The Wizarding World of Harry Potter With Your Grandchild

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised. The Universal theme park is very large, and divided into two sections: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The two halves of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are also divided between these two sections; Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios while Hogsmeade is located in Islands of Adventure. The Hogwarts Express will bring you between them. When we go to the park, we’ll take the hotel shuttle that runs all day. Our tickets allow us to spend as much time as we like in the park on Days 2, 3, and 5. We’ll also have vouchers for meals in the park. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

Especially for kids: Everyone will get sorted into their “house.” Are you a Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin? The Sorting Hat will let you know. *Please note that your grandchild may be assigned to a house that would not be their preference as we try to keep the houses with even numbers. All of the houses have good qualities, and participation in their assigned house will only be for 5 days. Please encourage your grandchild to keep an open mind.* Through a series of cooperative activities throughout the week — from Quidditch to judging Butterbeer recipes, trivia, and more — each house will earn points to win prizes. Grandparents join the same house as their grandkids. Get to know the other members of your “house,” then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the fun that’s waiting for you!

At the hotel. In order to take full advantage of the early entrance admission, today's breakfast will be shorter compared to some days.

This morning, we’ll take advantage of early entrance to the theme park to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and enjoy the rides before the lines get long. This will give us an advance look at everything before our workshops begin. Please note that early park admission is just for one park and it changes. As you get closer to your program date, the UO website has the most up to date information. It is up to the individual participant to determine if they need Universal Express Passes for their free time on the program. Express Passes are available for purchase through the Universal Orlando website as well as from Cabana Bay's on-site concierge. Express Passes grant the holder the ability to move to the front of the line at many Universal Orlando attractions in a single day. You may choose to purchase a pass that allows you skip the line once or you may choose one that allows you to skip multiple times. Please note that while many rides at Universal Orlando participate in Universal Express Pass – including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ and Pteranodon Flyers do not currently participate.

At the Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron, we’ll have meal passes. Will you have pumpkin juice or Butterbeer?

We’ll take a break from the sun and engage in a Harry Potter-related activity at the hotel. Seize the opportunity to win points for your house!

We will have meal passes valid at a selection of locations both in the park and at Universal’s CityWalk.

At leisure. Your park ticket is valid for the entire day, enabling you to return to the park to spend some more time enjoying the rides and attractions this evening if you choose to.

Hotel vouchers. Today's breakfast will be shorter compared to some days.

We’ll take the shuttle over to the park for our first workshop at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure. We’ll learn about the technology behind the magic and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most technologically advanced theme park in the world operates. We'll also have opportunities to go on some rides. The rides included in this workshop are likely to be more intense, so feel free to sit out of you like. Due to Universal's varying schedule, the specific rides that will be included in this workshop are not available in advance.

Meal passes in the park.

For today's activity, you'll be doing a Harry Potter craft with the Group Leader at the hotel.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure. Return to the park to continue the fun on your own or relax at the hotel.

Hotel vouchers.

Especially for kids: Quidditch! We’ll take a short ride aboard our motorcoach to a local soccer arena where we will be joined by members of the Catergory 5 Quidditch team, to learn the rules and play a match on house teams. Adults are welcome to join the kids, or cheer them on from the sidelines. The sport of Quidditch — inspired by the broomstick-based game of the same name from the Harry Potter books — has become so popular in America that it has its own governing association. According to U.S. Quidditch, it’s “a co-ed contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, dodgeball, and tag.”

Hotel vouchers.

We’ll connect the Wizarding World and nature as we take a field trip via motorcoach to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey to learn about owls with center staff. The center is dedicated to ecosystem & bird rehabilitation, education, and research. It works to increase public awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of Florida’s raptors and the natural habitats in which they live.

Hotel vouchers. Head to the Bayliner Diner to choose what you like from a wide selection.

Enjoy a performance at the hotel by The House of Black, a band which performs “wizard rock,” a novelty genre inspired by the Harry Potter franchise.

Hotel vouchers. Today's breakfast will be shorter compared to some days.

We’ll take the motorcoach over to Universal Studios Orlando for another special workshop. Together with Universal team members, we'll learn some of the secrets of moviemaking and how the arts and sciences are responsible for some of the most spectacular special effects in movie history. We’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to recreate those effects for top Universal Studios attractions, and have a chance to go on some rides. Returning to the hotel, we’ll get ready for a pool party.

At the pool.

Pool party (assuming we have Florida's sunny weather)! Continue the fun at the pool after lunch, relaxing with your new friends. We'll have some fun Harry Potter activities to do while we enjoy our last afternoon together. If you like, you can use your ticket to return to the park this afternoon instead. Our tickets allow us into the whole theme park all day. Before dinner activity especially for kids: Which House has the most points? What prizes will be given? Regardless of who wins, we’ve had a great time getting inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and making new friends.

From the motorcoach, we’ll walk to a popular restaurant at CityWalk.

At leisure. Enjoy!

Hotel vouchers.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!