Hello to Hogwarts

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Attraction | "Feel the Magic"

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The newest attraction at the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Opening in 2010 this area is now the most popular in the whole of the Islands of Adventure.We had very early entry due to buying our tickets through our Travel Company so we were parking in our car in the Universal Studios multi-story car park at 6.45 in the morning. Since it was our first morning this was absolutely fine as our body clocks were trying to convince us that is was virtually lunchtime. We were given a free gift of a Harry Potter emblazoned waterproof poncho which came in very handy later in the day for some water-rides and then we were escorted into the park....Read More

The newest attraction at the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Opening in 2010 this area is now the most popular in the whole of the Islands of Adventure.

We had very early entry due to buying our tickets through our Travel Company so we were parking in our car in the Universal Studios multi-story car park at 6.45 in the morning. Since it was our first morning this was absolutely fine as our body clocks were trying to convince us that is was virtually lunchtime. We were given a free gift of a Harry Potter emblazoned waterproof poncho which came in very handy later in the day for some water-rides and then we were escorted into the park.

It was only a couple of minutes before we saw our first glance of Hogwarts Castle perched on a rocky outcrop above the park. Walking into the Wizarding World of harry Potter was like walking onto the set of a Harry potter film set in Hogsmeade.

The Hogwarts Express stands expectantly at the station with trunks and cases ready for loading. Looking down the street there was fake sparkling snow on all the buildings which were all tall and lop-sided and looked wonderful.

My daughter and I needed to use the Restrooms so we were directed back into the street as they were located near the entrance to the Three Broomsticks. This was where the magic really started. Whilst in the toilet we were shouted at by Moaning Myrtle, this took us so much by surprise we were laughing hysterically by the time we left. I then asked a staff member who was dressed appropriately in Hogwarts uniform if it was OK for us to look around the area, he said that was no problem and that the rides would open early at 8.00 but that we were welcome to explore the area. We went and fetched the rest of our family and whilst everyone else waited patiently in the pub we had the whole of the Wizarding World of harry Potter to ourselves so we made the most of it.

The narrow street has shops on either side so we went and had a close look in the windows and it was brilliant to be able to take in all the tiniest details such as the screaming Mandrakes in the Herbology shop and the Golden Snitch in the window of Dervish and Banges. We also had some fantastic photo opportunities before the crowds arrived. We came back later in the day and it was so busy you could barely walk through the area so we felt quite privileged to have had the place to ourselves.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a brilliant addition to the Islands of Adventure. It is a truly wonderful recreation of the world of the J.K. Rowling novels and shouldn’t be missed by any Harry Potter fan. The only problem is the narrow streets and small shops give a wonderful atmosphere but also lead to severe problems with crowds so it is worth visiting early in the day before the crowds really build up.

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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 25, 2011

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida
(954) 558-1784

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Wand, Cloaks and Chocolate Frogs!"

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter offers a great selection of shopping experiences.Dervish and Banges: This shop contains lots of Harry Potter goodies including the Robes which were $99.99 (plus sales tax), at that price I was amazed how many people were walking around wearing them they must have more money than sense! They also sell scarfs, pins and a variety of Quiditch accesories, look carefully in the window to spot the Golden Snitch as it darts around. Dervish and Banges is directly connected to the next shop, Owl Post.Owl Post: The details of the shops are worth having a look at. Looking up you can see all the owls waiting to deliver the Wizarding mail, mere Muggles a...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 24, 2011

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida
(954) 558-1784

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Riding Like Harry!"

Quote:

One of the highlights that we had heard mention of before our holiday was the new ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This was the first place we headed once the rides were operational as queues of up to 2 hours are not uncommon for this attraction and I hate queues! The harnesses for the ride have proved a problem for people "of an alternative body shape" so there is a trial seat by the entrance to test if you will fit in. The ride is housed underneath the Hogwarts Castle construction and inside you feel as if you are actually inside the Wizarding School. First of all you walk through the herbology area, past the greenhouses and then into the castle. The portraits move and talk as you wal...Read More

One of the highlights that we had heard mention of before our holiday was the new ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This was the first place we headed once the rides were operational as queues of up to 2 hours are not uncommon for this attraction and I hate queues! The harnesses for the ride have proved a problem for people "of an alternative body shape" so there is a trial seat by the entrance to test if you will fit in. The ride is housed underneath the Hogwarts Castle construction and inside you feel as if you are actually inside the Wizarding School. First of all you walk through the herbology area, past the greenhouses and then into the castle. The portraits move and talk as you walk along the corridors, clever projection filming means that you are greeted by Dumbledore as you enter his office, you see the Gryffindor Common Room and you meet Hermione and Ron in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. The attention to detail is amazing and would certainly make queuing a little less of an ordeal. All visitors are welcome to walk through the castle and then can exit without going on the ride if they prefer.

The ride itself is very impressive. It is basically a simulator but each back of four seats is moved on an electronic arm so it becomes impossible to tell which way you are facing as you join Harry and his friends on a broomstick chase across the Hogwarts grounds and into the Forbidden Forest where you come face to face with the giant spider, Aragog. I am a bit of an arachnophobia but these are so obviously fake spiders they didn’t bother me at all but I imagine some younger children may be scared. I would think that people who suffer with motion sickness would have trouble on this ride as it is quite disorientating but personally I loved it, as did the rest of my family.

The only problem with the ride is that you are not allowed to take any bags on at all and they also suggest you empty your pockets as well because of objects falling out. We use bumbags in the parks (I know, a huge fashion faux pas and I wouldn’t be seen dead anywhere else with one) but even these weren’t allowed. The lockers are free for a limited time and are opened with fingerprint recognition, the problem we had was that the queue was longer than the locker time had anticipated (it is changed depending on the business of the ride) so we couldn’t open the locker as it was asking for money and of course all our money was inside the locker! I managed to get a member of staff to open the locker and I refused to pay as I pointed out that it was not our fault that the estimated time was wrong. They weren’t happy but they let us off.

The next ride we ventured onto was the Flight of the Hippogriff which was originally called the Flying Unicorn and has been re-themed to tie in with Harry Potter. It is a quick but jerky roller-coaster which whizzes you past Hagrids Hut with its pumpkin patch, the Hippogriff waiting for your bow and then at the top you can see the whole of Hogsmeade stretched out below you.

The other big ride in the area is the Dragon Challenge which used to be the Duelling Dragons. This is a fantastic, double, inverted coaster. The Chinese Fireball and the Hungarian Horntail chase each other around the trouble tracks. It is worth riding both "dragons" as they are completely different coasters and they are both thrilling, even for real white-knuckle enthusiasts.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 24, 2011

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida
(954) 558-1784

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Attraction | "Even Wizards have to Eat!"

Quote:

Walking around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will certainly mean that you will require some refreshments.The Three Broomsticks offers English favourites on its menu such as Shepherds Pie and Fish and Chips. We had our free breakfast here which was quite poor so we didn’t try any of the main meals but I have since heard that they are fine. They also offered a range of desserts. At the back of the Three Broomsticks is the HogsHead pub where they serve wines, spirits and imported beers as well as Pumpkin Juice.Everywhere you look people are carrying cups of Butterbeer and seemed to be enjoying it so we bought ourselves some. In the winter they serve it warm b...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 26, 2011

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida
(954) 558-1784

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Universal's Islands of Adventure

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "An Adventure Not To Be Missed"

Islands Of Adventure Entrance Photo - Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida

Quote:

Islands of Adventure is the newest Theme Park in the Orlando area and it is certainly worth a visit. The design is fantastic and each separate "island" is themed magnificently to really submerge you in the theme-park experience. The "islands" are actually simply areas they are not separated by water but they do all have their own characteristics and rides. Visiting in October the lines are not unbearable but for high season it is possible to buy Universal Express passes that allow you to go to the front of the queues.--Marvel Super Heroes—The most eye-catching, awe-inspiring ride as you approach Islands of Adventure is the Incredible Hulk rollercoaster, the huge green frame...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 9, 2009

Universal's Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Florida

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