BYE BYE MUGGLE WORLD, HELLO HOGWARTS

Hi everyone! It finally happened. After years of fawning and flailing about whenever a commercial would come on, I laid eyes on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal for the first time and it was the most magical experience of my entire life. For a hardcore HP fan like me (circa 2000, what what), walking into a life size Diagon Alley and Hogwarts is an actual dream come true.

I wore my Platform 9 and 3/4 t-shirt (duh) that I purchased at the real King's Cross in London because it was only appropriate!

I had a nice chat with the Knight Bus driver (I call him Stan Shunpike because that is what his name is in the books but I'm not actually sure if that's who he is supposed to be or not...lol) but his shrunken head friend in the window wasn't so polite. He told me I have a big head! He's one to talk...he's only a head! And that's exactly what I told him...sure shut him up! ;)

My friend/fellow apartment mate and HP mega fan Brittany and I ate lunch at The Leaky Cauldron and it was perfection. I was so stoked about the traditional British menu because it made me felt like I was back in London :) I had the bangers and mash and it was delicious! The portion was a pretty decent size so I felt like the price was fair. Unlike at Disney where you pay ten dollars for a burger...sorry Disney, I love you but it aint worth it! And of course, I had to try the butterbeer! I got the normal non-frozen kind and it was heavenly! Towards the end of it I felt a little bit sick because it is quite sweet, but overall I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to try the frozen kind next time!

I was really naughty and not only got butterbeer, but ice cream too! The flavors at Florean Fortescue's are so funky and I just had to try some. I got chocolate chili and clotted cream, and they certainly were interesting! Brittany got the butterbeer soft serve because she's had butterbeer already and she wanted to try something new. I had a lick and it was tasty!

Brittany and I took the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and it was basically the raddest thing ever.

They did a fantastic job with both the platform itself and the Hogwarts Express! When I stepped foot on the train and sat down in one of the compartments, I felt like I was transported right into the books and movies. To be quite honest, I got a little bit emotional riding the Hogwarts Express because ever since I was little I've always dreamed of going to Hogwarts and in a way the physical journey between the two places made that dream a little more real.

Brittany and I rode both Escape from Gringotts and Forbidden Journey twice, and I must say that these two rides are my favorite rides ever. Sure, I'm biased because I absolutely love Harry Potter and of course I'll always have those Disney rides that are my favorites. However, Gringotts and Forbidden Journey are on a different level altogether because of sheer innovation and emotional connection. When I got off of Forbidden Journey for the first time, I was speechless and floored by what I had just experienced! Both rides are so immersive and technologically advanced, I can't wait to ride them again just so I can figure out how they work!

Sidenote: Brittany and I went into a phonebooth in the London section of Wizarding World and I found this! It's a list of all the areas in and surrounding London, and Mike's town is on the list! It made me so happy and I sent this picture to him :) His mum got a kick out of it too!

I am proud to say that I am an Annual Passholder for Universal which means I can go back (almost) anytime I want for the next year! I plan on going a lot (like a lot a lot) before I leave Florida in May so you can definitely expect more posts about Wizarding World from me! I didn't get to take nearly as many pictures as I wanted when I went the other day because it rained the whole day so next time I will take loads! Oh, and I bought an interactive Hermione wand at Ollivander's so I can't wait to cast some spells next time I am in the park :D

until next time,