Harry Potter Shop New York- Fly a Broomstick Experience

The main draw here is simple: you get to sit on a broomstick and appear to fly through Harry Potter scenes. You’ll pose for staged shots over Hogwarts, alongside the Knight Bus, and during a Quidditch match, then receive photo and video memories to replay later.

I like the included Butterbeer and the chance to browse Harry Potter New York exclusives after filming. I also like that the activity is private to your group, rather than a large shared tour. The catch is value: the filmed broomstick portion may feel very short, with one account describing only about five minutes of staged photos and video.

Key points to know before you book

• Green-screen broomstick scenes: Pose over Hogwarts, beside the Knight Bus, and during a Quidditch match.
• Photo and video package included: You receive recorded memories rather than paying extra for the basic media package.
• Butterbeer finishes the visit: A foaming cup at the Butterbeer Bar is part of the plan.
• The full visit lasts about one hour: The filming itself may take only a small part of that time.
• Private for your group: Only your party participates in the activity.
• $49.99 needs careful thought: The price makes the most sense if you value the media, Butterbeer, and shop visit together.

What the $49.99 price really covers

At $49.99 per person, this is not priced like a quick photo booth. You are paying for a themed visit at Harry Potter Shop New York, the broomstick filming, a photo and video package, and a Butterbeer at the end.

That bundle can work well for a committed Harry Potter fan. A child may love the chance to see a flying version of themselves on screen, while an adult fan may value the polished souvenir more than the physical activity itself.

Still, you should judge the price against the amount of time spent on the broomstick. The full appointment is listed at about one hour, but that hour also includes the surrounding shop visit and Butterbeer stop. One detailed complaint describes roughly five minutes of taking staged photos and video, with the rest of the visit feeling less substantial than expected.

That is the key value question. If you want a short, playful film clip and a Butterbeer in a Harry Potter setting, the package may feel worthwhile. If you expect a long ride, a hands-on special-effects session, or a full virtual reality attraction, $49.99 may feel steep.

The included media helps. You do not have to choose one printed photograph or pay an additional fee to see the result. You should still think of this as a souvenir-making activity, not a theme-park ride.

Arriving at 935 Broadway in New York City

You begin at Harry Potter Shop New York, located at 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010. The shop is near public transportation, so you can reach it without arranging a special transfer.

The activity returns to the same place. That makes the visit easy to fit into a day in Manhattan, especially if you plan to shop before or after the filming. Since the shop itself is part of the setting, you do not need to treat the meeting point as a dull pickup zone. Your visit starts in the Harry Potter retail world and ends there too.

The listed operating period runs from June 20, 2024, through March 31, 2026, with hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are not provided, so you should check availability before building your day around a Sunday visit.

A mobile ticket keeps the arrival simple. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is often reserved about 17 days ahead. That booking pattern tells you to avoid leaving this until the last minute if your New York schedule is tight.

The broomstick filming: three wizarding scenes

The heart of the visit is the green-screen broomstick setup. You take a position on a broomstick, pose for the camera, and appear in several wizarding locations.

The scenes include flying over Hogwarts, traveling beside the Knight Bus, and searching for the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match. These are not separate rides through physical sets. They are filmed scenes that use green-screen production methods, similar to the techniques used to create movie effects.

That distinction matters. You are not physically soaring through a recreated Hogwarts castle or moving through a full Quidditch stadium. You are creating the illusion through your pose, the camera, and the background added to the final media.

You should prepare to hold a pose and follow directions quickly. The activity specifically encourages you to bring your best pose, so a little willingness to perform will improve the finished result. A stiff or hesitant pose may make the final clip less fun, while a dramatic expression can give the scene more energy.

The filming may appeal most to children, families, and fans who enjoy dressing up or acting out movie moments. It is less suited to anyone looking for a long physical ride. The broomstick is the prop that places you in the scene, not a vehicle that takes you around the shop.

What the photo and video package adds

The included photo and video package is one of the strongest practical features. You leave with something you can replay, rather than relying only on your memory or a single snapshot taken by a companion.

That also changes how you should think about the activity. The finished media is the main souvenir. Your time on the broomstick may be brief, but the result can continue to entertain you after the New York trip.

The package is especially useful for families. A parent can watch the filming and still receive the finished images, rather than choosing between taking pictures and enjoying the moment. It also gives a group a shared keepsake if everyone participates.

You should keep your expectations in check. The filming is staged and the process can be quick. One account says the photo and video portion lasted about five minutes and felt rushed, with staff seeming eager to move the session along. That is a real consideration at this price.

If you want more time to pose, ask questions, or repeat a scene, the available information does not promise that. Go in ready to follow instructions efficiently. You may find the best results come from deciding your pose before the camera starts.

The Butterbeer stop at the end

After the broomstick portion, you head to the Butterbeer Bar. A foaming cup of Butterbeer finishes the visit, just as it does for Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the stories.

This is a small part of the program, but it gives the appointment a clear ending. You do not simply film a few scenes and walk out. You get a themed drink in the shop before leaving.

The Butterbeer also helps explain the one-hour duration. The total appointment includes more than the time spent in front of the green screen. You should not count on a full hour of broomstick action.

For Harry Potter fans, the drink may be as memorable as the filming. For someone who is only mildly interested in the books or movies, it may feel like a minor add-on. The package works best when you see the broomstick, the media, the shop, and the Butterbeer as one themed visit.

Browsing Harry Potter New York exclusives

The shop is not just a meeting point. After the filmed portion, you can look through clothing, accessories, and other items sold as Harry Potter New York exclusives.

That shopping stop may be valuable if you want merchandise that is only available in this store. It also gives you something to do around the appointment, especially if members of your group are more interested in shopping than filming.

The wording matters here. The products are described as exclusive to the New York shop, but no specific items or prices are provided. You should not assume every product will be in stock or that the shopping portion is included in the $49.99 price. The activity price covers the stated broomstick package and Butterbeer, while purchases from the shop are separate.

If you are trying to control your budget, decide in advance how much time and money you want to spend in the store. Harry Potter merchandise can easily turn a $49.99 activity into a much larger outing.

Private participation, accessibility, and pace

This is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That is a useful advantage for families or friends who want to take photos without sharing the setup with strangers.

A private booking does not necessarily mean a long or flexible session. The filming still follows the shop’s process, and the available information does not promise extra takes or a slower pace. The private format mainly gives your group the activity to itself.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. No special fitness requirement is listed. The activity uses a broomstick setup and staged poses, but the supplied details do not explain the exact seating arrangement, transfer process, or other physical requirements.

If you have a specific mobility concern, contact the provider before booking. The general participation note is helpful, but it does not answer every accessibility question.

When to reserve your time

The activity is booked about 17 days in advance on average. That is not a rule, but it is a useful planning signal. If your New York visit has fixed dates, reserving early gives you a better chance of finding a time that fits your plans.

Prebooking also matters because the broomstick session is popular enough that arriving at the shop and hoping for a same-day opening may not work. The mobile ticket and booking confirmation make it easy to keep the reservation on your phone.

The published hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., for the stated operating period. Since the activity lasts about an hour, allow enough room around the appointment for arrival, the shop, the filming, Butterbeer, and any merchandise browsing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The cutoff uses New York local time.

Who will enjoy this most

I would put this near the top of the list for:

• Harry Potter fans who want a themed souvenir from New York
• Families with children who enjoy posing and acting for the camera
• Visitors who want Butterbeer and exclusive shop merchandise in the same stop
• Small groups who prefer a private appointment
• Fans who value a finished video more than a long physical attraction

I would be more cautious if you expect a full ride or a long behind-the-scenes tour. The activity provides a green-screen filming session inspired by movie effects, but it does not promise access to film sets or an extended virtual reality attraction.

One important change may affect expectations. A detailed account says the experience used to include VR glasses but no longer does. If you remember an older version of the activity, do not assume the current setup has the same technology.

Is the broomstick experience worth booking?

Book it if you want a compact Harry Potter souvenir with a photo and video package, a Butterbeer, and time to browse a dedicated New York shop. The private format and included media make it more appealing for families and committed fans.

Skip it if $49.99 feels high for a short filming session, or if you want a longer ride with more technology and interaction. The core broomstick action may take only a few minutes, and the reported pace can feel rushed.

My practical advice is to reserve this as a themed shopping and souvenir stop, not as a major attraction lasting a full hour. That expectation gives the price a fairer test. If the media, Butterbeer, and shop exclusives matter to you, the package can fit nicely into a Manhattan day. If the broomstick flight itself is the only reason you are interested, the value is less convincing.

FAQ

Where does the Fly a Broomstick Experience begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

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

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

What scenes can I appear in?

You can appear to fly over Hogwarts, soar alongside the Knight Bus, and search for the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match.

Is the photo and video package included?

Yes. The broomstick experience includes a photo and video package.

Is Butterbeer included?

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

Is this a group tour?

No. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $49.99 per person. Packages must be purchased for each person.

Are mobile tickets available?

Yes. The activity includes a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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