Monday, March 7, 2011

Yeh're a Wizard Lindsay!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Studios, Orlando
Wednesday
March 2, 2011

Along with my mother I flew to Florida to visit my Grandma. We were planning on driving to Orlando to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (or as my mom likes to call it, Harry Potter World). It took no convincing for my Grandma to join us, as she loves to spend time with us. I mean what can I say? We are cool people. On Wednesday of our week long visit we filled up her car and started the three hour trek to Universal Studios in Orlando. The drive wasn't bad at all and we made it in no time flat.

Upon entering Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (where WWoHP is located) I immediately jumped in line for The Hulk rollercoaster while my Mom and Grandma sat and waited. It was as much fun as I had remembered. What's better than being shot out from 0-70 in 4 seconds? I'll tell you what -- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!!!

After walking through the entire Islands of Adventure park we FINALLY arrived. Right there to our left was Hogwarts Castle. It was so incredible and so realistic. Immediately the excitement butterflies started flapping their wings throughout my body. I knew it was going to be a good day. Once we passed Hogwarts we saw the entrance to Hogsmeade, including the snow covered houses and welcome sign. It was as if I was actually in the town of Hogsmeade so clearly and brilliantly described by J.K. Rowling and shown in the Harry Potter films. I was beyond myself. The smile on my face was from ear to ear. We continued past the sign and into Hogsmeade, immediately noticing the Butterbeer cart ahead. As my Mom purchased one Butterbeer I took pictures of my incredible surroundings.

When I tell you it looked just like the movies, I am not lying. It would have been really cool to have the brick wall that opened with the touch of a magic umbrella, but how would they really do that? We walke around a bit, enjoying ourselves immensly. We noticed some storefronts, with crooked chimneys and roofs, a SnowHarry and SnowHedwig, and many witches and wizards milling around town. Again, I was in my absolute glory.

We then got in line for Ollivanders...where there was going to be a ten minute presentation where a wand would choose the wizard. When we all stepped inside I was blown away, the inside looked like a smaller version of the Ollivanders Wand Shop in the movie. I stood in the front row and the Wizard running the presentation chose me as the volunteer, ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! My little heart melted and I was so excited. Yes I am a dork! There were two young boys next to me and I wanted to say 'SUCKAS!' to them, but that would have been just plain mean. So I did what the nice Wizard told me to do, and it was just like in the scene in The Sorcerer's Stone when Harry's wand chooses him. Needless to say I had to purchase the wand that chose me...as well as Snape's replica wand, and a Slytherin notebook, and a Pygmy Puff, and a Chocolate Frog, and a Maurader's Map.

After Ollivanders we ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks (teehee) and then went into Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop. Following that we did a walk through tour of Hogwarts. Because of the fact my mom and Grandma don't like rides, I went back into Hogwarts and waited in the single riders line to do the Hogwarts ride, which was half simulator and half not. All I have to say about that, is TOTALLY WORTH IT! Such a fun ride, especially when the Dementors come at you!!! :D

All in all, that was the best day I've had in a very long time...and I need to go back there. I mean, seriously...SOOOO COOOL! I felt like a kid again and it was the best.

1 comment:

Carrie said...

I WANT TO GO TO THERE.