Green-screen broom magic in the city. The Harry Potter New York flagship store turns your ticket into a broomstick photo experience with media included, plus you get cold Butterbeer on the spot before you start shopping. I especially like how it mixes a movie-world set (Hogwarts, the Knight Bus, and a Quidditch scene) with real retail energy, so you leave with both a memory and stuff you’ll actually use.

Two big wins for me are the on-the-day treats and the choice you get in what to bring home. The butterbeer soft serve option makes the break feel like part of the experience, not an afterthought. One consideration: the add-ons (extra photo/video packages) cost extra, and starting times vary, so you’ll want to pick a slot that fits your day in Manhattan.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Green-screen broomstick flight over wizarding locations, with media included
• Cold Butterbeer on tap and the option of a souvenir tankard
• Butterbeer soft serve ice cream to cool off after your flight
• Broom Photo Experience scenes featuring Hogwarts, the Knight Bus, and Quidditch elements
• New York-exclusive products and the big, popular MinaLima room
• Personalization in the Things That Must Be Named area (wand engraving, journal embossing, robe embroidery)

Flying a green-screen broomstick over Hogwarts: what it feels like

Your main event is Harry Potter New York’s brand-new green screen broomstick experience. You’ll fly a magical broomstick over enchanting wizarding-world locations, and the whole thing is designed like a mini behind-the-scenes moment. Instead of just watching a screen, you’re in the action—posed, framed, and set up so the final media ties your moment to recognizable Harry Potter scenes.

The scene list is part of the fun because it’s not generic. You’re set up to soar over Hogwarts, you’ll seek the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match, and you’ll also get to experience the energy of the Knight Bus. That mix matters. If you’re a casual fan, it helps you recognize enough moments to feel like you’re part of the story. If you’re a die-hard fan, those specific references give you a lot to react to while you wait for your media.

What you should know going in: you’ll get your broom flight package with media included, but there are also photo and video packages available for purchase on the day. That means you should think of the included media as the base layer, and the upgrade options as the way to get something more personalized or higher production than what’s included.

Butterbeer on tap, plus soft serve: the break you’ll plan for

This is one of the rare activities where the food is part of the theme, not a side quest. The experience includes ice cold Butterbeer, and there’s a very strong chance you’ll want to build your day around it. Many people go for the broom photo experience and end up staying for the drinks—and I get it.

You can have Butterbeer on tap, and you even have the chance to get it in a souvenir tankard. That’s a small thing, but it changes how you’ll remember the moment. A drink is one thing; a take-home prop is another. It’s also a handy way to justify the stop if you’re traveling with limited luggage. You can drink it there, then pack the tankard later.

Then there’s the sweet cooldown: Butterbeer soft serve ice cream. If your schedule is tight, this is the kind of treat that makes the wait feel worth it. The main practical tip is timing. After your broom experience, you’ll likely be in a post-photo mood. That’s the best moment to grab something cold, reset your energy, and keep moving through the store while you’re still in the wizard mindset.

Entering the flagship: Fawkes, a huge product floor, and a lot to see

After your broomstick time, you walk into the flagship store experience. One detail I love here is the presence of a giant Fawkes as you enter. It’s dramatic right away, and it sets the tone fast—this isn’t a small shop where you browse for ten minutes and leave.

This store is also built for serious shopping. You’ll find one of the largest collections of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products under one roof, and it’s organized so you can wander without feeling completely lost. Even if you’re not the type to shop hard, you’ll still enjoy the visual flow: the displays are a big part of the experience.

A big reason to come here versus grabbing random merch elsewhere is the New York exclusive items. The shop has product lines that are exclusive to the New York location, so you’re buying something that feels tied to your trip instead of just a generic souvenir. If you’re the planner type, this is where you’ll want to spend a bit of time. Decide what you want before you get swept up in the impulse buys.

One more store detail worth mentioning: the MinaLima room. If you love the design side of the Harry Potter world, this is the place people tend to linger. It adds a creative, behind-the-pages vibe that pairs nicely with the green-screen ride’s movie-making feel.

Things That Must Be Named: personalizing your wand and more

If you want your trip to feel less like shopping and more like collecting something made for you, head to the personalization area called Things That Must Be Named. This is where the store turns into a workshop—at least in the sense that you can add your name and make the item feel specific.

What you can do here includes:

• Engraving a wand
• Embossing a journal
• Embroidering a House robe with your name

That’s the value. If you’re buying a wand as a souvenir, personalization is what makes it memorable on your shelf. Same with a journal or robe—you’ll actually think about your trip when you use it. If you’re buying for someone else, adding their name makes it feel thoughtful instead of like a last-minute purchase.

Practical note: this kind of personalization usually works best when you’re not rushing. If your day is packed with timed reservations, plan your shopping after your broom experience and leave enough time to move at a relaxed pace.

The Hagrid’s shoes photo moment you may not expect

One of the fun, slightly silly stops is the photo opportunity in Hagrid’s shoes, where you get to measure up to a half-giant. It’s quick, but it’s exactly the kind of low-effort, high-reward moment that fits well between bigger parts of the store.

I like these “small hit” photo spots because they don’t require a lot of planning. You can do it even if you’re not buying anything at that moment. It also gives you a break from browsing, so you don’t burn out your feet and then miss the parts you care about most.

Choosing between the broom experience and the souvenir package

Here’s where you’ll want to make a clear choice. The activity price is listed at $39 per person, and your selection affects what’s included.

You can do the Broomstick Experience with media included and an ice cold Butterbeer. That’s the best fit if your priority is the green-screen flight and you want a treat, but you don’t necessarily need a whole retail bundle.

Or you can select an exclusive souvenir package that adds several items. That package includes:

• A Harry Potter New York Exclusive Griffin Wand
• A souvenir pin
• A chocolate frog
• Draft Butterbeer
• Butterbeer ice cream

From a value perspective, think in terms of what you’d buy anyway. If you already planned to get a wand or want a curated set of classic collectibles (wand + pin + chocolate frog), the souvenir package can save you the hassle of piecing it together later. If you’d rather browse for your own favorites, or you don’t want that exact set of items, the broom experience-only option keeps your spending under control.

Also remember: you can buy extra photo and video packages on the day of your broom experience. So even if you choose the broom-only route, you’re not locked out of upgrading your media if you love how it looks.

Timing, group size, and where to show your ticket

This is designed as a small group activity, limited to 10 participants, which is a plus. Smaller groups usually mean less waiting time for your turn and a smoother flow through the broom experience area.

Your activity is valid for 1 day, so you’ll need to check available starting times and choose what works for your schedule. That matters if you’re pairing this with other Manhattan plans, since you don’t want to be caught with a broom slot that’s too early or too late for your energy.

The meeting point is straightforward: show your ticket at the entrance to Harry Potter New York, and the experience ends back at the meeting point. You don’t need a separate shuttle plan or a complicated handoff.

What to bring is equally simple: bring a passport or ID card.

This experience is provided by Entertainment Merchandise NY Inc, so you’re dealing with a dedicated operator rather than a random pop-up.

Who should book this and who might skip

This experience is best for you if:

• You love Harry Potter visuals and want a real photo moment tied to Hogwarts and Quidditch
• You want a reason to eat a Butterbeer that feels integrated into the story
• You’re shopping anyway and care about New York-exclusive items
• You’d like personalization, especially if you’re getting a wand for yourself or someone else

You might consider skipping or scaling back if:

• You only want a quick look around and don’t care about the broomstick photo experience
• You’re hoping for a low-spend plan with no chance of buying extra photo/video packages
• You’re short on time and hate retail browsing crowds, even though the broom portion is small-group

In other words, this is not just a ride. It’s a themed retail experience with a filmed component. If that combo sounds fun, it’ll land well.

Should you book this Harry Potter New York experience?

I think you should book it if you want one ticket to deliver three things: a green-screen broom moment, a proper Butterbeer break, and access to New York-only merch (plus personalization options). At $39 per person, the value is strongest when you’ll actually use the included food and either keep your purchases simple or go for the souvenir package if it matches what you already want.

If you’re on the fence, here’s a quick decision rule: book the broomstick experience if you care most about the photo memory. Choose the souvenir package if you’re already planning to buy a wand and classic collectibles, and you’d rather have it handed to you as a bundle.

FAQ

What is included in the broomstick experience?

The broomstick experience includes media and an ice cold Butterbeer, plus the green screen broomstick flight with wizarding-world scenes.

Is Butterbeer included?

Yes. Butterbeer is included with the experience. The souvenir package option also includes draft Butterbeer and butterbeer ice cream.

What’s included in the exclusive souvenir package?

The exclusive souvenir package includes a Harry Potter New York Exclusive Griffin Wand, a souvenir pin, a chocolate frog, draft Butterbeer, and butterbeer ice cream.

How long is this experience valid?

It’s valid for 1 day. You’ll check availability to see starting times.

What’s the group size?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

Where do I check in?

Show your ticket at the entrance to Harry Potter New York.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your passport or an ID card.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.