Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening day review

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Opening Day

June 18th 2010

Universals Islands of Adventure, Orlando FL

My family and I have been big Harry Potter fans since the beginning. Before the movies, before the huge craze. When they announced they were opening a HP theme park, we decided we WOULD be going opening day. So that day has arrived. We woke up at 4:45 AM, got ready and got there at about 5:20. Got through the crazy parking and Me, my sister Tiffani and my brother Kyle, ran alllllll the way to the gate. They opened the Islands of Adventure gates at 6:30 so then we had to walk alllllll the way around (to the left for those of u who know the park well) and we waited in front of the Jurassic center for the opening.

- 3 1/2 hours later -

We entered Hogsmeade and were welcomed like we were at an award ceremony and we'd recieved the highest honor. The first thing we did was go straight for the Hogwarts castle to go on the Forbidden Journey ride. As were waiting in line, we look over at the Flight of the Hippogriff ride and theres people SCREAMING. Then we saw why. The Cast of Harry Potter (Dan/Harry Rupert/Ron Bonnie/Ginny Tom/Draco Matt/Neville & the Twin Weasly brothers) WERE ON IT! Omg we went NUTS and started screaming and taking lots of pics and waving. It was amazing.

So we wait about 20-25 mins for the Forbidden Journey ride and we walk thorough the hogwarts grounds and we see dumbledores office, the Hall of moving portraits, Griffindor Common room, Defense against the dark arts class (where ron makes it snow confetti, it was pretty cool)

so we walked on the ride and were lifted up in the air and spun around. We were flown over the castle grounds, chased by the dragon, went through the forbidden forest with aragog and the spiders. We were chased by dementors, played a game of quittitch and flown high over the castle. HANDS DOWN the best ridei n the park. The downside? It's slightly like the Back to the Future ride which ALWAYS made me sick, so I was really woozy after this ride and didnt feel good at all. Next me and my sister went on the Dragon Challenge (formerly dueling dragons) and rode that. Then got into a really looooong line for butterbeer. It was a good $10 a cup with the souvenir mug. You could either get it cold or frozen. Frozen was the best! It was worth every drop. It was sooooo yummy!
We didnt get much shopping done due to the high crowds or eating for that matter. The waiting list for the 3 broomsticks was an hour and 45 mins. Everything was VERY expensive. Wands were $30 or more, chocolate frogs were $10, pumpkin juice (which in my tastes wasnt very good at all) was $8, a Sneak-o-skope was around $25-$30, a pigmy puff was $25, A shirt was $30+ depending on the style. Books bags were $20, hats were $21-$25, Landyards were $10. I didnt see the prices on the capes, scarves or broomsticks (not even sure if they had those) The best place to get ur shopping done is filtchs emporium or the owl post.



There was one huge downside to the park. Youve probably all seen the preview of going in and having a wand "choose you"

but its not as it seems. A group of 25 will be taken into ollivanders and only ONE person will have the experience. Another thing is that u cant buy wands at Ollivanders, the only place u can buy them is at the owl post. Weird and kinda lame, I know. And I also noticed something else. The village is hogsmead, why are all the shops/stores in Diagon Alley in the books & movies, suddenly in Hogsmead????????



Overall, I thought it was AMAZING! I cant wait to go back tomorrow! A bit pricey, and extremely hot weather and long lines. But well worth getting up early and actually seeing the cast! A once in a lifetime event for sure!!!!! I LOVE the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! <3