Five things I learned when I rode Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

I know my job’s a bit of an odd one, but last week was the icing on the cake as far as mad adventures go. In the space of a week, all my Harry Potter dreams pretty much came true: I got to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the fabulous new Harry Potter ride at Universal Orlando Resort, chat with Draco Malfoy about which seat on the ride is the best one (it’s the front, apparently), get a selfie with Luna Lovegood and Professor Flitwick, and then watch as Ron Weasley and Draco drove up in the Ford Anglia, closely followed by Fred and George roaring up on Hagrid’s ACTUAL motorbike at the opening ceremony. I mean, what a week. Read on to find out the five things I learned when I rode the brand new Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure attraction at Universal Orlando Resort, Florida. Please note that this post contains ride information and spoilers!

Just before our very first glimpse of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

1 The queue is super cool

As with all of the brilliant Harry Potter attractions at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the creative teams at Universal Orlando Resort are well aware that people are going to be spending time waiting in line for such a popular attraction, and I love that they spend time and effort making the wait line and the grounds interesting. You’ll queue past Hagrid’s Hut, as well as his vegetable patch, as you look out over seven acres of Forbidden Forest, complete with crumbling old school buildings and lake. Once you’re inside, you’ll make your way through a labyrinth of passageways, through beautiful rooms filled with things like dragon eggs (see if you can spot the golden egg from the Triwizard Tournament), spotting things like graffiti left by Hogwarts students, and into Hagrid’s workshop, where you’ll see lots of posters for magical creatures like Cornish pixies and my favourite little furry thieves, Nifflers!

Hagrid’s hut at Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s veg patch in the queue at Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Your first glimpse of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure from the queue line

Nearing the ride entrance of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s impressive collection of dragons’ eggs

2 You can choose the motorbike or the sidecar

You can’t take anything on the ride, so make sure you stow all your stuff. Once you get nearer the front of the queue, you’ll be asked to make a decision between the incredibly realistic motorbike and the sidecar. The motorbike rider gets on the moving walkway first, then the sidecar rider after that, and you’re secured with a bar. When we were chatting with Tom Felton, he voiced his opinion that the front motorbike is the best seat in the house, but honestly, each of the seven motorbike and sidecar positions have a brilliant view (you’ll notice that all the surprises are on the same side so that the motorbike rider doesn’t block the view from the sidecar).

Time to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

We were paused at this point for quite a while as there was a storm and the ride was closed. Staff members (seen here) then ran the ride a couple of times before it was reopened (what a cool job!).

Will you choose the motorbike or the sidecar on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure?

With lovely Tom Felton aka Draco Malfoy

3 You get to meet Hagrid

As the name suggests, Hagrid’s with you for the whole of your Motorbike Adventure, as you join him in his Care of Magical Creatures lesson. He narrates the entire ride, and you’ll also get to meet him on your way around (maybe more than once).

ACTUAL HAGRID! (Well, animatronic Hagrid, but he’s incredibly lifelike) Pic: UOR

4 … and he’s got a surprise or two waiting for you

Of course, this being Hagrid, everything doesn’t go completely according to plan. There are a few glitches along the way, and quite a prolongued period where the ride goes backwards! Again as the name suggests, you’re going to meet quite a few of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures, including Fluffy, the three headed dog, Cornish pixies, the noble Centaur and the ‘Blast-Ended Skrewt’, which was mentioned in the books but this is the first time it’s actually been brought to life. Watch out for its dangerous ‘blasting end’. You might also get tangled in some devil’s snare (and there’s a pretty spectacular surprise that happens just after this, too).

Those cheeky Cornish pixies cause havoc as usual. (Pic: UOR)

5 This is the coaster you might like if you think you hate coasters

There’s SO much to see while you’re whizzing around, and although it’s fast (up to 50mph in places), it’s incredibly smooth, and quite close to the ground - it also doesn’t take you upside down, but it does take you right next to a unicorn and her beautiful foal. The vistas are quite spectacular and what’s more, if you ride at night, it’s a totally different experience with gorgeous views across to Hogwart’s Castle. I absolutely loved it and feel so lucky that I got to ride it even before the opening day.

I’ll leave you with a couple of pictures from the glittering opening ceremony…

Waiting for the opening ceremony of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure to start

Evanna Lynch and Warwick Davis at the opening ceremony

Hagrid’s actual motorbike, as ridden by Fred and George Weasley (James and Oliver Phelps)

The moment it all happened (and sadly I held my phone the wrong way round for a YouTube video):

Stars from the Harry Potter films open Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (pic: UOR)

The brilliant moment that some of the Harry Potter cast rode Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure with some of the guests queuing for the ride (pic: UOR)

Getting there:

Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick direct to Orlando, room only accommodation at the Universal Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites with car hire included and the 3 Park Explorer ticket is from £1099pp.

Price is per person based on 2 adults travelling and sharing a standard room and includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure on 24/11/2019. Virgin Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk, 0344 557 3859, visit one of the concession stores located in Debenhams and Next or one of their V-Room stores nationwide.

I parked at the brand new APH parking facility at Gatwick Airport - you can win your holiday parking for any time over the next year by entering my competition here!

Next up, an exclusive guided tour around Universal Orlando Resort’s beautiful, brand new resort hotel that’s opening in August. Have a fab weekend!

With gorgeous Evanna Lynch and Warwick Davis

Thank you to Universal Orlando Resort, Florida and Virgin Atlantic for the most magical week. All opinions and pictures (except where marked) are my own.