Harry Potter Shop New York- Fly a Broomstick Experience

Harry Potter magic takes flight. At the Harry Potter Shop New York, you can pose on a broomstick, soar over Hogwarts, chase the Golden Snitch, and fly beside the Knight Bus. I like the included photo and video package, and I like that the experience ends with a Butterbeer in the shop’s themed bar.

The main caution is value. The full visit lasts about an hour, but the broomstick filming itself may feel very short. One recent account described only about five minutes of staged photos and video, with staff moving the process along. At $49.99 per person, that matters.

I also like that this is a private activity for your own group, with mobile tickets and a fixed starting point at 935 Broadway. Still, the current setup may not match older memories of the experience, especially if you remember it using virtual-reality glasses. The present format centers on green-screen filming.

Key points to know before you book

• Green-screen flight over wizarding locations: You pose on a broomstick while filmed scenes create the illusion of flying over Hogwarts, beside the Knight Bus, and through a Quidditch match.
• Butterbeer is part of the finish: Your ticket includes a foaming cup of Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar after the flight.
• Photo and video package included: You receive recorded memories of your broomstick performance, so be ready to pose and follow directions quickly.
• The active filming may be brief: The visit is advertised at about one hour, but the hands-on filming can take only a small portion of that time.
• Private group format: Only your party participates, which can make the experience more comfortable than performing in front of strangers.
• Good fit for dedicated Harry Potter fans: The value is strongest if you care about keepsakes, Butterbeer, and the shop itself, not just the flight time.

What happens inside 935 Broadway

Your visit begins at Harry Potter Shop New York, at 935 Broadway in Manhattan. The activity also ends there, so you do not need to arrange transportation between separate locations.

The shop is more than a simple ticket counter. After your flight, you can browse Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and other merchandise available only in the store. That makes the location useful for fans who want to pair the activity with shopping.

Your mobile ticket is convenient. Confirmation arrives when you book, and prebooking is sensible because this experience is often reserved around 17 days ahead. I would not leave it until the last minute if your New York schedule is tight.

The listed opening hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., for the stated operating period through March 31, 2026. The supplied hours do not list Sunday availability, so check the date carefully before paying.

The broomstick setup and green-screen flight

The heart of the activity is a green-screen broomstick session. You take your place on a broomstick and pose while the production creates a wizarding flight around you.

The promised scenes include flying over Hogwarts, traveling alongside the Knight Bus, and joining a Hogwarts Quidditch match while trying to find the Golden Snitch. These are familiar movie moments, and they give you several different settings for the photos and video rather than one repeated background.

The appeal is not a long physical ride. This is a staged film experience. You are acting out the flight for the camera, and your body position, facial expression, and willingness to follow directions matter more than any actual movement.

I would prepare a few poses before you arrive. A determined Quidditch face, a look of surprise, or a dramatic flying posture can make the final video more fun. You may not have much time to think once the session begins.

A key point is the difference between the advertised hour and the active broomstick time. The whole visit is approximately one hour, but a recent account found the staged photo and video portion lasted about five minutes. That does not necessarily describe every session, but it is a useful warning. You are paying for a packaged visit with filming, the Butterbeer stop, and access to the shop atmosphere, not an hour of continuous broomstick action.

If you expect a theme-park ride, you may feel disappointed. If you see it as a short film keepsake tied to a large Harry Potter store, the price makes more sense.

Hogwarts, the Knight Bus, and Quidditch

The three advertised flight settings give the activity its story.

Flying over Hogwarts is the most obvious fantasy moment. The scene lets you play the classic wizarding role, broom beneath you and the castle below. It is likely to appeal most to fans who want a recognizable image for their personal photo collection.

The Knight Bus sequence changes the mood. Instead of simply crossing a castle setting, you are placed beside one of the wizarding world’s most distinctive vehicles. This gives the video a sense of movement and connects your visit to a different corner of the films.

The Quidditch sequence is the most interactive in spirit. You are asked to seek the Golden Snitch during a match, which gives you a goal rather than just a scenic backdrop. It also gives you a reason to turn, look, and pose instead of sitting stiffly on the broom.

The final result depends partly on your performance. This is not a place to remain passive. If you play along, the short filming session can produce more entertaining material. If you dislike posing or being directed, you may find the process rushed.

The green-screen method also means the magic comes later through the finished media. You are not physically flying through these locations. You are being filmed against a studio background that places you into the scenes.

The included photo and video package

The photo and video package is one of the strongest practical benefits of the ticket. You are not left with only a memory of the broomstick. You receive something you can replay and share.

That package also changes the way I judge the $49.99 cost. If the media is polished and your group enjoys performing, the ticket becomes a souvenir purchase with an activity attached. If the filming feels hurried, the same price can seem high for a few minutes in front of a screen.

The package is included rather than treated as an optional extra in the supplied details. That is helpful for budgeting, especially in New York, where add-on photos at attractions can quickly push up the final cost.

You should keep expectations realistic. The included package does not turn this into a full movie-making session. You are getting a prepared format, with set scenes and directed poses. The fun comes from seeing yourself placed into the wizarding action.

One important change from earlier versions may matter to repeat fans. A recent account specifically noted that the experience used to include virtual-reality glasses and no longer does. The current attraction should be judged as a green-screen broomstick production, not as the VR experience some people may remember.

Butterbeer at the end

The visit finishes at the Butterbeer Bar with a foaming cup of Butterbeer. This is a welcome part of the package because it gives the experience a clear ending and adds a taste of the wizarding world to the photo session.

For many fans, Butterbeer is as important as the broomstick. It turns the visit into more than a quick studio stop. You can finish with the drink, then browse the store for clothing, accessories, and Harry Potter New York exclusives.

The Butterbeer also helps explain the stated duration. Since the broomstick filming itself may be brief, the drink and shop portion form part of the wider visit. You should think of the hour as a compact themed outing rather than sixty minutes of flight.

I would plan enough time afterward to look around the shop. The activity ends back at the same address, and the exclusive merchandise may be the main reason some fans consider the ticket worthwhile. If you only want Butterbeer, though, this package may offer more than you need.

What $49.99 buys you

At $49.99 per person, this is not a casual add-on for every New York sightseeing plan. Packages must be purchased per person, so the total rises quickly for a family or group.

The strongest value comes from four elements bundled together:

• A private broomstick filming session for your own group
• Photo and video memories
• A Butterbeer
• Time to visit the Harry Potter New York shop

That is a fair package for a committed fan who would already enjoy the store and wants a take-home souvenir. It is a weaker deal for someone who expects a long ride, a full virtual-reality program, or a large-scale attraction.

The private format helps. Only your group participates, so you do not have to perform in front of a crowd of strangers. That can be especially useful for families, couples, or friends who want silly photos without an audience.

Still, private does not mean leisurely. The account describing a rushed process is worth taking seriously. Staff may guide you through the poses briskly so the production keeps moving. Come ready rather than expecting a long rehearsal.

The current overall score is 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings. That middle-ground result fits the experience’s main split: the concept is appealing, but the short active filming time and changes from the older VR format affect how people judge the price.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it most strongly to Harry Potter fans who enjoy themed merchandise, character photos, and small souvenirs. Families with children may also like the chance to act out a Quidditch scene and finish with Butterbeer.

It is a good choice if you want a planned indoor activity in Manhattan that does not require a long journey outside the central city. The site is near public transportation, and the full visit returns you to the shop.

You should also be comfortable with a little performance. You will need to pose on cue and make the most of a short filming window. Someone who dislikes staged photos may find the activity less rewarding.

The experience is less suitable if your main goal is a physical ride or a long special-effects attraction. You will not be flying over a real set. You will be filmed in a green-screen setup and placed into wizarding scenes afterward.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is private for your group, but the supplied information does not provide detailed physical-access specifications beyond those points.

How to plan your visit

Book ahead if this is important to your itinerary. The experience is commonly reserved about 17 days in advance, and prebooking protects you from arriving in New York and finding no suitable time.

Use the mobile ticket at the stated meeting point, Harry Potter Shop New York, 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010. Since the activity ends at the same place, you can combine it with shopping before or after the flight.

Arrive prepared with a few ideas for poses. You may have only a short time on the broomstick, so it helps to know how you want to look during the Hogwarts, Knight Bus, and Quidditch scenes.

Keep your schedule flexible after the session for the Butterbeer and store visit. The approximate one-hour duration covers the overall experience, but the balance between filming, the drink, and shopping may not feel identical for every group.

The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans change early. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, refunds are not available, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the broomstick experience?

Book it if you want a short Harry Potter-themed production with a Butterbeer, a private group setting, and photo and video memories. The combination is appealing, especially when you already plan to visit Harry Potter Shop New York.

Think twice if $49.99 feels high for a brief filming session. The current experience is not the old VR version, and the broomstick portion may take only a few minutes. In that case, you are paying mainly for the keepsakes, Butterbeer, and themed shop visit.

My practical verdict: good for dedicated fans, less convincing for casual visitors. Go in expecting a filmed pose session, not an amusement-park ride. With that expectation, the experience can be a cheerful New York souvenir. Without it, the price may leave you wishing your broomstick had flown a little longer.

FAQ

Where does the Fly a Broomstick experience begin?

It begins at Harry Potter Shop New York, located at 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at Harry Potter Shop New York, the same place where it begins.

How long does the experience last?

The complete visit lasts approximately one hour. The actual broomstick filming may be much shorter.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $49.99 per person. Each person in the package must have a ticket.

What scenes can you experience on the broomstick?

The experience includes flying over Hogwarts, soaring alongside the Knight Bus, and looking for the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match.

Is Butterbeer included?

Yes. The experience finishes with a foaming cup of Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. The package includes a photo and video package from the broomstick session.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.