Tips for Planning a Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation to Orlando, Florida

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens at the Universal Orlando Resort on June 18, 2010 and visitors planning an Orlando vacation can find several great deals on packages and hotel rooms near Universal Studios and the surrounding area. While late June and early July in Orlando is among the peak travel seasons for theme parks, water parks and attractions, you can still find cheap flights to Orlando and affordable hotel deals for your Harry Potter experience.

Here's a brief guide to planning a Harry Potter vacation to Orlando this summer:

Luxury Orlando Hotels for Your Harry Potter Vacation
If you want to enjoy easy access to the Universal Orlando Resort, you have several options in hotels and resorts located a short car ride or shuttle ride to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. Some of the closest hotels to the attraction are:

- Royal Pacific Resort
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Portofino Bay Hotel
- Orlando Continental Plaza Hotel

Most of these resorts offer packages that include tickets to Universal Orlando Resort, and Express services where you can skip the lines just by showing your room key. However, these extra amenities and features come at a price. Overnight rates start at $350+ at most of the hotels and won't drop until the early Fall and early winter months.

If you're looking for more affordable hotels for your Harry Potter vacation, you will need to set your sights on hotels and resorts located within a ten-mile radius from the attraction.

Budget Orlando Hotels for Your Harry Potter Vacation
You'll find dozens of affordably-priced, chain hotels located within a ten-mile radius of the Universal Orlando resort, and some offer complimentary shuttle service to the resort for overnight guests. When you want to book a room for under $150 per night, consider any of these budget Orlando hotels for your Harry Potter vacation:

- Hyatt Place Universal Orlando
- Winngate Inn
- Riande Continental Plaza
- Hampton Inn Orlando at Universal Studios
- Delta Orlando Resort

Getting to and From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort
If you're not renting your own car or taking a cab to and from the Universal Orlando Resort, you do have several options for getting to and from the Harry Potter attraction. When you're staying at an off-site hotel, take advantage of the Super Star Shuttle bus service that picks up guests from major hotels and drops them off at the Universal Orlando resort, and Wet'n Wild attraction.

If you're staying in the I-Drive area, you can ride the I-Ride Trolley that costs just a $1 for visitors 13 and older, and 25 cents for seniors and kids. This trolley runs to and from the resort, and down International Drive all day.

When you are staying at one of the luxury Universal Orlando resorts, you do have complimentary access to the water taxis and shuttle buses running from CityWalk, Universal Studios and the major hotels. This can be the easiest way to get to the Harry Potter attraction, but you can expect long wait times and crowded transportation during the grand opening weeks.