Harry Potter Shop New York- Fly a Broomstick Experience

The most memorable part is the green screen broomstick flight. You pose as if you are racing over Hogwarts, flying beside the Knight Bus, and chasing the Golden Snitch during a Quidditch match. The final effect gives you something to replay rather than just a quick shop visit.

I like that the photo and video package is included in the $49.99 price, and I like the Butterbeer finish. You also have time to browse Harry Potter New York exclusives, including clothing and accessories. The main caution is value: the filmed action itself may take only about five minutes, so this suits fans who want the whole shop, Butterbeer, and keepsake package, not only a long ride.

Key points before you book

• Three wizarding scenes: Fly over Hogwarts, pass the Knight Bus, and join a Quidditch match while looking for the Golden Snitch.
• Photo and video included: Your poses become the main souvenir, so be ready to perform for the camera.
• Butterbeer ends the visit: A foaming cup at the Butterbeer Bar is part of the experience.
• Private booking: Only your group participates, which can make posing less awkward than performing before strangers.
• Short filmed segment: Allow about an hour overall, but expect the actual broomstick staging to be much shorter.
• $49.99 is a package price: You are paying for the activity, digital memories, Butterbeer, and access to the themed shop rather than for a long flight.

What happens at 935 Broadway

You begin at Harry Potter Shop New York, at 935 Broadway in New York City. The activity ends at the same place, so there is no second pickup point to find and no complicated route through Manhattan after the flight.

The shop itself matters here. This is not a stand-alone ride in a separate attraction building. Your broomstick session is part of a larger Harry Potter stop, with clothing, accessories, and items sold only in this New York store. If you already plan to visit the shop, adding the experience gives your visit a clear centerpiece.

The listed opening hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., for the stated operating period from June 20, 2024, through March 31, 2026. Your timed booking is worth arranging ahead because the activity is popular and is typically booked about 17 days in advance.

You receive a mobile ticket, which keeps the arrival simple. Confirmation comes when you book. Since the activity returns to its starting point, you can continue shopping or make your way to another part of New York without arranging a separate end point.

Taking flight over Hogwarts

The broomstick segment uses green screen filming. You sit or pose on a broomstick while the wizarding scenes are added around you. The supplied scenes include a flight over Hogwarts, a ride alongside the Knight Bus, and a Quidditch match where you seek the Golden Snitch.

This is a performance as much as a ride. Your pose, expression, and willingness to play along affect the result. I would arrive ready with a few dramatic ideas: a focused Quidditch face, a surprised look beside the Knight Bus, or a proud flight over Hogwarts. You do not need acting experience, but standing still and following directions will help the camera work.

The private format is useful. Only your own group participates, so you are not sharing the broomstick moment with a large mixed crowd. That is especially helpful for families, couples, or friends who want photos that feel personal rather than like a standard group attraction.

Keep your expectations in check. This is not a long airborne ride, motion simulator, or full virtual reality adventure. One direct account describes the staging and filming as lasting about five minutes, with the rest of the visit taken up by the surrounding experience. The current setup may feel less playful if you expected the older version that used VR glasses.

That short filming time is not automatically a flaw. Green screen work is built around a few carefully chosen poses, and the value comes from the finished photos and video. Still, if you are paying $49.99 mainly for minutes on a broomstick, you may find the price hard to defend.

The photo and video package

The included photo and video package is the clearest reason to choose this over simply browsing the shop. Instead of leaving with only a purchased souvenir, you get a record of your own group flying through wizarding scenes.

Your role is important. Prepare your best pose before the camera starts, since the session is brief and staff may move you through the setup quickly. A little preparation can make the final clips feel more lively. If you arrive unsure of what to do, the moment may pass before you have settled into the character.

The package also gives the activity a different value for children and Harry Potter fans who enjoy showing friends what they did. It is less useful if you dislike being photographed or prefer attractions where the action itself lasts a long time.

A practical warning: one direct account found the staff pushy and felt rushed through the filming. I cannot promise that every session will feel this way, but you should plan for an efficient production rather than a relaxed photo shoot. Follow instructions, but if you need a moment to understand the pose, ask clearly before the camera rolls.

Butterbeer at the end

After the broomstick portion, you head to the Butterbeer Bar. A foaming cup of Butterbeer is included, giving the visit a proper wizarding finish.

This part adds value because it turns the booking into more than a camera setup. You get a themed drink, a chance to talk about the photos, and a natural point to continue exploring the shop. Butterbeer is also a good reason for a Harry Potter fan who has already seen the films to consider the experience. You are not only buying a short filmed sequence.

The activity information does not specify the size of the drink or any alternative beverage. If Butterbeer is not appealing to you, the package may feel less worthwhile, since it is one of the named inclusions.

Shopping for New York exclusives

The final part of the visit is the shop itself. You can browse Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and other items that are available in-store.

I would treat this as part of the value calculation, not as a separate obligation. If you want to shop anyway, the broomstick booking gives you a reason to spend time at the store and makes the $49.99 fee easier to justify. If you are only interested in flying, the shopping portion will not rescue a short filming session.

The combination works best for a fan who wants a full themed stop: pose for the camera, receive the photo and video package, enjoy Butterbeer, and look through the merchandise. It works less well for someone who wants a stand-alone thrill ride with repeated motion or a long special-effects show.

Is $49.99 a fair price?

At $49.99 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Packages must be purchased for each person, so a family or group needs to multiply the fee before booking. The price buys the private activity, the broomstick filming, the photo and video package, and Butterbeer. You also finish inside a major Harry Potter store with exclusive merchandise available to browse.

The price makes more sense for a committed fan who values the keepsake. A child who has always wanted a Quidditch photo may remember the video long after forgetting the exact length of the filming. For a couple or small group, the private format can also make the session feel more personal.

The value drops if you compare it with a conventional attraction based on time. The total visit is described as about an hour, but one direct account puts the staged photo and video portion at only about five minutes. That means much of the remaining time is likely tied to getting through the shop and completing the Butterbeer portion.

I would ask yourself one simple question: would you happily pay about $50 for the photos, video, Butterbeer, and shop setting even if the broomstick filming is brief? If yes, the package can work. If your answer depends on a long or highly interactive ride, save your money.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits Harry Potter fans who want a souvenir with themselves in it. Families, couples, and friend groups can make good use of the private booking because everyone in the group can take part without performing for a large audience.

It also suits visitors who already want to visit Harry Potter Shop New York. The activity gives structure to your stop at 935 Broadway, and the Butterbeer Bar provides an easy finish.

You may want to skip it if you are looking for a full virtual reality experience. One direct account specifically found the current format less fun than an earlier version with VR glasses. You should also think twice if you dislike staged photos, feel uncomfortable posing, or expect a long ride.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The shop is near public transportation, which helps when fitting the experience into a day around Manhattan.

Timing, booking, and cancellation

Book ahead if your New York schedule is tight. The activity is often reserved around 17 days in advance, and prebooking protects you from arriving when the available sessions are gone.

The mobile ticket keeps the entry process practical. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the activity begins and ends at Harry Potter Shop New York. The listed operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. That rule matters if your New York plans are still shifting.

My booking verdict

Book this if you want a private Harry Potter photo moment, a Butterbeer, and a souvenir video inside the New York shop. The three scenes give you good variety, and the included package means you leave with more than a quick memory of standing in a store.

Skip it if you mainly want a long broomstick ride or the old VR-style experience. The filmed portion may be very short, and the price is easier to justify when you value the photo package and Butterbeer as much as the flight itself.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive with a pose in mind, allow time to browse the exclusive merchandise, and judge the $49.99 as the price of a complete themed visit rather than a one-hour ride.

FAQ

Where does the broomstick experience begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately one hour. The filmed broomstick portion may be much shorter, with one direct account describing about five minutes of staging and filming.

What scenes can I appear in?

You can fly over Hogwarts, soar alongside the Knight Bus, and take part in a Hogwarts Quidditch match while seeking the Golden Snitch.

Is Butterbeer included?

Yes. You finish the experience 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 activity accessible to most people?

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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