Is harry potter world in universal or islands of adventure

The Complete Guide to Hogsmeade vs Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando

The Complete Guide to Hogsmeade vs Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando

If you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios, you’re probably wondering which is better: Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley. They both have thrilling rides, delicious butterbeer, and wands for every aspiring wizard. But, just like in the books, they are distinctly different. So, which Harry Potter world is better? 

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. Our ultimate guide is here to help! Our side-by-side comparison will help even the biggest Potter fan figure out which Harry Potter theme park is best for your vacation.

We hope you find this post helpful. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation. This includes access to the cheapest Universal Orlando tickets, as well as FREE park plans to save up to three hours in the parks!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation be sure to check out our Universal crowd calendar!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

What Park is Harry Potter World in at Universal?

First, let’s be really clear on the most important question: what park is Harry Potter world in? There are two parks at Universal Orlando: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. And both of them contain the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! So whichever park you go to, you’ll get to experience the Harry Potter universe. 

What are the two Harry Potter parks to choose from?

• Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure
• Diagon Alley in Universal Studios

Which is bigger Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley?

Hogsmeade is bigger than Diagon Alley, however we believe it’s more important to focus on which park has the best rides, shows, and restaurants which we will break down below.

Related Article: Harry Potter Early Park Admission

Harry Potter World: Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley

Before we begin our Harry Potter World comparison, here is a quick overview of the main points that most visitors want to know about. It might be enough to help you decide which park to visit when comparing Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley! But if not, don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of information to help you decide whether to visit Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade.

Which Harry Potter World is Better?

One of the biggest questions we receive here when deciding if you should visit Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade is, should I visit both parks or just one? And it’s a tough question because although they are both part of the same Potter-verse, they are completely different experiences, with different rides, restaurants, and shops.

Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley: Based on the Rides

A big part of the fun at Universal is the roller coasters. Unlike Disney or other parks, which mostly focus on family-friendly rides, Universal is known for its thrilling coasters. Not just in the Wizarding World, but all throughout the parks, there is an emphasis on adrenaline-fueled coasters that speed, flip, and twist. So when comparing Diagon Alley vs. Hogsmeade Universal, it just makes sense to start with the rides. 

What Rides are at Harry Potter Diagon Alley?

• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
• Hogwarts Express Kings Cross Station

The Rides at Diagon Alley Overview:

The main Harry Potter rideat Universal Studios Florida is “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.” This ride is just beautifully imagined, down to every last detail. If the line is really long, you’ll be waiting outside for a while. But once you get inside, oh my! It’s a breathtaking replica of Gringotts, the bank of the goblins. If you’ve ever wondered – what is Harry Potter world like? – this is it! Every breathtaking detail is perfectly rendered to make you feel like you’ve been transported into the magical world. 

This ride isn’t a roller coaster in the truest sense, however. Most of the time, you are watching 3-D screens that simulate the drops, twists, and turns. And it does take place in the dark, with some close encounters with bad guys, so there is a thrill factor. 

What Rides are at Harry Potter Hogsmeade?

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hogwarts Express Hogsmeade Station

The Rides at Hogsmeade Overview:

If you’re going to determine which Harry Potter world is best solely on rides, we’ll have to give it to Islands of Adventure! For starters, there are three rides, compared to Universal Studios having just one. And of the three, two are actual roller coaster type rides. For this reason we also recommend starting your day here for anyone looking to buy discount Harry Potter world tickets. 

The most exciting of the three is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Visually, it isn’t nearly as stunning as Escape from Gringotts. But once the ride starts, whoa! On Hagrid’s motorbike or in its sidecar, you’ll twist, turn, drop, and roll onto your side. The 1-mile track makes it the longest coaster in Florida. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this ride alone could decide the question of which is the best Harry Potter theme park for you.

Next up is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, another mostly 3-D ride. This time, Harry, Ron, and Hermione “save you” from a boring lecture about the Defense of the Dark Arts and take you on an adventure through Hogwarts. The ride is fun, but the really exciting part is entering Hogwarts. It’s a dream come true for any Potter fan, and for many people this alone settles the question of which Harry Potter world is the best. 

For younger riders, or those who prefer a milder ride, the Flight of the Hippogriff is ideal. It’s a bit of a kiddie coaster, but it does go high enough to give you great views of the Hogwarts castle. 

So Which Has Better Rides When Comparing Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley?

The Verdict: If you’re deciding which Harry Potter park is better in Orlando based on the rides alone, we’ll have to give it to Islands of Adventure and Hogsmeade. 

Related Page: All Harry Potter World Rides Ranked From Best to Worst 

Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley For Early Park Admission?

Did you know that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has EARLY PARK ADMISSIONto some of the most popular rides? Yep, that’s right you will get into either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley one hour before regular park guests. But which one is better to use for Early Park Admission?

When trying to decide between Diagon Alley Vs Hogsmeade for early park admission we are going to look at which park will help you save the most time later on in the day. Because that’s the whole point of using Early Park Admission anyway! Overall we would always lean towards Hogsmeade for early park admission. The main reason is Hogsmeade is home to two of the most popular rides at Universal: Hagrids Magical Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Taking advantage of that extra hour in the morning can save you up to three hours later on in the day!

Special Note: Be sure to check out our Universal Orlando ticketpage for all of the latest deals and promotions!

Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley: Based on the Food

To honest, the food doesn’t make much of a difference from one Wizarding World to the next. In the Universal Hogsmeade vs Diagon Alley debate, dining won’t be much of a factor. 

At Universal Studios,you have the Leaky Cauldron – the small pub and inn where Harry spent several weeks one summer. They offer traditional British fare (Banger & Mash, Toad in the Hole) plus kids meals (mac and cheese). 

Over at Islands of Adventures, you can dine at the charmingly decorated Three Broomsticks. The food offerings here are pretty similar, a little less British and with the addition of a couple of more American items (turkey leg, rotisserie chicken). 

The Verdict: It’s a toss-up. Don’t decide which Harry Potter park is better at Universal Studios based on the Harry Potter food! 

Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley: Based on the Shopping

No one goes to a theme park just to shop. But once you’re there, it’s hard to say no to a souvenir or three. This is especially true at Universal, with all of its exclusive Harry Potter merchandise! And if you’ve been sorted into a Hogwarts house, you can choose from everything from hoodies to backpacks to school supplies in your colors. 

Is Ollivanders in Hogsmeade?

But the biggest souvenir, the one that is almost impossible to turn down, is a wand. Especially if the wand has chosen you! That means that you’ll probably want to visit the park that has Ollivanders Wand Shop. Lucky for you, there is an Ollivanders in each of the parks when comparing Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade! Although book purists may be quick to point out that, technically, Ollivanders is only located in Diagon Alley, you’ll find a wand shop at either park. So the Hogsmeade – Diagon Alley debate won’t be decided by a wand!

Other shops, however, do vary. 

The Shops at Universal Studios

• Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes: Puking Pastilles and other prank items devised by the Weasley twins
• Gringotts Exchange: trade U.S. currency for Gringotts bank notes, which can be used in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade
• Borgin & Burkes: Death Eater masks and movie replicas
• Globus Mundi: passport holders, luggage tags, and other necessities for your magical travels
• Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions: clothing and jewelry
• Magical Menagerie: plush toys featuring magical creatures, including fan fave Buckbeak
• Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment: unique house merchandise

The Shops at Islands of Adventures

• Honeydukes: Exploding BonBons, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Botts’ Every Flavour Beans
• Dervish & Banges: magical items, broomsticks, and your Hogwarts uniform
• Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods: treasures seized by the surly caretaker, plus more
• Owl Post: writing equipment and a place to mail letters with a Hogsmeade postmark

So Which Has the Best Shops When Comparing Diagon Alley Vs Hogsmeade?

The Verdict: As tempted as you may be by the chocolate frogs, there’s really no contest here. When it comes to which Harry Potter park is better at Universal, Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure is the clear winner. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for Gringotts bank notes. Plus, the younger kids will love the stuffed animals at the Magical Menagerie!

In an ideal world, you’d be going to both parks and your only worry whether to visit Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley first. But, since that’s not always possible, we’ll help you out with our recommendation. We pick… Hogsmeade / Islands of Adventure. 

Why did we pick Hogsmeade?

• The rides are so much better; there’s really no comparison there. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure alone makes this an easy choice. 
• Who could turn down the chance to actually walk into Hogwarts Castle? The fact that there’s a really great ride inside just makes it even more fun. 

We hope our Harry Potter World comparison helps you decide which Harry Potter theme park is best. They are both excellent parks and you will have fun wherever you go, but in our opinion, Hogsmeade is the clear winner!

Hogsmeade Vs Diagon Alley FAQ

Should I go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley First?

Now that we have discussed the best Harry Potter park, you might be wondering should I go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley first? And as a general rule of thumb we always suggest visiting Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure first. This is especially true when using early park admission as the wait times for Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will always be longer than the Escape from Gringotts later in the day.

Which park is Hogwarts Castle in?

Another common question we receive is, which park at Universal Orlando has Hogwarts castle? And Hogwarts castle would be at Islands of Adventure which is Hogsmeade. There’s even a ride that takes place inside Hogwarts castle, so you’ll actually be able to enter the hallowed halls of Harry’s alma mater.

Where is Hogsmeade located in Universal?

Islands of Adventure. Same as Hagrid’s Motorbike AND the Hogwarts Castle.

Is Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure?

The answer is no. If you’re eager to explore Diagon Alley, Universal Studios is your park!

And here’s some good news: both parks serve Butterbeer! If tasting Harry’s favorite drink is high on your list, you’ll be able to buy one at either park. And it’s non-alcoholic, so the kids can try it, too.

When is the Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs buying direct, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits which can help save you up to three hours in the parks! 

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!

Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner and chief editor at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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