My Top Ten Favorite Things To Do At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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Enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
In April 2011, my husband and I arranged the trip to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" that we had been promising our daughter for over a year.
This is the top ten list of my favorite things to do at this wonderful, magical and amazing world. Also, the most fun we have ever had on vacation, being the Harry Potter fanatical family we are! Follow us on our journey through Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Find special Wizarding World unique gifts to purchase along the way!
Photo credit: all photos on this page were taken by me, my husband or my daughter AinsleyKlar on Squidoo unless otherwise credited.
This is the top ten list of my favorite things to do at this wonderful, magical and amazing world. Also, the most fun we have ever had on vacation, being the Harry Potter fanatical family we are! Follow us on our journey through Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Find special Wizarding World unique gifts to purchase along the way!
Photo credit: all photos on this page were taken by me, my husband or my daughter AinsleyKlar on Squidoo unless otherwise credited.
Contents at a Glance
Tour Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Easy to pretend it's the real Hogwarts
Does this statue look familiar? It is the statue that leads to Professor Dumbledore's Office. First, we passed through the Herbology greenhouses, chock full of Devil's Snare and the occasional Mandrake. Then, we were on our way to Dumbledore's Office where we met with the Headmaster who shared a short history of Hogwarts with us.As we passed through the halls on our way to The Defense Against the Dark Arts Room, we were greeted by moving portraits who talked to eachother and us "Muggles." The portraits looked like flat screen TVs to me, and they were all lined up on the walls as they were in the movies. This was just amazing.
Next, we moved onto The Defense Against the Dark Arts Room where we bumped into Harry, Ron & Hermione who welcomed us. Ron and Hermione bickered and Ron made it snow in the room. I do not know how they did that considering that nothing actually landed on us. Again: amazing!
Finally, (or maybe too soon) we were ushered to The Room of Requirement to board, "The Forbidden Journey" Ride.
Hogwarts Goodies
Gifts unique to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hogwarts Tour
Familiar surroundings
Beginning of the line. We have a long way to go.
"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare, is deadly fun, but will sulk in the sun!"
- Hermione Granger, in the movie, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
Ride Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey
A Unique and Thrilling Ride
I had heard that this ride was state-of-the-art, and a great journey with Harry and other magical creatures. These rumors are true! The ride might have included a dragon and possibly a dementor. That's all I can say about it except that it was incredible and we loved every second of it.We discovered "child swap" on the Forbidden Journey. We took the baby inside with us, thinking that my husband would just take the tour with her and then leave. We had never heard of child swap before. When we got to the actual ride, the attendant asked which one of us was going to ride first. It then hit us that our older daughter would get to ride The Forbidden Journey twice in a row. Needless to say, she was thrilled with that.
Best time of day to ride The Forbidden Journey?
Download the FREE iTunes App for wait times
My husband downloaded this App for his iPhone a week before we left and checked it a few times daily to gauge the best time of day to ride the Harry Potter rides. We only waited 45 minutes to get on the ride.
Download this FREE iPhone App at itunes.apple.com
How Long Would You Wait in Line?
Take the poll
Photo Credit: www.Orlandoinformer.com
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Drink Butterbeer!
Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks is a Must!
We thoroughly enjoyed the Butterbeer. It was exactly what I would expect Butterbeer to taste like - and I did not even know what I expected until I tasted it.
We tried a Butterbeer recipe when we came home but it did not even come close. I noticed that the real Butterbeer is much more dark than ours was.
Buy a Butterbeer Mug
Only from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
I've included a couple other souvenirs mugs you may appreciate.
Browse Around Hogsmeade
Make sure to hit Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop
At Zonko's my daughter proceeded to purchase an Extendable Ear, which has gotten a lot of use around here (we have to watch what we say when we think someone is not listening), and a pink Pygmy Puff that she named "Arnold" after Ginny Weasley's Pygmy Puff. She wore Arnold on her shoulder peeking out of her Hogwarts robe to the movie theater to see "The Deathly Hallows 2."Over at Honeydukes, it was like being in one of the movies. My daughter's eyes were huge and she had to be reeled in as she purchased tiny peppermint frogs (so delicious!), Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (of course), a large chocolate frog (it didn't hop away!), and some lollipops.
One aspect of Honeydukes and Zonko's is that it was impossible to bring a stroller in there. The aisles were so tight and there were a ton of people going in and out and running all over the place.
Making the rounds in Hogsmeade
Honeydukes, Zonkos and more
In between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.
Ginny Weasley's Pygmy Puff
To purchase, click on "Arnold" or the link below
Purchase Ginny's pal, Arnold at Universal.com
Enter the Dragon Challenge
Cool things to see while in line
This line was so much fun for us. We went through it twice because, of course, you have to check out both "Fire" (the red one) and "Ice" (the blue one). Both times we were running, and the second time, I was not allowed to take pictures. My daughter made me run straight through. This was because we went on a Monday and the park closed earlier than we expected and there was no one waiting in line.Check out the pictures down below and you will see that this ride is centered around The Tri-Wizard Tournament that took place in the fourth book (and movie), "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire." Primarily the first task in which each contestant must steal a golden egg from a dragon. The only display that didn't fit, in my opinion, is The Weasley flying Blue Ford Anglia. This was impressive, however and I was thrilled that it was there.
The Tri-Wizard Cup stood tall and proud (you can buy a souvenir Tri-Wizard Cup in the gift shop). Other displays we passed but are not included here (I was barely allowed to snap these pictures!) include: a bed with a nightstand, which was inside a tent when they were waiting to duel the dragons, and a golden egg display.
Waiting in line for the Dragon Challenge
More interesting than the ride itself!
Waiting in line for the Dragon Challenge (we did not have to wait at all!)
The Tri Wizard Cup and other great Wizarding World goodies
Buy items now at eBay
This is the Tri Wizard Cup that is sold at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Ride the Dragon Challenge
Double roller coaster: Fire & Ice
Two separate coasters. Two separate experiences. You must ride both! They were equally scary and thrilling. Make sure to take off your flip flops before the ride takes off or you will lose them.We did not realize there were two coasters until we got all the way up to the ride. We sat in the very front spot of fire and sped off. Around twists and turns and flipping around.
Then, we flew around the entrance line again, which is very long. As soon as it was our turn to ride in the front seat, the park was closing. There was no one else on the ride. We sang the Hogwarts Song the whole time and for the rest of the vacation.
The Hogwarts Song:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts
Teach us something please
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff
For now they're bare and full of air
Dead flies and bits of fluff
So teach us things worth knowing
Bring back what we've forgot
Just do your best, we'll do the rest
And learn until our brains all rot.
- from the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone"
- first line sang by Hagrid, Hermione and Ron in the 4th movie
Enter The Three Broomsticks
What a site to behold!
We all gasped as we entered The Three Broomsticks. We were the gawking, wide-eyed tourists, being ushered through the line quickly. Be careful of what you order. It's easy to drop a lot of cash there.So we ordered two Butterbeers and a Pumpkin Juice, and walked around like we were in the actual Three Broomsticks. We imagined we were there to meet with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Perhaps we would catch a glimpse of Madame Rosmerta. Until we were snapped out of it when we were told that if you order only beverages you must sit outside on the porch, which was okay with us, since we had a great view of Hogwarts.
The Butterbeer was excellent. My husband didn't care for the Pumpkin Juice, but the baby drank down close to the entire bottle!
The Three Broomsticks
Hooray for Butterbeer!
Buy a Wand and Broom
Great souvenirs to remember your time at Hogwarts
My daughter bought a broom from a vendor outside of Hagrid's Hut. The broom is plastic and lights up. My daughter carried this onto the plane and through two airports. She received a lot of smiles.The one thing we missed was going into Ollivander's to have a wand choose our little witch. The line was very long and would around a few buildings and down the lane more so we thought we would make it later. We never did make it. My daughter purchased Ginny Weasley's wand from an outside vendor.
The advantage of NOT buying your wand at Ollivander's is that YOU get to choose the wand.
Get your picture taken in front of the Hogwarts Express
As you begin your magical journey
As soon as we tried to enter the park, there was a huge traffic jam around The Hogwarts Express. We came to find out that you can get your picture taken in front of the Hogwarts Express with the conductor. We decided to avoid this because there wasn't an actual line and people just kept jumping up with the conductor.This is why our first picture is on the side of The Hogwarts Express, which is pretty cool because you can see the whole train. The second picture was taken as we were leaving the park that night, giddy from the roller coaster, skipping and singing because there were no people around.
Picture frames only available at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Become a "wanted" wizard!
In front of the Hogwarts Express
My Most Favorite Thing to See:
My daughter's face when we finally got there
I would gladly have given up the aforementioned nine of my favorite things to do at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" just to see the happiness on my daughter's face when we arrived at the park.
After all the years of reading the books and watching the movies over and over, my daughter was literally like a kid in a candy store. She had made up a Harry Potter jar, months before this trip, in which she saved birthday money, Christmas money, and any other money she earned or received from relatives to use as her spending money in the park.
She's a good kid and really deserved to experience the magical "Wizarding World of Harry Potter."
Harry Potter Book Series
The perfect books to read to your child
I read each book in Harry Potter series, and once I finished one, I would then read it to my daughter. I started reading the series to her when she was in second grade. In addition to reading them with me awhile ago, she has now read every book on her own and just finished sixth grade. She is a real bookworm!
I believe you can start reading the books to your child that young because at least the first two are pretty innocent, plus you can bypass any parts that you think are too scary. In my opinion, the books and movies depict three best friends that would do anything for each other, who are very brave, and turn out to be heroes. All the magic just adds a little bit of fun to everything.
I believe you can start reading the books to your child that young because at least the first two are pretty innocent, plus you can bypass any parts that you think are too scary. In my opinion, the books and movies depict three best friends that would do anything for each other, who are very brave, and turn out to be heroes. All the magic just adds a little bit of fun to everything.
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
Amazon Price: $44.47 (as of 06/03/2012)
Did you enjoy my top ten list?
Favorite Things to do at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
I appreciate comments from anyone who visits this lens.
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poddys
Sep 23, 2011 @ 1:13 am | delete
- It sounds amazing, I would love to go there. maybe next time we are in Florida. I love the Harry Potter movies, and there isn't anything about the Disney parks and rides that isn't magic. Excellent lens, I loved the enthusiasm that went into this, blessed.
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Sep 11, 2011 @ 9:28 am | delete
- I found this lens on RedGage. :-)
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BelindaBlevins Aug 19, 2011 @ 10:08 pm | delete
- This is a great lens, makes me want to go to the Wizarding World.
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WorldVisionary
Aug 14, 2011 @ 12:50 pm | delete
- Loved this lens -- keep up the great work! I've left a little Angel dust for you!
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YourIslandRoutes Aug 14, 2011 @ 12:11 pm | delete
- Yes, I did enjoy it. And, this looks like so much fun!
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Harry Potter Goodie Lenses
Enjoy Harry Potter sweets
About LissaKlar
Harry Potter fan and proud Rocket Mom
by LissaKlar
Hi! I'm Missy. We are a family of Harry Potter fanatics. We had a blast at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Enjoy the top ten list!
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Guide to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Some tips for your trip
Universal Orlando 2011: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure (Universal Orlando: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure)
Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 06/03/2012)
We got a great rate on our hotel but I felt we were a little clueless on some things about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We planned our vacation one week ahead of time so I did not have a chance to go out and get a guide such as this. I wish I would've had this at the time.
