- The Dragon Challenge is two roller coasters,
on separate tracks, that at one point seem to
skim very closely by each other...and
everyone screams when they see the other
people hurtling toward them.
You get to choose your dragon...
The Chinese Fireball or the
Hungarian Horntail. Both made me
sick.
Heathy said it's the same ride as
the duelling dragons, I think it
was called. So if you've been to
the parks before maybe that one can
be skipped if there's a big line.
| The REAL Potter Park |
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| The Ultimate Harry Potter Analysis Source |
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Did I mention how awesome it is?
Because it's very awesome.
We got there early. You should get
there early. They let you in before
the rest of the park opens so you
can start lining up for the Potter
part of the park...which is the
farthest away from the entrance and
the smallest. But worth it!
Because it's very awesome.
We got there early. You should get
there early. They let you in before
the rest of the park opens so you
can start lining up for the Potter
part of the park...which is the
farthest away from the entrance and
the smallest. But worth it!
So they make you walk through the entire park (which is a big
circle). It's a shorter distance to go through the Dr. Seuss
section, but in the early morning that part is blocked off for
those staying at Universal Studios hotels. Lucky dastards. They
get early admission.
But we lined up early and only stood in the line for like 5
minutes before they let us in early too. I guess that type of
thing varies by the day.
You walk through a 'Welcome to Hogsmeade' sign from either
direction, and you can see the castle before you get near that
area. And it's awesome.
circle). It's a shorter distance to go through the Dr. Seuss
section, but in the early morning that part is blocked off for
those staying at Universal Studios hotels. Lucky dastards. They
get early admission.
But we lined up early and only stood in the line for like 5
minutes before they let us in early too. I guess that type of
thing varies by the day.
You walk through a 'Welcome to Hogsmeade' sign from either
direction, and you can see the castle before you get near that
area. And it's awesome.
They have many storefronts, several of them are just the
storefronts and you can't go in them. Bummer. But everything, and
I mean EVERYTHING, looks like they plucked it straight from a
scene in the movie.
I don't know why they decided to make it winter, but even the
snow looks real. Except in the August heat, the people were
melting and the fake snow just sat cleverly clinging to the
roof-tops mocking us.
storefronts and you can't go in them. Bummer. But everything, and
I mean EVERYTHING, looks like they plucked it straight from a
scene in the movie.
I don't know why they decided to make it winter, but even the
snow looks real. Except in the August heat, the people were
melting and the fake snow just sat cleverly clinging to the
roof-tops mocking us.
They even have a snowman built. They have a little staging area
where a school choir comes to sing for you. I'm not sure what
they sing, I didn't waste time standing around in the heat to
listen... I was on line, or in the queue, for the rides.
Except I did notice one of the girls performing had red hair and
then almost everyone standing in the audience commented on how
they thought that must be Ginny, or she doesn't look like Ginny,
or how ridiculous, Ginny doesn't sing... Yeah, us Potter fans
take things very seriously. It could just be that the girl
happened to have red hair. There actually are more red-haired
people in the world other than the Weasleys. But the fact that
people were making those comments made me laugh.
where a school choir comes to sing for you. I'm not sure what
they sing, I didn't waste time standing around in the heat to
listen... I was on line, or in the queue, for the rides.
Except I did notice one of the girls performing had red hair and
then almost everyone standing in the audience commented on how
they thought that must be Ginny, or she doesn't look like Ginny,
or how ridiculous, Ginny doesn't sing... Yeah, us Potter fans
take things very seriously. It could just be that the girl
happened to have red hair. There actually are more red-haired
people in the world other than the Weasleys. But the fact that
people were making those comments made me laugh.
But the first thing you see when
you come in from the Dr. Seuss
entrance is the Hogwarts Express.
It steams and makes noises and
there was a conductor there
taking photos with everyone, but
you can't board it or really do
anything but stand in front and
take a picture.
you come in from the Dr. Seuss
entrance is the Hogwarts Express.
It steams and makes noises and
there was a conductor there
taking photos with everyone, but
you can't board it or really do
anything but stand in front and
take a picture.
Really, the first thing you should do is get a Butterbeer. The
regular is better than the frozen ones. The frozen ones are best
eaten with a spoon. For the full Butterbeer effect, go with the
regular.
They also sell Pumpkin Juice, which I bought and took home with
me, but heretofore have been too afraid to try.
The Butterbeer was I think four dollars. It was absolutely
awesome, a must for any Potter fan, die-hard or not, and will
make you smile.
regular is better than the frozen ones. The frozen ones are best
eaten with a spoon. For the full Butterbeer effect, go with the
regular.
They also sell Pumpkin Juice, which I bought and took home with
me, but heretofore have been too afraid to try.
The Butterbeer was I think four dollars. It was absolutely
awesome, a must for any Potter fan, die-hard or not, and will
make you smile.
Butterbeer stands are at both entrances to the park. If you are
crazy enough to go during the summer, you will need many just to
make it through the day.
Needless to say, this section of the park is packed! Packed, like
all day long. They did a really great job making it authentic.
And the street is narrow and windy. Which I guess makes it look
real, but it's not really practical for tourists and 100 degree
Florida heat.
They have Honeydukes and Zonko's which you can go into and shop,
but both stores are connected on the inside and as narrow as a
broomstick carrying-case.
Very cool to go in and look around, but not really conducive to
shopping or escaping the heat.
crazy enough to go during the summer, you will need many just to
make it through the day.
Needless to say, this section of the park is packed! Packed, like
all day long. They did a really great job making it authentic.
And the street is narrow and windy. Which I guess makes it look
real, but it's not really practical for tourists and 100 degree
Florida heat.
They have Honeydukes and Zonko's which you can go into and shop,
but both stores are connected on the inside and as narrow as a
broomstick carrying-case.
Very cool to go in and look around, but not really conducive to
shopping or escaping the heat.
The Three Broomsticks is also there, and the Hog's Head which is
the only pub that serves alcohol. The inside of both of these are
connected as well. Little to no seating for the pub portion, all
the seating goes to the patrons of the Three Broomsticks.
Pretty good menu. We had the roasted chicken, it comes with
potatoes and a full ear of corn. And Butterbeer, of course.
Typcial park food prices. Bring money with you to these parks.
Even the souveniers are pricey.
Another tip: if you want to eat at the Three Broomsticks, get
there early. A line starts forming, and wrapping around the
outside, around noon.
the only pub that serves alcohol. The inside of both of these are
connected as well. Little to no seating for the pub portion, all
the seating goes to the patrons of the Three Broomsticks.
Pretty good menu. We had the roasted chicken, it comes with
potatoes and a full ear of corn. And Butterbeer, of course.
Typcial park food prices. Bring money with you to these parks.
Even the souveniers are pricey.
Another tip: if you want to eat at the Three Broomsticks, get
there early. A line starts forming, and wrapping around the
outside, around noon.
Ok, who cares about the rest of this rubbish anyway. Here's the
important part. The ride, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden
Journey ride, is the absolute coolest ride I think I've ever been
on!
It broke down all four times we went on it. By that, I don't mean
that it bucks you from the seat and you go careening into the
ground like Harry after the Dementors ambushed the quidditch
pitch in third year. It just sort of stalls out and you sit in
your little car, strapped in up the wazoo, until it starts moving
again.
No worries. I'm sure they'll have it debugged soon, the park
still is very young.
Helpful hint: make sure you lock up any loose articles before
hand. The lockers are free for an hour, which is what I guess
they figure it will take you to wait and ride and get back to the
locker bay.
They have one by the entrance, just before the Dragon Challenge
ride (you have to store your stuff for that one too). But they
will not let you on the Castle Ride, as I call it, before your
stuff is stored away.
We waited on a 30 minute line just to get to the lockers. So
STORE your stuff beforehand!
Once you get to the actual line for the ride, you zig-zag through
the Greenhouses. Sadly, this is very realistic and works like a
real greenhouse. It was so swelteringly hot in there, it's very
possible to pass out.
They have a drink stand on
line, it might be worth falling
a few people behind to get a
drink. A drink, that if you
don't finish, they will
confiscate from you before you
board the ride and you will
never see it again. Maybe get
one and share. I don't believe
they sell Butterbeer there,
but they sell water definitely.
They also have big fans in the Greenhouse. They're great if
you're directly in front of one and useless otherwise. They
didn't have enough of them on or working, they should also look
into this new invention called oscillation.
But it's a cool section to meander through, you even get a close
up view of Devil's Snare. Which thankfully has been rendered
innocuous to the Muggles passing through (which I'm sure Neville
had something to do with ;).
important part. The ride, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden
Journey ride, is the absolute coolest ride I think I've ever been
on!
It broke down all four times we went on it. By that, I don't mean
that it bucks you from the seat and you go careening into the
ground like Harry after the Dementors ambushed the quidditch
pitch in third year. It just sort of stalls out and you sit in
your little car, strapped in up the wazoo, until it starts moving
again.
No worries. I'm sure they'll have it debugged soon, the park
still is very young.
Helpful hint: make sure you lock up any loose articles before
hand. The lockers are free for an hour, which is what I guess
they figure it will take you to wait and ride and get back to the
locker bay.
They have one by the entrance, just before the Dragon Challenge
ride (you have to store your stuff for that one too). But they
will not let you on the Castle Ride, as I call it, before your
stuff is stored away.
We waited on a 30 minute line just to get to the lockers. So
STORE your stuff beforehand!
Once you get to the actual line for the ride, you zig-zag through
the Greenhouses. Sadly, this is very realistic and works like a
real greenhouse. It was so swelteringly hot in there, it's very
possible to pass out.
They have a drink stand on
line, it might be worth falling
a few people behind to get a
drink. A drink, that if you
don't finish, they will
confiscate from you before you
board the ride and you will
never see it again. Maybe get
one and share. I don't believe
they sell Butterbeer there,
but they sell water definitely.
They also have big fans in the Greenhouse. They're great if
you're directly in front of one and useless otherwise. They
didn't have enough of them on or working, they should also look
into this new invention called oscillation.
But it's a cool section to meander through, you even get a close
up view of Devil's Snare. Which thankfully has been rendered
innocuous to the Muggles passing through (which I'm sure Neville
had something to do with ;).
They have some very cool things to see as you meander through the
school. Talking portraits were the only thing I couldn't get a
picture of because the screens always black out. The other photos
are below. The Mirror of Erised picture really didn't come out so
well, but it's just a Mirror - I didn't see anything other than
me. That or my deepest desire was to be at Hogwarts and it had
already come true!
school. Talking portraits were the only thing I couldn't get a
picture of because the screens always black out. The other photos
are below. The Mirror of Erised picture really didn't come out so
well, but it's just a Mirror - I didn't see anything other than
me. That or my deepest desire was to be at Hogwarts and it had
already come true!
You finally reach Dumbledore's office. It's a very cool set
filled with all sorts of things. On slower moving lines, you have
more than enough time to see everything and hear Dumbledore's
welcome speech at least half a dozen times.
And then you mozy on into the Defense Against the Dark Arts
classroom and meet Harry, Ron and Hermione. They set up the ride
premise. I didn't really care about the story line, I was too
enamored with the whole thing!
Ron made it snow in the classroom.
And though I'm old enough to figure
out how they do it, it was still
awesome. Hermione, of course, sets
things right.
The projections are great. They manage
to look pretty real, almost as if the
characters were in the room with you.
Heathy was dazzled and was trying to get a closer view of
Dumbledore to figure out how they made it so life-like.
Once you're through the classroom, you're mostly there. Some
portraits go over what you are and are not supposed to do on the
ride, like keeping you're arms and legs inside the vehicle and
all that. And then the Sorting Hat makes an appearance.
us), he wanted to "experience it for himself." I couldn't agree
with him more.
I'm not going to reveal the details of the ride. Other than it's
awesome and I haven't heard of anyone not liking it.
In the words of one very cool teenager, very experienced in the
world of theme parks..."it was one of the best rides ever."
(Thanks for the quote, Andrew!)
I loved it! Loved it! Loved it! LOVED it!
Even though it scared the socks off me and I had to close my eyes.
Another tip: they take a picture of you! Be warned. You will most
likely look dopey.
I also don't want to build all this up too much and then you're
let down. But I thought it was all talk before I went. I figured
they had done a good job with it, but how could it be everything
everyone was saying? Right?
For me, it was better than I could have imagined. I can't even
begin to explain how great a job they did. Even in the things
that could be better or can be improved, it's still awesome.
Still worth the price of admission and still worth the wait.
My top recommendation: Go in January. You could probably do the
whole park in the amount of time some people have waited to go on
just one ride.
filled with all sorts of things. On slower moving lines, you have
more than enough time to see everything and hear Dumbledore's
welcome speech at least half a dozen times.
And then you mozy on into the Defense Against the Dark Arts
classroom and meet Harry, Ron and Hermione. They set up the ride
premise. I didn't really care about the story line, I was too
enamored with the whole thing!
Ron made it snow in the classroom.
And though I'm old enough to figure
out how they do it, it was still
awesome. Hermione, of course, sets
things right.
The projections are great. They manage
to look pretty real, almost as if the
characters were in the room with you.
Heathy was dazzled and was trying to get a closer view of
Dumbledore to figure out how they made it so life-like.
Once you're through the classroom, you're mostly there. Some
portraits go over what you are and are not supposed to do on the
ride, like keeping you're arms and legs inside the vehicle and
all that. And then the Sorting Hat makes an appearance.
- I kind of have a crush on the
Sorting Hat so I was thrilled by
that.
- Tip: Look up as you're coming up
to the boarding area.
- I don't know how much to say
really. I don't want to ruin it
for you. As one fellow rider
ahead of us said to his friend
us), he wanted to "experience it for himself." I couldn't agree
with him more.
I'm not going to reveal the details of the ride. Other than it's
awesome and I haven't heard of anyone not liking it.
In the words of one very cool teenager, very experienced in the
world of theme parks..."it was one of the best rides ever."
(Thanks for the quote, Andrew!)
I loved it! Loved it! Loved it! LOVED it!
Even though it scared the socks off me and I had to close my eyes.
Another tip: they take a picture of you! Be warned. You will most
likely look dopey.
I also don't want to build all this up too much and then you're
let down. But I thought it was all talk before I went. I figured
they had done a good job with it, but how could it be everything
everyone was saying? Right?
For me, it was better than I could have imagined. I can't even
begin to explain how great a job they did. Even in the things
that could be better or can be improved, it's still awesome.
Still worth the price of admission and still worth the wait.
My top recommendation: Go in January. You could probably do the
whole park in the amount of time some people have waited to go on
just one ride.
The Flight of the Hippogriff.
Billed as a family-friendly
roller-coaster.
My verdict was that it was too
short of a ride. We waited for 40
to 45 minutes and the ride lasted
maybe two or 1 minute, 30 seconds.
Too quick. But it was fun.
Billed as a family-friendly
roller-coaster.
My verdict was that it was too
short of a ride. We waited for 40
to 45 minutes and the ride lasted
maybe two or 1 minute, 30 seconds.
Too quick. But it was fun.
I didn't like being whipped around and plunged downward when I
was little. I was, in fact, terrified of coasters of any kind so
I can't really say I'm an accurate judge as to whether or not the
little ones will like it.
It's not that bad, none of the drops
are that steep, there are no flips, or
loops. It may be a good trial.
If your kids like coasters, this is a
good one. If they don't like fast rides,
stick to the ride in the castle...that's
where all the good stuff is anyway.
Cool parts: While waiting, you get to walk past Hagrid's Hut.
Some people even jump up the retaining wall meant to corral you
and take photos standing in front of the door. And before the
ride starts, you have remember to bow to Buckbeak on the left.
was little. I was, in fact, terrified of coasters of any kind so
I can't really say I'm an accurate judge as to whether or not the
little ones will like it.
It's not that bad, none of the drops
are that steep, there are no flips, or
loops. It may be a good trial.
If your kids like coasters, this is a
good one. If they don't like fast rides,
stick to the ride in the castle...that's
where all the good stuff is anyway.
Cool parts: While waiting, you get to walk past Hagrid's Hut.
Some people even jump up the retaining wall meant to corral you
and take photos standing in front of the door. And before the
ride starts, you have remember to bow to Buckbeak on the left.
Cool parts: You walk through a posting ground for Triwizard
Tournament signage. There are signs for each Champion. Signs in
French and what I presume is Bulgarian.
The only thing that bothered me is that there weren't any signs
for Cedric and, at that point, most of the school supported only
him.
Also, look for the Triwizard Cup and the Goblet of Fire.
Tournament signage. There are signs for each Champion. Signs in
French and what I presume is Bulgarian.
The only thing that bothered me is that there weren't any signs
for Cedric and, at that point, most of the school supported only
him.
Also, look for the Triwizard Cup and the Goblet of Fire.
I had an issue with the Dervish & Banges experience. The first
day we were there, the line for this place wrapped almost all the
way around the park (and it never went down in size). It was
longer than any ride line in the entire theme park. And I
couldn't figure out why...
Every possibility went through my head, including that a cast
member was there and I didn't know about it. So it became my
quest to get into this store.
When we rushed into the parks the second day and queued up in the
early comers line before the park opened, I went immediately for
the store...which already had a wait.
About 30 minutes later, I realized why it took so long. The only
let about 20 people in at a time. Why? That's what I was
asking... It wasn't because Hermione was there. It was only
Ollivander or some guy playing Ollivander like he was bored with
life.
You're forced to walk into Ollivander's Wand Shop first and watch
a reenactment of that scene from the first book/movie when Harry
gets his wand.
A lucky kid is chosen to make the selection. He uses it and
things start happening around the store. It's cute. Especially
for that kid. But I could have avoided it all together...if I was
allowed.
Next, you get herded into the Owlery/Post
Office where, for some reason, they sell
wands. The cool thing is you can get a
Postcard stamped with the Hogsmeade Postal
seal.
The Owl Post and Dervish and Banges are
connected on the inside. Two very small,
confined spaces set up with shelves and counters cram tourists
and buyers into very tight quarters. This, I think is poor
planning.
It was very aggravating and not really conducive to making a
purchase. I was more inclined to just walk out.
avoid this at all costs.
The whole time they just keep letting more people through from
Ollivander's before anyone has left from the previous groups. And
there's no other way to enter.
I'm not sure I care about the overall effect they were going for
with the smallness because I happen to know of another wizarding
world miracle...they can make things much larger on the inside
than they appear on the outside. How about pulling that one off?!
All right, disgruntlement over.
It's also important to note that there are plenty of shopping
opportunities. The Forbidden Journey ride lets out into a shop
(also small). This one even sells working Marauder's Maps!
Also, keep your eyes peeled as you walk through the rest of
Universal. Potter Park memorabilia crops up just about
everywhere. We found some in the original Universal park and
along the CityWalk...which you will have to walk through to enter
either park. (You walk about three miles before you even reach
the ticket area.)
(Oh, and they scan your finger to enter the park and to rent
lockers. It was weird for me, they didn't have that the last time
I visited. But it doesn't seem to be an actual fingerprinting,
just sort of a photo of your fingerprint.)
We even found Potter merchandise in the airport. Right before we
went through the security area, there was a shop with a lot of
the t-shirts, id lanyards, stuffed animals (they have
Crookshanks), key chains, etc. So if you feel as though you don't
have enough - there's one last opportunity. ;)
day we were there, the line for this place wrapped almost all the
way around the park (and it never went down in size). It was
longer than any ride line in the entire theme park. And I
couldn't figure out why...
Every possibility went through my head, including that a cast
member was there and I didn't know about it. So it became my
quest to get into this store.
When we rushed into the parks the second day and queued up in the
early comers line before the park opened, I went immediately for
the store...which already had a wait.
About 30 minutes later, I realized why it took so long. The only
let about 20 people in at a time. Why? That's what I was
asking... It wasn't because Hermione was there. It was only
Ollivander or some guy playing Ollivander like he was bored with
life.
You're forced to walk into Ollivander's Wand Shop first and watch
a reenactment of that scene from the first book/movie when Harry
gets his wand.
A lucky kid is chosen to make the selection. He uses it and
things start happening around the store. It's cute. Especially
for that kid. But I could have avoided it all together...if I was
allowed.
Next, you get herded into the Owlery/Post
Office where, for some reason, they sell
wands. The cool thing is you can get a
Postcard stamped with the Hogsmeade Postal
seal.
The Owl Post and Dervish and Banges are
connected on the inside. Two very small,
confined spaces set up with shelves and counters cram tourists
and buyers into very tight quarters. This, I think is poor
planning.
It was very aggravating and not really conducive to making a
purchase. I was more inclined to just walk out.
- They had cool souvenirs though. Souvenirs
I didn't find anywhere else in the park
which is either brilliant or really,
really dumb!
- (Here you'll find the Hogwarts robes.)
- I'm not claustrophobic, but I was
starting feel it while we were in there.
avoid this at all costs.
The whole time they just keep letting more people through from
Ollivander's before anyone has left from the previous groups. And
there's no other way to enter.
I'm not sure I care about the overall effect they were going for
with the smallness because I happen to know of another wizarding
world miracle...they can make things much larger on the inside
than they appear on the outside. How about pulling that one off?!
All right, disgruntlement over.
It's also important to note that there are plenty of shopping
opportunities. The Forbidden Journey ride lets out into a shop
(also small). This one even sells working Marauder's Maps!
Also, keep your eyes peeled as you walk through the rest of
Universal. Potter Park memorabilia crops up just about
everywhere. We found some in the original Universal park and
along the CityWalk...which you will have to walk through to enter
either park. (You walk about three miles before you even reach
the ticket area.)
(Oh, and they scan your finger to enter the park and to rent
lockers. It was weird for me, they didn't have that the last time
I visited. But it doesn't seem to be an actual fingerprinting,
just sort of a photo of your fingerprint.)
We even found Potter merchandise in the airport. Right before we
went through the security area, there was a shop with a lot of
the t-shirts, id lanyards, stuffed animals (they have
Crookshanks), key chains, etc. So if you feel as though you don't
have enough - there's one last opportunity. ;)
|
Wanted posters are up
for Sirius Black. It's a
moving picture,
naturally.
for Sirius Black. It's a
moving picture,
naturally.
I thought this was a cool
touch.
Although, if you don't
know where you are, you
should be kicked out of
the park.
touch.
Although, if you don't
know where you are, you
should be kicked out of
the park.
Map of the grounds of
Hogwarts. It hangs
inside the castle.
Hogwarts. It hangs
inside the castle.
| Defense Classroom |
| What I assumed was the Gryffindor Common Room |
New!
| More to come... |