Wanderlust

Wanderlust

Thursday, 2 February 2012

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter


Harry Day, the alarm was set for 6:15am, it was the first dat I responded so quickly to the alarm. I made myself have some breakfast before my shuttle pick up and whilst waiting for my toast to pop mmmbop was playing in the food court - it was going to be a great day!
The shuttle arrived on time and had 11 people going to Universal from Pop, though I was the only one with the dreams unlimited deal. Once we arrived and walked to the front gate it was time for me to battle the will call kiosk. The first step remembering which card I booked with, second entering the reference number correctly.
Eventually I had my ticket, I found a representative to ask which gate to line up at, only to be informed that my tickets included promotional early entry, and given it was 8am I was free to enter and head towards harry world.
This was an hour before gates opened, the moment I glanced Hogwarts for the first time I had the biggest smile on my face. I stopped to talk to the cast member directing people towards the castle and told him I felt he had the best job as he got to see everyones first reaction on seeing the castle for the first time.
It is hard to explain how I felt I was will excitement, awe and amazement. It really is one of the most amazing places I have visited, from being greeted by the steaming hogwarts express to the little shop fronts as you wander through hogsmeade.
The shops are small and you don't feel as though you are in theme park gift stores but really in the shops in Hogsmeade. Having the early entry meant that the fobidden journey was waslk on and wandering through hogwarts castle was 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' there really are no other words to describe  the experience.
They have put so much detail into every little thing, they really have thought of everything, from Dumbledores office, to the back story and the talking pictures. The only downside to the ride being walk on was you didn't get time to appreciate all the details of the castle - but never fear the castle tour comes later.
The  forbidden journey is hands down the best amusement ride I ever ridden (sorry Disney fans), it is spectacular, I rode it 5 times pretty much back to back, and once 9am hit you could see the crowd levels rise very quickly and the lines begin.  I took this as my cue to see some of the other attractions.
The flight of the hippogriff was fun and gave some amazing views of the castle, you also got to see buckbeak and Hagrids hut. Dueling Dragons was so much fun and depending on which colour you went with you get a different rollercoaster track to go on.
Owl post was next, the owls were asleep so this gave me some time to write some postcards and send them, including ministry of magic stamps and a hogsmeade post mark. Zonkos and Honeydukes had some interesting products, though cool to see the evrey falvour beans and chocolate frogs and pgymy puffs were so cute.
Lunch was at the three broomsticks - Shepards pie with Butterbeer. I chose frozen butterbeer and it was an interesting drink though surprisingly delicious. To clarify for the non Harry Potter fans, it is a non alcoholic and non beer based drink, just something from the books and movies. It tastes like butterscotchy creaming soda without the bubbles and more creamy. Thats the best I can do without you guys all flying here and trying it for yourself - I do however vote for this option!

to be continued 

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