Harry Potter Shop New York- Fly a Broomstick Experience

The magic here is simple: you sit on a broomstick, strike your best wizard pose, and appear to fly over Hogwarts, beside the Knight Bus, and through a Quidditch match. The photo and video package is included, so you leave with more than a quick snapshot.

I like the built-in Butterbeer finish, and I like that only your group takes part in the private activity. The main caution is value: one account describes the actual staged filming as lasting about five minutes, and says the former VR glasses were no longer part of the experience. At $49.99 per person, that detail matters.

Key points to know before booking

• Green-screen wizard flight: Pose on a broomstick while scenes place you over Hogwarts, beside the Knight Bus, and in a Quidditch match.
• Photo and video included: The package gives you replayable memories rather than only a live pose in the shop.
• Butterbeer finishes the visit: A foaming cup at the Butterbeer Bar is part of the experience.
• Private group format: Only your own group participates, which can make posing less awkward.
• Shop access adds browsing time: You can look through Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and other merchandise.
• Short filming time is the key concern: The full visit is about one hour, but the broomstick recording itself may be brief.

Taking flight at Harry Potter Shop New York

The Harry Potter Shop New York sits at 935 Broadway, near public transportation in Manhattan. This is not a bus tour or a long guided walk through the city. It is a compact indoor attraction built around one strong idea: give you a filmed wizarding moment, then let you enjoy Butterbeer and the shop.

You begin at the shop and return there at the end. The activity lasts approximately one hour, though the time spent on the broomstick may be much shorter than the full visit. That difference is the most important point to understand before you pay.

The green-screen setup lets the shop place you into familiar scenes from the films. You will be asked to pose on a broomstick, then appear to fly over Hogwarts, travel alongside the Knight Bus, and search for the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match.

This is staged entertainment, not a physical flight simulator. Your enjoyment will depend on how much you like posing for the camera and playing along with the movie setting. If you want a polished souvenir video with a little Harry Potter theater around it, the format makes sense. If you expect a long ride with changing sets, special effects, or a major interactive attraction, keep your expectations modest.

What happens during the one-hour visit

The experience has one listed stop, Harry Potter Shop New York, but the visit has several parts. You first arrive at the shop, take part in the broomstick filming, receive the photo and video package, browse the merchandise, and finish at the Butterbeer Bar.

The broomstick section is the heart of the booking. You will take a position on the broomstick and prepare for the camera. Your pose matters. This is one of those activities where a little willingness to look dramatic helps. A straight-faced ride may produce a perfectly usable record, but a bold Quidditch pose is more in keeping with the idea.

The scenes include three different types of wizarding action. Flying over Hogwarts gives you the grand school setting. The Knight Bus adds a more comic city chase feel. The Quidditch sequence gives you a specific task, searching for the Golden Snitch, rather than simply floating through a background.

The variety is useful because it gives your package more than one visual setting. You are not receiving the same clip three times with a different background. Still, the available information does not promise a long sequence in each scene, so do not assume that every setting becomes a full ride.

One account describes about five minutes of taking staged pictures and video. That is a serious value warning at this price. The total visit can approach an hour because it includes the surrounding shop and Butterbeer, but the central filming portion may be quick. Ask yourself if the finished media and themed drink are worth the cost, rather than pricing this as a full-hour simulator.

The photo and video package

The included media package is the clearest practical benefit. Your experience is designed to produce something you can replay, share, and keep after leaving New York. For families, couples, and Harry Potter fans who enjoy dressing up or performing for the camera, that souvenir may carry more value than the few minutes of filming.

The package also changes how you should approach the activity. You are not simply watching a screen. You are part of a short production. Think about your pose before you get on the broomstick. A strong, recognizable action pose can make the finished images more fun.

At the same time, included does not mean unlimited. The supplied details do not state how many photos or videos you receive, how they are delivered, or how long each scene lasts. You should not assume that the package includes every take or an extended edited film.

There is also a change worth noting. One account says the experience used to include VR glasses and no longer did. That means older descriptions or memories of the attraction may not match the current format. If VR is the reason you are interested, check the present setup before booking. The current description centers on green-screen filming, not virtual-reality goggles.

Butterbeer at the end

The Butterbeer finish is a small but useful part of the package. You head to the Butterbeer Bar after the broomstick activity and enjoy a foaming cup of the wizarding drink associated with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

This gives the visit a proper ending. You do not simply finish filming and walk out through the shop. The drink adds a tasting moment and gives you time to settle after the camera work. For a young fan, that final cup may be as memorable as the broomstick scene.

I would still treat Butterbeer as part of the price calculation, not as a reason to ignore the cost. The activity costs $49.99 per person, and each person needs a package. If several people in your group take part, the total rises quickly. The drink helps, but it does not turn a short filming session into a full-day attraction.

The available details do not specify the size, flavor options, or whether other drinks are included. Plan on the listed Butterbeer serving rather than expecting a full meal or a tasting menu.

Browsing the Harry Potter New York shop

After or around the activity, you can look through Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and other merchandise available in the store. This is especially useful for fans who already plan to visit the shop.

The store adds context to the booking. You are not going to an isolated studio in an ordinary office building. The experience begins and ends at a dedicated Harry Potter retail location, so you can pair the broomstick filming with souvenir shopping in one stop.

That said, shopping time is not the same as tour time. The approximately one-hour duration includes the activity as a whole, but the information does not give a fixed amount of time for browsing. If you have a strict schedule, allow for the possibility that your visit may not move at exactly the same pace as a museum timed entry.

You can also use the shop visit to decide if the activity suits your group before committing. If your main goal is exclusive clothing and accessories, you may prefer to visit the shop without paying for the broomstick package. If your group wants a keepsake video and a Butterbeer as well, the combined stop may make more sense.

Private format and group comfort

Only your group participates in this activity. That is a worthwhile detail for anyone who feels awkward posing in front of strangers. You can focus on your own photos and video without sharing the broomstick scene with a larger public group.

A private format can also help families with different ages. Children can pose without worrying about holding up a line of unrelated people, while adults can decide how much theatrical energy they want to bring. Couples may appreciate the more personal setting too.

The tradeoff is that private does not necessarily mean highly personalized. No guide names are provided, and the description does not promise a tour leader giving film history or one-on-one coaching. Expect staff to manage the activity rather than a detailed behind-the-scenes lecture.

You should also be prepared for a brisk pace. One account describes staff as pushing to finish quickly. That may reflect one particular visit, but it reinforces a sensible tip: arrive ready to pose, and do not count on a long rehearsal period. Have your preferred expression and broomstick stance in mind before your turn.

How the $49.99 price works for you

At $49.99 per person, this is a premium add-on to a New York shopping day. The price includes the broomstick green-screen activity, the photo and video package, and Butterbeer. It does not simply cover admission to the store, since the shop itself is also a retail destination.

The value is strongest for a dedicated fan who wants a personal souvenir. A finished flying sequence can be more meaningful than another item from a shelf, especially if you are marking a birthday, family trip, or special visit.

The value is weaker if you measure the cost by time on the broomstick. If your recording lasts only around five minutes, you are paying for a short production plus the drink and the surrounding shop visit. That may feel steep if you are not interested in merchandise or posing for videos.

I would make the decision this way:

• Book it if the media package is the main prize and you enjoy performing for a camera.
• Consider it for children who will be thrilled to appear in a Quidditch scene.
• Skip it if you mainly want a long, technology-heavy ride.
• Think twice if VR glasses are essential to your expectations.
• Pair it with the shop only if you already want Harry Potter merchandise.

The fact that the activity is often booked about 17 days ahead suggests that planning is wise during a busy New York visit. Prebooking protects your preferred time, but it also means you should be comfortable with the value before locking it in.

Location, timing, and access

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

The listed opening hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, for the period from June 20, 2024 through March 31, 2026. The supplied details do not list Sunday hours, so you should check the date carefully if Sunday is your only option.

You receive confirmation when booking, and a mobile ticket is available. Keep it accessible on your phone. The experience ends where it begins, so you do not need to plan a separate pickup or find your way to a second location.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is not described as requiring a special fitness level. The main physical expectation is taking a position on the broomstick and posing for the camera. If someone in your group has specific access needs beyond the stated information, contact the provider before booking.

Cancellation and booking advice

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. You receive a full refund under that rule.

Inside the 24-hour window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cutoff uses local New York time. Since every person needs a package, count your group carefully before booking.

I would reserve ahead if your schedule is tight, especially since the activity is commonly booked more than two weeks in advance. I would not book far ahead simply because the name sounds exciting. First decide if a short green-screen production, included media, Butterbeer, and shop access fit your idea of a $49.99 experience.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits Harry Potter fans who want a keepsake rather than a long attraction. It is a good match for families, couples, and small private groups that enjoy photos, costumes, playful poses, and themed souvenirs.

Children who know the films may respond especially well to the Hogwarts, Knight Bus, and Quidditch settings. Adults who prefer to stay behind the camera may find the activity less appealing unless they are happy to take part or simply watch their group pose.

The private format is helpful for shy participants, but the short filming time means everyone should be ready. If your group has one enthusiastic fan and several reluctant participants, the per-person charge may not feel worthwhile because packages must be purchased for each person.

Should you book the broomstick experience?

Book this if you want a compact Harry Potter photo opportunity with a video to keep, a Butterbeer to finish, and time to browse the New York shop. The private format and three wizarding scenes give the activity a clear appeal.

Skip it if you expect a substantial VR ride, a long behind-the-scenes program, or an hour spent flying. The most useful warning is that the central photo and video work may take only about five minutes, while the rest of the visit comes from the shop and Butterbeer.

My practical call: dedicated fans with a set budget should consider it, especially for a family memory. Casual fans should visit the shop first, weigh the merchandise and drink against the $49.99 price, and book only if the finished broomstick video sounds worth more than another New York attraction.

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, USA.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the Harry Potter Shop New York meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The total experience lasts approximately one hour.

What scenes are included?

You can appear to fly over Hogwarts, soar alongside the Knight Bus, and search 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. A photo and video package is included with the broomstick experience.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the experience accessible by public transportation?

Yes. The shop is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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