Universal Orlando vs Hollywood Wizarding World Comparison

Universal Orlando vs Hollywood Wizarding World Comparison

Universal Orlando vs Hollywood Wizarding World Comparison

This is your complete guide to the differences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood. Both of the Harry Potter Universal parks are full of fantastic rides, spell-binding shops, and wickedly delicious food. We are going to break down exactly what both Harry Potter Universal Studios parks have in terms of rides, dining options, shops, and more. This way, we can lay it all out to see which Harry Potter World California vs Florida is better.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando be sure to check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!

 Universal Crowd Calendar

Harry Potter World California Vs Florida Overview

A lot of people asking if Harry Potter World in California is the same as Florida.  The quick answer is no, there are no two Universal parks that are the same. But on the grand scale of a Harry Potter theme park, they are extremely similar! Before we get too deep into our comparison of the Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood Harry Potter Worlds, let’s gather information on the two parks.

What are the Main Differences Between the Orlando and Hollywood Hogsmeade?

Size and Layout:

• Orlando: The Hogsmeade in Orlando is part of a larger Harry Potter experience, spread across two parks. It’s more expansive with additional areas to explore.
• Hollywood: The Hogsmeade section in Hollywood is smaller due to space constraints, as it’s built on a hillside adjacent to the Universal Studios movie lot.

Rides and Attractions:

• Orlando: Orlando’s Hogsmeade features several rides, including “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” “Flight of the Hippogriff,” and the unique “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.”
• Hollywood: While it also has “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff,” Hollywood lacks the “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.”

Additional Harry Potter Themed Areas:

• Orlando: In addition to Hogsmeade, Orlando has Diagon Alley, which significantly expands the Harry Potter universe with additional rides, shops, and dining experiences.
• Hollywood: Hollywood’s Harry Potter world is limited to Hogsmeade only, without the additional Diagon Alley section.

Dining Options:

• Both locations feature the iconic “Three Broomsticks” restaurant and the “Hog’s Head” pub. However, the Orlando location, with its additional Diagon Alley section, offers more dining options like “The Leaky Cauldron.”

Related Post: Best Tips for Visiting Harry Potter World

Harry Potter World Lands – Universal California vs Florida

One of the most obvious differences between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood is the lands. Both parks offer guests to experience Hogsmeade. Unfortunately, unlike Orlando, because of land size issues and where Universal Hollywood is located, there was no room for a second Harry Potter theme park like Diagon Alley.

Harry Potter World Lands – Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood

Orlando:

• Hogsmeade
• Diagon Alley
• Ministry of Magic – (opening in 2025 at Epic Universe)

Hollywood:

• Hogsmeade

Harry Potter World in Universal Hollywood is missing Diagon Alley. Harry Potter World in Florida has an entire second theme park and a soon-to-be third with the 2025 opening of Epic Universe! In the current second park, guests can ride the Hogwarts Express back and forth from the two parks with a proper ticket. Although Universal Hollywood’s Hogsmeade is slightly smaller, you cannot tell the difference with the amazing theming. Universal Orlando’s Hogsmeade is also located in the Islands of Adventure park, whereas California’s is in Universal Studios Hollywood.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Planning a Trip to Harry Potter in Orlando

Harry Potter World Rides – Universal Florida vs California

To start our Harry Potter World coast-to-coast comparison, let’s start with what rides are offered at Hogsmeade. The Harry Potter rides in both Universal parks are mostly the same when it comes to Hogsmeade, but Orlando has gotten some updates over the years. So what is the difference in rides when comparing Harry Potter World Hollywood Vs Orlando? 

Harry Potter World California Rides

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Hollywood
• Flight of the Hippogriff

Harry Potter World Orlando Rides

Hogsmeade:

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hogwarts Express

Diagon Alley:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hogwarts Express

Related Post: How to get on Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure

Harry Potter Restaurants – Universal California vs Florida

Next, let’s compare the Universal Studios Harry Potter World restaurants – Florida vs California. Both Wizarding World locations at Universal Orlando Vs Hollywood you can enjoy Butterbeer or a delicious Shepard’s Pie. Let’s dive into the incredibly themed quick-service locations that are a must-do for a complete Potter trip!

Universal Studios Hollywood Harry Potter Restaurants

• The Three Broomsticks – A full quick-service dining location with beautiful cast-iron chandeliers, exposed wooden beams, and normal wizarding trinkets you’d find lying about.
• Hogs Head – Located on the backside of The Three Broomsticks, this pub offers Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, specialty drinks, wine, spirits, and brews.

Harry Potter World Orlando Restaurants

Hogsmeade – 

• The Three Broomsticks – Grab a meal of shepherd’s pie, fish & chips, or even ‘The Great Feast.
• Hogs Head – This pub also offers Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, specialty drinks, wine, spirits, and brews.

Diagon Alley – 

• The Leaky Cauldron – Grab an English breakfast or even some bangers & mash for lunch or dinner!
• The Hopping Pot – Pick up some beef pasties with your Fishy Green Ale or Butterbeer.
• Florean Forescue’s Ice Cream Parlour – Try many different flavors of hard-packed or soft-serve ice cream from the Wizarding World at this shop.
• The Fountain of Fair Fortune – Grab specialty drinks or just another glass of your favorite butterbeer!

Related Post: Complete Guide to Universal’s Butterbeer

Harry Potter Land Shops – Universal Orlando Florida vs California

Looking for a cauldron, magical creature, or your very own wand from the famous Ollivander? Both Universal Studios and Harry Potter Worlds offer a variety of shops to get all of your witchy needs! But which shops are better – California or Florida? Let’s compare Wizarding World shops in Florida and California.

Universal Studios Hollywood Harry Potter Shops

• Ollivanders
• Honeydukes
• Owl Post
• Zonko’s
• Dervish and Banges
• Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
• Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
• Gladrags Wizardwear
• Hogsmeade Station

Overall, the Hogsmeade in Universal Studios Hollywood uses its space to allow more shopping for guests.

Harry Potter World Orlando Shops

Hogsmeade – 

• Honeydukes
• Dervish and Banges
• Owl Post
• Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
• Ollivanders

Diagon Alley –

• Ollivanders
• Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
• Gringotts Money Exchange
• Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley Universal
• Globus Mundi
• Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions
• Magical Menagerie
• Quality Quidditch Supplies
• Scribbulus
• Shutterbutton’s
• Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
• Wands by Gregorovitch
• Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

Here is where we are going to see the biggest difference between Florida vs California’s Harry Potter Worlds. While a lot of shopping is jammed into Hogsmeade in Hollywood, these shops are spread out a lot more in Orlando between the two parks. So if you’re planning on only visiting Hogsmeade in Florida, you will miss out on some shops that are in Hollywood’s Hogsmeade.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Harry Potter Robes

Which Harry Potter World is Better Orlando or Hollywood?

Based just on the rides alone, we have to go with Universal Orlando for the Best Harry Potter World park. Mostly because it’s home to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts which you can’t find in California. We also love the fact that Universal Orlando offers Early Park Admission to save time in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Is Universal Hollywood Worth Visiting?

• Yes! Harry Potter World in Universal Studios Hollywood is perfect if you’re looking for a more concise trip. Hollywood Hogsmeade has more shops within it and only one park to explore.

Traveling between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley feels like the real deal. It is important to note that you do need separate entry tickets to both Harry Potter parks in Florida and to ride the Hogwarts Express. You may need two full days to experience all of Harry Potter Orlando, which can add up in cost!

Related Post: Discounted Universal Harry Potter Tickets

Universal Florida Vs California Harry Potter World FAQ

Q: Where is Harry Potter World?

A: In the United States, there are two different locations you can visit Harry Potter World. In California, Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Universal City, CA. While in Florida, Universal Orlando Resort is located in Orlando, FL. 

Q. Is there a Harry Potter World in California?

A: Yes! You can find Hogsmeade located in Universal Studios Hollywood.

Q: Is Harry Potter World in Florida bigger than California?

A: Yes! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is much bigger in Orlando Florida as it is spread out between the two lands of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Universal Orlando Florida also has the Hogwarts Express to transport guests back and forth between the Harry Potter lands.

Q: Which Universal Park has more Harry Potter?

A: Harry Potter World California only has 1 Harry Potter Land – Hogsmeade Village, while Universal Orlando has Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley across 2 parks connected by the Hogwarts Express.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!