Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience Austin – Everything You Need to Know
Calling all Potterheads – here's a new way to enjoy the magic of the Wizarding World. Here's everything you need to know about the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience Austin, but don't sleep on this one. This experience is only in town for a limited time.
Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience Austin – Everything You Need to Know
I love all things Harry Potter. Not only have I read all the books and seen all of the movies, but I re-read the series about once every two years. Escaping into a magical world of charms, spells, magical beasts like hippogriffs and mandrakes, and quirky witches and wizards just never gets old for me. I've been to the Universal Orlando Resort's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and to the Warner Brother's Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter, in London. I've been sorted into my house on HarryPotter.com. I have arrived at the place in my life where I can admit I'm a Slytherin without being ashamed – not all of us are evil and the common traits are ambition, resourcefulness, and cleverness, so there.
I'll leap at any chance to get more Potter immersion, so when I found out that I could experience the Forbidden Forest – the Forbidden Forest – within an hour's drive of my home, I was all in, with my excitement mirroring a third-year visiting Hogsmeade for the first time. If you're in south or central Texas, you can experience it, too, if you hurry.
A Most Magical Walk
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is a rotating, outdoor experience that allows Muggles to enjoy Harry Potter lore uniquely. A nighttime woodland trail experience filled with magical creatures and wizarding wonders from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. This nighttime experience is heavy on lights, sounds, and animatronics.
We saw an animatronic hippogriff, and a unicorn, and heard the voices of Hagrid, Dolores Umbridge, He Who Must Not Be Named, and many more. There are several spots to top and take photos and execute spells. The experience is in collaboration with Warner Brothers so it's a very legit experience consistent with the Wizarding World branding.
Note: This experience is offered at various places around the globe and is generally a nighttime, winter experience. I went to the activation near Austin Texas. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is currently being offered in Leesburg, Virginia, and Mountaban, France. If you're interested in future locations of this experience, I recommend following @hpforbiddenexperience on Instagram.
Getting Tickets
Tickets are available online and start at $52 for an adult ticket – your mileage will vary based on day/time. Parking is extra. You can also upgrade for a deluxe experience for a few more dollars, which includes a souvenir letter, exclusive tote bag, light-up lanyard, and magnet.
Tickets are timed so the number of people entering the trail is a bit staggered.
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
The experience is inside McKinney Roughs Nature Park, near Bastrop. We drove from San Antonio and didn't have to navigate Austin traffic, which was a definite plus.
While there are attractions all along the trail, there are also portions of the trail that don't have any interactions, and it's just a nice, peaceful, walk through the woods at night. Part of the path was soft gravel and part of the path was paved. There were a few rolling hills but no substantial elevation gain or rough terrain.
The Experience
When you walk into the experience, you'll scan your ticket and enter a courtyard that has a bit of a Hogsmeade Village vibe. You can buy marshmallows to roast over an open fire, or, if you want something more substantial, there's a quick-service food stand where you can buy meat pies, fish and chips, etc. If you've been to the Leaky Cauldron at Universal Orlando Resort, the fare is similar. We didn't eat, but we did grab a couple of butterbeers, just because.
If you pick one of the earlier times, expect your entrance into the actual forest to be delayed a bit – we had a 5:45 entrance time and we had to wait an extra 20 minutes for the forest to get dark.
The walk should take about an hour. There's a restroom and a concession at the turnaround (halfway) point and predictably, you exit through the gift shop. There are some unique items, some specific to the Forbidden Forest Experience and some specific to Hogwarts House, and there are even wands for sale.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time.
FAQs
Q: Is the experience scary?
A: I wouldn't call it scary, younger children might find it eerie or spooky.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Dress for the weather – this is a 100% outdoor event – and wear sturdy shoes. Wizarding apparel encouraged but not necessary.
Q: Who is this experience for?
A: Obviously, Harry Potter fans, but anyone who enjoys a walk and some fun special effects will enjoy this experience.
More info here.
