Magic starts with a broom ride. At the Harry Potter Shop New York, you get a green-screen Broom Photo Experience plus plenty of shop time, all in one focused, fan-friendly stop.

I love the cold Butterbeer on tap (yes, in a souvenir tankard) and I love that the flight experience includes media so you leave with more than just photos on your phone.

One consideration: this is a photo and video style attraction, so the thrill is mostly in the screen action, not real-world flying.

Key takeaways before you go

• Cold Butterbeer on tap with a souvenir tankard, plus a draft-style Butterbeer option in bundles
• Green-screen broom ride over Hogwarts locations, with stops like the Knight Bus and a Quidditch match
• Media included, with photo and video packages available on the day of your broom session
• Magical Bundles that can save money and include exclusive items and sweets
• Things That Must Be Named personalization, like wand engraving and embroidered House robes
• Photo moments built in, including a giant Fawkes and standing in Hagrid’s shoes

What to expect when you enter the Harry Potter Shop New York

This isn’t just a standard souvenir shop. It’s set up like a mini experience day, centered on the Harry Potter Shop New York, with a dedicated broom session and photo moments built into the flow. You show your ticket at the entrance, then you’re in the thick of it.

The shop itself is a big deal for fans because it has a huge collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products under one roof, including items that are exclusive to the New York location. That means you can plan your visit around finding stuff you won’t see elsewhere, not just browsing for the same bestsellers.

You’ll also find interactive photo areas, plus a personalization zone called Things That Must Be Named. That’s the part that turns a normal shopping trip into something that feels more like you’re bringing a piece of the wizarding world home.

The green-screen Broom Photo Experience and the media you get

The star is the Broom Photo Experience. You’ll go through a brand-new green-screen broomstick experience where your ride is composited into wizarding locations. The concept is straightforward: you perform for the camera, and the system builds the magical background around you.

Here’s what the experience aims to include:

• flying over Hogwarts locations from the wizarding world
• soaring alongside the Knight Bus
• seeking the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match
• behind-the-scenes style magic from how the movies were made

If you’ve ever looked at those movie scenes and thought, I want to be there, this is the closest you’ll get in New York for the money. It’s also why you should think of it as a camera attraction. The value is in the final media.

What you should plan for on the day

You can expect two practical things:

1. You’ll need to take your best pose before the camera, because photo and video packages are available to purchase on the day.
2. You should be ready for a fun, guided moment rather than a long theater show. The group is small, limited to 10 participants, so the pacing tends to stay tight.

The reviews reinforce a key point: the main product is digital media. So if what you want is a physical thrill, or you expect an amusement-ride style sensation, adjust your expectations. If you want a funny, cinematic souvenir you can actually share later, this fits.

Butterbeer breaks, tankards, and soft serve for real

Food stops here are not an afterthought. Butterbeer is part of the included value and also part of the charm, because it’s not only a drink, it’s a themed part of the experience.

From the experience details, you can expect:

• Cold Butterbeer on tap, and you can get it in a souvenir tankard
• Butterbeer soft serve ice cream, for when you want something colder and sweeter
• a Butterbeer draft-style option as part of certain packages

There’s a reason this matters for your planning. If you’re paying for a package that includes the broom session, having Butterbeer folded into the deal is a smart way to feel like you didn’t just buy a ticket. You’re buying a full moment, drink included, plus you get an actual container souvenir with the tankard.

If you’re traveling with kids or a group where not everyone is equally invested in the films, Butterbeer usually bridges the gap. It gives everyone a shared, instantly fun win.

Bundles and price value, what $39 really buys you

The price shown is $39 per person for a 1-day, limited-slot experience. That can feel “worth it” or “not enough” depending on what you choose.

The key is that there are two different ways the experience can show up in your day:

Option A: Broomstick experience with media and Butterbeer

This version includes:

• the Broomstick Experience with media included
• an ice cold Butterbeer

That’s strong value if you mainly care about the flight and the digital souvenirs, and you want to keep the shopping spend lower.

Option B: Exclusive souvenir package bundle

This version includes the broom-side fun plus a set of collectible treats, including:

• Harry Potter New York Exclusive Griffin Wand
• a souvenir pin
• a chocolate frog
• draft Butterbeer
• Butterbeer ice cream

If your goal is to leave with tangible souvenirs, this can be the better deal, because it stacks multiple items in one go. It also helps if your group includes at least one person who wants souvenirs no matter what, because you’re not scrambling to decide what to buy after the broom moment.

How to choose fast

I’d decide like this:

• If you mainly want the broom experience and a drink, go for the media + Butterbeer path.
• If you want collectibles that you can’t easily compare prices for later, choose the exclusive package.

Either way, think of it as a one-day experience credit toward both entertainment and shopping, not just a photo booth.

Things That Must Be Named, wand engraving and House-robe embroidery

This is where the visit stops being generic. The Things That Must Be Named area gives you options for personalization, and that changes the souvenir from store-bought to made-for-you.

Based on the details, personalization can include:

• engraving a wand
• embossing a journal
• embroidering a House robe with your name

That’s a big deal because these are the kinds of items you actually use or keep. A pin is nice. A robe with your name is memorable. A wand with engraving feels like a proper keepsake.

One practical tip: if you’re traveling with luggage limits, consider what you’ll be carrying back. A robe is heavier and bulkier than a journal or small accessories, so choose based on your pack plan.

Photo spots you will not want to skip: Fawkes and Hagrid’s shoes

Before or after the broom session, make time for the photo moments inside the store. Two are specifically called out:

• a giant Fawkes that you can gaze at and photograph
• a photo opportunity standing in Hagrid’s shoes, including a half-giant style perspective

These spots are fun because they give you a physical memory to go with the digital broom media. If you end up purchasing the photo and video packages, having at least a couple of real, face-to-camera store shots makes your whole set feel more complete.

Also, if you love behind-the-scenes design, you’ll likely enjoy the MinaLima room. One fan highlighted it as a favorite, and it makes sense because it connects the visual style of the films with the kind of collectible design you can hold in your hands.

Small-group flow, staff help, and how to get through it smoothly

This is a small group, limited to 10 participants. That matters more than it sounds. In big group attractions, you often spend time waiting and trying to find your spot. Here, the smaller size tends to keep things moving.

It also helps because staff support is a real part of the experience. One review specifically mentioned a staff member named Jimmy, pointing out how friendly and helpful the team was. That’s a signal worth taking seriously. If you feel nervous in front of a camera, a calm, supportive guide can change the whole vibe.

A practical pacing plan

You’ll likely do best if you treat your day like two zones:

• First zone: broom session and camera moment
• Second zone: store browsing, personalization, and the big photo spots

That way, you don’t end up with the classic problem of spending too long shopping before your slot, then realizing you still want a tankard and a wand engraving.

Who should book this Harry Potter Shop New York visit

This experience is best for:

• Harry Potter fans who want a fun, film-like souvenir without traveling to a theme park
• people who enjoy taking photos and want a ready-made set of digital media
• groups where someone loves Butterbeer and someone else loves collecting exclusive merch

It may not be the best fit for you if:

• you’re expecting real mechanical flying or a ride system that feels like motion in the real world
• you hate camera-centered attractions, because your “job” is to pose for the broom moment

For families, the Butterbeer and photo spots do a lot of work. You still get the wizarding world fun even if you’re not a die-hard Quidditch fan.

Should you book Harry Potter Shop New York? My decision guide

Book it if you want a mix of screen magic, Butterbeer, and New York-exclusive shopping in a tight one-day plan. The small-group limit and the inclusion of Butterbeer make the value feel more grounded than a pure photo stop.

Skip it or change your plan if you want physical thrills. The core product here is the green-screen flight media, not a real-world flying experience.

If you do book, I’d also double-check your ticket type before you purchase, especially if you’re traveling with kids, because some descriptions can be unclear about who counts under each ticket category. Finally, decide early whether you want the souvenir-heavy bundle or the simpler media plus Butterbeer option, so you don’t feel rushed once you’re inside.

FAQ

Where do I check in for the Harry Potter Shop New York experience?

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

How long is the experience?

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

What is the group size?

The group is small, limited to 10 participants.

What is included in the Broomstick Experience?

It includes the Broomstick Experience with media included and an ice cold Butterbeer.

What is included in the exclusive souvenir package?

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

What should I bring with me?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.