5 Essential Tips for Your Visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is the ultimate destination for any Harry Potter fan. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located in Universal's Island of Adventure theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort (which also is home to Universal Studios Florida, CityWalk entertainment district, as well as several hotels including the Hard Rock Hotel).

Since its opening in the summer of 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been an instant hit with visitors. Because of the enormous popularity of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter the crowds to ride the attractions and to eat and shop can be large. But with these five essential tip for your visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter you can beat the crowds and enjoy your visit to Universal Orlando's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Stay at one of Universal Orlando Resorts hotels
Guests staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, or the Royal Pacific Hotel get access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before it opens to the general public. Additionally, guests of these hotels also get jump the line privileges at many of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures attractions.

Look for the single rider line at the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride
The Forbidden Journey, which is the main attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, often has long waits. However, riders who are willing to be separated from their party can ride as a single rider. You'll board the ride quicker but you will miss the tour of Hogwarts Castle as the queue for the other riders winds its way through the castle. But with waits ofter over an hour (sometimes two hours), missing the castle queue are might be worth it.

Skip the long lines at Ollivander's wand shop
When entering Ollivander's wand shop through the main entrance, you'll first see a two minute show in which only one person out of the twenty five to enter will have a wand choose him or her (just as wands choose their owners in the Harry Potter films). After the two minute show, the twenty five guests are ushered into the shop. While the show is entertaining, the wait can often times be over an hour. If you're willing to forgo the two minute show, go around back and enter the store through the exit and shop for your magic wand without the wait.

Drink Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks Inn
If you want to try Harry Potters favorite brew, butterbeer, don't wait in line at the butterbeer cart.. Rather, step into the The Three Broomsticks Inn restaurant and order your butterbeer there. The lines will often be shorter that at the butterbeer cart which sits outside of the The Three Broomsticks Inn.

Send a postcard from the Owl Post
Most people no longer send postcards while on vacation, but if you have a Harry Potter fan in your life you'll want to be sure to send him or her a postcard and have it sent from the Owl Post. You see, all letters and postcards sent from the Owl Post, which is an real working post office, are sent with an authentic Hogsmeade postmark. Your Harry Potter fan will love it.