As many of you know, Universal Studios is opening a major addition to their Orlando Islands of Adventure Theme Park, which is based on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The addition opens in June to the public, but my mom who is a part of the Travel & Tourism Industry was able to view the theme park in a preview capacity.
While she wasn't able to see and do everything that will be open in June to the public, what she saw sounds eerily like what a "post" would sound like from a first year at Hogwarts to their parents at home...
Check out my mom's email below about her experience. After reading this, I'm pretty sure a November trip will be in order for me & Al...
It was all I could imagine it would be. Just walking through the gate into Hogsmeade it really did look like this:
only everything was closer together. The shops were so much fun, seeing all the merchandise you read about on the shelves… priceless. I bought Pumpkin Juice (which was delicious as I had it for breakfast the next day) Bertie Botts every flavor beans, chocolate frogs and some black licorice for Dad that was supposed to be the clippings from a Chinese man’s beard. The shop with clothing was making a killing as many Potter fans were buying Quidditch jerseys, etc. and the wand shop also had an incredible amount of people looking if not buying. There was a line of folks waiting to see what wand would choose them but I didn’t wait. Lots of stuffed cats and rats and owls for sale. The restaurant was called Hogshead and although not open we could walk through to see the inside and the menu which was loaded with typical English food choices. The tables and chairs were made of heavy, dark wood… very pub-like.
The major ride wasn’t open but it is in within Hogwarts which is at the end of the street and built up on a huge stone ledge and we were able to walk through the ride that started in the greenhouse and went through the school corridors which included the talking pictures in frames. There were a lot of accoutrements to look at as you wove your way through the halls and, at one point, Dumbledore (hologram as opposed to audio animatronics) offers his advice from a balcony in his room. Just before you would get on the ride (which I believe is MOM-like and 3-D) Harry, Ron & Hermione speak to you from a balcony just before using the invisibility cloak. Upon exiting the ride you go through more hallways with newspaper articles that move and more talking portraits. Moaning Myrtle also speaks from the girl’s public convenience!
I would say it’s definitely worth a visit.
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