Universal Studios Florida: A Photographic Diary, part 5
The reason why we chose to go to Orlando instead of Los Angeles was to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which at that time was only available in Universal Orlando.
I am a fan of the movies and the author who I believe is a genius for creating a whole new world of wizards and witches and making everyone that read the book or watched the movie be transported to this make believe world.
There is a big catch though. Like any money-making endeavors, the Harry Potter experience is broken down into 2 parts – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. The main attraction of riding the Hogwarts train can only be accessed when you purchase tickets to both attractions (Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley). However, if you are there to experience this attraction, wouldn’t you shell out the extra dough to get the most of your visit? That was what we did. We bought tickets to both attractions and rode the train to get us from one attraction to the next. And given that we had 3 days to explore the entire park, we have allotted so much of the time to both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley hitting both rides, which are incredibly awesome for kids, but outrageously scary for me.
Having seen the 7 films over and over again, I can safely say the park has captured the details of both attractions very well. Stepping inside Diagon Alley I experienced the same thrill and excitement that a child felt. Every nook and cranny of the attractions is full of things to see - things that a fan of the movies or the books (I have never read the books.) can relate to. The famous butter beer that the main characters in the movie drank was a must try for me. The gift shops were full of merchandise that I wanted to take home with me, only the financial burden of doing so prevented me from doing it.
While the rain did not ruin the experience for me, it was the crowd that put a frown on my face. I would have expected the park to be crowded in the summer time with all the kids off school and in the park, but still the park was elbow to elbow packed in Diagon Alley!
In conclusion, this is a great experience for a fan of the series like me. I would go back and visit again, but this time in Los Angeles and I’d make sure that I would pick a date in winter to visit again so that I can photograph the attraction to my heart’s content.
And now for the photos:
HOGSMEADE
DIAGON ALLEY
OUR WORLD TUESDAY
I am a fan of the movies and the author who I believe is a genius for creating a whole new world of wizards and witches and making everyone that read the book or watched the movie be transported to this make believe world.
There is a big catch though. Like any money-making endeavors, the Harry Potter experience is broken down into 2 parts – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. The main attraction of riding the Hogwarts train can only be accessed when you purchase tickets to both attractions (Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley). However, if you are there to experience this attraction, wouldn’t you shell out the extra dough to get the most of your visit? That was what we did. We bought tickets to both attractions and rode the train to get us from one attraction to the next. And given that we had 3 days to explore the entire park, we have allotted so much of the time to both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley hitting both rides, which are incredibly awesome for kids, but outrageously scary for me.
Having seen the 7 films over and over again, I can safely say the park has captured the details of both attractions very well. Stepping inside Diagon Alley I experienced the same thrill and excitement that a child felt. Every nook and cranny of the attractions is full of things to see - things that a fan of the movies or the books (I have never read the books.) can relate to. The famous butter beer that the main characters in the movie drank was a must try for me. The gift shops were full of merchandise that I wanted to take home with me, only the financial burden of doing so prevented me from doing it.
While the rain did not ruin the experience for me, it was the crowd that put a frown on my face. I would have expected the park to be crowded in the summer time with all the kids off school and in the park, but still the park was elbow to elbow packed in Diagon Alley!
In conclusion, this is a great experience for a fan of the series like me. I would go back and visit again, but this time in Los Angeles and I’d make sure that I would pick a date in winter to visit again so that I can photograph the attraction to my heart’s content.
And now for the photos:
HOGSMEADE
DIAGON ALLEY
OUR WORLD TUESDAY
I loved this! we went in august too! Its truly amazing . Great photos x
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter world looks like great fun!
ReplyDeleteWe went there a few years ago and the children loved it!
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/11/ein-karem-birthplace-of-st-john-baptist.html
How fun! I've read all the books, but have only seen the He first movie.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun, very nice views!
ReplyDeleteNice! I agree it is better to go when the climate is more forgiving. We went to Universal Studios in Singapore in April and we were drenched and dehydrated but then Singapore doesn't have winter. On the other hand, Disneyland in HK (which has 4 seasons, thankfully) was a much pleasant experience because we visited it in December with much cooler weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteI have read all the books and seen all the films. Loved the series. Thanks for all the photos. Funny to see Kings Cross station there. At the real Kings Cross station in London they have a sign for platform 9 3/4. I also visited King's College a couple of months ago and saw where they used the dining hall as the setting for Hogwart's dining hall.
ReplyDeleteit is funny with the snow and then everyone in shorts etc.
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Fantastic photos of Universal ~ what fun for you all too! ~ thanks.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy week ~ ^_^
That to me is the main reason I'd like to visit that park. I didn't realize it was split into two pieces and required two tickets.
ReplyDeleteNow that this is in Los Angeles, I would like to visit. I am confused with the ticket situation. So, is this attraction not included in your ticket to enter Universal Studios? Or, do they give you the option to visit only the Harry Potter area if you choose to do so? #WordlessWednesday
ReplyDeleteWow! Very nice series of Universal Studios photos. When our children were in elementary school.We went to the universal studios and Disney Land in Los Angels.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all of the short sleeves right up next to the snow covered buildings! lol. Don't you just love theme parks for that? … But seriously this looks like a cool exhibit. I've never been to LA and it's been over ten years since I visited Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, but maybe one day I'll return. It looks like they are really changing up the park(s) for the better! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat ! To see so many Harry Potter related pictures. I am also a great H.P. fan. Recently my daughter and grandson went to London and saw the Harry Potter movie studios! Wonderful pictures! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove Harry Potter, I must visit this place. It looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteA great series of pictures and a good write up which I enjoyed. I do hope you get to repeat the experience in the other setting in the winter.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of Universal Studios Florida!
ReplyDeletePS: Thank you so much for your kind words of sympathy about the terrible plane crach which claimed the lives of 71 people, the majority of the Brazil Chapecoense futebol team and at least twenty reporters from tv, radio and newspapers too. A terrible tragedy and we all are very sad and shocked. I read that six people survived the crash... I hope that them will be fine soon.
Thanks for linking up with the Travel Tuesday meme, hope to see you join me there again this week.
ReplyDelete