Our first stop once we hit Orlando was Universal Studios. Home to the new Harry Potter Theme Park. This was an especially fun surprise now that Reese has taken to Harry Potter so much so that he claims it's his favorite, even surpassing Star Wars and Indiana Jones. For Reese, that's really saying something! This activity was also kept under wraps until we got there, It's just so much more fun that way.
They really did an amazing job making this park incredibly accurate with the details in the books. ( So I'm told, I have yet to read them...) Every last thing seemed to be in place, down to the delicious butterbeer that can be purchased at the Three Broomsticks. It was like an amazingly yummy cream soda with a dollop of whipped cream goodness that causes the drink to bubble uncontrollably. The kids loved it, for all the obvious reasons... :)
Reese very early in the day decided he must have a broom and a wand for his souvenirs. Each of the kids had an allotted amount of spending money for the entire trip. Reese's allotment would be completely used up with the purchase of these two items. I did try to remind him that there would be Star Wars and other exciting things coming up at Disney World but to no avail, he decided to blow the whole amount in our first day. To his credit, I don't think he regretted his purchases; not even when faced with all the star wars memorabilia at Disney World. He was one Happy guy.
They really did an amazing job making this park incredibly accurate with the details in the books. ( So I'm told, I have yet to read them...) Every last thing seemed to be in place, down to the delicious butterbeer that can be purchased at the Three Broomsticks. It was like an amazingly yummy cream soda with a dollop of whipped cream goodness that causes the drink to bubble uncontrollably. The kids loved it, for all the obvious reasons... :)
Reese very early in the day decided he must have a broom and a wand for his souvenirs. Each of the kids had an allotted amount of spending money for the entire trip. Reese's allotment would be completely used up with the purchase of these two items. I did try to remind him that there would be Star Wars and other exciting things coming up at Disney World but to no avail, he decided to blow the whole amount in our first day. To his credit, I don't think he regretted his purchases; not even when faced with all the star wars memorabilia at Disney World. He was one Happy guy.
Even the selection of the wand from the shop was quite the procedure just like in the books. We had to wait in a LONG line and finally got into the wand shop where the shop keeper inquires about your birthday etc.. and then proceeds to let the wand "choose you". Reese ended up getting Harry's wand. To his delight. 
Here you can see some magic happening in the wand shop, the inside of the Three Broomsticks, Zonko's the candy shop, complete with every-flavor beans and the puking pastilles. Then of course there was the biting books which the kids loved no doubt.
Inside the Hogwarts castle was a really fun ride ( Audrey's favorite, only after I forced her to go on it..) All the details were really incredible. Oh, and everyone who worked in the park spoke with an English accent.
It was a great start to our vacation. My only suggestion to anyone else thinking of going would be to not go at the end of August. It was H.O.T.!! But otherwise awesome!
3 comments:
That looks so fun!
I'm with Reese...HP is awesome! I would love to go there! Glad Reese was wise enough to buy the broom! I bet it was a blast!
I'm not ashamed to say I'm a Harry Potter fan. Read all the books - this place looks like tons of fun to me! Can't wait until Nov when the next movie comes out!
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