A broomstick flight in NYC is quick and oddly fun. Harry Potter Shop New York’s green screen experience puts you in the air over wizarding-world moments, with a bonus photo and video package you can relive later. I like that it’s built like a smooth, scripted set of scenes (Hogwarts, the Knight Bus, and a Quidditch match), not just a random photo stop; I also like that your finale is a real drink moment—Butterbeer. One possible drawback: one unhappy review says it has lost the earlier VR glasses feel and can feel rushed, with staff trying to move people through fast.

Expect about 1 hour at one stop on Broadway, starting and ending right at Harry Potter Shop New York. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the activity is private in the sense that it’s only for your group. If you’re hoping for tons of time standing around in interactive sets, you might want to know this is more of a tightly run experience than a long hangout.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Green-screen flight: you take part in wizarding-world scenes that look like you’re flying
• Photo and video package included: you’ll pose, then get a souvenir bundle to keep
• Big franchise beats: Hogwarts, the Knight Bus, and a Hogwarts Quidditch match moment
• Golden Snitch moment: part of the Quidditch-style sequence you’re guided into
• Butterbeer finale: you finish with a foamy cup, like the storybooks taught you
• In-store shopping afterward: you can browse Harry Potter New York exclusives on location

Harry Potter Shop New York: Where the Experience Starts on Broadway

The whole thing happens at Harry Potter Shop New York, at 935 Broadway (right in Midtown Manhattan). This matters because you’re not juggling transfers or splitting your day across multiple attractions. Plan for a simple, contained visit: arrive, check in, do the broomstick experience, then wrap up with shopping and a Butterbeer stop all on site.

The hours listed run broadly (9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday through Saturday) across the operating period shown, so you have flexibility in your day. Also, the experience is near public transportation, which is a practical win in NYC. If you like keeping your schedule stress-free, this setup helps.

One more note: the experience is described as private for your group. That doesn’t mean it’s some grand production with a huge crew following you around; it means you’re not mixing into a random crowd for the performance segment. If you’re traveling with family or friends and want your own time slot, that privacy angle can feel like good value.

Flying a Green-Screen Broomstick: What You Do for the Magic

At the heart of the experience is the Harry Potter Shop New York broomstick ride—done through green-screen technology. You don’t just walk past sets. You’re guided into a flight sequence that’s meant to look like you’re soaring over wizarding-world locations.

Here’s what that means in plain terms for your day:

• You’ll be placed and posed for the visuals.
• Your job is to look like you’re flying and reacting to the scene beats.
• The experience is designed to move at a steady pace so you get your photo/video outputs.

I like these kinds of attraction formats because they cut down on decision fatigue. You’re not trying to figure out where to stand or what to do next. It’s more like a show with clear checkpoints.

That said, the format also explains the biggest potential frustration. If you’re expecting a slow, playful, you-can-choose-your-own-adventure style experience, green-screen attractions tend to be timing-driven. One complaint I saw describes the vibe as rushed and “stages pictures and video” as the main focus, with staff moving people through quickly. Even if you don’t have the same experience, it’s a reminder: this is built for getting you in, getting the shots, and getting you out.

The Photo and Video Package: A Souvenir You Can Actually Use

The included photo and video package is the part of the experience that turns your flight moment into something you’ll keep. A lot of attractions say they’re about memories, but this one actually bakes the souvenir into the process.

In a practical sense, it changes how you should approach the experience. Don’t treat the broomstick segment like a quick backdrop moment. It’s a “pose with purpose” situation. You’ll want to:

• Stand ready for direction.
• Commit to a pose so your video looks fun, not awkward.
• Think about how your outfit and colors will read on camera.

One of the best things about having the package included is that you aren’t scrambling afterward to decide if you want to pay extra for photos. You also avoid that common NYC situation where the “nice picture” costs more than the attraction itself.

Still, manage expectations. Even when the package is included, you should recognize that green-screen rides are usually short by design. If you were hoping for long filming time or lots of retakes, that isn’t what the format usually supports. The good news is that your time on-site is about 1 hour, so your commitment is limited.

Knight Bus, Hogwarts, and Quidditch: The Scenes That Build the Story

The experience is staged like a mini journey through famous moments. You start with the Hogwarts setting, then you soar alongside the Knight Bus. After that comes the Hogwarts Quidditch match sequence, where you’re guided to “seek the Golden Snitch.”

This matters because it gives the experience a narrative arc. Instead of just flying in front of a single backdrop, you get multiple recognizable beats. For fans, that recognition can be more satisfying than you might expect, because your brain gets to “click” into the world of the movies while you’re in the action.

For non-fans, it’s still worth considering because the scenes are built to be visually clear. You’re not relying on deep lore knowledge to enjoy it. You’re watching and being placed in front of big set-piece visuals that most people associate instantly with Harry Potter.

One caution I’d give based on the mixed feedback: if you prefer slow, immersive playtime, the show-style format may feel short. The Quidditch moment is likely one of those “in, pose, done” steps rather than an extended interactive game. If your goal is action and physical participation for a long time, look at it as a cinematic, photo-driven experience—because that’s what it’s designed to be.

Butterbeer Bar Finish and In-Store Harry Potter New York Exclusives

Every good Harry Potter-themed visit in NYC should end with two things: a recognizable treat and a reason to browse. This one gives you both.

After your broomstick ride, you head to the Butterbeer Bar for a foaming cup of Butterbeer. That’s a simple, satisfying finale. It’s also a smart choice for pacing. You get the “big moment” in the sky, then you cool down with a classic drink and a place to sit or regroup before shopping.

Then comes the browsing. You can checkout the range of Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and more only available in-store. This is where the experience earns extra value for many visitors, because you’re not just doing a ride—you’re also getting a focused shopping stop tied to the story world.

Practical shopping tip: if you’re shopping for gifts, treat the store visit as part of the attraction experience. Your time window is limited, so have a sense of what you’re hunting for before you wander. It’s easy to lose 30 minutes in a store full of themed items, and you’ll still want time for your Butterbeer.

Price and Value: Is $49.99 Worth It?

The price listed is $49.99 per person, with the experience lasting about 1 hour. That price point can feel either fair or steep depending on what you want out of it.

Here’s the value logic I’d use:

• You get a guided broomstick flight using green-screen visuals.
• You get an included photo and video package.
• You get a Butterbeer drink.
• You also get time to shop in a Harry Potter New York store with exclusives.

If you care about the souvenir element (photos/videos) and you want a hands-on, guided moment rather than just window shopping, the price starts to make more sense. You’re basically paying for a structured “Harry Potter moment” plus a drink plus the photo/video memory output.

If you’re the type who hates paying for short photo-driven attractions, you may struggle with the $49.99 number. One complaint I saw basically argues that it’s too short and too focused on stage-pose shots. That doesn’t automatically make the experience bad—but it does highlight the key risk: this ride is not a long interactive event.

My take: this is best valued if you treat it like a fun, timed movie moment you’ll remember, not like a full afternoon activity.

Timing: Best Ways to Schedule This in a Busy NYC Day

This activity is booked on average about 17 days in advance, so it’s clearly popular enough that you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Even if you’re flexible, booking early is the easiest way to avoid awkward “guessing” on the day.

The opening hours (9:00 AM–9:00 PM, Monday–Saturday across the listed period) mean you can typically pick a time that fits your NYC rhythm. If you’re pairing it with other Midtown stops, consider going earlier in the day to reduce the chance of pushing your itinerary around.

Also, because it’s private for your group, aim to arrive on time rather than early by a lot. You don’t want to burn time with nowhere to go, and you also don’t want to feel rushed when it’s your turn.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Want to Skip It)

This experience is a strong fit if:

• You’re a Harry Potter fan and want a guided “I’m part of the scene” moment.
• You care about getting photos/videos without extra hassle.
• You want a family-friendly, time-bounded activity in NYC that wraps up with Butterbeer and store shopping.

It’s potentially less ideal if:

• You’re very sensitive to feeling rushed.
• You’re expecting an elaborate, long, hands-on interactive VR-style setup.
• You mainly want a scenic walk-through or a laid-back, linger-and-explore vibe.

Because one negative review specifically complains about the “5 minutes of taking stages pictures and video” feel and mentions that VR glasses were removed compared to earlier times, it’s smart to set expectations. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a short, scripted, camera-focused experience if it ended with Butterbeer and shopping? If the answer is yes, you’ll likely enjoy it. If not, you may feel like you paid for something too brief.

Should You Book This Harry Potter Shop Broomstick Ride?

Book it if you want a compact, story-driven NYC activity with an included photo/video souvenir and a Butterbeer finale. For a fan, it’s the kind of thing you’ll replay on your phone later and remember as a specific moment in your trip—not just a ticket stub.

Skip it (or at least reconsider) if you’re the type who thinks broomstick flight should feel like a full experience, not a quick stage-and-camera run. The price isn’t outrageous for what’s included, but the experience is clearly designed to be short. One complaint also points to a loss of earlier VR-style fun, so if VR was a big part of what you pictured, you’ll want to adjust expectations before you go.

If you’re on the fence, the easiest decision rule is this: if you’re excited about a photo/video memory plus Butterbeer and you can handle a fast, staged show, this is a good buy at $49.99.

FAQ

How long does the Harry Potter Shop New York Fly a Broomstick experience take?

It’s listed as approximately 1 hour.

What’s included in the experience besides the broomstick flight?

You get a photo and video package, and the experience includes time to finish with Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar.

Where do I meet for the experience?

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

Is it a private activity?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

Can I use a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience includes a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and refunds are not available for cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time.

If you tell me your travel month and whether you’re going with kids (and roughly what age), I can help you pick the best time of day to reduce waiting and make it feel worth the stop.

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