Nothing like a little temperature shock to get your system back into the swing of things. On Monday, I went from sunny 75-degree Florida to 0 degree Chicago (with a negative 12 windchill) in a matter of mere hours. Talk about vacation withdrawal.
The first leg of my Florida trip with my mom and sister was a visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a theme park in its own right, but a new section of the existing Universal Studios Islands of Adventure theme park. Semantics, ay?
It’s actually an important distinction because the Harry Potter section itself is rather small—definitely doable in a half-day, if there aren’t a lot of crowds.
We were some of the first people in the park, as you can judge by the deserted streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Every detail from the movie set was meticulously recreated in sunny Orlando, down to the faux English village stuck in perpetual winter with fake snow affixed to the rooftops and icicles dangling from the eaves. The Harry Potter soundtrack was piped in softly throughout the park, which really heightened the atmosphere.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came out when I was 11 and I vividly remember my sixth grade teacher reading aloud the first half of the book to us, over the course of several weeks. That was all it took for me to become hooked. I enjoyed most of the movies, but my heart belongs to J.K. Rowling’s seven spellbinding novels.
Anyway. Highlights? Here they are.
The shops
I drooled over Honeyduke’s candy displays and bought a sack of sugary goods to bring back to Chicago—chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Fizzing Whizzbees…it was all there, plus more. Candy heaven. We strolled through Zonko’s joke shop, warmed up in the Three Broomsticks, and witnessed a cute little spell of magic in Ollivander’s Wand Shop.
The rides
This section of the theme park has three roller coasters: a pair known as the “Dueling Dragons” and the tamer “Flight of the Hippogriff.”
The park’s piece de resistance is the Forbidden Journey, a part-simulator, part-thrill ride through the halls of Hogwarts. I don’t want to spoil anything for you future parkgoers, but suffice it to say, it was really neat. Even waiting in line was an experience, as we passed through Dumbledore’s office, the school halls, and a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Butterbeer
It was seriously delicious and also unusual—like a cross between cream soda and root beer, with a buttery foam topping.
I’d love to go. It looks like a lot of fun! Is the train conductor photo bombing you?
Haha, good eye, Nicole! He is, indeed.
Oh Harry Potter, how you have shaped our lives. I still remember waiting in line for one the books when I was with my family down the shore and my dad almost fainted when he saw the price for one book! Haha Hope you had fun, love the pictures!
Hahaha, Maura, that’s too funny. I had to wait until the first three came out in paperback before I bought them–and you can tell when I got my first job (lifeguarding) because I bought the last four books in hardback. Rolling in that lifeguard dough.
I went a couple years ago and pretty much died of happiness. I’m currently sitting in my cubicle with my Honeydukes jar and “U-no-poo” jar by my side, holding pencils. I loved the ride through Hogwartz as well, All the details walking through the castle were fabulous. I want to go back!!
Amazing, Meghan! I should’ve gotten a Honeydukes jar…what a great idea for a pen holder at work.
This is on my bucket list. I love Harry Potter so much. My heart also belongs to the books and the Boy Who Lived
You will love it, Natalie! It’s a great vacation coupled with Disney or something else in Florida — definitely not on its own because it’s not very big
Coolest place EVER. Your post just made me want to go again. It just makes me smile
Glad you had a great time!
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it too.
ahh so jealous, I am dying to go there. I would seriously be in heaven to go there on a trip.
You’ll get there, Alex! It’s a great trip coupled with other stuff in Florida, because the Harry Potter section is itself rather tiny.
Hope you had a great vacay! I’ve never read the books, so it probably wouldn’t be high on my list, but I love theme parks!
Me too, Laurie!
How fun! I am only just falling in love with Harry Potter. We have been listening to the books on tape and then watching the films after.
Mike and I tried to listen to HP on tape on our drive to Moab a few summers ago — I nearly went off the road because of the sleepy British gentleman that was narrating. So good for you to keep on! His voice is so soothing…haha
it really is!
That sounds like so much fun, I’ve love to go sometime and I know my hubby would too, he’s big fan. The only thing is that I would want to go when it isn’t as busy, crowds aren’t my thing.
I know, Emily! The crowds got crazy as the day went on. I don’t know if there’s an off-season–there is just so many people who want to see it still!
What a fun trip! As a fellow HP fanatic, I can’t wait to visit Universal so that I can walk around Hogsmeade.
I actually spent a day at Universal Studios during my freshman year of college and wasn’t as impressed as I thought I’d be (I just preferred Disney World 
) but this is something that would definitely get me back to the park! It looks so magical 
I definitely prefer Disney too, Di. I used to love Universal as a kid when they had “King Kong”, “Jaws”, and “Earthquake”–but they’ve gotten rid of all their classics in favor of flashier, 3-D-esque rides based on current movies. It just doesn’t do it for me. So I’d recommend a pit stop in Islands of Adventure to see HP World, and then on to Disney! (Team Disney forever).
That looks awesome! One thing is bothering me though, I can’t tell if the Hogwarts Express dude is a cut-out or a real park employee photo-bombing/possibly stealing from your backpack?
He was the real deal. I didn’t know I was being photo bombed, because I didn’t even see him in real life until he popped up in my picture!
Sold! Get this girl a butter beer and a place in line for the Forbidden Journey! Sounds like a great trip, Jor.
Haha, you’ll love it, Kate!
I’m not a big Harry Potter fan in general, but this looks like so much fun!! Now I want to go!
Haha, it has that effect, Becca! I think it’s the set — so enticing.
Great Post & Captures! I would love to go and check this out – looks like a blast. Have a Great One:)
Thank you!
Sounds like heaps of fun! I’m a wee bit old for Harry P, I grew up reading of Hobbits and dwarves. I only got into ‘the Potter boy’ as we affectionately call him (we once overheard some elderly professors in Oxford call him that, complaining on a bus about the upheaval due the filming of the first film) when we went to meet up with an old friend of Chris’s win was working on the 3rd film. We met him on set up in Glencoe, so after that we thought we aught to read the books!
Hahaha, that pesky Potter boy. That’s so cool that you know someone who works on the films! I have many friends who are more partial to LOTR than HP, so you’re not alone!
Brilliant! I adore Tolkien but it was fun to go on set and have a peep in Hagrid’s hut! {it’s tiny!}
I haven’t read the books, my son was big into Harry Potter though and has all the books. I love theme parks and would like to ride the rides but, to plan a trip there…nope. I could spend it on the beach just as long as I had that nice weather you had
Welcome back to the Arctic!! Lol!! It’s been so cold lately, I think next week should be back in the 30′s….better than 0!!!
Waaaay better than zero — but still such a shock to the system after sunny FL!
ahhh this is way too cool! I feel like regardless of how old anyone is, this place will always make them feel like a kid again
I want to go there so badly! And talk about a crazy weather change for you, that must have been brutal! Glad you had a wonderful time!
Absolutely, Britta–definitely feel like a little kid in these theme parks
It is definitely on my list my friend, I am dying to go and go soon one day – AAAAH!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
You’ll get there, Uru! Thanks for stopping by
Oh wow, I didn’t even know this existed! I so have to go here before I die. Big fan of the books as well. But you’ve made me feel so old, as I remember taking the kids I was a nanny for to the first movie…I was 21. You little sprink chick! Oh to be 23 again *sigh*
Haha, Veronica, you are still very young! It’s a great place to put on the bucket list. You’ll get there!
Great post Loved it! I am a flight attendant and we layover near Universal Studios and I saw a poster in the hotel about the Harry Potter Castle…I debated on whether to go or not, thanks to your post next time I will make the journey over. I have been following your lovely blog for a few months now and since October 2012 have been transferred and moved to the Chicago area for my job with the airlines, so how ironic because now your perspective and thoughts on all things Illiniois and Chicago makes it more fun and interesting for me! Great job, look forward to your next post.
Thank you so much, Brett (and for also following my blog)! What an interesting job you have. Welcome to the Chicago area! I definitely recommend a pit stop in Universal Studios next time you get the chance
That is so cool! I love Harry Potter and would love to try Butterbeer especially after your description. One day…
Haha I highly recommend it. Smooth and refreshing! Which was surprising, because I wasn’t actually anticipating liking it…
Nice pics and article, Jorie. You are quite the writer! Maybe Universal should hire you. I love your mom’s hair in the picture of the two of you. I’ve been to Universal many times and will be returning in June. My sons are huge fans of Marvel Superhero Island and I have to say, I became an instant convert after going on the Spiderman ride. Got some great scream therapy on the Hulk rollercoaster. Would’ve lost my shoes on Dr. Doom’s Fearfall if my sons hadn’t warned me ahead of time. Don’t overlook some of these thrill rides if you want to get your blood moving (which at my age is important). And the Men in Black ride is not to be missed either. My son rode that over and over until he was listed as one of the highest scorers at the end of the ride. I went on all the rides in the Wizarding World and had breakfast at 3 Broomsticks. Loved it all. Glad you talked your mom into it!
Hi Maggie! Thanks for stopping by and reading (and for also loaning us that Universal book!). I looooved the Incredible Hulk coaster—the way they shoot you out of the gate right at the beginning sets the tone for the whole ride. We didn’t have a chance to do the other half of Universal Studios, but maybe next time! I love the thought of your son getting the high score on the Men in Black ride. We are all kids at heart, eh?
This is the worst piece of crap I’ve ever seen on the internet! Blegh. … said my evil jealous twin sister who hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting HPW and was also holed up in her room for days after her eleventh birthday when she hadn’t received mail from Hogwarts and resigned to the fact that she was not a wizard.