When you visit Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure there's a good chance you're going because of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This segment of the park is located in Islands of Adventure and is almost like a little theme park of it's own. Based on the writings of J.K. Rowling, the Wizarding World is like stepping into the movies.
As you enter this part of the park you encounter late 19th century England with some 20th century amenities. Your first encounter is a street scene and at the entrance is the locomotive that took Harry and friends to Hogwarts School. Up the cobbled avenue are various shops and eateries. Ollivander's is the most popular store where they sell all the magical wands from the books. When you enter you encounter a charming shopkeeper who operates a magic shop and explains all the wands and what they do. He selects one child from your group as an apprentice wizard. Sort of a skit. After he gives you his script you move onto the store and the kids can shop for a wand they can attach themselves to. They are a rare and special souvenir. It's not just shopping for the kids, it's an experience.
A variety of other shops line the street but just one other I'll mention is Honeyduke's, a sweet shop you won't want to miss. The confections are Hogwarts unique and it's like the sweet shop many of us grew up on. Small, cramped but filled with candies, cakes, and chocolates you'll only find at this experience. The employees are all costumed and act like cast members. It's totally cool.
As you venture up the street you'll encounter the Dragon Challenge, a high speed dual roller coaster that'll rattle your cage. It starts in a castle and shoots you up in the air. Complete with loops, barrel rolls, and heart-wrenching turns it's a scream! Younger children have a 48" height requirement as do many of the more mature rides but other than that you'll love it. Don't feel left out, though, because around the corner you reach the Flight of the Hippogriff. This is a smaller roller coaster. It's fun and a nice substitute for the young ones who miss out on the Dragon Challenge.
The "Boss" ride here is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is located in a life-size replica of Hogwarts School that towers over the entire park. You get in line and wind your way through the classrooms and halls of Hogwarts School with talking paintings, dark rooms, and creatures you only find in Harry Potter. The ride is a moving platform that uniquely seats all passengers facing to the side as the vehicle moves through the castle so everyone has front row seats. It's not fast-moving like a roller coaster but the technology is definitely 21st century. The ride comes at you and you actually feel what it's like to play in a game of Quidditch. I'm not going to describe it too much because one needs the element of surprise. I'll just say I've been on a lot of theme park rides in my life and this one leaves me breathing hard when I get off. I've ridden it about ten times and every time I leave my first word is "Wow".
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter is the experience of a lifetime. Presently there isn't a Harry Potter theme hotel but, if you stay at one of the on-site hotels (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, or Portofino Bay) you get "Fast-Pass" access and the park opens one hour early just for you. Also, don't miss the Harry Potter store at Universal. Now, I've been asked about a Harry Potter Contest at Universal but can't find any evidence of one. If you know of one please post it here so we can all know about it.
My next posting will be a restaurant in the Central Florida attraction zone. Thanks and please keep reading.
As you enter this part of the park you encounter late 19th century England with some 20th century amenities. Your first encounter is a street scene and at the entrance is the locomotive that took Harry and friends to Hogwarts School. Up the cobbled avenue are various shops and eateries. Ollivander's is the most popular store where they sell all the magical wands from the books. When you enter you encounter a charming shopkeeper who operates a magic shop and explains all the wands and what they do. He selects one child from your group as an apprentice wizard. Sort of a skit. After he gives you his script you move onto the store and the kids can shop for a wand they can attach themselves to. They are a rare and special souvenir. It's not just shopping for the kids, it's an experience.
A variety of other shops line the street but just one other I'll mention is Honeyduke's, a sweet shop you won't want to miss. The confections are Hogwarts unique and it's like the sweet shop many of us grew up on. Small, cramped but filled with candies, cakes, and chocolates you'll only find at this experience. The employees are all costumed and act like cast members. It's totally cool.
As you venture up the street you'll encounter the Dragon Challenge, a high speed dual roller coaster that'll rattle your cage. It starts in a castle and shoots you up in the air. Complete with loops, barrel rolls, and heart-wrenching turns it's a scream! Younger children have a 48" height requirement as do many of the more mature rides but other than that you'll love it. Don't feel left out, though, because around the corner you reach the Flight of the Hippogriff. This is a smaller roller coaster. It's fun and a nice substitute for the young ones who miss out on the Dragon Challenge.
The "Boss" ride here is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is located in a life-size replica of Hogwarts School that towers over the entire park. You get in line and wind your way through the classrooms and halls of Hogwarts School with talking paintings, dark rooms, and creatures you only find in Harry Potter. The ride is a moving platform that uniquely seats all passengers facing to the side as the vehicle moves through the castle so everyone has front row seats. It's not fast-moving like a roller coaster but the technology is definitely 21st century. The ride comes at you and you actually feel what it's like to play in a game of Quidditch. I'm not going to describe it too much because one needs the element of surprise. I'll just say I've been on a lot of theme park rides in my life and this one leaves me breathing hard when I get off. I've ridden it about ten times and every time I leave my first word is "Wow".
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter is the experience of a lifetime. Presently there isn't a Harry Potter theme hotel but, if you stay at one of the on-site hotels (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, or Portofino Bay) you get "Fast-Pass" access and the park opens one hour early just for you. Also, don't miss the Harry Potter store at Universal. Now, I've been asked about a Harry Potter Contest at Universal but can't find any evidence of one. If you know of one please post it here so we can all know about it.
My next posting will be a restaurant in the Central Florida attraction zone. Thanks and please keep reading.
