Which Does it Better: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Over the past decade or so, the Orlando theme parks have created some pretty impressive lands!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World have both drawn countless guests to Central Florida.

But which land is better? Today, we’re breaking it down into categories to determine the answer!

Theming

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Let’s kick things off here with the theming. In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll be transported to the planet of Batuu, which Disney added to Star Wars canon when building the land. The land isn’t themed to a particular movie, but it’s set in the timeline of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

On the whole, Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t feel like the rest of Hollywood Studios, considering most of the park is “Hollywood” themed. The land transition is a little startling between Batuu and the neighboring Toy Story Land. However, once you’re inside Galaxy’s Edge, you truly feel like you’re transported to a different place — it’s themed down to even the tiniest details, including droid tracks embedded in the ground and bullet holes in the sides of some structures.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split into two parts across Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida: Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Each land has unique theming, but both seem to be copies directly out of the movies, truly immersing guests into their favorite stories.

In fact, Diagon Alley is completely hidden from the other sections of the park so that when you step through the brick wall, the land has an impressive reveal. Throughout your time in the lands, you’ll be able to walk the same streets as the Harry Potter characters, stepping into the same stores and even visiting Hogwarts castle.

Rides

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

What about the rides? Well, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to two of Disney World’s most technologically impressive attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance.

These two rides consistently have some of the highest wait times in the parks. Millennium Falcon allows Star Wars fans of all ages the chance to pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy — something that some people have been dreaming of doing since the 70s. And Rise of the Resistance offers an immersive storytelling experience unlike any other, allowing you to step into the plot before you even board the ride vehicle.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Over at the Wizarding World, you’ll encounter not just two, but five different rides themed to various aspects of magical life. You can go deep beneath the streets of Diagon Alley in Escape from Gringotts or travel to and from Hogwarts like Harry and his friends did on the Hogwarts Express. You’ll even get the chance to walk through Platform 9 ¾! 

And then once you arrive in Hogsmeade, younger visitors will be sure to enjoy Flight of the Hippogriff, while true movie and book fans will be fascinated by the sights and Easter eggs of Hogwarts castle in the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey queue. (Not to mention that the ride takes you through some iconic moments from the series!)

But the most impressive feat of all may be Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, with seven launches, nearly a mile of track, and a top speed of 50mph. Guests will get the chance to have some major thrills as they go up a steep track, drop backwards, and freefall. And you’ll see some fun creatures along the way — it’s seriously impressive!

Food

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

When it comes to food, both lands have some impressively themed options. Galaxy’s Edge is home to Quick Service spots like Ronto Roasters and Docking Bay 7 along with the fan-favorite (and very popular!) Oga’s Cantina. Across those restaurants, you’ll find some unique food options with some certainly interesting names.

The snacks here are just as unusual, with the Blue and Green Milks (that are more of a slushy than a milk) being the featured beverage of the land. The Ronto Wrap is incredibly popular among guests, but the milks and other options, like Kat Saka’s Kettle Corn, can be pretty divisive.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The food at the Wizarding World is usually a crowd-pleaser, with British fare at both the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks restaurants. Outside of those spots, you’ll find drinks at the Hogs Head pub as well as plenty of sweets around the shops like Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.

Florean Fortescue’s ice cream parlor is a popular choice in Diagon Alley, with flavors like Earl Grey & Lavender and Sticky Toffee Pudding. But the real star of the land is a classic — Butterbeer! And in the Wizarding World, you can order it hot, cold, or frozen!

Activities

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Even though you may have a hard time finding them since the signs are pretty inconspicuous, there are quite a few activities in Galaxy’s Edge. You can head to Droid Depot and build your own droid buddy to take home, or visit Savi’s Workshop to make a lightsaber as the Jedi and Sith have done for thousands of years. If you’re a Star Wars fan, that experience should definitely be high on your list; the show itself is really cool!

But if you don’t have the cash to drop on pricey souvenirs, then try strolling through the market and checking out the various stalls filled with interesting merchandise. You can also download the Play Disney Parks app to your mobile device and try out the Star Wars Datapad feature — it allows you to scan codes, translate alien languages, go on missions around the land, and earn points to complete your goals while working for the First Order or the Resistance!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

But there’s plenty of fun to be had in the Wizarding World as well! Ollivanders Wand Shop is home to the Wand Experience, where you get to watch a wand choose its wizard. Afterward, you can shop for your own interactive wand and take it around both lands, performing a variety of spells along the way!

Many of the shop facades offer interesting treasures as well, and you can purchase a variety of items in these little stores — from quidditch supplies to robes to joke items. Don’t forget to explore the intriguing Knockturn Alley to check out Bourgin & Burkes!

Entertainment

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Unfortunately, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a little lacking in entertainment options. You will, however, be able to meet some of the characters from the sequel trilogy of films.

In the Resistance section of the land, you’ll often find Chewbacca and Rey working on some speeders and chatting with guests in-between. And in the First Order area, you may encounter Kylo Ren and his Stormtroopers as they survey the land for rebel scum.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World doesn’t have any character interactions, but they’ve certainly got a fair share of entertainment options! In Hogsmeade, there’s a small stage near Hogwarts where you can catch performances from the Frog Choir or the students of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.

Over in Diagon Alley, you definitely don’t want to miss the musical stylings of Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees! And in-between those performances, you can catch the Tale of the Three Brothers being told — it’s the story of the Deathly Hallows acted out on stage.

Final Results

So what are our final results? Well, based on our calculations, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter edges out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge by a little bit in most of the categories mentioned above.

All in all, there’s more to do in the Wizarding World (to be fair, it’s split across two parks!), and the offerings there are more beloved by guests. The Wizarding World has nostalgia and recognition on its side, while Disney chose to station Galaxy’s Edge on a made-up planet with relatively new characters.

Both lands are amazing and worth visiting, with plenty of great details and fun activities. And Galaxy’s Edge may not be behind for long — with the addition of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, things are definitely going to kick up a notch. The Wizarding World certainly doesn’t have an entire hotel dedicated to Harry Potter! (Although, we would SERIOUSLY love that idea!)

So that’s a summation of our battle between the lands. Stay tuned to AllEars for more Harry Potter, Star Wars, Disney World, and Universal Orlando content!

Here’s a First-Timer’s Guide to the Wizarding World!

Which land do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!

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