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Theme Park review: Entertainment in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure

Quidditich World Cup performance Universal Orlando

There's More to Do Than Just Ride Rollercoasters in These Parks

Revised 4/2021

Dear Polite Traveler,

Turning 60 is a major life event for a woman.  Or, is that just me?  For my 60th, I wanted to play like a kid again and indulge my love of everything Harry Potter.  Consequently, I decided to spend my hard-earned vacation dollars at Universal Studios Florida.  Nevertheless, I couldn’t just spend all my time, drooling over the new Diagon Alley and Hogsmead—which includes the Hogswart Castle.  I hoped for Galleons of entertainment.  After all, Universal Studios is an active movie studio.  Was I disappointed?  Follow along to find out.

Muggle note: Galleons is Wizarding Money.

Note: Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.  

Meet your favorite movie, cartoon, and comic book characters.

Rebecca Black and Marilyn Monroe Universal Orlando

Smitten with superheroes?  How about a classic movie actor of the past?  Well, I certainly am. I don’t know of any place—except the perfect dream—where one can meet Marilyn Monroe and Spiderman, except right here at Universal Studios Florida.  I met the lovely Marilyn as she leisurely walked down the road, had my picture taken in front of the Scooby-Doo mystery machine and marveled at the massive Megaton—all on the same day.  

Enjoy live entertainment.

Whether you like music, action, or live theater, you won’t be disappointed here.  As a Harry Potter fan, I found the live theater/puppet show depicting the legend of the Deathly Hallows from the book The Beedle and the Bard (held in Diagon Alley) enchanting.  

Held in Hogsmeade, the presentation of the “Triwizard Spirit Rally” reflected a portion of the movie “Goblet of Fire” quite nicely.  The Durmstrang students were spot on.   

Also in Hogsmeade, the musical group, “The Frog Choir”, sang a few A cappella tunes and wowed the crowd.  Each presentation included plenty of humor as well. 

My favorite, however, was the Blues Brothers.  They rocked the crowd!  People of all ages sang, danced and clapped through their entire musical and dance presentation.  All four entertainers nailed their parts!  

(Video by Elias Alberto Elvir Godoy) 

Buy an interactive wand and create your own entertainment!

Me performing spells with my new wand in Universal Orlando

For a mere $55 anyone can become a wizard or witch, performing spells while at Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade.  Bronze medallions mark spots where the wand will work.  At each location, you can wave your wand—each spell is engraved in the medallions—and watch as a flower awakens, a skeleton dances, an old suit of armor reassembles, and more.  Serious Harry Potter fans shouldn’t miss the fun.  I didn’t.

There is so much to see that it is absolutely free with the price of admission.  Not a ride person?  No problem.  Just watch all the free shows and enjoy the beautiful and sparkling clean parks.

Tip: Carefully read the map you receive as you enter the park.  It includes the schedules of all the live entertainment.  

Please Read

Exploring the Streets of New York Universal Orlando Theme Park

Exploring the Streets of San Francisco in Universal Orlando

Exploring Diagon Alley Universal Orlando


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