Most Magical Moments for Muggles at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hello, Muggles! Would you like to know what it’s like to live as a wizard? If so, you’ve come to the right place. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios will allow you to see magic the way Hogwarts graduates do.
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Here are the best 10 things you can do during your visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Attend a Spirit Rally
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I’ll assume that you’ll do the obvious stuff. You’re going to ride Harry Potter & The Escape from Gringotts and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. I mean, what’s the point in going if you skip the classics, right?
Instead, I’ll highlight some of the magical proceedings that we wizards know, ones that you Muggles have only read about in books. For example, I’m sure you’re familiar with the Triwizard Tournament, our form of March Madness.
Photo:Universal Orlando
Three wizard teams battle in a test of magical superiority. And the victor earns bragging rights until the next competition. These competitions rival Quidditch in terms of popularity and significance. For this reason, we hold Triwizard Spirit Rallies.
You should catch the show, as things don’t always go as planned.
Catch a Rising Star
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I know that Muggles adore musicians like Adele, Rihanna, and the like. For Wizards, the rising star is the Singing Sorceress. You can catch Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees singing their greatest hits several times a day.
I have it on good authority that the Singing Sorceress is the favorite artist of Molly Weasley, the powerful wizard who out-dueled Bellatrix Lestrange!
Choose Your Wand
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What good is a visit to a Wizard’s paradise if you cannot cast any magic? Don’t worry! You don’t need to possess any magical abilities yourself!
At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, your wand chooses you. Then, it provides all the needed juice to cast a few spells. You’ll visit Ollivander’s Wand Shop and speak with one of the experts there. You might even meet Ollivander!
Whoever sells you the wand, they’ll help match you with the perfect spellcasting device.
Drink Butterbeer and Snack at Honeydukes
Photo by Erin Wingard
How does your Muggle saying go? Isn’t it “When in Rome, Do as the Romans do?” Well, the same philosophy applies to The Wizarding World. You should eat and drink as we Wizards do!
As such, you MUST sample the Butterbeer and other popular beverages at the various restaurants and bars in the area.
In between these drinking sessions, you should visit Honeydukes, the most extraordinary magical candy story in the world!
You’ll discover an entirely new world of flavors, all of which will challenge your simple Muggle palate. Don’t worry! The magic will protect the flavors, though!
Eat Some Bangers and Mash
Photo: Universal Orlando
Speaking of dining, you should try one of the many restaurants at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They deliver the most authentic experience.
I’d personally recommend The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. This place serves the most British of all delicacies, Bangers and Mash. The Fisherman’s Pie and Toad in the Hole are equally British if you’re not in the mood for Bangers and Mash.
Of course, you could also try Hog’s Head, the tavern owned by Aberforth Dumbledore. His brother Albus once ran Hogwarts if you’re not up on your wizarding history.
This tavern combines with Three Broomsticks as a kind of joint bar/restaurant setup. You can spend a lot of time eating and drinking here if so inclined.
Learn the Tale of the Three Brothers
Photo:Orlando Sentinel
Are you familiar with the Deathly Hallows? Since you’re a Muggle, I doubt it. The gist is that three brothers came into possession of three powerful magical artifacts.
This tale comes with incredible significance to Wizards, some of whom believe that the Deathly Hallows are real. Personally, I think those people are nuts. If they were real, some powerful spellcaster like Hermione Granger or Harry Potter would have found them, right?
Anyway, you can watch this show to learn about the three brothers who cheated Death…for a time.
Meet the Conductor
Have you ever ridden the Hogwarts Express? Suffice to say that these trips often prove perilous. Some nogoodniks learn of the presence of surviving members of Dumbledore’s Army. So, the villains board the train in hopes of uncovering enemies of the Death Eaters.
Due to the arcane magic of Hogwarts Express, you may find yourself on a shuttle along with Harry Potter and his friends. As such, you might encounter dementors…or worse. That’s the bad news.
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The good news is that you can often find the conductor of the Hogwarts Express greeting guests.You should befriend this person, as you never know when you’ll need help.
Meet the Driver
What’s the difference between a driver and a conductor? I dunno? One drives a train, I guess? Anyway, you can meet a second public transportation expert during your visit.
The driver of the Knight Bus likes to talk shop with guests. He also has a talking head who will make conversation as well. I won’t lie. It’s weird.
Still, how many chances do you Muggles get to converse with a shrunken head and a man who can drive a shapeshifting bus?
Use Your Wand
Since you already bought your wand from Ollivander, you may as well use it, right? As you roam through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’ll encounter several interactive elements.
That’s science talk for what we Wizards call magic. You wave your new wand, say something magical like “Open sesame!” and voila! Stuff happens!
Photo: Universal
You’ll find 25 different locations where skilled Wizards can cast a spell. Should you struggle at these spots, ask an actual Wizard for help.
They’re better with wands than Muggles. It’s not your fault. You just don’t have any magic.
Watch the Lights
Every evening, the Wizarding World wants to send Muggles home with a smile. We know how much you blokes like loud noises and shiny things. You’re a predictable lot.
So, you should head to Hogwarts Castle after dark. There, projections and lighting effects (again, your science terms for magic) will light up the sky and the castle.
Wizards will cast digital projections onto the side of the castle. It’s the perfect ending for an unforgettable day at the Wizarding World.
Your only regret afterward will be that you cannot stay forever. But that’s okay! We Wizards will happily welcome you back again one day soon!
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