Universal’s Islands of Adventure lies almost deserted. The Amazing Spiderman has a 20 minute wait. Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat has a 10 minute wait. But after passing the Lost Continent, people line the streets, dressed in robes or shirts proclaiming Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. A castle, framed by a town of crooked chimneys and snowy rooftops, welcomes all who wish to step into the world of wizards and witches.

JK Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter books have sold over 450 million copies world-wide. The eight movies have grossed 7.7 billion dollars, and JK Rowling’s net worth is 910 million dollars as of 2013. It’s no surprise that Universal Studies decided to invest in a Harry Potter-themed area of Islands of Adventure.

I absolutely adore the Harry Potter book series. I’m not sure when I was first introduced to the series: for as long as I can remember, I’ve always known about Harry Potter. When talking with close friends, books have always been ranked on scale of 1 to Harry Potter, and the series has always ranked first with every other book several feet behind. When Dad brought up going back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the 3rd time, I leaped on the idea. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter contains several shops, Ollivanders, The Three Broomsticks, and several rides. Walking into the park is like walking straight into the movies. The only immediate flaw that I’ve noticed is that Ollivanders was placed in Hogsmeade instead of Diagon Alley. But when considering that visitors can actually experience “the wand choosing the wizard,” I don’t have a problem with a little straying from the series. To make a more magical setting, the park is set in wintertime with snowy roofs and a student-like snowman.

The Three Broomsticks features British food and is decorated like a tavern with wood accents. The food is priced in the $10 to $20 range, which is reasonable for a theme park. Instead of waiting in the long line for butterbeer, it can be purchased when ordering food. (However, the butterbeer is worth the long wait.) The Three Broomsticks also serves a delicious pumpkin fizz, which is not well-advertised. The food isn’t necessarily the best I’ve ever tasted, but it’s worth visiting for the experience.

The park also features three rides: the Dragon Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the Flight of the Hippogriff.

I’ve personally never gone on the Dragon Challenge, simply because I’ve heard that the g-force is impressive. The line is significantly shorter than the other two because it is a true roller coaster. This is a ride for those who enjoy adrenaline to the extent of sickness.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey features a long, long wait but is well worth it. The ride is unlike any that I’ve ever ridden before but is closest compared to Soarin’ in Epcot, which creates the illusion of flight.  The ride contains an adventure with the golden trio through Hogwarts, the Quidditch Pitch and the Forbidden Forest. As a person who is very prone to motion-sickness, I can safely say that the ride is fascinating but not stomach-jarring. However, almost every single frightening creature that Harry faces in the series (other than Voldemort) makes an appearance during the ride which might scare the easily-frightened visitors.

The Flight of the Hippogriff is entertaining but not worth more than a 20 minute wait. This ride is designed for children and contains a minor roller coaster. The perk: a glimpse at an automated Buckbeak, perched in a nest and bowing to the passengers. The ride only lasts a minute but has just enough curves and ups/downs to make for a very fun little ride.

I’ve personally never been to Ollivanders. The line easily reaches 50 minutes within the first hour the park opens and only increases from there. However, wands can still be purchased in Hogsmeade in several stores, including a kiosk near the castle.

The major downside of this park is the lack of space. Universal producers didn’t seem to think ahead or expect the number of people who would populate the park on a daily basis. The stores are always crammed full of people, and the butterbeer lines fill up the streets. It’s not unusual for the rest of the Islands of Adventure park to be very slow but packed in Hogsmeade. My family always goes to the Forbidden Journey as soon as the park opens to escape the long line. Even then, (because Universal Studies Resort guests get in an hour earlier), the wait time is around 45-60 minutes. The wait time was 110 minutes when I walked by midday on Friday.

The butterbeer is worth the cost. However, don’t stand in line on the street. The Three Broomsticks serves it as does the Hog’s Head. The Hog’s Head doesn’t have near the line and tastes just as good. I wouldn’t advise buying the souvenir mug simply because the mug would be sticky afterward and would have to be carried for the rest of the day around the park.

But is it worth it? Drop everything now and go. This park is made for any Harry Potter fan and was designed to simulate a real trip to Harry’s world. As a huge fan of butterbeer, I’d even say that it’s worth the trip just to sip on the butterscotch deliciousness topped with a superb ice cream topping.