Is it worth leaving Disney to see Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade?

[Leelo]

I am a big Harry Potter fan and my husband likes it pretty well but can live without it. We have been to Universal before and are not thoroughly impressed with it as a whole. Is it worth the cost of admission JUST to see the Harry Potter attractions? We would be giving up time at Disney, which we KNOW we love! As a side note, we went to the WB Harry Potter set tour in London, UK earlier this year. I drooled for 5 hours while my husband was very patient so we have had a recent immersive experience with HP theming if that would make a difference.

 

[Missyrose]

I am a big Harry Potter fan and my husband likes it pretty well but can live without it. We have been to Universal before and are not thoroughly impressed with it as a whole. Is it worth the cost of admission JUST to see the Harry Potter attractions? We would be giving up time at Disney, which we KNOW we love! As a side note, we went to the WB Harry Potter set tour in London, UK earlier this year. I drooled for 5 hours while my husband was very patient so we have had a recent immersive experience with HP theming if that would make a difference.

I think it's worth it, but just know there aren't a *ton* of attractions in WWoHP. In Hogsmeade there's Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and the Dueling Dragons coaster that was rethemed into the Dragon Challenge.

In Diagon Alley, there's Escape from Gringotts. And then there's the Hogwarts Express between the two lands.

Beyond the attractions, there's lots of shops, restaurants and a few stage shows.

Like I said, I think it's worth it. But just be warned there aren't a ton of rides in those two lands.

 

[yulilin3]

Both HP lands are VERY immersive. If you are a huge HP fan you'll appreciate all the details. I love both areas not so much for the attractions but the attention to detail. You could do both on the same day and just use the Hogwarts Express to travel which will enhance the experience.

 

[mdb78]

I think it's worth it especially if you're a big HP fan. The last time we went, it was just Hogsmeade. We were ap holders at the time, and many times we would hang out there and do a ride or 2 in the other lands. Universal did a really good job with the theming and the details in the area and both outside and inside the shops and restaurants. When you're there, you do feel like you are in the HP world (at least we did).

 

[CAS239]

The Harry Potter area there are amazing. I would definitely go

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Also agree that if you're a big Harry Potter fan it probably is worth it to visit at least once. The theming is very well done and we enjoyed the rides. The way they've done it feels very immersive. The biggest drawback is that you need a park to park ticket to see it all. We've been a few times and have to say that we enjoyed it every time.

 

[2Gma]

Yes! If you are a fan, you must go! The Harry Potter areas are unlike anything at Disney (well maybe Pandora and Star Wars Land but that is yet to be seen). Truly immersive experience and representative of the book series. Once you enter you won't want to leave those areas. And this is coming fro someone who only has a mild HP interest.

 

[ktkerber]

The Harry Potter areas are phenomenal. Diagon Alley was amazing.
The other areas are just OK. Many rides with a moving ride vehicle and a movie that the vehicle simulates with. It got old after a few. The Mummy ride there is also phenomenal so that would make it worth it too.
If you don't mind spending the money, then I would go. Universal is pretty expensive and you even have to pay extra for their version of the FP.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

We've gone to Universal 2 times as an add on to our WDW trips. We like to stay one night at the universal hotels (for the express pass) and do the park to park pass. We were able to do all the other things that interested us in one day between the 2 parks as well as spend time in the HP areas that way (we're not water ride people so that eliminates quite a bit of both parks). The HP stuff is great but can be very, very crowded as in you may not be able to move very far, very fast.It can be hard to get into the shops or move around in them. They are very nicely done once you can get into them. So, yes with some patience it is very much worth it.

 

[MermaidMommy]

We just did the HP London tour earlier this summer, and we did Universal when it was just Hogsmeade. I would definitely go. While the HP studio tour is really amazing, the immersive aspect of HP at Universal is incomparable. You truly will feel like you're IN the HP world. You'll probably get even more out of it after doing the studio tour. Don't miss it!

 

[babesboo99]

If your a Harry Potter fan then I am going to say yes it is very much worth it. We love Harry Potter and go every time we are at Disney.

 

[SaintsManiac]

HP is my #1 obsession, so we are going for 2 days before our trip next year. The cost of tickets is hard to swallow, but I know it will be worth it and we got a steal on a room at Cabana Bay. Stepping into Diagon Alley is like a dream come true for me, so I am extremely excited. You only live once, right?

 

[nighttowll]

I also spent a long time at the London set, 6 hrs. Going there was what convinced me that I had to take my younger sister who is a huge HP fan to Universal. I had already been to Universal, and just kept thinking as we toured, "If she is this into this place, she is going to die when she sees the HP sections at Universal." The warehouse and the parks are very different experiences, and I didn't feel like I was repeating anything or that one place was better or could substitute for another.

I've gone twice with my sister to Universal now because once just wasn't enough for her. The first time HP was the main purpose of the trip. The second, we spent a good amount of time in the HP sections which we both love, but we also did other things as well.

My mother also wanted to go only to see the HP sections, so I went once during a Disney trip with her, and we just went over for the day to see Harry.

So basically, I've gone twice now with people who at first were only interested in HP and both had a great time.

If you are a big HP fan, it is definitely worth it. I spent 6 hrs in Hogsmeade the first time I visited it. We get really into exploring everything, casting spells, shopping, eating in the restaurants, sending owl mail, watching the performers, and experiencing the rides.

 

[DisneyOma]

Go, and make sure you get a park to park ticket so you can ride the Hogwarts Express. Ride it both ways, as they are different.

 

[Duchie]

It's totally worth it - both of the areas are very immersive and so extremely well done (down to Moaning Myrtle in one of the girls' bathrooms). We were thoroughly impressed and would do it again.

 

[snowybelle]

Totally worth it if you are a fan of HP. Lots of details to enjoy, but I will echo the PP who said there are not TONS of attractions. The HP rides they do have are great, but I love just taking in the details of the place.

I'm not super crazy about the rest Universal, but for me The Mummy and Spiderman attractions are both stand-outs. Really awesome.

 

[bchbetha]

Totally worth it! My dh likes HP fine but not as much as the rest of it. But, he really enjoyed it. He kept taking the kids' interactive wands and playing.
Also, life is too short not to at least try new things. Universal is every bit as good as Disney. Shake off some of the pixie dust of Disney and give it a try.

 

[22Tink]

Definitely worth it! We took a day on our last WDW trip to go to Universal to see HP. It's amazing!

 

[kbelle8995]

Yes totally worth it. I try to do something different every time. Have pumpkin juice or butterbeer. Purchase a wand and do some spells.

Try to get park to park ticket so you can do Hogwarts express

 

[Disneylover99]

Totally worth it. I would spend all my time in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley drinking frozen butter beer. For me at Universal, nothing else matters.