Last month they drove up from Miami to meet us in Orlando. I traveled by broom, while Michael and Jackson used Floo Powder. Nah, we actually took a bumpy plane that got stuck in Phoenix in the middle of the night. But, waking up in Orlando was pretty fun.
See? Exciting.
Universal Studios was impressive. I liked the Hulk Coaster, the Jurassic Park rapids ride, and the NBA City Restaurant.
Hulk Coaster.
Notice the over cast skies - that was Crazy Lucky Thing #1. Go team - no boiling sun for us.
We were visiting on the 4th of July. A holiday. One should not visit a theme park on a holiday. 4th of July is one of the busiest days for Disneyland. For some reason, Universal Studios has a slow day. One theory is the Diagon Alley opening was slated for just 5 days later. Maybe people adjusted their schedules for that? I also think 4th of July is one of those days where people have things to do. Deviled Eggs and such? So, no lines -- that was Crazy Lucky Thing #2.
We knew we were missing the Diagon Alley opening, but we were excited to visit the Hogsmede section and the other sections of the park. Oh wait, they opened Diagon Alley early. With low attendance, it was a good day to test the operations in a soft opening. The Gringotts ride was not open, but that was all that we missed. Early Harry Potter time -- that was Crazy Lucky Thing #3. That may be more of a catching the golden snitch in your mouth kind of lucky thing.
We visited Hogsmede first.
It's too bad that it doesn't really snow. It was a pretty magical place.
I ended up with a Chocolate Frog, a jar of lemon candy, a chocolate wand, Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans, some pumpkin juice, and a box of fudge. A really large box of fudge. The fudge wasn't very good, but we bought multiple pounds of fudge.I still have the fudge.
Jackson got a Helga Hufflepuff card in his Chocolate Frog--figures.
Such a Hufflepuff.
That was my favorite store. Yumm.
The Hogwarts castle was pretty impressive.
I could climb it. Pas de question.
Rowena Ravenclaw was a little spooky, she kept yelling at us while we were in line. I loved the castle ride. I do feel sorry for the people who got on the ride with Jackson and I, though. We were in a group of four. I was screaming "Expecto Patronum" at all the dementors. Those Muggles would have surely been kissed if it weren't for me. Jackson, meanwhile, was genuinely screaming at the giant spiders and we were both seriously moved when Harry talked about the power of friendship at the end.
Three Broomsticks. Delicious and surprisingly inexpensive.
Diagon Alley was pretty great. After walking by Grimald Place, you walk in through a non-descript entrance that seems like a secret entrance. All you need is Hagrid with his umbrella. You turn the corner and.....
Wow.
Firebolt!
It was very fun to see the new section. It's about twice as large as Hogsmede with lots of shops. Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes is an explosion of color. The pigmy puffs were a bit out of my price range, but I was tempted by the Skiving Snackboxes. They control how many people can go in the store, so it never gets too crowded -- just the right amount of Weasley-style claustrophobia.
At Ollivanders, Jackson's birthday present chose him. I like buying presents for people, but that was perhaps the most fun I've ever had purchasing a present. Remember the wand learns from the wizard and the wizard learns from the wand. Are you sick of my Potterlove yet?
We took the Hogwart's express both directions, which is worth doing, since it is different. The train compartments are charming and a little scary when --spoiler alert -- dementors come on board.
Going through into platform 9 3/4.
Cheers to Harry and Universal Studios. PS- 5 days later there was a 6 hour wait to get into the Diagon Alley section and hour to two hour waits to get into each store. Are you kidding me. CRAZY LUCKY.
Photo credit: Stephanie
Heading to Miami next!
