What did you do a couple weekends ago? What? You wonder what I was doing? Well, nothing big....I just was at Harry Potter World in Universal Studios having the time of my life! Anybody who knows me is aware that I am obsessed with Harry Potter and that I have been obsessed with Harry Potter ever since I picked up the first novel when I was nine. Thus, exploring Harry Potter World with a bunch of friends who live all over the country was an incredible experience, and I'm sure I will remember it for the rest of my life.
We were lucky enough to sign up for and attend the yearly Celebration of Harry Potter, in which Universal gives its guests extra perks for a truly magical weekend. One of the perks we received was access to Harry Potter World for a full three hours after the park closed. We basically had the park to ourselves. During this night, we were able to explore Harry Potter World without pushing through crowds or standing in seemingly endless lines. We saw everything we wanted to without limitations. I could go on forever about everything I loved at Harry Potter World, but I've shortened the list down to seven things you simply can't miss. Seven is the most magical number, after all.
1. Butterbeer Every Way - Cold butterbeer, hot butterbeer, frozen butterbeer, and butterbeer ice cream could all be yours! My favorite was the butterbeer ice cream, which can be purchased at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. It was probably the best soft serve ice cream I've ever had. It was incredibly smooth and the butterbeer flavor was so delicious. Photo credit goes to my friend, Nicole.
However, be warned: there is no alcoholic butterbeer. We went in search for this fabled substance and return severely disappointed.
2. Ollivander's - Those wizards who work at Ollivander's are seriously in character. From the moment we walked into the shop, they were asking us questions about muggle culture. At one point, they decided amongst themselves that Batman must be an animagus. I was so taken aback by their dedication to their characters that all I could do was bob my head.
Then, we were lead into a room where Ollivander's associate came to greet us, and we watched as one person was selected from the crowd to pick out a wand. Just as in the first Harry Potter movie, the wrong wand caused items to break while the correct wand caused a glowing light to emanate from the bearer. If I were a kid and I was selected, I probably would have started crying when the glowing light started.
If you buy an interactive wand after the show, it will actually MAKE THINGS HAPPEN at specific locations throughout the park when you wave it about. Again, the kid in me is crying.
3. Gringotts Dragon - About every 15-20 minutes, a sudden huffing sound comes from the dragon on top of Gringotts and then a fireball explodes from it's mouth. Super exciting! The flame is so intense that you can actually feel it from the street. Photo cred again goes to Nicole.
4. Gringotts ride (Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts) - This ride is different from any other ride I've experienced before. It combined the thrills of a roller coaster and the entertainment of film seamlessly. The story of the ride also made sense with the plot of the movies, which I greatly appreciated.
Also, they don't make you stare at a wall while you are waiting, as happens all too often in theme parks. You enter into the grand hall of the Gringotts that looks like it taken directly from the set of the movies with rows of moving and blinking Goblin tellers on either side.
5. Hogwarts Express - I genuinely felt like I rode on the Hogwarts Express after this trip. From the moment I saw steam puffing out of the train as it rolled into Kings Cross Station, to the English scenery out the window, to the sound of the trolley lady's voice, I was convinced I was riding the Hogwarts Express.
If you travel from London to Hogwarts and enter through Kings Cross Station, you will pass through Platform 9 3/4. When I say pass through, I literally mean pass through. There is a piece of glass set up the perfect location to make it appear as though you are walking straight through the wall. I highly recommend having somebody lag a few steps behind to take a video of you disappearing between Platforms 9 and 10!
6. Hogwarts (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) - This ride is basically a culmination of all things Harry Potter related. It's really exciting seeing everything from the books and movies popping out in from of you. Everything I've ever dreamed about was right there in front of me! If you haven't seen the movies or read the books, you better get on that. (Just kidding...but you really should read them...) You also better be ready for a fire-hydrant of information and be ready to be very confused on this ride.
Once again, even waiting in line for the ride does not disappoint. On the way to the ride, you pass through the Herbology gardens, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Dumbledore's office, and hallways with animated paintings and Hogwarts artifacts.
7. The details - Harry Potter World was overflowing with details. Everywhere I looked, there were items from the movies and quotes from the books. I've already mentioned the extreme amounts of detail that could be
observed in the waiting lines for rides, but the stores, the streets,
and the eating areas were covered in details. We were completely immersed in wizard culture everywhere we went. I felt like I was living a childhood dream. To give you an idea of just how detailed it was, we were at the Universal parks all weekend and we walked in and out of the Harry Potter areas several times. I noticed something new every single time.
If you get the chance to explore the entirety Harry Potter World, you simply must experience the above seven items. Of course, I recommend going during the yearly Celebration of Harry Potter, but any day is a great day to enjoy Harry Potter World! To learn more about the Harry Potter Celebration, please read my
my friend's account of Harry Potter World. She perfectly explains all of my feelings of excitement and childish wonder from that weekend much more eloquently than I ever could. Thanks to my friends for that amazing weekend! I miss you all already!
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