The Impressive World of Harry Potter

For a few years now we have enjoyed walking around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal's Islands of Adventure. We were there not long after it first opened and did the Olivander's Wand thing - (LDude still has two wands at home), the Dragon Challenge (we still call it Duelling Dragons) and the ride through the castle. We drank Butterbeer and Gully Water, even ate 'English' Shepherds Pie and Fish n Chips....bloody awful but we tried it. The whole experience was fantastic, snow covered houses in Hogsmeade and lots of wizards wandering around.

Everything is just how it is in the book, and you really do feel like you are in Harry's world. Last time we saw the beginning of the construction work in the Universal Studios park where 'Kings Cross Station' would be. They took away old favourites like Jaws and Disaster to do so, but I have to admit, what they put in their place is something pretty spectacular. 

 

The best way to do this in my opinion is to start in Islands of Adventure, have a look around Hogsmeade, and the shops there, visit Hogwarts, and take photos etc. Then go to the station to get the train. 

 

You need to show your Two Park Pass to get through and be ready with the camera for the train pulling into the station as you wait at the front and as you get on and shown into your compartment, take a quick photo of it as you don't have much time. Then enjoy the ride. There's something very pleasing about the journey that only us Brits will appreciate... We shared a compartment with a family of Brits who said the same.

When you get to the other side (Universal Studios) you come out of Kings Cross station into Universal and what is a typical 'English' street scene. Even a fake record shop! A few yards along, opposite the Night Bus, is a completely missable entrance - looks like you're going into the restrooms. That's Diagonal Alley! 

 

There was a heavy thunderstorm while we were there which made it even busier so was difficult to get good photos. We will be going back early one day so will post more later. Here are just a few to give you an idea of what it's like.

Our 'couple of hours' in the park yesterday ended up as five... It's was hot and humid and we opted for the boat ride back to the hotel. Alexander wanted to go in the pool, so he and I found a nice shady sunbed for me while he went off for a swim. Piña Colada ordered from the bar...in souvenir glass...because I forgot to say I didn't want it due to having two others at home already. I lay down and relaxed. Hubby and Jordan stayed in the room recovering.

An hour or so later the afternoon clouds come creeping in with the tell tale breeze that prewarns you of a storm. So we head off out to the boy's old favourite Chuckee Cheese. Now there's mixed feelings from others about this place but ever since they were small they have both enjoyed going here, and the pepperoni pizza is really good. OK so the place is usually a hive of hyperactive children, running around clutching fistfuls of tickets won from playing the games machines. You spend £10 on tokens and come home with a few plastic frogs, tootsie rolls and a hyperactive child. It's not a place to go with a headache! 

 

The plan was for the boys to have pizza there and then we would go out to eat after dropping them back at the hotel so we could calm down with a couple of drinks and try somewhere new in City Walk, the area between the two Universal parks.