In October 2025 we spent a long weekend at Universal Orlando with a simple goal: visit all three Wizarding World lands in one trip. Fifteen years separate the oldest land from the newest, and seeing them back to back is the best history lesson in theme parks we know. Every photo in this post is ours, taken on that trip.
Hogsmeade, where it all began
Hogsmeade opened in 2010 and it is still the coziest corner of the Wizarding World: crooked chimneys, snow that never melts, and Hogwarts Castle appearing through the trees as you walk in. Mornings are our favorite time here, before the crowds find the Butterbeer carts.
On the edge of the village sits Hagrid’s hut, right on the path to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, our favorite ride in all of Orlando. The queue for that ride is so good it deserves its own post, and it will get one soon. Lunch was at the Three Broomsticks, all beams and benches and hearty food.
The Hogwarts Express to London
With Park-to-Park tickets, the Hogwarts Express is both transport and attraction. The journey is different in each direction, so ride it both ways. The train pulls out of Hogsmeade Station and somehow deposits you in King’s Cross in the middle of London, which never stops being delightful.
Diagon Alley, hidden in plain sight
Step through the brick wall and Diagon Alley opens up: shop windows glittering, owls overhead, and Gringotts Bank at the far end with a dragon on its dome. The bank’s great hall is worth the queue by itself, all marble columns and crystal chandeliers, with goblin tellers who look up from their ledgers as you pass. And every so often the dragon breathes real fire over the street, and the whole crowd gasps at once.
The Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe
The newest land opened with Epic Universe in May 2025, and it goes somewhere completely new: 1920s wizarding Paris. Place Cachée at night is all warm light, music, and café windows. Then the Métro-Floo carries you to the British Ministry of Magic, and the atrium simply stops you in your tracks. The ride here, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, is the best new attraction we have ridden in years. It won the Golden Ticket award for Best New Attraction Installation in 2025, and it earns it.
Three tips from this trip
Buy the Park-to-Park ticket. The Hogwarts Express between the lands is half the fun, and it is the only way to ride it.
Save Epic Universe for the evening at least once. Place Cachée was made for nightfall.
Do not rush the queues. The Motorbike, Gringotts, and Ministry queues are attractions in themselves, and half our camera roll proves it.
That was our October. Coming next on the blog: a close-up tour of the Hagrid’s Motorbike queue, and our interactive wand spell guide, with a demonstration of every spell. Planning your own trip? Start with our Orlando guide: https://wizardingworldharrypotter.com/orlando/