Broom time in Midtown, sort of. This Harry Potter Shop experience is built around a green screen broomstick photo ride plus movie-style behind-the-scenes moments, all tucked inside one of New York’s biggest Harry Potter product shops. You’ll fly past wizarding-world locations, then keep the magic going with photo spots, big character displays, and a shopping layout that’s easy to wander.

Two parts I really liked: the ice-cold Butterbeer (served on tap and also as soft-serve) and the staff energy once you’re inside. One possible drawback to plan for: the broom part is a photo/video experience, so if you’re expecting a real, physical flight, you’ll want to set your expectations around the digital results and the packages offered on the day.

Key points to know before you go

• Green screen broom photo experience with media included and locations tied to the wizarding world
• Butterbeer on tap plus soft-serve so you can cool off without leaving the fun
• Small group size (up to 10), which keeps the photo flow feeling less chaotic
• Souvenir bundles that can be better value than buying items one by one
• Personalization options in Things That Must Be Named, like wand engraving and embroidery
• Helpful staff, with Jimmy specifically remembered for being friendly and on hand

Green screen broomstick: what the photo experience feels like

The centerpiece here is the Harry Potter New York green screen broomstick experience. You show up with your ticket, then the staff guide you through stepping into the setup for your broom ride and camera capture. The pitch is simple: you’ll take flight over enchanting wizarding-world scenes, with media included tied to what you do on the broom.

What you’ll see is built from film-inspired moments and iconic locations. The experience includes flying over Hogwarts, soaring alongside the Knight Bus, and seeking the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match. There’s also a behind-the-scenes side to it, so you aren’t just posing—you get that sense of how the movie magic gets created.

You should go in ready to pose. The camera part matters because your best results depend on how you stand and move while the broom action is being captured. If you’re the type who hates being watched, this might feel slightly awkward for the first minute. If you’re happy to ham it up for a few shots, this is exactly the kind of fun that clicks.

Also, the way the broom experience is described suggests it’s designed for clear, repeatable production rather than a long, slow ride. That’s good if you want your time to stay focused. It’s also why this feels more like an attraction-with-results than a full show that consumes most of your day.

Butterbeer breaks: tankard draft and soft-serve cooldown

Butterbeer is not a side character in this experience—it’s part of the program. One option includes ice-cold Butterbeer during the broomstick activity, and you can even get it in a souvenir tankard. That’s a nice keepsake because it’s both a drink moment and a New York-specific memory you can take home.

There’s also Butterbeer soft-serve ice cream to help you cool off after the broom part. If you’ve ever tried to squeeze dessert into a packed city day, you know how rare it is to do it without turning it into a whole production. Here, the sweet stop is built right into the experience flow.

If you’re choosing between ticket types, think about your own souvenir habits. If you want a drink + a collectible, the broom-and-Build option often fits well. If you want to leave with a curated bundle of items (including drinks and ice cream), the package version may feel more convenient and predictable.

One more practical tip: if you’re sensitive to sugar or dairy, plan your pace. Butterbeer is tasty, but it’s still a rich treat, and you’ll be doing plenty of walking inside the shop afterward.

Your shop walk-through: Fawkes, MinaLima, and Hagrid’s shoes

After the photo broom moment, you transition into the main store experience. The building has a giant Fawkes you’ll see right as you enter, which sets a very clear tone: you’re not just in a standard retail space. You’re in a Harry Potter atmosphere store where the displays lead you.

One highlight I’d bet you’ll enjoy: the themed room approach. A fan-favorite is the MinaLima room—described as many people’s standout space—so if you’re a design and illustration person, give that room extra time. You’ll probably want to slow down there, not just glance and move on, because it’s the kind of section that rewards looking closely.

There’s also a fun photo opportunity in Hagrid’s shoes. It sounds goofy, and that’s the point. It’s the kind of low-effort moment that creates a real souvenir photo without requiring special skills.

Then there’s the sheer amount of shopping territory under one roof. The store is described as having one of the largest collections of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products in one place. That matters because you’re not forced to choose between a few items and leaving. You can browse by mood—then refine your final picks when you find something New York exclusive.

What you can buy: griffin wand, pins, chocolate frog, and more

This experience offers two main booking directions, and they change what you’ll have in your hands by the end. One direction is the broomstick experience with media included plus an ice-cold Butterbeer. The other direction is an exclusive souvenir package that bundles several items together.

In the exclusive souvenir package, you receive a Harry Potter New York Exclusive Griffin Wand, a souvenir pin, and a chocolate frog. You also get draft Butterbeer and Butterbeer ice cream in that package. That’s a lot of the essentials wrapped into one decision, which can be great if you know you want a mix of edible treats and take-home memorabilia.

Why does this matter for value? Because in a shop like this, prices add up fast. Even if you only buy one or two small items, you can end up spending more than the cost difference between package vs. just the experience. The bundle option is best if you like the idea of leaving with a set of items that feel themed and complete, rather than hunting for each piece one by one.

There are also exclusive product lines for the New York location. That’s the kind of detail that turns a regular shop stop into something you can’t easily replicate at home. If you’re the type who regrets skipping city exclusives, this is a strong reason to prioritize this stop.

Things That Must Be Named: personalization that actually feels personal

One of the coolest parts of the store is the personalization area called Things That Must Be Named. The idea is straightforward: you choose a personalized item and add a name-style detail before you take it home.

You might find personalization options like engraving a wand, embossing a journal, or embroidering a House robe with your name. The text makes it clear these aren’t random add-ons. They’re specific, recognizable personalization choices that match classic wizard-world aesthetics.

This is where the experience becomes more than just entertainment. It’s a real object you can make personal, and that makes it a better gift or a better keepsake for yourself. If you’re traveling with family, personalization is also an easy way to avoid the classic problem of buying something generic that later gets ignored.

One timing note: personalization can mean you’ll want to plan your pace inside the store. The data doesn’t specify turnaround times, so I’d recommend not treating your visit like a race to finish. Give yourself breathing room to browse, decide, then personalize.

Staff and photo flow: making it less awkward and more fun

A big part of whether this experience feels good is how the photo setup is handled. The staff is clearly a standout, and one friendly help name that shows up is Jimmy. That matters because a green screen attraction can feel strange if people around you don’t guide you well.

In practical terms, good staff guidance helps you get the camera-ready poses quickly. That reduces the time you spend standing around uncertain. It also helps if you’re traveling with kids or groups and need the process to move cleanly.

This experience is also limited to a small group, capped at 10 participants. A smaller group size tends to keep the broom experience from turning into a long wait. It also helps with energy. If the vibe stays playful and organized, you get better photos even if you’re not the most confident posing.

Price and value at about $39: what you’re really paying for

At $39 per person, this isn’t the kind of attraction you should judge only by ticket cost. You’re not paying for a generic shop entry fee. You’re paying for a packaged attraction moment (broom ride with media) plus Butterbeer, and in some options, a full souvenir haul.

If you book the broomstick experience option, you get media included and an ice-cold Butterbeer. That’s a clear “experience + treat” value combo, and it fits well if you already plan to buy one or two shop items later.

If you book the souvenir package option, the value math shifts. You get the Griffin Wand, pin, and chocolate frog, plus draft Butterbeer and Butterbeer ice cream. Even if you only want some of those items, bundling can still be a smart way to avoid sticker shock later in the store.

Also, remember the photo/video reality. Some people are surprised that the broom result is produced as digital photo/video content rather than something that feels like a full physical ride. That doesn’t make it bad. It just means you should treat it like a camera experience you’ll want to like enough to purchase any additional photo or video packages offered on the day.

Who this is best for (and who might skip it)

This experience is ideal if you’re a Harry Potter fan who wants a fun, photo-ready activity plus a major shop stop. If you love the wizarding world visually, the MinaLima room and the personalized merchandise options are strong reasons to go. If you enjoy quirky theme souvenirs, the Hagrid’s shoes photo moment and the Fawkes presence help keep the day moving.

It’s also a good fit for groups because it’s a small group format, so it doesn’t feel like you’re lost in a crowd. And if you like practical comfort, the Butterbeer breaks keep you from turning your day into a sugary marathon with no structure.

If you’re traveling with kids, it can be a highlight day. But the one caution is simple: pricing is per person, so make sure you’re counting tickets correctly for each participant type before you lock it in.

If you’re not interested in photos, if you hate posing for camera setups, or if you already visited a lot of Harry Potter-related attractions and want something purely immersive, you might find the broom part less satisfying. In that case, you could consider whether you’d prefer a standalone shop wander instead.

A simple plan for your 1-day visit

This is a 1-day experience with starting times based on availability, so you can choose a slot that fits your schedule. Once you’re there, you check in at the entrance by showing your ticket.

Here’s the flow that works well in real life:

• Do the broomstick experience first so your photo results are handled before you get tired.
• Enjoy Butterbeer right after so you’re not hungry while browsing.
• Then spend time in the store’s standout areas like the MinaLima room.
• End with personalization in Things That Must Be Named so you can decide calmly after you’ve browsed.

Because the shop is large, I’d avoid cramming it into a quick loop. Plan at least a bit of leisurely browsing. Even if you came for the broom, the best souvenirs often pop up during wandering.

Also, bring a passport or ID card, since it’s listed as what you should have with you.

Should you book Harry Potter Shop New York?

Book it if you want a structured Harry Potter day: a green screen broom photo moment, Butterbeer, and a big shop with New York exclusives plus personalization. If you’re the type who likes taking photos and collecting small proof you were there, this is one of the better-value ways to get both entertainment and merchandise in one stop at a clear per-person price.

Skip or reconsider if you mainly want a ride that feels physically real, not a camera-produced photo/video attraction. Since the broom experience is centered on the digital output, you’ll enjoy it most if you’re comfortable with posing and if you’re okay with the idea of optional photo/video packages being available on the day.

If you’re on the fence, a good deciding question is this: do you want both a themed attraction moment and a full shopping spree in one visit? If the answer is yes, this is an easy pick.

FAQ

How long does the Harry Potter Shop New York experience take?

It’s listed as valid for 1 day, with starting times based on availability.

What’s included with the broomstick experience?

The broomstick experience includes media, plus an ice-cold Butterbeer.

What’s included in the exclusive souvenir package?

The souvenir package includes a Griffin wand, a souvenir pin, a chocolate frog, draft Butterbeer, and Butterbeer ice cream.

Do I need an ID or passport?

Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card.

Where do I show my ticket?

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

How many people are in the group?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

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

Are there multiple languages available?

The activity lists languages, but no specific languages are named in the details provided.