The Most Magical Ways To Prepare For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter is now open at Universal Studios. Here are seven things Angelenos can do to rekindle the magic before stepping into the magical world of Harry Potter.

Re-watch The Movies

The look and aesthetic of the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter is based off the Warner Brothers franchise, so it’s only natural to have a movie marathon. Take delight in the adventures of Harry, Hermione, and Ron all over again as they evolve into battle-hardened wizards in the fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. To make the most of your epic re-watch, hole up with your favorite muggles for a long weekend, and even play a drinking game – we recommend Harry Potter And The Epic Drinking Game. If you’re feeling really ambitious, try this one involving shots.

How long has it been since you last read Rowling’s words cover-to-cover? Can you recall the first time Harry rides the Hogwarts express? The moment Voldemort reveals himself at the Triwizard Tournament? How you felt when Hermione and Ron kissed at the Battle Of Hogwarts? Mix it up and read the series backwards from the epic climax of The Deathly Hallows to the nascent magic of The Sorcerer’s Stone (or The Philosopher’s Stone for the Brits). Want to share the nostalgia? Get some friends and read chapters from the books aloud, book club style.

Check Out The Harry Potter Exhibit At The Hollywood Museum

Get your fix before April at the weird and wacky Hollywood Museum, in the heart of Tinseltown. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, the museum houses a permanent Harry Potter exhibit, Harry Potter’s Wizardry Lives On, where viewers can see artifacts and props from the Warner Bros. productions, including original wands from the production, Harry’s robes, blueprints of Hogwarts, and more – perfect if you can’t get enough.
Hollywood Museum, 1660 Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA, USA, +1 323 464 7776

Go To Whimsic Alley

Whimsic Alley on Melrose is a fantastical Harry Potter-themed establishment in Los Angeles and a one-stop shop for all things fantasy, sci-fi, and geeky. Pick up a broom, or better yet, walk through their Hogwarts-style Great Hall, replicated in an adorable twee fashion. Take part in one of many monthly events hosted in the Great Hall there or better yet, get Whimsic Alley to host your birthday party with fellow Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs…. OK, OK… Slytherins can come too.
Whimsic Alley, 5464 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA, +1 310 453 2370

Host Your Own Yule Ball
Host your own Harry Potter-themed party or get fancy and make it a Yule Ball. Get tips from geeks like you! Try making your own Butterbeer to tide you over, eat chocolate frogs, boogie to wizard rock tunes by Harry And The Potters and Draco And The Malfoys; and play Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit or Harry Potter Clue! When the night settles down, put on your favorite Potter parodies on YouTube, like Potter Puppet Pals. Bring your own wand and broomstick.

Join A Quidditch League

The world of Harry Potter introduced one of the most exciting fictional sports in all of geekdom, Quidditch. But it didn’t remain fictional for long. Sure, Quidditch for muggles has fewer brooms, less flying, and a person dressed up like the Golden Snitch, but it’s a fun and unique way to connect with your fellow Potter-heads outdoors and under the sun. There is an official US league and there are teams popping up all the time in and around the greater Los Angeles area. Hit up LA Sportsvite to find a team that suits you. For a moment, you may think you’re in the Hogwarts Stadium.

Join the Los Angeles Chapter of Dumbledore’s Army

Want to do everything on this list, but need a witching and wizarding community to do it with? Join the Los Angeles chapter of Dumbledore’s Army and meet up with many devoted Harry Potter fans to debate whether or not Snape was truly redeemed, what House suits you, and if the movies reach the same highs as the books. When the time comes, you’re sure to find DA friends to roll with to the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter.

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