So we are back in Orlando and this time we are visiting Universal Studios and its sister park, Islands of Adventure. Slightly less polished than Disney they are also aimed at an older audience with some absolutely amazing rollercoasters and rides.
By far the most impressive part of Universal and Islands now is the Harry Potter themed area in each of the parks.
The attention to detail in designing not just the rides but the surrounding stage sets is absolutely incredible!
We found Hagrid's motorbike from the movies...
Clare enjoyed a pint of butter beer, which is nether butter nor beer and is sickly sweet! Thanks CJ and Tief!
Rich even tried to dress himself as Harry Potter but the closest he could find were minion "eyes", which didn't quite do the trick! He got lots of annoyed looks from kids for confusing their wizard idol with a minion!
We were astonished by the number of kids dressed in full Harry Potter Hogwarts school gowns in this heat! They must be boiling hot in this heat and humidity and their parents must be mad or very rich as they are over $100 each.
Clare has modelled one for your enjoyment but she is still sulking as Rich didn't buy her one.
Most of the kids (including the big kids) seem to have aligned themselves to one of the Hogwarts houses. Most popular is Harry's house, Grifindor. The baddies generally are in Slytherin, so it is not such a popular choice but Rich has decided to insist on being in Slytherin, mainly to annoy people. Here he is modelling the house scarf...no we do not know why they are selling winter gear somewhere you don't even need a coat!
Below is Clare in a Grifindor house hat.
Yes she really does look good whatever she wears!
Some of the kids are even wearing house ties and almost all of them seem to have been bought a magic wand by their parents. Out of curiosity we thought we'd check the price of the wands and they were coming in at around $50 for a piece of painted wood in a fancy box. We need to start selling counterfeits just outside the park. At even $20 we'd be in the money!!
Both Islands and Universal have a steam train between the Harry Potter experiences - from a distressing real Kings Cross (platform 9 3/4) to Hogmeade village. The attention to detail in the replica Kings Cross is such that they even the right security announcements and train departures constantly being broadcast over the tannoy and it is all a bit too close to home!
The train however is incredible as although it serves as a means of transport between the two parks it feels like a ride as it is very cleverly done so that when you look out of the window you can see people flying by on broomsticks and other wizardly goings on.
We do not have any photos of the rides but if any of you are lucky enough (or silly enough?) to come here we both agreed that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is by far the best ride either of us have ever done - we won't spoil it for you in case someone reading does come here but is a mixture of rollercoaster and flight simulator and it really does feel like you are flying around with dragons. Yes, really!
