Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station

    4.5 (606 reviews)

    Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Welcome to Hogwarts
    Anton F.

    Located in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hogsmeade Station is where the secret Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is hidden. This is where you catch a ride on the Hogwarts Express. The magical train will guide you to King's Cross, the next station in the London area. A short 5 minute ride will transport passengers to the Universal Studios Florida side.

    Michael M.

    This is not a very thrilling ride. This is not a very long ride. This is a family friendly train that transports you from Islands to Studios (or back the other way) with a fun little video and some special effects. It's a great way to take a break and cool off in the AC going from one park to the other.

    Ariel W.

    If you have a park to park ticket the most fun way to go from Universal to Islands of Adventure and back is by using the Hogwarts Express. In the Harry Potter books, the Hogsmeade Station was built in the 1800's by the Ministry of Magic for the safe transport of Hogwart's students. The Hogsmeade Station takes you from Universal's Islands of Adventure to King's Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios or vice versa. The Hogsmeade Station is not as elaborately themed as the Kings Cross Station which has platform 9 and 3/4, Hedwig, and Harry Potter's luggage but it is still a must for any Harry Potter fan. The scenes shown in your train compartment as you travel are different when departing from each station. When you leave Hogsmeade you will see Hagrid waving goodbye before passing Hogwarts, Malfoy Manor, and the shadows of Harry, Ron, and Hermione through the door as they look for an empty compartment. The lines for the train can get long and there is no single rider line. Most of the wait is inside and riding the train beats walking park to park. It is a great chance to sit back and relax as you further immerse in the world of Harry Potter.

    Sarah T.

    We have been on this so many times and LOVED it. My little kids (2 and 4) can't ride a lot in the parks but always get really excited to ride the train. There is so much attention to detail and everybody is so kind. Truly a fantastical experience.

    Hogwarts Express
    Corrinne Y.

    The train to Hogsmeade and back is an immersive experience that adds to the whole wonder of the wizarding world. The trio appear through the milky glass and even a dementor, while the window side shows the english countryside and other wizarding world scenes. There and back are two different experiences, do both!

    Chelsi B.

    Guests with a Park-to-Park admission ticket can enter Hogsmeade Station and catch the train to King's Cross Station. As you wind your way through British countryside to the outskirts of London, keep watch out your window: you never know who or what you might see. The last train departs at the earliest closing time of Universal Studios Florida or Universal's Islands of Adventure, whichever park closes first. This ride first opened in 2014 and the ride is approximately 5 minutes long, which is decent for a ride, but still short in comparison to the 70 minutes in line. The entire line being in the shade definitely helps but still being in the Florida heat just feels like the longest time ever just standing.  Despite the long line, I would still ride the train again and probably a third time.

    Ben A.

    During our summer road trip 2022, we spent three awesome days at Universal Studios Orlando. We also drop the extra coin on the multi park tickets and fast passes, figuring we've come this far and spent this much though, might as well go all the way... As a middle school educator, I've read the Harry Potter books, and seen most of the movies. Universal has done an extraordinary job of capturing Rowling's prose and turning it into a living, breathing place... even if it's just a theme park. As annual pass holders for universal Hollywood, it was also really cool to see what was similar, and what was different between the two parks. As for the Hogsmeade Express, this was a fun and creative way to travel between the two parks we enjoyed the most. After gallivanting around Diagon alley, we took the short walk to the station, presented our park hopper tickets and fast passes, and walked into the station. As with many attractions, they did a pretty good job of trying to make the queue engaging while you stand and wait. The optical illusion set up walking through the wall was fun for the kids, and the overall cinematic experience made waiting not entirely unpleasant. Once we were on the train, the interactive experience, creative lighting and sound, combined for awesome storytelling. In essence, they took a boring tram between two parks, and turned it into an engaging themed experience. Honestly, this is probably worth enjoy and just for the experience. There are more exciting rides, but as trams go, this is probably the best one I've ever been on.

    My dad and I in front of the Hogwarts Express!
    Rachelle P.

    First of all King Cross's Station alone is worth a visit, it's a replica of the Harry Potter films, any muggle would be impressed at all the fine details of this amazing train station! In order to ride Hogwarts Express you must have a Park-to-Park ticket. You will aboard the train at Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station and the train will arrive in Hogsmeade Station. The ride itself is kid-friendly, my daughter road and dementors and other characters from the movie were shown moving on the windows. This is the train Harry, Hermione and Ron boarded with their classmates to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, all they were missing were those carts filled with candy and pasties!

    *Only* if you have a 'park to park' ticket, you can ride the Hogwarts Express from London to Hogsmead and/or the other way around.
    Jen W.

    As with most rides in the park, the line to get on the Hogwarts express can be very, very long so be prepared to stand. The park does try to provide fans to help keep you cool during hot days, but bring your water, and maybe a hand fan. This is actually a nice ride to sit and be at ease. The ride from Hogwarts back to London plays a different scenario than the one that goes from London to Hogwarts. It's a slow moving ride and the audio/video keeps you entertained along the way. The cars are cool so it's also a break from the heat. The train is set up just like in the films with a hallway on one side, and sliding doors into a train carriage with seats on each side and a shelf overhead. Very fun. If you have mobility issues, they will place you in your carriage, then store your wheelchair for you. Although at the time of this review masks are recommended by the CDC and the park has both written and audio reminders to wear your masks 'as recommended by CDC', very few people were wearing masks on this enclosed ride. Each carriage holds up to 8 people, so you will be sitting close to your neighbors if it's a particularly busy day. The attendant who assigns which carriage you enter did try to put mask wearing patrons in carriages with other mask wearing patrons. It makes me sad that only 'Park to Park' pass holders are allowed to ride. It seems unfair to prevent any HP fan, young or old, from experiencing this ride. Maybe have a separate carriage for them so they can get on, ride, then get back on in the other direction and return to their park of origin? 'One park per day' passes are more economical, and some families need to save where ever they can, even on a splurge trip like Universal. This is a ride every age can enjoy, it gets you off your feet for a bit, and gives some relief from the heat. It's also a quick way to get from Hogsmeade to London which is exactly where us HP fans want to be.

    Even Butterbeer has a line!
    Ashley W.

    Harry Potter fans converge in this area for food, drink and magic. And it's also insanely busy! We are talk near the edge of Universal Studios and with Disney not too far away, the visitors are in the hundreds to thousands. I was soooo overwhelmed. Not for the faint of heart, and be mindful of your wallet and your kiddos. The ride lines have decent waits and fluctuate during peak meal times. Accio butterbeer! Which is delicious! I waited for my friends to get a ride in while I sat in the sun and sipped my beer! Very decadent!! So many shops and food straight from the pages themselves! The workers were nice and sweet! People were in the mood for witchcraft and wizardry!

    Jeremy J.

    Everything in the witching world of Harry Potter is amazing. The whole atmosphere is grade Hogwarts express his grade the rides, a great, the food, the atmosphere. Everything is excellent.

    Monique W.

    The Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station is unique ride, only at Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Island of Adventure. This ride requires a park hopper ticket to go between both theme parks. The train ride transfers you from Daigon Alley to Hogwarts. There is so much detail that goes into this ride. Each family gets a train seat. The cabins are comfortable! It's nice to take a break on this ride from walking throughout the park. During the ride, you're traveling through Harry Potter themed areas. Within the ride, you'll see some of your favorite characters, and witness other cool things through the train door. You'll also see Hagrid, owls, griffins, and much more! My favorite part of course was the chocolate frog on the train door! I'd recommend if you're visiting the theme parks to try to get at least one day a park-hopper ticket to experience the Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station!

    Raegan L.

    The Hogwarts Express as a way to park hop is absolutely ingenious. It's such a cool, indescribable feeling to see that train pull into the "station"- with the smoke coming out the pipe, and you really do feel like you're a Hogwarts students waiting to be taken away to another term learning magic, fighting dragons and drinking butterbeer. The ride itself is very pleasant. I don't think it even lasts 10 minutes, and with all the visual elements that can be seen it goes by fast anyways because you are so distracted. The train since covid has hit is not as enjoyable. They are pretty aggressive about informing you and warning you to keep your mask on during the ride, even though they keep each party separate and they are individual rooms, so it doesn't make a ton of sense. But besides that, they basically threaten you to keep your mask on and even show you an apparent picture of how you are on camera and they are watching. Like, how creepy??? I really don't like that. Makes me uncomfortable. I get they need to have measures for covid but that in itself makes me want to avoid riding the train until things are more normal again. I don't know. If you haven't ridden it definitely still do, but it's simple to just walk from each park too, especially if the line for the train is super long, which happens often. Another note for the train is that it does take you from one park to another, so you need a 2 park pass to be able to ride. You have to rescan your pass or fingerprint before you can even enter. Happy riding!

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 7
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ariel W.
    4395
    5923
    104064

    3 years ago

    Helpful 66
    Thanks 6
    Love this 50
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chelsi B.
    375
    1015
    11470

    4 years ago

    Helpful 33
    Thanks 0
    Love this 31
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Best way to park hop! Love the music and vibes it is very reminiscent to the movies l!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ben A.
    4994
    1741
    5071

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    A very fun way to get between parks. A must do for Harry Potter fans. There can be a bit of a wait at times, but it's worth it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 1
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeremy J.
    1819
    6432
    75141

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Efficient transportation option but hot as hades.......................................

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tae Kyung Y.
    99
    819
    1407

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laura G.
    548
    2644
    48411

    7 years ago

    Helpful 26
    Thanks 0
    Love this 36
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 40
    Thanks 0
    Love this 36
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 16

    Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station

    Is there a place to skip the roller coaster in Hogwarts? My kids aren't big fans of roller coasters.

    What do you mean, and which ride do you want to skip? You certainly do not have to ride any attraction at Hogwarts. You can wait in line to see the interior of buildings and then walk through the end of the attraction without getting on it.

    Just wondering if you do just Islands of Aventures and just see Hogsmade where the Harry Potter School is, do you think you are missing out not going on the train and seeing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in London, the other park?

    Yes. I recommend getting the park to park pass. This allows you to travel by train. Go both ways as they are different. Both potter parks are awesome in their own right. Not just Harry Potter. Depending on how much time you have.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station

    -Three rides: 1) Forbidden Journey through Hogwarts, 2) Dragons Challenge, and 3) Flight of the Hippogriff.

    Mentioned in 193 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Amusement Parks 2,521 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Universal's Islands of Adventure - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

    Universal's Islands of Adventure

    4.0(1.5k reviews)
    0.3 miDr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando

    When I consider the Universal park I'd like to visit again, this would be my first pick. There's so…read moremuch we didn't get to experience due to sharing the day between two parks. Jurrasic Park, Superheroes, Harry Potter, and classic cartoon characters are the standout themes here and the rides are made for older kids and adults. The park closed at 9p and I loved how you could get in line up until that time versus them closing entry early. Next visit we will consider the ride passes. It was an obvious difference in waiting time. SO expensive though, even without this add on. We'll be back Orlando!

    So let me start by saying the park itself is great, but the overall experience isn't anywhere close…read moreto what you get at Walt Disney World. First issue was early entry. We were told to go to Universal Studios Florida, but when we got there, we were redirected to Islands of Adventure. Once we got over there, the line was absolutely nuts. It took about 30 minutes just to get through entry, and the whole process felt disorganized compared to Disney, which runs this kind of thing way more smoothly. Second, the photo pass system was a big letdown. We bought it thinking it would be similar to Disney with lots of photo opportunities throughout the park. Not even close. I think we found maybe three spots total. Even when meeting characters, those photos weren't included; we had to use our own camera, which honestly made no sense. Total waste of money. Now, on the flip side, the Express Pass was hands down the best part of the trip. Since we stayed at one of the resorts, it was included, and it made a huge difference. In my opinion, this is actually better than anything Disney offers right now. That part you all absolutely nailed. The staff we interacted with were friendly and helpful, so no complaints there. The layout of the parks can be a little confusing at times, but that's not a dealbreaker, just something to be aware of. Overall, we did have a great time. The girls had an absolute blast, which is what matters most. We mainly went for the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas, and those definitely lived up to the hype. Would we go back? Honestly, not sure. Glad we went, but there are some things that would need to improve for us to choose it again over Disney.

    Photos
    Universal's Islands of Adventure - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

    Universal's Islands of Adventure - Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls®

    Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls®

    Universal's Islands of Adventure - The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®

    See all

    The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®

    Fun Spot America - Ride like the wind on our Liberty Swing,

    Fun Spot America

    4.1(391 reviews)
    1.2 miInternational Drive / I-Drive

    Fun Spot America is a long-established business here in Orlando, Florida that can appeal to both…read morethe tourists and those of us fortunate enough to call Orlando home. It is nostalgic coming here and a great place to bring kids. Think like an old-school carnival or fair that is here year-round and you are just scratching at the surface. I would definitely recommend here. Go check it out and indulge the inner child within you.

    I recently brought two students here for a field trip and we had a good time overall!…read moreWe purchased tickets through Groupon for $62 (regular price is $69 for unlimited rides), which I think is a great deal considering how much they were able to do. I also liked that there's no entry fee for non-riders and you can purchase rides à la carte. I ended up paying $12 for a go-kart ride and LOVED it We got there around 12 PM and it wasn't crowded at all. The lines were super short, so the students were able to ride things 3-4 times with no problem, which made it even more worth it. One of the best deals was the all day dining pass (you have to buy it online). For $24, you get 2 meals and a snack, which is a steal compared to the regular menu prices. Our first stop was Cluckees where we had tenders, wings, and fries. The portions were HUGE and everything was tasty, especially the fries. None of us could even finish our food! For our snack, we grabbed ice cream. The kids loved it, but it wasn't my favorite. Later, we went back to Cluckees for a chicken sandwich and fries for dinner. This time it wasn't as good as earlier. Maybe a different cook or just an off moment. We didn't spend time in the arcade and stayed mostly outside. The park is a pretty decent size with plenty to do. Even as the day went on and traffic picked up, it never felt overly packed. The staff was friendly and very laid back, which added to the relaxed vibe of the day. Overall, it was a good experience. The kids really enjoyed it. I'd give it a 3.5. Btw I think there is a bee problem there. I saw bees flying around often. Not enough to ruin the experience, but I definitely noticed them.

    Photos
    Fun Spot America - This spin is a real Head Rush.

    This spin is a real Head Rush.

    Fun Spot America - Roller coaster

    Roller coaster

    Fun Spot America

    See all

    Universal Studios Florida - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

    Universal Studios Florida

    3.5(3k reviews)
    0.2 miDr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando

    I'm so happy we've gotten to experience Universal. It was a different pace than Disney, in a good…read moreway, now that my kids are older teen and adult ages. We had a beautiful day to visit and smiled throughout the day. Some of our best moments were walking through the various city streets and seeing musical performances and dancing. The walkways were wide and we were never on top of other guests. Most rides had reasonable wait times and/or offered single rider options. The locker areas for cramped, but I appreciated how many of the wait queues were indoors, keeping us cooler and away from the rain. The Harry Potter sections were amazing, just amazing. I couldn't have imagined how it would have felt being in the middle of the space. Restaurants, both sit down and quick service, were scattered throughout the park. I loved that we didn't have to worry plan in advance to get a spot at either. My only downside to Universal Studios is that some of the themes felt outdated or just aren't favorite characters of mine. At least this helped to decrease the temptation of spending money on apparel or merchandise.

    Theme Park I had…read morebeen waiting for the kids to get old enough where it would make sense to hit these larger and more sophisticated theme parks and man, it was worth the wait! We took advantage of a package deal that was offered online and headed to Orlando. We booked accommodations at one of the newer hotels that are part of Universal (Terra Luna) and that was also a great experience. We got to the park the same day we arrived and after a few minutes getting the tickets scanned and validated, we were on our way. We opted for Universal park first and entered pretty much into minion land. From that point onward, the day was a blur of walking, riding the attractions and just marveling at the details that go into a place like this. Of all the attractions in this park, the one that the kids kept wanting to go back to was the entire Harry Potter area - they really do a spectacular job with the attractions and when the giant dragon on top of Gringotts decides to blow fire, you feel the heat wave pass you by. The park is pretty much set up in a large circle and we did a few laps that day we were here. There are plenty of food beverage options available in the park- and as you might expect, those are not going to be exactly cheap. We ate at Krusty burger over in Simpsons land and to be fair, while expensive, the food was actually better than expected for this type of venue. Definitely something for everyone at this park and sure to engage pretty much most of the age groups. I enjoyed the attractions as much as the kids did to be honest. Be prepared to walk - bring those extra comfy shoes and don't forget the sunscreen and sunglasses. A wonderful time and we are already planning another visit.

    Photos
    Universal Studios Florida - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

    Universal Studios Florida - Despicable Me Minion Mayhem®

    Despicable Me Minion Mayhem®

    Universal Studios Florida - Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit®

    See all

    Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit®

    Marvel Super Hero Island

    Marvel Super Hero Island

    4.7(20 reviews)
    0.6 miDr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando

    Old school (pre Disney) Marvel comics, ride, and stores in Islands of Adventure in Orlando…read more Lots of comic book themed colors and designs here, good for those who are historic comic fans and the meet & greets here looked like fun if busy lines. The Hulk coaster, Fearfall wasn't on when we were there, and the Spiderman 4D experience. End of the day could've used some cleaning, someone had thrown up or really lost a meal on the ground, no one out there cleaning it up...

    Marvel Super Hero Island is located at Universal's Islands of Adventure. It's off to the left side…read moreas soon as you enter the theme park. This area opened in 1999 and is themed from the comic books! All of the buildings in the area have the comic book style architecture and has features themed from iconic Marvel Characters. I really liked how the buildings have special chrome illusion paint. Depending on where you view the building or at a different angle, with specific lighting, it changes how the buildings look! It's pretty cool. There are variety of theme park rides in Marvel Super Hero Island. The Incredible Hulk Coaster: This is a super fast ride! It goes from 0 to 40 mph in just two seconds! The ride can reach up to 67 mph though and has a variety of inversions! The Amazing Spider-Man: This is a 3D dark ride. It's a slow ride though! It combines motion simulation and special effects to immerse you in the ride! You'll get to see Spider Man and a few villains from the series! Doctor Doom Fearfall: This ride is a drop ride. You'll be launched up to close to 200 feet in the air! I try to avoid this ride though. Drop rides are a little scary for me! Storm Force Accelatron: It's a spinning ride. It's based on the X-Men series. You're helping storm defeat Magneto! There are a lot of Meet and Greets in this area! Last time I was here, I saw Wolverine and Captain America! You can also see other superheroes like Spider-man or even villains such as Doctor Doom or the Green Goblin! If you're looking for dining options there is the Captain America Diner, and some other quick service options like Aunt Anne's! There are some stores you can shop in for Marvel merchandise which offers collectible, toys, apparel and so much more! My mom and I spent a few hours at Marvel Super Hero Island. It has a lot of attractions and stores!

    Photos
    Marvel Super Hero Island - Outside

    Outside

    Marvel Super Hero Island - Captain American, Iron Man and Thor

    Captain American, Iron Man and Thor

    Marvel Super Hero Island

    See all

    ICON Park - There are jumbo games like Connect 4 & these girls got Mickey and Minnie hats from The Secret Service Agency Entertainment Company !

    ICON Park

    3.7(552 reviews)
    2.2 miInternational Drive / I-Drive

    Overall, I think this is a great place to check out if you are in Orlando…read more We came here because we have Legoland gold passes which means we get free admission to sea life, Madame Tussaud's, and the Orlando Eye. All three of these together took up about two hours and then we were able to go to Cafe tu tu tango to get a bite to eat. This was a great half day experience while we were visiting Orlando. There was a parking garage and parking was super easy. By that time we left around 8:30 PM there were so many cars, but when we first got there at about 5 PM there were tons of spots. They do have parking spots you can pay for in the lower levels so it seems like if you're willing to pay there will always be parking. If you want free parking, you need to go earlier because this seems to be popular for nightlife. I always appreciate when there's so many attractions together that you can walk to. This place has quite a few restaurants, some shops and the attractions all in a contained area. It was very clean and when we came, there was a huge police presence, because apparently a couple weeks before there was hundreds of teenagers that descended to the area and fought. So the place was doing a really good job making sure that everything was safe. This is a place for both families and non-families alike.

    Another "go big or go home" Orlando destination spot for tourists, complete with its own eye (The…read moreWheel). The entertainment complex has a variety of restaurants ranging in price , including my beloved Shake Shack. There are shops, an aquarium, was museum, arcades, live music, illusion museum, and several other places on the twenty acre complex I'm not sure about parking other than knowing it's free. I usually walk over from my hotel when in town for conferences. It's something to do in evening after sitting all day listening to speakers.

    Photos
    ICON Park - There are Super cool balloon artists making balloon outfits in various places around the world the park this kid had a pirate sword and bird

    There are Super cool balloon artists making balloon outfits in various places around the world the park this kid had a pirate sword and bird

    ICON Park
    ICON Park

    See all

    Diagon Alley - Diagon Alley entrance

    Diagon Alley

    4.8(277 reviews)
    0.4 miDr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando

    Hearing about it or seeing pictures is one thing, but being there in the middle of the buildings…read moreand shops is spectacular. This is a section you can spend only a little of your time in or it might be where you spend the bulk of your time. That likely depends on how many of the shops and restaurants you want to visit in the area. You may also be fans of the magical wands and making things move in the windows. I really enjoyed seeing the pages of the book come alive as well as several visitors, dressed in robes and other Harry Potter themed clothing. This is a fantastic spot for picture taking as well. It does get quite crowded in certain areas so hold onto your patience and enjoy the experience.

    I'm not a Potterhead though I did used to be a pothead and once binged all 8 movies over a couple…read moreweeks in 2014 through the haze of the ganja. And Diagon Alley is light on attractions. Its sole ride, Escape from Gringotts I gave two stars as I found it very lackluster compared to the two Potter themed thrill rides over at Islands of Adventure. But the theming in this section of the park is absolutely phenomenal and highly immersive enough to make this an easy 4 stars. The Knight Bus was fun enough for both my sister and I to get pictures by it with its friendly steward and his appropriate accent. I missed the low key entrance on our first go round. As I said I watched the movies in a cloud of smoke and didn't realize it was this secret fandom entrance/exit but the throngs passing through tipped us off. The greater density with everything packed so tightly together and its separation from the other themed areas of Universal Studios Florida makes this Potter themed area more impressive than its counterpart over at Islands of Adventure- even without a magnificent castle. The alleys, the shops, the hand painted signage, the dragon perched high shooting out that massive flame... I can only imagine how hard this hits if you're a Potter fanatic. And though Escape from Gringotts was pretty weak sauce in my estimation the queue and the theming before the ride experience was top notch. They really broke the bank on this, as with the great train ride in. Maybe if I ever go back I'll watch a Potter movie or two sober.

    Photos
    Diagon Alley - Inside Leaky Cauldron at Universal Studios Florida. *The* Leaky Cauldron (I think).

    Inside Leaky Cauldron at Universal Studios Florida. *The* Leaky Cauldron (I think).

    Diagon Alley - 11.21.22 The Knight Bus where troubled wizards slept, ate, and traveled by in order to find their way

    11.21.22 The Knight Bus where troubled wizards slept, ate, and traveled by in order to find their way

    Diagon Alley

    See all

    Super Nintendo World

    Super Nintendo World

    4.6(35 reviews)
    3.3 miInternational Drive / I-Drive

    Colorful, full of life and BUSY! This location is a Nintendo fan's dream, but be aware that…read moreeveryone wants to visit. There are interactive areas, 3 rides, 1 hidden attraction, lots of food and character experiences and tons of photo-ops. Shoutout to the amazing Team Members with the characters, they have some serious crowd control jobs and offer great moments with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi. I do miss Donkey Kong and TOAD and I hope they return soon.

    We definitely felt dropped into a Mario Bros / Super Nintendo game or movie. The space, while…read moresmall, is colorful and contain the elements you'd expect to see - Yoshi, boxes to hit for sounds and points, mushrooms, Bowser, etc. Even the gift shops are fun with their apparel and character accessories. (Did a Yoshi hat come home with us? Yes, yes it did.) This space will not be appreciated by everyone - not because we don't love Mario Bros but because it is small and full of people in every corner. It offers a few attractions and it is a huge commitment to stand in line for a short thrill. We did ride Bowser's ride. It allowed for single riders. It delays regularly though - in our case a cart had to be removed and replaced on the track. It involves a lot of technology the way the game is designed. Our family of 4 did not understand the game at all and how we even gathered points. Thankfully we didn't stand in line as long and wouldn't recommend anyone else does. Sadly the other rides were not part of our day due to the lengthy wait times and in the case of Donkey Kong, so backed up that the single rider line was closed. We witnessed a lot of happy kids running around and tapping question marked boxes. Even for my older teen / adult children they stood in the space and smiled while they took it in. It was the first place they wanted to see upon our arrival.

    Photos
    Super Nintendo World - Portal at night

    Portal at night

    Super Nintendo World
    Super Nintendo World - Super Nintendo World photo ops at Universal Epic Universe

    See all

    Super Nintendo World photo ops at Universal Epic Universe

    Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station - amusementparks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...