Anyone who has read Harry Potter, has certainly wanted to visit the village of Hogsmeade, which is close to Hogwarts castle.
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In the village, featured in the third book in the series, Hogwarts students can have some fun, shop and drink butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.
Non-wizards, however, can do all these things without having to go to Hogwarts.
just visit the Islands of Adventure to enjoy these attractions.
I remember exactly the first time I visited Hogsmeade. As some of you know, I worked on Island of Adventure in 2007, and I know this park very well.
However, at that time this area did not yet exist, and it was when I came back in 2014 that I met it for the first time.
I have to say, I was speechless. It was the first area in my opinion where Universal really approached Disney in terms of details and hidden things to see.
If you want to know EVERYTHING there is to do in Hogsmeade to plan your trip, this article is for you. Come on ?
The different areas of Harry Potter in Orlando
A lot of people don't really understand how they work. the areas of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando's parks.
In fact, people do not know that they are ?areas?, in the plural.
They imagine it's a single area or, at most, a few attractions. They couldn't be more wrong.
Universal built two major areas of Harry Potter, each one in one of its parks.
Diagon Alley is located at Universal Studios, while Hogsmeade is at Islands of Adventures.
The two areas are linked by the Hogwarts Express, which is an attraction in itself. To go from one to the other, however, it is important to have a ticket that allows you to walk in both parks.
In both areas, fans can enjoy Harry Potter attractions, as well as shops, restaurants and recreational activities.
The difference is that the areas are set in different ways according to the books. In Hogsmeade, the idea is to be a village where Hogwarts students go.
The stores mentioned in the books, for example, are there, as well as Três Vassouras.
In addition, due to the proximity to Hogwarts, attractions that simulate the castle are also located in Hogsmeade.
Diagon Alley has attractions focused on it, as well as shops and other attractions of the type.
The only thing the same in both places, besides the Harry Potter theme, is Ollivanders, the store that sells wands to visitors.
Hogsmeade attractions
All in all, Hogsmeade is an area with many attractions. There are at least 10, which are divided into three types: theme park attractions, live shows and exploration activities.
Check out a short summary of each of them!
1. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Hogsmeade's latest attraction is the Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Or, to be shorter, Hagrid's roller coaster.
The attraction debuted in 2019 and takes visitors on a tour of Hogwarts, passing through the Forbidden Forest, the Castle grounds and even parts of its interior.
It is still one of the attractions with the longest queue in the park as it is still a novelty and for being in one of the busiest areas in the world. Islands of Adventures, which is Hogsmeade.
Therefore, we recommend the Universal Express Pass so you don't have to wait in line too long.
2. Flight of the Hippogriff
Flight of the Hippogriff is a quieter, family-focused roller coaster. It doesn't have any really amazing laps or high speeds.
She simulates a Care of Magical Creatures class with Hagrid, who teaches how to board and fly a hippogriff.
One of the highlights of the roller coaster is Hagrid's cabin, which is very close, in addition to the pumpkin field that appears in the third film in the series.
3. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Hogsmeade's main attraction is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Is she ?the attraction of Harry Potter? in the area.
The toy is a kind of mix between a dark ride and a simulator.
We get on a train that rolls across a room, while an adventure is projected on screens around us.
The train, which is moved by mechanical arms, performs various maneuvers to accompany the movements of the projection.
With that, we get the feeling of flying in a Quidditch match, running away from dragons and fighting dementors.
4. Hogsmeade Station
The first of Hogsmeade's exploration attractions is the village's train station. It serves to welcome people arriving at the park by the Hogwarts Express or to send tourists to Universal Studios.
In addition to its transport function, the station is very beautiful and well decorated. It ends up being an attraction in itself, as it's really cool to walk around and take pictures.
5. Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express is a shared attraction of Islands of Adventures and Universal studios.
In it, we transition between the two parks by train, while going through some adventures, like seeing hippogriffs fly along the way.
6. Frog Choir
One of my particular diversions at Orlando parks is enjoying the live shows they offer.
In Hogsmeade, there are two shows.
The first is the Frog Choir, a choir of Hogwarts students (each from a house), who sings alongside their frogs.
It's a very impressive and funny show!
7. Triwizard Spirit Rally
The second show available in Hogsmeade is the Triwizard Spirit Rally.
The event is a recreation of the introduction scene of the schools participating in the Triwizard Tournament in the fourth film in the series.
Some dancers, dressed as students from Durmstrang, do martial arts displays, with dancers dressed as students from Beauxbatons doing a very beautiful dance.
8. Ollivanders
Ollivanders is a difficult attraction to define.
It's a mix of show, shop and theme park attraction.
In it, you can check out the presentation of a person being chosen by a wand from the Harry Potter series, at the same time you can buy your own wand.
In addition, there is the possibility to buy replicas of the wands from the movies or an interactive wand.
9. The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
During the evenings, one of the great attractions of Hogsmeade is the light show that is projected on Hogwarts castle.
The show lasts a long time and even has a very interesting narrative sequence. It's the perfect way to end a day at the park.
10. Interactive Spells
Finally, Hogsmeade participates in the path of interactive spells within Universal's parks.
It's a really fun experience.
You buy an interactive wand online or at Ollivanders and you can look for places where you can cast spells.
Some of the most famous spells in the series, such as Wingardium Leviosa or Alohomora, are available to guests who have had an interactive wand.
Just find the specific places and make the right moves.
Hogsmeade Stores
In addition to the normal theme park attractions, another big draw in Hogsmeade is the shops to buy Harry Potter merchandise and souvenirs.
Let's agree that this goes for practically anywhere in Orlando, right? Shops drive anyone crazy.
I have to admit that whenever I go to a store like this with Nath I get scared of how much money she will spend.
Even more because she loves to buy junk that cost $5-$8 and at the end of the trip it was a lot of money!
Hogsmeade doesn't have as many options as Diagon Alley, but it will still take a toll on your bank account.
Check out the main options below!
Ollivanders
The first store has already been mentioned here, but it's worth talking about it again. At Ollivanders, fans can buy all kinds of wands.
It is possible to buy a regular wand for yourself or a replica of the wands of characters from the movie.
In addition, there is the possibility to buy an interactive wand to cast spells around the park.
The regular wand costs $25 dollars, while the interactive wand costs $48 dollars.
Dervish and Banges
In the books, Dervish and Banges repairs magical gadgets and objects. But in Hogsmeade, she's focused on selling clothes to tourists.
Quidditch gear is on sale, as are Hogwarts clothes and school house scarves.
The price is a little expensive, but the experience is unique.
One of the store's highlights is a Care of Magical Creatures book that moves and scares people who pass by.
Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods
This shop does not exist in the books and simulates the office of Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts.
The store is a kind of ?sell-it-all?.
As if the items he allegedly confiscated from the school's students were for sale at the store.
There's a little bit of everything from stuffed animals to Death Eater masks to replica movie props, office supplies and more.
honeydukes
The most famous candy store in the Harry Potter franchise is in Hogsmeade too.
The legendary Honeydukes (seriously, who didn't dream of this store while reading the books?) sells all kinds of sweets.
The most sought after, of course, are the Chocolate Frogs and Beans of All Flavors, but there are cauldron cakes, explosive bonbons and all kinds of sweets described in the books.
Owl post
Simulating a post office in Hogsmeade, the Owl Post sells various office equipment and stationery supplies.
They are pens, inks, stamps and much more. In addition, there are several plush owls for fans of these animals.
Hogsmeade Restaurants
As you can see, you'll be spending a lot of time in Hogsmeade to enjoy all 10 attractions and shops.
That's why it's worth stopping at some point for a meal, whether it's lunch, dinner or even an afternoon snack.
There are two major establishments in place, both of which originate directly from the books in the series.
Three Broomsticks
The first of them is also the most famous.
How many times have I dreamed of having a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks? Probably a few hundred. Now it's possible!
Três Vassouras is a traditional table restaurant, where you and your family can enjoy a good meal while resting a little.
The place is very well decorated and it really feels like you are inside the Harry Potter movie or in real Hogsmeade.
It is surprisingly well decorated, from the tables to the objects on the wall and the staff uniform.
The local menu isn't that cheap, but it's worth it for the experience.
The cheapest main course is a meat pie with salad ($$9.99), but there are other options like pork ribs, turkey leg and the famous fish & chips. All around $15 or $16 dollars.
To drink, there are teas, sparkling water and lemonade, but everyone orders a mug of butterbeer, which costs $7 dollars.
For dessert, there's butterbeer cream, ice cream and apple pie.
It is worth mentioning that the three brooms also offers good breakfast options in the park.
Hog's Head Inn
In the books, the Hog's Head is a pub and inn founded and managed by Dumbledore's brother.
In Universal's park, it's a perfect pub for a beer and a break from the rush.
In addition to the Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice (local brands), they serve the exclusive Boar's Head Beer, made in-house.
Plus, there's a selection of beers and other alcoholic beverages to try.
When to go to Hogsmeade?
As you can see, Hogsmeade has a lot to do.
So it's hard to say exactly how much time to spend at the place and what time to get there.
In a perfect world, it would take 3 days to enjoy Universal's two parks.
In the first, only the attractions of Islands of Adventures. In the second, only from Universal Studios.
And, in the third, only the two areas of Harry Potter.
In that case, in the morning at Hogsmeade, I'd have lunch at the Three Broomsticks and catch the Hogwarts Express. Hogsmeade was for the afternoon.
Ideally, this is the best script to do.
However, if you only have a day for the Islands of Adventure, we recommend leaving the afternoon to visit Hogsmeade.
In that case, you would need the Universal Express Pass to do all the main attractions in the morning, and in the afternoon you would spend the day having fun in the place.
Of course, you wouldn't be able to see all the details, but you could have a lot of fun, leaving the shopping for the end of the day, before you leave.
Of all the attractions, we recommend you see them all, of course.
However, if you don't have time, make the first three attractions on the list in priority and, if you want, go shopping.
There's no doubt that any Harry Potter fan will leave Hogsmeade enchanted, right? Who is not a fan enjoy the attractions, but it will not have the same grace, it is a fact.
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About the Author Carlos Braga:
Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.
My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.
During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!
