Fun in Florida: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Entering the cobbled streets of the Florida’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter through the faux-stone archway and passing a full-size replica of a steam-puffing Hogwarts Express is like walking straight into the story itself – a feeling sure to capture kids’ imagination immediately, whether they’re previous fans of the books or not.

‘Please respect the spell limits’, visitors are told before being let loose on a row of wonderfully rendered shops from the books, including Zonko’s joke shop and Honeydukes, where the bravest kids can try Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
JK Rowling has signed off almost every detail of this land within Universal’s Islands of Adventure, even giving the thumbs up to the Butterbeer (a suitable-for-children buttery-tasting froth with a creamy top), and it shows. Fans of the books will not be disappointed by the atmosphere that’s been created here – the feeling of looking along Hogsmeade’s main street to the gigantic Hogwarts castle at the end draws easy comparison to the exquisite excitement of seeing Cinderella’s Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom for the first time and is sure to be a defining moment in many childhoods.

The rides here are great too, with even their queueing areas an impressive sight – and not just for the length of line they appear able to accommodate (though Universal say wait times will not exceed one hour). While queuing for Dragon Challenge (a pair of high-speed, high-thrill rollercoasters that mirror each other in part, coming scream-inducingly close to each other in mid-air), visitors will see the crashed Ford Anglia and the Nimbus 2000 broomstick ridden by Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) in the films.

The long wait for the park’s signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, will keep kids entertained with its steamy herbology classroom with hanging plants, corridors hung with tantalisingly lifelike moving portraits (watch out for Dawn French as The Fat Lady) and Professor Binns’ classroom with holograms of Harry, Ron and Hermione so real I forget that they aren’t, urging visitors to follow them on an adventure. Follow them you must, for this ride is something special. Operated by robotic arm, it allows for movements not normally possible on even the most advanced of thrill rides, including sudden drops and twists, and involves flying around Hogwarts castle, encountering dementors and having a run-in with the Whomping Willow before being caught up in a Quidditch match. It’s an exhilarating ride sure to entrance all ages, although children must be at least 48 inches tall (goblin height!) to ride.

Post-ride, visitors exit through Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods, where all manner of memorabilia is on offer, from omnioculars to golden snitches (weave the kids through quickly if you want your wallet to remain unharmed). Shopping within the park is predictably interactive, with Ollivander’s wand shop admitting 30 people at a time and one child picked out to reenact the spellbinding moment when Harry’s wand chooses him. This is a lovely touch but could prove difficult for parents whose child desperately wants to be picked. Console those who aren’t picked at the Owl Post Office, where a Hogsmeade-stamped postcard can be sent through the Owl Post – great for showing off to friends back home.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter may be small but there’s so much packed into this 20-acre space that a whole day’s visit is necessary, especially if your family are already fans. Fortunately, every parents need has been considered – there’s The Three Broomsticks pub offering self-service lunches and even themed toilets haunted by the ghost of Moaning Murtle (you may want to accompany the very young!). Just don’t forget your camera – this just might be the most photogenic theme park ever.