Florida
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter With Your Grandchild
Program No. 22827RJ
Delve into the wizarding world as you explore Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade with your grandchild, and go behind the scenes to find out how Universal Studios makes the magic happen.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
5 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Orlando, FL
Meals:
D
Stay:
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Please note that will not be visiting the new Universal Epic park. Road Scholar plans our programs years in advance. Because this park just opened in May, 2025, we were unable to add it to our itinerary. Currently, admission to Universal Epic can only be purchased in a 3-day, 3-park pass bundle. This would be a large cost in addition to your program tuition. If you wish to look into purchasing admission to the Epic park independently from this program, you can find information at: https://www.universalorlando.com/web-store/en/us/multi-day-tickets. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
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!
Day
2
Wizarding World, Three Broomsticks, Harry Potter Activity
Location:
Orlando, FL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking at the park according to personal interest. Please note that this program is high activity and not a good fit for people with severe mobility needs. Although there are options for scooter rental, the shuttle that takes the group between the hotel and the park goes in rounds. Not every one of the shuttles has a lift.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. In order to take full advantage of the early entrance admission, today's breakfast will be shorter compared to some days.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
At the Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron, we’ll have meal passes. Will you have pumpkin juice or Butterbeer?
Afternoon:
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!
Dinner:
We will have meal passes valid at a selection of locations both in the park and at Universal’s CityWalk.
Evening:
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.
Day
3
Technology Behind the Magic, Free Time in the Park, HP Craft
Location:
Orlando, FL
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking/standing for 2.5-3 hours during workshop. This workshop provided by Universal Orlando Resort is not specifically about Harry Potter; we will be learning about other features at Universal Studios which may or may not include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Breakfast:
Hotel vouchers. Today's breakfast will be shorter compared to some days.
Morning:
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 parks 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.
Lunch:
Meal passes in the park.
Afternoon:
For today's activity, you'll be doing a Harry Potter craft with the Group Leader at the hotel.
Dinner:
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.
Evening:
At leisure. Return to the park to continue the fun on your own or relax at the hotel.
Day
4
Quidditch, Wizard’s Owls, Evening Performance
Location:
Orlando, FL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Kids will play Quidditch; adults are welcome to watch or join in. In order to participate in the Quidditch clinic, each child must have returned a signed waiver.
Breakfast:
Hotel vouchers.
Morning:
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 Category 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.”
Lunch:
Hotel vouchers.
Afternoon:
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.
Dinner:
Hotel vouchers. Head to the Bayliner Diner to choose what you like from a wide selection.
Evening:
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.
Day
5
Special FX Workshop, Pool Party, Final Dinner
Location:
Orlando, FL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing 2.5-3 hours during workshop. This workshop provided by Universal Orlando Resort is not specifically about Harry Potter; we will be learning about other features at Island of Adventures which may or may not include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Breakfast:
Hotel vouchers. Today's breakfast will be shorter compared to some days.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
At the pool.
Afternoon:
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.
Dinner:
From the motorcoach, we’ll walk to a popular restaurant at CityWalk.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy!
Day
6
Wrap-up, Program Concludes
Location:
Orlando, FL
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Hotel vouchers.
Morning:
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!
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