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Calling all Harry Potter Fans! You have to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando! While I did receive park tickets for free, all opinions are 100% my own.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure – #UniversalORL
I am going to start this post with a fact. I LOVE HARRY POTTER. I bought every book the day it came out and had it read within days. I watched every movie, and as I did I made comparisons to the book the whole time.
I still remember when the 2nd book came out, my husband went to Target as soon as it opened and bought a copy for my best friend and I. That was one of the sweetest things ever 🙂 My friend and I spent the next 2 days chatting on the phone at all hours with the updates and excitement.
I love each book and I love each movie, so getting the opportunity to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventures in Orlando was like a dream come true for me.
From the moment I walked in, I was in awe. I felt like I was transported to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. I walked the streets and looked at the store fronts and felt like I was THERE. I was in the books that I read years and years ago. The town was amazing, it was just like I pictured it.
I, of course had to do all of the typical things…First up was the wands. THE WANDS! I saw them all 🙂
And I had the traditional drink…a Butterbeer…
I even tried on the Sorting Hat! Steven went directly to the rides of course…he rode Flight of the Hippogriff twice before we tore him away to check out the castle.
There are two other rides that you can experience as well:
- The Dragon Challenge
- The Forbidden Journey
We did walk up to the ride, The Forbidden Journey, but figured it would be a bit much for the kids, but a ride attendant said that we could TOUR THE CASTLE. OH MY! I was going to get the chance to walk through the Castle!
As soon as we walked in we were greeted by talking portraits. Just like in the movie! How FUN is that?!
We saw Dumbledore…
We saw Ron, Hermione, and Harry Potter himself…
It was dark, so I apologize that my pictures aren’t better, but I think you can still see how amazing it was.
As we left the parks that night, Steven asked me if I still had the Harry Potter Books. I answered with a simple OF COURSE….then he asked me if he could start reading them. He said that he loved seeing everything at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and he wanted to be as excited as I was about the books. My heart melted 🙂 And when we got home the next day, I reached up in the closet where I keep my hardcover Harry Potter books and I grabbed Year 1 for my son. I know he won’t read it in 2 days like I did, but to experience it all again through him…PRICELESS!
So, thank you Universal Orlando, thank you The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for bringing the magic to life for me and for sparking the magic in Steven.
Find out more about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Make sure you check out my posts on Universal Studios and Blue Man Group as well!
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I’m so *jealous*
I love Harry Potter too! I read all the books. How was the Butterbeer and where did the sorting hat place you?!
Butterbeer was just like a butterscotch candy – I really liked it, but my kiddos weren’t in love lol. The sorting hat didn’t give me an answer right away, so I am totally going with Gryffindor!
Believe it or not, I have not read any of these books, BUT I do own them. I just never find the time to read 🙁 Your review is amazing and well, I think I am going to have to get to reading, everything looks and sounds so cool!
You will love them Rhonda! Find a day over the holidays and get Year 1 started 🙂 My son is made it to page 18 tonight!