Last week we took a trip to Orlando and got to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
It's no wonder it was always so packed; it's definitely a must-see at Universal
We highly recommend Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey inside Hogwarts Castle. The line was usually around 90 minutes but that didn't keep us away.
To the Headmaster's office
And of course the portraits move and talk. So cool!
It's really a beautiful, scenic place
Ah, the Hogwarts Express, right at the entrance of Hogsmeade
And butterbeer is a must when visiting Hogsmeade. It's like a butterscotch soda with cream on top.
If you think Steven was excited you should have seen all the people dressed up in wizard robes in 90 degree heat and oppressive humidity.
Yeah, Steven was a little jealous of them all the same. He wanted to try on a set of Gryffindor robes.
Need a wand? No problem. You can get one in Ollivander's or in the shops or even at a wand cart like this just outside Hogwarts.
Here's Ollivander's wand shop. After a 45 minute to an hour wait you can go inside where the clerk will select a few from your group and match the person with the right wand, much like when Harry first received his wand.
Thanks to Jennifer and James, Steven had his very own wand to carry around
Night falls on Hogsmeade
Yep, always crowded
There's even a snowman as you head out of Hogsmeade toward the castle
All of Gilderoy Lockhart's books on display
For all your Quidditch needs
And Honeydukes is always a sweet spot
Check out the wall to wall jars of candy
It's like rays of sweet, sugary sunshine in there
Time to sit down and relax inside the Three Broomsticks
Anything with pumpkin in it is delicious!
We drank lots and lots of creamy butterbeer. yum!
The Hog's Head is right next door and connected to the Three Broomsticks
Just outside Zonko's joke shop, right next to Honeydukes
Of course there was time to goof around the rest of the theme park
Well? Whaddya think?
Woah! slow down there, killer!
Ah, so fun to spend time together
And since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 came out Friday we had to escape the heat and check it out
With our park hopper tickets we also visited the other Universal theme park. Feels a lot like Hollywood.
Classic Jaws
Even an Irish shop over there
That's about the extent of our surfing experience
