Orlando - Day 4 - Universal Studios - the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

PANIC!!! Universal Studios website says they are closed - and on the day we were planning on going! It didn't take long before girls and the kids figured out it is April 1 - and that Matt and the boys were playing a little trick.

We arrived plenty early so we could go straight to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We were now a large, but very enthusiastic group.

 

After a brisk walk to the back of the park, we entered Diagon Alley - walking "through" a brick wall and straight into the world of Harry Potter. We made straight for Gringots Bank - walking through the huge lobby and past the goblins working as tellers.

As we made our way towards the Escape from Gringots ride, we got to read the Daily Prophet, which was complete with moving pictures and actual articles from the movies. Unfortunately, our first attempt at riding was unsuccessful because the ride broke down. We got passes to ride later.

The bank itself was spectacular, towering over the square. Perched on top of the bank was the dragon, breathing fire every 10 minutes or so.

 

We probably saw that dragon breathe fire 10-15 times!

 

We next went over to Olivander's Wand Shop to pick some wands. After listening to the process, everyone chose the right wand for themselves. Claire chose Narcissa Malfoy's wand, Jacob chose a deatheater's skull wand, Kate chose Luna's wand, Liam chose Mad Eye Moody's wand, and Torin chose the Elder Wand.

One of the cool things about the wands at Universal Studios was the ability to cast spells - Wingardium Leviosa, Reparo, Aguamenti, and many others. There were little medallions on the ground showing the motion and naming the spell, and the kids each took turns casting spells.

Of course, those Universal Studios spells weren't the only ones cast as the cousins took turns dueling on the street.

After a visit to Nocturn alley, we picked up butter beer. We got a butter beer slushee and a regular cold butter beer. They were delicious!

We headed to the train station to go over to the other park and to Hogsmeade. The train ride was cool - we each were in our own train compartments, and it was a fun ride.

Hogsmeade was incredible!!! The snow-covered roofs in the village were amazing. We rode a few rides, including a ride on the Dragon Challenge and the Flight of the Hippogriff. Torin was big enough to ride on the Flight of the Hippogriff, and he LOVED it!

After those rides, we made our way to Hogwarts Castle. The castle itself is magnificent! The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride was awesome - with a grand quidditch game and broomstick rides.

After some time in Hogsmeade, we made our way into the Isle of Adventure. The older crowd went over to ride the Hulk and Spiderman rides and the younger crowd spent time in Seuss Landing.

 

Torin finally got tuckered out!

After dinner, we headed back to the Universal Studios park to ride some rides. In the Minions 3D ride, Dani decided it would be safer to sit in the stationary seat (she still got motion sick!).

We made our way back to Diagon Alley to ride the Escape from Gringots and to enjoy the night time. Before going in, we decided to visit the Night Bus. The driver and the talking shrunken heads were pretty funny. Liam kept trying to kill the talking heads with curses!

 

Diagon Alley at night was spectacular! The details in the windows were great - and seemed to pop being lit up. 

 

Most spectacular, of course, was the dragon on the bank. The fire lit up the night every 10 minutes.

We were able to stuff a bunch of the kids in the telephone booth on our way out of the park. Our exit was not without some drama, losing first Wyatt and then Papa, but all turned out well.

It was an INCREDIBLE day!!!