K. Rowling’s books and films.
With a Harry Potter themed area in each of its two parks (and soon to be three as Universal completes its new Epic Universe Park), there’s tons of amazing things to experience!
Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure contains the Hogwarts Castle itself, in addition to multiple rides and lots of cool photo opportunities.
All in all, it’s a whimsical land where you can spend hours exploring all sorts of intricate details.
Keep reading below for more details of the 7 best things to do during your visit to Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure!
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Listen to My Theme Park Podcast Episode 9 Below: Beginner Tips for Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
1. Try EVERY Butterbeer!
Frankly, if you visit Hogsmeade and don’t try out the famous Butterbeer drink, you’re missing out.
It’s an iconic beverage from the Harry Potter stories, and it is also extremely tasty!
What does Butterbeer taste like?
Butterbeer at Universal Studios has a butterscotch flavor while tasting sort of like cream soda. It does not contain any alcohol.
All in all, it’s interesting, unique, and worth the price.
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
What’s even more magical about it is that there are multiple varieties of the drink to try!
You can have regular cold butterbeer, frozen butterbeer, and hot butterbeer (served during the wintertime).
There are even butterbeer flavored ice cream and fudge if you can’t get enough with just the drinks! If you’re looking for a keepsake, be sure to get your Butterbeer served in a souvenir mug.
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2. Ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
As the newest and most exciting addition to the Hogsmeade area of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hagrid’s roller coaster is an all-around awesome experience.
The ride is thrilling in lots of different ways, but tame enough to not be too extreme for most guests.
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
It’s a fast and smooth roller coaster that zips riders through the Forbidden Forest and past all sorts of iconic Harry Potter creatures.
The ride also features an animatronic of Hagrid himself!
This Harry Potter inspired ride often has the longest wait time in the whole park, so it’s a good idea to get to the park early to ride before the crowds gather!
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3. Use Your Magical Wand from Ollivander
One of the most unique aspects about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the ability to use magic!
If you purchase a wand at any of the merchandise locations, you can use it to interact with lots of different things within Hogsmeade.
As you cast different spells, objects can move, characters can appear, and practically anything can come to life!
If you’re vacationing on a budget and don’t have that much use for a wand, you can always watch other guests cast their own spells to see the effects.
It’s still fun to see what happens even if you’re not the one causing it!
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
There are all sorts of different spots to use your magic, so it’s a good idea to take a good amount of time exploring the area of Hogsmeade and casting spells wherever you can.
If you’re able to travel to Diagon Alley, don’t forget to use your wand there, too!
Just be sure to visit Ollivander’s Shop to choose your perfect wand.
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4. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This ride is located inside of the Hogwarts Castle itself and is completely unique.
With nearby Disney and SeaWorld, it’s rare that an attraction feels truly one of a kind, but Forbidden Journey pulls it off!
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The ride takes you on a harrowing journey through iconic parts of the Harry Potter story, including flying from a dragon, soaring through the quidditch pitch, and stumbling into the forbidden forest to face dementors.
You’ll be seated on a seat connected to a robotic arm that swings you and flips you around as you fly through movie screens and physical sets.
Once you add in the awesome queue experience of traveling through the castle, it’s a ride every Harry Potter fan will surely love!
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5. Visit Three Broomsticks
The Harry Potter-themed restaurant in Hogsmeade is a must-do if you’re getting hungry during your visit. They have a variety of tasty options, and also serve Butterbeer on tap!
Once you get your food, you can sit outside of the restaurant and watch other Universal visitors fly by on the Velocicoaster.
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
You can also get some of the best views of Hogwarts while enjoying your delicious meal.
It’s a great spot to take a break away from the park crowds!
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6. Grab Some Treats at Honeydukes
Honeydukes is a candy shop in Hogsmeade that is filled to the brim with character.
Aside from being every kid’s dream, it’s a great spot to relax in the air conditioning and take in some of the magical storybook theming.
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
You get to pick from various candies sold by the pound such as fudge, cookies, cupcakes, or other simple pastries.
All these treats pair well with your Butterbeer!
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7. Get a Picture with the Hogwarts Express Conductor
During the busiest parts of the day, the conductor of the Hogwarts Express will be outside posing for pictures next to the train itself at the entrance to Hogsmeade.
Why This is One of the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Since the Hogwarts Express is such an iconic piece of the movies and books, getting a candid picture with its conductor is a great way to capture the spirit of your vacation!
If you need another great picture location, try snapping one in front of the castle from the bridge to Jurassic Park.
Hipster Power Tip: You can actually ride the Hogwarts Express if you have a two-park, one-day “park hopper” ticket. The train travels between Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in the Universal Studios Park and has a unique story for each direction.
What to Know Before You Go to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure
Now that you know what the best things to do at Hogsmeade are, let’s go through a few of the most commonly asked questions.
Which Park is Harry Potter World Located in Orlando?
Harry Potter World in Orlando is divided into two sections: Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
What is the Difference between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley?
Diagon Alley focuses on the Wizard’s experience shopping, dining, and socializing in the secret London location.
Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure focuses on the experience of the Hogwarts students living and learning inside the castle. Plus, their experiences exploring the little village of Hogsmeade.
Does Universal Hollywood have Diagon Alley?
Universal Hollywood currently does not have a Diagon Alley section. You can still experience the Hogsmeade adventure in the Hollywood park!
What is Butterbeer?
In case you’re a Muggle, Butterbeer is a drink mentioned several times in the Harry Potter books.
Butterbeer is the drink of choice for many of the adolescents throughout the famous Wizarding story.
It’s a staple drink and a must have beverage whenever you visit Islands of Adventure.
How is Butterbeer served?
- Cold Butterbeer
- Frozen Butterbeer
- Hot Butterbeer (seasonal)
- Potted Cream Butterbeer
- Butterbeer Fudge
- Soft Serve Butterbeer Ice-Cream
- Vegan Butterbeer
Where to find Butterbeer in Islands of Adventure?
You can find a Butterbeer offering of some sort inside the Hogsmeade section of Islands of Adventure at:
- Three Broomsticks
- Hog’s Head Pub
- Honeydukes
- The Butterbeer street carts
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My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort
So, now that I’ve given you my top ideas for some of the best things to do at Hogsmeade in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I can’t wait to hear what new things you try and what experiences you love!
Universal Orlando Resort has a lot to try. So much so, that you almost can’t see it all in one trip.
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Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
(Original Article Date: April 12, 2018/Updated on June 23, 2023)