Wizarding World of Harry Potter

On Monday August 20, we headed out early for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Island of Adventures park.  As soon as the park opened, we hightailed it for Harry's Forbidden Journey ride.  Hogsmeade and Hogwarts look incredible up on a hilltop in front of us.  We immediately got in line and only had to wait about 35 minutes.  The line takes you through the horticulture buildings of Hogwarts complete with live pitcher plants and lots of potted mandrakes.  Then the line goes through the halls of Hogwarts and Dumbledor's office.  The detail was incredible.  A lot of the pictures moved and talked just like in the movie.  There were so many things to look at and watch.  The line actually moved too fast, so we decided to come back later.  Jonathan and Elissa thought the actual ride was incredible.  It made me sick at my stomach and I was not as impressed.   After the ride, we spent a lot of time looking around Hogsmeade.  We even got to enjoy some butterbeer and pumpkin juice.  

We checked out some of the other areas of the park.  Jurassic Park was probably the next best area.  They had recreated the Discovery Center from the first movie were they hatched dinosaurs. 

Eric and I went back to Harry Potter World while Elissa and Jon rode some roller coasters.  We checked out some of the shops and decided to cool off in the Hogs Head pub.  We marveled at the detail in every aspect of the area, even the back stairs of the pub and the bathroom. After Elissa and Jonathan rejoined us we checked out all the shop windows and shops in Hogsmeade.  Eric bought wands for Elissa and Jonathan at Dervish and Bangs and it was hard to choose the perfect wand from all the choices.  There was no way we were going to wait in line for a wand to choose us from Olivanders. Just as it was starting to look like rain we decided to get in line again for Harry's Forbidden Journey.  Eric went with us this time and we took our time looking at everything in Hogwarts and watching all the interactive parts.  We rode the ride again and that was a huge mistake.  Eric and I both felt sick and I was dizzy for 24 hours afterwards.

Elissa and Jonathan had to drive back to Goose Creek Monday night.  Luckily, Eric and I did not.

The Hogs Head Pub - our favorite attraction in Harry Potter World

Hogwarts Castle

Hogsmeade - the sign says "Please Respect the Spell Limits"

We loved all the detail in the buildings

The Owl Post

Dumbledor's Office inside Harry's Forbidden Journey.  We got to walk up close through his office.