Harry Potter World

Last December, Pei Ying, Will and I decided to take a side trip to Universal Studio when we went to Florida for the course of professionalism. I was very excited about going there because I had long for visiting Harry Potter World. I always wondered: How does butter beer taste like? How does it feels like to be in Honeydukes, filled with candies of all sorts? How's Hogsmeade? How's Hogwarts...It was almost like a dream come true to finally go there. I tried not to build up my expecation but it was really hard not to do so.

We met up with Hui Ying and her sister in Orlando and together, we went to Island of Adventure on Day 1. We headed to Harry Potter World after going into the park.

The first thing we saw was Hogwarts Express

We hopped on the first ride that we saw- the Dragon Challenge. It used to be the Fire and Ice dragon ride. I don't really remember if it was Fire or Ice that we took but it was fun. It would have been more enjoyable had I not worry about losing my slippers throughout the ride.

Next, we took the Hippogriff Ride. There was nothing too exciting about this ride. I think it was made for younger children. After that, we got into the line to wait for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in the castle.

The wait for this ride was about 45 minutes. However, there are a lot of stuff in the castle to look at while we were waiting.

Dumberdore's office

the sorting hat awaits before the ride

The ride was well worth the wait despite the nausea from it and the sudden halt in the middle of the ride. That was the best ride in the park. We went to Jurassic Park and Marvel Super Hero Island before we came back to HP World. Will was freezing in his t-shirt and decided to get a sweater. As we were walking to HP World, it started to warm up.

I could finally see some sunshine

Will decided to take another ride on the Forbidden Journey instead. I walked around while waiting for him. By noon, the park was fulled of muggles.

muggles, muggles, muggles

I walked around Hogsmeade while waiting. Zonko's and Honeydukes were packed with people. The jokes and toys available were so so and the candies at Honeydukes were mostly normal candies decorated in different package to resemble the ones in the novel. I wonder why were there so many people in these stores. After visiting those stores, I walked around and saw Ollivanders and the Owl Post.

outside Ollivander's

I didn't get into Dervish and Banges (which has a line at the entrance) before I got a call from Will. After meeting up with Will and Pei Ying (who was back from the Poseidon Fury show), we had lunch at the Three Broomsticks. The setting at the restaurant was nice but the food was not good. I barely ate the food that I got. I also tried the Butter Beer and thought that it tasted like root beer float.

Next, we went to the other parts of the park, such as

.

I) Incredible Hulk Coaster

My attempt to take a picture of Pei Ying and Will didn't went well

II) Toon Lagoon (Make sure to get a rain coat for the water rides)

Will and I coming down from the Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls . You can't really tell if it was us.

Zoom in. Better?

Can't see me again. I was hiding behind Will

III) Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

Almost everyone got out soaking wet from this ride which was constantly turning in a "river". I was "less wet" because the rain coat could cover me down to my knees. I guess there are some advantages for being shorter than average. However, Pei Ying and Will's pants were all wet when we came out and hence the next stop was:

In to the human dryer!!!!

We explored a few other places before going back to HP world. When we arrived, there was no line at the Forbidden Journey and so we decided to take the ride again. The ride was smooth this time. Later, we went into Dervish and Banges to get souvenirs. There were uniforms, brooms, t-shirts and all kind of things in the store. I got myself a Gryffindor scarf.

After that, we headed back to the hotel to get a change of clothes before going out for dinner.