Harry Potter Shop New York- Fly a Broomstick Experience

The most fun part of this Harry Potter experience happens on a green-screen stage, where you pose on a broomstick and appear to fly over Hogwarts, race beside the Knight Bus, and chase the Golden Snitch during a Quidditch match. It is a compact movie-style activity, not a full museum visit or a long guided tour.

I like the included photo and video package, since you leave with something more useful than a quick snapshot. I also like the tidy finish: a foaming Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar, followed by time to browse New York exclusive clothing and souvenirs. The main caution is value. At $49.99 per person, the actual broomstick filming may feel brief, especially if you expect the older version with VR glasses.

Key points at a glance

• Green-screen broomstick flight: Pose for scenes over Hogwarts, beside the Knight Bus, and during a Quidditch match.
• Photo and video included: Your package gives you a way to replay the experience after leaving New York.
• Butterbeer finishes the visit: The drink is included as the final part of the Harry Potter-themed outing.
• Inside the Harry Potter Shop New York: You can browse exclusive clothing, accessories, and other merchandise afterward.
• Private booking: Only your own group takes part, rather than joining a mixed public tour.
• Short, fixed experience: Plan on about one hour, with the broomstick filming itself potentially taking only a few minutes.

What the $49.99 broomstick experience really is

This is a staged green-screen activity inside Harry Potter Shop New York at 935 Broadway. You do not fly through a physical Hogwarts set. Instead, you sit or pose with a broomstick while filmed wizarding scenes create the illusion of flight around you.

The concept is simple, and that can be part of its appeal. You are not being asked to learn a complicated game or follow a long presentation. You show up, take your position, perform for the camera, and let the finished footage supply the magic.

The scenes are designed around familiar Harry Potter moments. You can appear above Hogwarts, travel alongside the Knight Bus, and take part in a Quidditch sequence while looking for the Golden Snitch. These are recognizable settings, so the final video should have more personality than a standard souvenir portrait.

Still, keep your expectations in check. This is a photo opportunity with a short performance element, not an extended ride. One piece of direct feedback describes about five minutes of taking staged pictures and video, with the staff seeming eager to move things along. That may not represent every session, but it is a useful warning for anyone comparing this with a longer attraction.

Beginning at 935 Broadway

You start and finish at Harry Potter Shop New York, 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010. The location is near public transportation, which makes it practical to add to a day in Manhattan without arranging a separate excursion.

Your mobile ticket is useful here. Confirmation arrives at booking, and you can keep the ticket on your phone rather than managing a printed voucher. Since the activity is booked around a specific place and time, prebooking makes sense, particularly since spots are often reserved about 17 days ahead.

The experience is private for your group. That matters more than it might first appear. You are not sharing the broomstick session with an unknown crowd, and your posing time is focused on your own party. For families, couples, or a small group of friends, that gives the activity a more personal feel.

The published hours cover Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., for the period listed from June 20, 2024 through March 31, 2026. The supplied schedule does not give Sunday hours, so check the available date carefully before making plans.

Taking flight over Hogwarts

The main stage portion is the heart of the visit. You take a broomstick pose, face the green screen, and act out the flight scenes. The camera then places you into wizarding locations and action sequences.

The best results will come from treating this like a small performance rather than a passive ride. Prepare a strong flying pose, look where the action suggests, and be ready to react to the Quidditch scene. The instructions specifically invite you to prepare your best pose, so a little enthusiasm should help the final images feel less stiff.

The three settings give the session some variety:

• Hogwarts: This is the classic flying image, with the castle as your magical backdrop.
• The Knight Bus: You soar alongside one of the wizarding world’s most memorable vehicles.
• Hogwarts Quidditch: You search for the Golden Snitch during a match, adding movement and a bit of drama.

The activity also promises a behind-the-scenes look at the movie-making magic behind Harry Potter. In practical terms, that means you see how a green-screen effect turns a simple stage setup into a flight through the wizarding world. It is a small taste of film technique, not a full production tour.

The weak point is length. The full visit is listed at about one hour, but that hour includes more than filming. If the broomstick portion is important to you, remember that the staged camera work may be quite short. At $49.99, you are paying for the whole package, including the recording, private format, Butterbeer, and shop setting, rather than for an hour of continuous broomstick action.

The photo and video package

The included photo and video package is one of the stronger reasons to consider this activity. You are not left with only the memory of standing in a shop. You receive recorded material that can be replayed and shared after your New York visit.

That inclusion also changes the price calculation. A basic photo opportunity might feel thin at nearly $50, especially if the filming lasts only a few minutes. The video gives the experience more staying power, though the value still depends on how much you care about having yourself edited into Harry Potter scenes.

For children, the footage can become the main souvenir of a New York trip. Adults who enjoy the films may also appreciate the novelty, particularly if they are comfortable posing in front of a camera. If you dislike staged photos or feel awkward performing, the package will not make the activity more appealing.

The filming is not presented as a private professional photo shoot with unlimited retakes. The available information gives no promise of extended rehearsal time or repeated takes. Go in ready to follow directions promptly. One direct account found the staff somewhat pushy and felt the session was being rushed. That makes it wise to arrive prepared rather than expecting a relaxed, open-ended production.

Butterbeer at the end

The final drink is a simple but welcome part of the visit. After the broomstick session, you head to the Butterbeer Bar for a foaming cup of the wizarding drink associated with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

This gives the experience a clear ending. You fly, collect your photo and video memories, and then sit with a themed drink instead of walking straight back onto Broadway. The Butterbeer is also a practical value point, since it is included in the listed experience rather than being an extra purchase.

Do not treat the drink as a full meal or a long tasting session. The information only promises a cup of Butterbeer, not food or a broader tasting menu. Think of it as a final Harry Potter touch and a chance to pause after the filming.

For a child’s birthday outing or a fan-focused afternoon, this small detail helps the visit feel like a complete package. For someone interested only in the technical side of green-screen filming, it may matter less.

Browsing the Harry Potter Shop

After the broomstick activity, you can look around the shop for Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and other merchandise. These items are available in-store, so this part of the visit may appeal to collectors who want something tied specifically to the New York location.

The shop adds browsing time to the one-hour estimate, but your spending here is separate from the $49.99 activity price. That is worth remembering. The ticket covers the stated experience and Butterbeer, but it does not include souvenirs from the store.

I would plan your budget in two parts: the fixed cost for each person taking part, then an optional amount for merchandise. Packages must be purchased per person, so you cannot book one package and have a whole group share the filmed session.

The store component also gives nonparticipants something to do while the booked group takes part, though the supplied details do not spell out separate admission arrangements. If only some members of your party are fans, confirm how the shop access works before booking for everyone.

Is an hour enough?

For a compact fan activity, about one hour is reasonable. You can complete the broomstick filming, receive the included media, enjoy Butterbeer, and look around the shop without giving up half a day in New York.

The trouble is that the word experience can suggest more action than you may actually get. The central filming section may take only a few minutes, with the rest of the time divided among setup, posing, the media package, Butterbeer, and browsing. The activity is best seen as a short themed stop, not as a major attraction that fills an afternoon.

That distinction matters at $49.99 per person. The price is easier to justify if you value three things at once: Harry Potter settings, a personal video souvenir, and Butterbeer. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a long broomstick ride or a detailed behind-the-scenes film tour.

The private format improves the calculation for a group. Your session is not a crowded public show, and the video focuses on your own party. For a family already planning to visit the shop, the experience can fit neatly into a larger Manhattan day.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the activity most readily to dedicated Harry Potter fans, families with children, and groups that enjoy playful photo opportunities. The recognizable scenes give young participants something concrete to act out, while the video offers a keepsake that lasts beyond the visit.

It also suits a visitor who wants a short indoor stop near public transportation. The location is central enough to pair with other New York plans, and the fixed one-hour estimate makes scheduling easier than a long attraction with uncertain timing.

I would be more cautious for anyone seeking a substantial ride, a detailed studio tour, or a long technical presentation. The available feedback raises a clear concern about the brevity of the staged filming and the pace set by staff. If you remember an older version that used VR glasses, note that one direct account specifically says the current format no longer uses them and felt less fun as a result.

People with mobility concerns should note that most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation. However, the supplied information does not describe the broomstick setup, seating, stage access, or detailed accessibility arrangements, so contact the provider if you need specific support.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

Prebooking is sensible because the activity is commonly reserved around 17 days in advance. You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and a mobile ticket is provided.

The experience begins and ends at Harry Potter Shop New York. Make sure every person who wants to participate has a package, since packages are sold per person.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you receive no refund, and changes are not accepted. That rule is strict enough that I would avoid booking it too early if your New York schedule is still moving around.

Should you book the broomstick experience?

Book it if you want a short, private Harry Potter photo and video session with Butterbeer at the end. The three flying scenarios, personal media package, shop setting, and drink create a neat fan-focused outing, especially for families and committed Potter fans.

Skip it if $49.99 feels high for a few minutes of staged filming, or if you are expecting VR, a long ride, or an extensive behind-the-scenes tour. The value rests on the souvenir package and the theme, not on the amount of time spent in the air.

My practical advice is simple: book this as a memorable add-on to a New York day, not as your main attraction. Go in ready to pose, keep your expectations modest, and treat the Butterbeer and video as part of the price. That is when the experience makes the most sense.

FAQ

How much does the Harry Potter Shop New York broomstick experience cost?

The price is $49.99 per person. Each person who takes part needs a package.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour. The actual green-screen broomstick filming may be much shorter than the full visit.

Where does the experience start and end?

It starts at Harry Potter Shop New York, 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What scenes are included in the broomstick filming?

You can appear flying over Hogwarts, soaring alongside the Knight Bus, and taking part in a Hogwarts Quidditch match while looking for the Golden Snitch.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. A photo and video package is included with the broomstick experience.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.