Go this way to the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry of Magic is the headquarters of the magical community of the United Kingdom. Located in London, it is a massive building that serves as the administrative and governing body for wizards and witches. If you are looking to find the Ministry of Magic, follow these directions to reach your destination. Starting from the bustling streets of London, make your way to the underground station. You can either take the tube or walk, depending on where you are coming from.
But, from a Harry Potter perspective, you will see two entrances to the Ministry of Magic, so you might want to linger over this section as the photo opportunities are, almost, endless!
The Ministry of Magic informs 10 Downing Street of an impending visit from the Minister of magic by way of a wizard s portrait, which is kept permanently attached to the wall in the Prime Minister s Office by a Permanent Sticking Charm. There are plenty of examples Neville clearly had a massive amount of magic potential, yet did poorly in school I m aware of the theory that that was because he was using his dad s wand, but it s still very significant.
You can either take the tube or walk, depending on where you are coming from. Once you are at the station, locate the entrance to the wizarding world. This entrance is hidden from the Muggle world and can only be accessed by witches and wizards.
19 magical must-dos at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
I have officially returned to one of my all time favourite places – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida.
When I was eight years old I was introduced to the books and ever since, I’ve been absolutely hooked. They’ve been a place of comfort and happiness. It’s one of those series that you can read over and over and it simply feels like home. From Hogwarts to Diagon Alley and over to Hogsmeade… these are the fictional places I consider my home.
And when the films came out, it felt the same. In such a short amount of time, they captured everything in such a wonderful way that stayed true to the novels themselves (only with a few small differences).
It makes sense then that when Universal Studios in Florida created this wonderfully realistic version of my favourite fictional spots, I had to go!
Make sure to purchase a park-to-park Universal Ticket. There are sections of the Wizarding World in both the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando Florida.
A great tip if you can swing it is to stay in one of the Orlando resort hotels because it grants you early access to the parks. We stayed in the newly opened Aventura – the perfect option if you’re looking for a more “adult-friendly” spot to stay.
The ultimate magical guide for your Harry Potter park experience:
Enter the park at 8am
It’s absolutely worth staying at one of the hotels in order to enter the park early – especially if you want to have access to the rides and take some photos before the park fills up. Depending on the day, one of the parks will open at 8am and the other at 9am (these can fluctuate on the weekends too). On the day we arrived we were allowed early access to Universal Studios, which means we could beeline to the Wizarding World of Diagon Alley first!
Be your happiest self in Diagon Alley
When I turned around the corner and spotted this street, my face lit up instantly. Something like seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. No joke, my face lights up at famous architecture and apparently at fictionally created worlds in Florida too. I am in LOVE with Diagon Alley. I remember walking through the Harry Potter studios in London where they actually shot the films and seeing this, at Universal, is just so much more grand and you really do feel like you’re there. Luckily, Joe brings the English accent with him and it was England’s school holidays so I was surrounded for a very authentic experience!
Skip the queue at the Knight Bus
You may want to meet Stan, but if you’re aiming for a photo, I’d recommend visiting the back of the Knight Bus. You can hop on and have a little peek inside too.
Visit Ollivander’s to pick out your very own wand
This is great to do if you arrive early – we popped in for a tour at Ollivander’s in Diagon Alley where one of the lovely witches helped a younger witch find her wand! While I was gutted not to be selected to find my own wand, it’s really exciting watching kids faces light up.
Buy an interactive wand
So if you’re like me and weren’t picked by the magical forces at hand to get your own wand… you’re going to want to buy one. It’s been years of me saying “I need to get a wand”. And I finally did! Now you have the option to let your very own wand select YOU rather than necessarily purchasing a famous witch or wizard’s wand. I felt a bit like my wand was like my horoscope – and it was the prettiest. My wand that selected mewas the Ivy.
“Ivy wood is associated with tenacity, stamina and endless patience. Ivy people are strong and determined; they set goals and achieve them. Ivy people should take care that their ability to easily overcome obstacles does not lead them unwittingly into ever more challenging situations.”
Hopefully, a perfect wand for life!
Now cast a spell!
The interactive wands can be used all of the two Wizarding World parks in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade and oh boy did I use it. Don’t mind me, the woman in her late twenties who happily was performing spells alongside children aged 12 and under.
Each wand comes with the map so you know how to perform the spell and where to look for interactive hot spots. Go ahead and watch my Instagram highlights to see all the magic in action!
Visit the famous wizarding bank and then escape from Gringotts!
Of course, you wouldn’t visit a theme park and miss out on the rides would you? Right upon entry we hopped straight into the line to go deep into the vaults of Gringotts. You walk through the simply stunning Gringotts Bank before delving below. If you’re lucky – you’ll find it’s totally empty! We ended up on the ride within 5 minutes – which was mostly the walk down below. It’s a really fun experience, so I’d definitely recommend it.
Exchange your dollars for Gringotts notes
In Diagon Alley area of the park, you can find the perfect spot to exchange your muggle money for wizarding fare. There is even a goblin bank teller who speaks with you directly!
Watch the Dragon spit fire!
Before we knew all about the Dragons in Game of Thrones, we were looking over our shoulders for the Hungarian Horntail or the Chinese Fireball. In Diagon Alley atop of Gringotts bank you’ll spot the dragon on it’s escape! Watch out, every 15 minutes it roars and breathes fire out
You can spot Kreacher peeking out from the curtainsSpot Kreacher at Number 12 Grimmuald Place
Every so often Kreacher pops out from behind the curtain of the iconic London home. Be sure not to miss him!
And get a snap on the steps – just be sure that no one from the Ministry of Magic follows you there!
Call up the Ministry of Magic
In the red telephone booth you can use the phone to dial the Ministry of Magic. Dial 62442 (MAGIC) and you’ll be connected to the Ministry.
Sadly, they didn’t send me down to the department of mysteries. If they let you in… do let me know!
Travel abroad the Hogwarts Express
You can catch the Hogwarts Express in both Hogsmeade and at King’s Cross (just outside Diagon Alley). It’s quite fun to walk through King’s Cross, there are food service stations just like there are back in England. Joe was certainly tempted to grab a can of Stella on the way! It takes a few minutes to go from park to park, but the wait time can be a little long. Still, it’s the fastest and easiest way to go inbetween and I’d highly recommend it!
Disappear through Platform 9 3/4
A sneaky tip to know if that there is a disappearing entrance to Platform 9 3/4. Best to do it at a bit of a run if you’re nervous!
Cheers with a pint of Butterbeer!
When you’re visiting the Wizarding World it goes without saying that you need to try the Butterbeer! It’s deliciously creamy and caramel. I’d recommend ordering it frozen on a hot day, but it’s also available as a standard cool drink. If you’ve ever visited the Harry Potter Studios in London, please know that the Butterbeer in Florida is MUCH better! I could have ordered two! (Ps. the park Butterbeer is non-alcoholic in case you wanted to know!)
Buy a chocolate frog at Honeydukes Sweet Shoppe in Hogsmeade
You can actually enter the most famous of all sweet shoppes! And of course, guess who forgot to return for treats? I’m quite mad that I didn’t buy a chocolate frog at the park. I kept saying that I would and then before I knew it, I’d left the park without one! Please pick one up for me!
Eat an ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s in Diagon Alley
Just like when Harry had a summer filled with daily ice creams at Florean Fortescue’s the summer before his third year at Hogwarts… you can do exactly the same. To be honest, on my holidays I’m more after a cheeky afternoon Pinot but needs must! But be sure to get your ice cream fix on!
Try on clothes at Madame Malkin’s in front of a very magical mirror
Get on your glad rags and while you admire your potential outfit choice. You’ll get some commentary from the mirror herself, who said she could tell I was a trendsetter. Highest of compliments!
Enjoy a meal at the Three Broomsticks or The Leaky Cauldron
We didn’t actually grab lunch in the parks this time. We’d purposefully had a big breakfast and were popping out of Universal to go back to the hotel around midday.
But if you are staying in for the afternoon and evening, you can eat meals are actually English inspired! You can get Fish and Chips or Shepherd’s Pie in the Three Broomsticks! And Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew or Bangers and Mash in The Leaky Cauldron. How cool is that?! And if you’re there for breakfast you can get the Full English Traditional breakfasts too! Again though, we live in England so this is the kind of food I can already get down at our local pub. But, a fun thing to do if you’re not a frequent visitor of the United Kingdom!
Go on an adventure inside Hogwarts with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Last but not least, you need to visit inside Hogwarts. Usually there are very long lines, so again, visiting early in the day is a great idea! I think our wait time was around 15 minutes or less. Walking through the depths of Hogwarts is such a fun thing to do. It’s the closest you can really feel to actually going there! Although, I suppose I do have some exploring in England to do still! Plenty of Castles to visit!
Most importantly, enjoy every single moment! It truly feels magical to be there. And remember that Hogwarts is always there to welcome you home.
Let me know if you’ve visited before or if you have any extra tips and tricks on visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the comments below!
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Of course, you wouldn’t visit a theme park and miss out on the rides would you? Right upon entry we hopped straight into the line to go deep into the vaults of Gringotts. You walk through the simply stunning Gringotts Bank before delving below. If you’re lucky – you’ll find it’s totally empty! We ended up on the ride within 5 minutes – which was mostly the walk down below. It’s a really fun experience, so I’d definitely recommend it.
Upon entering the wizarding world, you will find yourself in a charming alley called Diagon Alley. Take a moment to explore this bustling marketplace filled with shops selling magical artifacts and supplies. Gaze upon the magnificent architecture of the Leaky Cauldron and Flourish and Blotts, among other iconic establishments. From Diagon Alley, continue your journey by entering another concealed entrance – the famous Leaky Cauldron. Inside, you will find a cozy and welcoming pub. Be sure to stop for a quick refreshment or a delightful meal before continuing your adventure. Once you have exited the Leaky Cauldron, you will see a solid brick wall in front of you. To reveal the entrance to the Ministry of Magic, tap your wand at the specific brick and utter the phrase "wizengamot". The brick wall will transform into a hidden passageway, leading you to the Ministry of Magic. As you walk through the passageway, you will find yourself in a magnificent atrium. The Ministry of Magic building towers above you, with grand marble staircases leading to different levels. Take a moment to admire the stunning architecture and bustling atmosphere. To reach the different departments and sections of the Ministry of Magic, head towards the elevators located on the left side of the atrium. These elevators can take you to different floors, each hosting a unique department such as the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Department of Mysteries, and the Department of International Magical Cooperation, among others. Navigating through the Ministry of Magic can be overwhelming, but with the proper directions and a little bit of magic, you will find your way. So, follow these instructions and embark on an exciting journey to the heart of the magical world, the Ministry of Magic..
Reviews for "The Magical Pathway: Guide to the Ministry of Magic"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Go this way to the ministry of magic". The premise of the book seemed promising, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing was often confusing and lacked clarity, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the characters felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, which made it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in substance and was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. John - 1 star - I couldn't understand the hype around "Go this way to the ministry of magic". The plot was incredibly predictable, and it felt like I was reading a watered-down version of other fantasy novels. The writing style was also quite juvenile and simplistic, which made it hard for me to take the story seriously. I found myself constantly rolling my eyes at the clichéd dialogue and lack of originality. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Go this way to the ministry of magic", but unfortunately, it did not live up to them. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The characters were also quite one-dimensional and lacked any significant development. The world-building was also lacking, as I found it hard to fully visualize the setting. Overall, I found the book to be a mediocre read and was left feeling underwhelmed.