A broomstick moment in just one hour. Harry Potter Shop New York turns you into the star of a green-screen flight over wizarding landmarks, with that movie-magic feel built in. You’ll also get a photo and video package, so this isn’t only about posing once and walking away.

I like that the experience hits multiple big moments from the wizarding world, including soaring alongside the Knight Bus and acting out a Hogwarts Quidditch scene. And I really enjoy how it ends with a Butterbeer-style finish, then gives you time to shop exclusive Harry Potter New York gear.

One thing to consider: this is a fast, staged activity. One unhappy review complains it felt like only a few minutes of photo/video work, and they weren’t thrilled with how it compares to earlier tech like VR glasses.

Key things that make this broomstick experience work

• Green-screen flight over iconic wizarding locations, with behind-the-scenes style magic
• Hogwarts, Knight Bus, and Quidditch moments, including a Golden Snitch quest
• Included photo and video package, built for keepsakes right after your flight
• Harry Potter New York in-store shopping time for items only available on location
• Butterbeer Bar finale, so you finish with a real treat, not just photos
• Private activity for your group with a mobile ticket for smoother entry

Green-screen broomstick flight in NYC: what it feels like

This is a one-hour, hands-on Harry Potter-themed ride that runs out of the Harry Potter Shop in Midtown Manhattan (935 Broadway). You’re not climbing into a ride vehicle or doing a full amusement-park style attraction. Instead, you step into a green-screen setup and get filmed for your broomstick “flight” over wizarding scenes.

Think of it like a guided movie moment designed for you to star in. The wizarding locations you visit are big and recognizable, but the key is how the experience packages them around your pose and timing. If you come in knowing it’s a staged set, you’ll likely enjoy it more.

The experience also leans into the “how movies are made” idea. While you’re flying through scenes, the production style is part of the fun—this is about seeing yourself placed into wizarding action, not about traveling across the city on an actual broom.

The “flight” moments: Hogwarts, Knight Bus, and Quidditch

Your broomstick sequence is built around several themed highlights. The pitch is simple and very Harry Potter: soar over enchanting wizarding world locations, then hit a set of signature moments during your session.

You’ll get the chance to:

• Fly over Hogwarts-themed visuals
• Soar alongside the Knight Bus
• Seek the Golden Snitch during a Hogwarts Quidditch match

That’s the heart of the experience. For most people, the value is in capturing multiple iconic moments in a single short booking. You’re not picking just one scene. You’re doing a mini set list of wizarding action, which helps justify spending money on a quick experience when you’re in NYC for a limited time.

One practical tip: be ready for directions. These green-screen setups tend to revolve around your pose and your timing, and that is when you get the best results. If you’re someone who hates being told what to do, it’s smart to mentally shift your expectations. You’re here for a filmed performance, not a free-form photo walk.

The included photo and video package: your main souvenir

One of the biggest selling points is that you get an included photo and video package as part of the experience. In other words, you’re paying for the starring role plus the saved memories. This matters because so many themed attractions rely on optional add-ons. Here, the keepsake is baked into the experience.

In practice, you should treat this as the core deliverable. The negative feedback I saw focuses on the shortness of the actual filming stages—one person described it as very brief photo/video work and felt it wasn’t worth the price. That doesn’t automatically mean the experience is bad. It does mean your expectations should match the format.

So here’s the honest way to judge value: if you want a quick, polished wizarding-themed photo/video moment, you may feel it’s worth it. If you’re expecting something long, theatrical, and heavy on technology or continuous action, the one-hour runtime can feel too short.

If you’re the type who replays videos for years, you’ll probably like the package. If you mainly want a wide variety of activities, this might feel more like a single highlight than a full evening.

Movie-magic vibes and how to get good results

This experience is built on the idea of wizarding movie magic—your green-screen flight is staged to look like you’re part of the wizarding world action. Even without knowing every technical detail, you can still improve your outcome.

Keep these in mind:

• Wear clothing you’re comfortable moving in while holding a pose.
• Be ready to follow staff directions on how to position yourself for the shots.
• Choose a pose that looks good even from a distance, since you’re being placed into dramatic scenes.

Also, you’ll spend time preparing your best look for the photo and video package. That’s not wasted time. For this type of experience, prep is where the results come from.

And if you’ve seen or used other high-tech versions of similar concepts elsewhere, here’s the key expectation-setting move: judge this as its current format, not as a comparison to older versions. One dissatisfied review claims it used to feel more fun with VR glasses, then felt less enjoyable after that option was gone. Even if you haven’t seen any prior tech, it’s worth knowing that comparisons can drive expectations up.

Harry Potter Shop time: where the trip turns into shopping

After the broomstick portion, you get to transition into the Harry Potter Shop. This is not an afterthought. The experience includes a stop in the store area for Harry Potter New York exclusive clothing, accessories, and more that you can only get in-store.

That matters for practical reasons. NYC shopping for themed goods can be hit-or-miss if you don’t know where the exclusives are. This experience gives you a guided reason to spend time inside, rather than treating the shop as a casual browse.

If you’re traveling with kids or you know you’ll want a few “must-have” items, the store stop can turn a quick experience into a fuller outing. If you’re not much of a shopper, focus on walking out with just a few key items. Otherwise, it’s easy for the store time to stretch the total trip in a way you didn’t plan.

Butterbeer Bar finale: a classic end to the story

Then you head to the Butterbeer Bar for a foaming cup of Butterbeer to end things the way Harry, Ron, and Hermione might. For a lot of people, this is the emotional payoff.

The drink is not only a fun theme moment. It’s also a way to anchor the activity in real life. Photos and videos are great, but food and drink help you remember the day as a complete experience, not just a set of clips you filmed and never watched again.

If you’re budgeting your time in NYC, this stop is also a timing helper. It gives you a clean finish point, right before you leave the shop area.

Price and value: is $49.99 for one hour fair?

At $49.99 per person for an experience that runs about one hour, the value depends on what you want out of a Harry Potter trip.

Here’s a fair way to think about it:

• You’re paying for a filmed green-screen “flight” moment plus an included photo/video package.
• You’re also paying for a themed storyline experience (Hogwarts, Knight Bus, Quidditch) that compresses multiple big fan moments into one booking.
• You get additional on-site value through the store stop and the Butterbeer finale.

The main question is whether the kept-sake deliverable matches your expectations. One review flagged that the actual filming stages felt short and that staff behavior felt pushy, plus they felt the tech comparison (VR glasses mentioned) didn’t help. That kind of feedback is a reminder to set your expectations: this is not a long show.

Still, if you love short “I did that” experiences and you care about having visual proof, this can be a strong buy. It’s also a good option if you’re planning a tight NYC schedule and need something central, prebookable, and time-bounded.

One more practical detail: the experience is booked on average about 17 days in advance, which usually means it’s popular enough that good time slots can vanish. If you know your travel dates, booking ahead is a smart move.

Where and when it runs: getting the most out of your timing

The meeting point is the Harry Potter Shop at 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010, and your activity ends back there. The opening hours listed are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (for the dates shown). That wide window makes it workable for a lot of day plans.

Because it’s a private activity for your group, you should treat it like a real timed slot. If you arrive late, you risk cutting into the preparation and your photo/video moment.

Also, you’ll have a mobile ticket, and you should expect confirmation at booking time. Near public transportation is helpful here because Broadway-area routes can make the shop easy to plug into an itinerary.

Who should book this broomstick experience?

This works best if you fall into one camp: you want a quick Harry Potter experience that feels special on camera.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You want a filmed, keepsake-driven attraction rather than a slow walking tour
• You like posing and want a photo/video package you can keep
• Your group includes Harry Potter fans who love the big set pieces (Hogwarts, Knight Bus, Quidditch)
• You’re shopping anyway and want exclusive in-store items tied to the experience

You might want to think twice if:

• You’re hoping for a long, theatrical ride with constant action
• You’re extremely price-sensitive and expect more than a short photo/video session
• You dislike being guided through steps during a set

And if you have questions about your comfort level with instructions and posing, it’s worth reviewing your own tolerance for a staged production. That’s where the experience satisfaction tends to swing.

Should you book Harry Potter Shop New York: Fly a Broomstick?

I’d book it if you want a time-efficient, photo-and-video-centered Harry Potter moment in Midtown, plus Butterbeer and shop time. The included keepsake package and the variety of wizarding set pieces are strong reasons to choose it.

I’d skip or reconsider if you’re expecting a long, immersive attraction or if you hate the idea of being rushed through a short filming sequence. One review specifically criticized the brevity and compared it to an earlier, more fun VR-style version, so that’s a clear warning to calibrate your expectations.

If you’re traveling soon and you want the experience, prebook—this one gets booked ahead for a reason.

FAQ

What is the Harry Potter Shop New York Fly a Broomstick experience?

It’s a green-screen broomstick experience at the Harry Potter Shop where you fly over wizarding world locations and take part in scenes like Hogwarts Quidditch. The experience also includes a photo and video package and ends with Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar.

How long does the experience take?

The experience is about 1 hour (approx.).

Where does the experience start?

The meeting point is Harry Potter Shop, 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010, USA.

Is this a private activity?

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

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience uses a mobile ticket.

What is included besides the broomstick experience?

You’ll receive an included photo and video package. The experience also includes time in the shop for Harry Potter New York exclusive items and a Butterbeer stop at the Butterbeer Bar.

What are the opening hours?

For the dates listed, it runs Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.