Stop using your Muggle money on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal – use this instead

Ok, everyone – I have a confession to make. I’m a frequent Universal visitor and there’s something from you that I use almost every time I visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and I’m tired of hiding it.

With so much to see, do, eat, and experience around Diagon Alley at Universal Studios, I could immerse myself in the Wizarding World all day. In fact, I actually spend entire days in these countries and I’ll share it with you A little known secret that will impress all your Muggle friends!

Whether I’m visiting Universal alone or with my family, there’s one important stop I make almost every time I plan to spend my day in the Wizarding World. As I step through that magical brick wall and out into the busy street of Diagon Alley amidst the crowd, There is a specific place where I first begin my experience.

Here’s a little backstory: I’m really just a big kid (even if it’s all in my head). As a Millennial, I remember the release of each one Harry Potter Book in order, followed by the films and finally the debut of the lands at Universal’s theme parks, which only increased my desire to immerse myself in the magical world.

Once you cross the threshold, it doesn’t take long before you feel like you’ve stepped right out of reality and straight into the pages of the book (or scenes from the movies). It’s an experience I relive every time I enter the house (and one I hope to continue for all my children, no matter how much they grow up with me). So believe me, I take full advantage of every opportunity when I can make my Muggleborn feel a little more included, like I belong to the “world.”

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff – this is where the fun begins! As I sneak through the crowd that will likely be standing in the same spot for several minutes, holding their cameras up at just the right moment when the dragon lets out a fiery breath above Gringotts Bank, I have one target in my sights— Gringotts.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “Duh, the ride!” Sure, but a few doors down is where the magic really happens. If you’ve never taken the time to go inside Gringotts Currency Exchange, Then a real treat awaits you.

It doesn’t look like much (and isn’t particularly big inside), just like most magical things There is more here than meets the eye. As you open the door, you will immediately notice the goblin standing over you as you come face to face with one of the creatures charged with keeping wizard money safe in the “safest place on earth.” There’s a short serpentine line that further takes you to things like old counting scales in the shop windows and eventually a few souvenirs to take home – but that’s not exactly what we’re looking for here.

No, we’re headed straight to the team member helping the supervising, wisecracking goblin at the counter please request an exchange (You know, just like what the sign out front says). Most people don’t realize it, but This is the ONLY place in the Wizarding World where you can exchange your Muggle money (dollars and debit card purchases) for Gringotts banknotes. And yes, they actually have value within the country (and technically the rest of Universal too).

The team member can help you exchange your dollars into banknotes in multiple small denominationsHow $5, $10 and $20, at once. When you have finished exchanging, The notes will be given to you in a souvenir envelope. Pretty cool, right?

When you’re done, these banknotes can be spent in the same way as the Muggle dollars in the park, giving you that little something extra to make you feel like you’re legitimately shopping in the wizarding world for your souvenirs and food. Naturally, There is always the option to keep them as a souvenir If you want, that’s perfectly acceptable too. And if you’re smart about your spending (or somehow conjure a money-multiplying spell and end up with leftover bills at the end of your trip), You can save them to keep for your next visit!

So tell me, have you ever done a little “magic” in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with your own Muggle money? Or are you just discovering this trick?

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