Hey Everyone, it’s Kimberly from Packed with Fun, the official blog for Get Away Today. Normally I share some fun travel tips or exciting new things coming to Disneyland, but today, I’m thrilled to share some new information that I am equally passionate about… Harry Potter is coming to California! I was lucky enough to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter shortly after it opened at Islands of Adventures in Florida a few years ago. It was truly one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. I could’ve brought my copy of Harry Potter, sat down in the middle of Hogsmeade and just hung out for days. The entire time I was there, I kept thinking, “I hope this comes to Universal Studios in California.” Well, my wildest dream is coming true and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is opening on the west coast at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016! If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to California, now is the time. Here is everything every witch, wizard and muggle needs to know about Harry Potter at Universal Studios!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HARRY POTTER AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS:

First, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is opening at Universal Studios Hollywood, just about 45 minutes north of Disneyland. It is included with your regular Universal Studios park admission. As I mentioned, the official opening date is April 7, 2016. The park will most likely have a “soft opening” where visitors may be able to experience some of the attractions a few days early as they’re ironing out all of the details. This isn’t guaranteed, but if you’re going before the opening date, it is definitely worth checking out.

There are two actual rides at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is located inside Hogwarts and will be very similar to the one in Florida, however, California’s version is going to be in HD 3-D. It is part virtual reality, part roller coaster, and 100% spectacular. Flight of the Hippogriff is an outdoor family roller coaster, the first at Universal Studios Hollywood. This ride will take you soaring over the grounds of Hogwarts, including a view of the pumpkin patch and Hagrid’s Hut.

There will be plenty of shopping, entertainment and interactive experiences at Harry Potter at Universal Studios.

You can get chosen by a wand at Ollivanders, send a Hogsmeade postmarked letter from the Owl Post, nibble on chocolate frogs or try your luck with Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans at Honeydukes, and so much more.

Also, butterbeer. Enough said. No really though, you’ll be able to get butterbeer at the Butterbeer cart, and at the Three Broomsticks tavern. You can even try butterbeer ice cream!

Although I will most likely be spending ALL of my time at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there is so much else to do at Universal Studios Hollywood. Here are just some of the highlights:

Studio Tour – now including King Kong 360, 3-D and The Fast & Furious Supercharged
Transformers: The Ride-3D
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land
The Simpsons Ride and the new downtown Springfield area
Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
Shrek 4-D
Jurassic Park – The Ride
And truly, so much more!

Universal Studios Hollywood has always been great, but is about to get even better. It’s definitely worth adding on to your Disneyland vacation, or making it a trip on its own. If you’re thinking about booking your California vacation, you can make your plans and lock-in your vacation for just $175 down. It’s a great way to start the new year! You can book online at getawaytoday.com or call 855-GET-AWAY, and be sure to mention promo code OSSS10 to save an additional $10 on your Southern California vacation. Our agents all visit California on an annual basis and would love to give you our best tips and tricks.