The Ultimate Universal Harry Potter Bucket List

In 2019 my family decided we were going to visit Universal Studios in Florida for the first time ever, and the Potterhead in me was ecstatic. My mom and I are both avid Harry Potter, and this trip was something we talked about often. I wanted to make sure I got the full Harry Potter world experience, so I spent hours searching Pinterest and the internet crafting the ultimate Harry Potter bucket list. I fully intended on using that list I created four years ago, but I have not been able to find the original sadly. So here is my best attempt to recreate my hours of research so you don't have to.

• Ride the Hogwarts Express in both directions because the ride is different between parks. Make sure to pay attention to the windows.

• Ollivander's Wand Experience is a must for any true Harry Potter fan. If you're lucky, you'll get selected to be the lucky wizard matched with a wand.

• Once you get your wand, you can cast spells around the wizarding world. Check out all the spots on the map, but also be on the lookout for hidden spots like the one at Scribbulus.

• There are three kinds of ButterBeer: hot, cold, and frozen. When I visited I only tried the cold and the frozen, but I tried hot ButterBeer at the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience. I can honestly say cold is my favorite way to enjoy this drink.

• Another classic Harry Potter drink that I tried and thoroughly enjoyed was Pumpkin Juice. A lot of the drink vendors have it, and the bottle is a great collectable for fans.

• Eat at The Leaky Cauldron and The Three Broomsticks. Both restaurants have authentic British menus and lots of details. For example, the sign at The Leaky Cauldron actually leaks, and you can see house elf shadows at The Three Broomsticks.

• When you step foot into London right outside of Diagon Alley, there are so many hidden Harry Potter gems to try. Hop into the red telephone box and call the Ministry of Magic. Talk to both the conductor of the Knight Bus and the head. Take a look at the back of the Knight Bus as it was a prop used in the movies. And definitely make sure to look up at 12 Grimmuald Place to catch Kreacher in peak out the window.

• When you enter King's Cross Station, you may notice that the perfume ad displayed is the exact same as the ad in the movie.

• When approaching Platform 9 3/4, wait back and look for the people disapearing into the brick wall. Also make sure to see if you can spot Hedwig once you are on the platform. When you find Muggle workers around the park, ask them if they know where Platform 9 3/4 is and see what they say.

• If you are looking to enter Diagon Alley the same way Harry does with Hagrid, make sure to enter through the brick wall in London.

• At Gringott's Bank, talk to the Goblin's. Ask them if they are house elves and they might scoff. Exchange muggle money for wizard currency. And most importantly, ride the Escape From Gringott's.

• Make sure to visit Knockturn Alley in Diagon Alley. The entrances are both easy to miss but worth finding. There are so many hidden easter eggs here like a bogart box, moving tattoos in the windows, hidden spells, and the sound of a bird in the vanishing cabinet at Bourgin and Burkes.

• Listen for Moaning Myrtle in all of the bathrooms.

• We had fast passes for the parks, but I also made my family wait in line to ride The Forbidden Journey. Waiting in line for this ride is so worth it because you get to go through Hogwarts and see all sorts of classrooms and details from the movies. For example, if you listen closely you can hear Mandrakes screaming in the Greenhouse or Neville getting a lecture in the potions classroom.

• Once you get off the ride in Hogwarts, you have the choice to enter Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods. In there you find not only souvenirs, but also a Maurder's Map with moving footsteps.

• Make sure to stay late enough in Hogsmead to catch the Hogwarts Castle light show. It is the perfect ending to a visit to Harry Potter world.

• The owlry is Hogsmean allows you to send letters anywhere in the world, so I suggest sending one home or to a fellow Potterhead.

• Before there was The Wizarding World, their was Jaws. There are lot's of old props from the Jaws attraction that used to be at Universal all scattered throughout the Harry Potter park.

• When outside of Weasley Wizard's Wheezes, make sure to look up at the moving Weasley twin. When inside, listen hard to hear Professor Umbridge saying "I will have order!"

• When in the Daily Prophet, listen for writers and type writer working hard on the next addition.

• Look in the mirror at Madame Maulkin's and she will comment on your outift. You can also see some original costumes from the movies in the store, including Professor McGonagolls.

• When in Magical Menagerie, listen for a snake speaking parseltongue.

• Look for the sword of Gryffindor and the Pensive while in Dumbledore's office.

• The single most important thing I can recommend in this list is to look up everywhere. Both outside while in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeads and in the stores (especially in the stores). Make sure to look into all the windows and listen hard to see what you can hear.

If I ever find my covetted full bucket list of Harry Potter World that I created in 2019, I will be sure to update this list with the full experience. For now, I hope this helps you on your trip to Universal Studios in Florida.