Harry Potter Orlando in One Day

Harry Potter Orlando in One Day

Harry Potter Orlando in One Day

This article is your complete guide on how to do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day at Universal Orlando!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation, be sure to check out our Universal Crowd calendar below!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Can You See Harry Potter at Universal Orlando in One Day?

From our experience helping our clients, it is possible to see and do everything within a one day Harry Potter World itinerary as of 2024 and early 2025. The main reason is that the two Harry Potter lands, which are Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley, are both connected by the Hogwarts Express for easy access. However, as you will see below, guests will absolutely need to make sure to have the Park-to-Park ticket for their one day at Harry Potter World. It’s also important that you are okay with eating at the different Harry Potter restaurants as well as upgrading to take advantage of some of the added experiences, such as the interactive wands and shows to make an entire day out of it. On the flip side we do find that guests who are only looking to go on rides can do everything within the Wizarding World in 5-6 hours, especially when taking advantage of early park admission and even without the express pass.

It’s still important to have the right game plan to make sure that you get on each of the five Harry Potter rides, try both restaurants, and explore all of the hidden easter eggs within the two parks. From our experience, taking advantage of early park admission is a must, and we would almost always go on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in Hogsmeade village first, followed by The Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff before hopping on the Hogwarts Express to go to Diagon Alley to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

How to do Harry Potter World in one day:

Hour 1 – Approx 8:00 AM using early park admission 

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – 35 minutes projected wait time
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – 15 minutes projected wait time

**Arrive at 7:00 AM or one hour before opening to be some of the first guests in the parks

Hour 2 – Approx 9:00 AM

• Flight of the Hippogriff – 20 minutes projected wait time
• Go to Ollivanders Wand Shop to Purchase an Interactive Wand

Hour 3 – Approx 10:00 AM

• Explore Hogsmeade Village and cast spells

Hour 4 – Approx 11:00 AM

• Grab a Frozen Butterbeer
• Watch the Show the Frog Choir
• Explore HoneyDukes and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods

Hour 5 – Approx 12:00 AM

• Eat Lunch at The Three Broomsticks – 60 minutes

** Our favorites are the Cottage Pie, Bangers & Mash and the Butterbeer Potted Cream

Hour 5– Approx 1:00 PM

• Ride The Hogwarts Express from Hogsmeade Station to King’s Cross Station– 40 minutes projected wait time

Hour 6– Approx 2:00 PM

• Take a Photo in Front of the Knight Bus
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – 65 minutes projected wait time

Hour 7– Approx 3:00 PM

• Explore Diagon Alley and cast spells
• Watch the Tales of Beedle the Bard

Hour 8– Approx 4:00 PM

• Take pictures near Gringotts dragon
• Check out Gringott’s Money Exchange
• Explore Knockturn Alley
• Watch Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees

Hour 9– Approx 5:00 PM

• Diner at Leaky Cauldron

** Our favorites are the Shepherd’s Pie, The Chicken and Ribs Platter and the Sticky Toffee Pudding

Hour 10 – Approx 6:00 PM

• Ride The Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station to Hogsmeade Station – 40 minutes projected wait time

Remaining entertainment: 

• Nighttime show on Hogwarts Castle once it’s dark enough

Important Details to Consider

Always go with the Park-to-Park ticket

In our opinion, the best way to get the most out of your one day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is to always go with the Park-to-Park ticket. As discussed above, this is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express, which will also take guests between Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley. It’s also important to take advantage of the Hogwarts Express both ways as it’s a different experience both times.

Take advantage of early park admission whenever you can

One of the easiest ways to make sure you get everything done during your one day at Harry Potter World is to take advantage of early park admission. The main reason is that this is typically held at Islands of Adventure Park, which has the most popular ride in Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Guests looking to get this extra hour will need to stay at an official Universal Orlando hotel if only visiting for one day or by purchasing multi-day Universal Orlando tickets through The Park Prodigy.

You don’t need the Universal Express Pass

In our opinion, most families will not need the Universal Express pass to see and do everything at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day, especially if you are taking advantage of early park admission and our one-day Harry Potter itinerary. This doesn’t mean that the Universal Express Pass won’t help you see and do everything Harry Potter-related faster, so you can explore some of the other rides that Universal has to offer. Or you might even be able to get the Express Pass for free by staying at one of the Universal Orlando premier resorts.

Upgrade to a Harry Potter interactive wand to get the most out of your day

As discussed above, guests can most likely get on every one of the Harry Potter rides within 5-6 hours. For this reason, one of the upgrades that we recommend is purchasing one of the Harry Potter interactive wands. This is especially true for families visiting Universal Orlando with young kids, as they will be able to explore both Harry Potter lands casting spells.

Keep an eye out for these hidden easter eggs

• Guests can walk through Platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross Station
• Look for Kreacher at 12 Grimmauld Place outside of Diagon Alley
• Exchange real money for wizarding money at Gringotts Money Exchange
• Dial the Ministry of Magic Outside of Diagon Alley
• Visit the Owl Post in Hogsmeade Village and mail a postcard home
• Look for Dumbledore’s office inside of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Related Page: Every Harry Potter Restaurant at Universal Orlando 

Tips and Tricks for Visiting Harry Potter Orlando in One Day

• Guests need to have a Universal Orlando park-to-park ticket in order to ride the Hogwarts Express
• It’s always best to take advantage of early park admission at Islands of Adventure when possible
• Always arrive 60 minutes before early admission or rope dropping to be some of the first guests in the park
• A family of four should budget around $1,119 for one day at the Wizarding World, which would cover tickets and food
• Guests who don’t rope drop Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure can get on the line right before the park closes for shorter wait times
• Don’t forget about the nighttime show Hogwarts Always on Hogwarts castle
• Adults visiting Universal Orlando can go to Hogshead Pub, located in Hogsmeade Village for specialty-themed adult beverages
• Some of the Harry Potter rides require that guests put their bags into lockers before they get onto the ride, so be prepared with your tickets out
• Guests can enjoy the queue of Hogwarts Castle without riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Be prepared for motion sickness if you are riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, as it is a motion simulator ride

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 breakdown 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, 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!