10 Nights of Magic in The Orlando Trifecta-TR - COMPLETE!! 12/10 - Page 11 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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You've done some really cool things today!! We love Ripsaw Falls!! I can't wait to hear what you have to say about Harry Potter!!!! Our absolute favorite at USF!!!!
It's been a fun day in IOA so far and have gotten in a lot of enjoyable attractions so far. Been a big help without large crowds and the express pass has definitely saved me a lot of time, even without the big crowds. Harry Potter will be well covered in my next update!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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I can’t read about your WWoHP experience! We loved it!
That hot dog looked delicious. I’m so glad you were able to find your phone right away!
Plenty of coverage with Harry Potter! That will be my next one. The hot dog was much better than I was expecting. I was relieved I found my phone and realizing it so fast!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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Wednesday, October 4th (Part V) After getting off the Jurassic Park River Adventure, I noticed I still had a few hours to do other things in Universal and as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was so close, then why not! I was looking forward to this more than anything in Universal as this wasn’t open yet during my last visit in 2009, but was under construction. I took the path leading from Jurassic Park and over the bridge, which had some spectacular views of the Hogwart’s Castle as you’ll see below.
The theming and details of the castle are amazing and make it look so real.
There was so much to see here as it’s all new to me. Unfortunately, I’d almost overlooked one area (Diagon Alley) and completely forgot about one attraction (Escape from Gringott’s). I don’t know how I managed to do this as I studied my park maps rather well for a lot of the new attractions elsewhere in Universal and the others in the Harry Potter area. It may be as Diagon Alley was on the Universal Studios portion of the map and not Islands of Adventure. I guess I’ll just have to return on another trip to Universal and experience this attraction!
Entering Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the Islands of Adventure side
Great theming and love the snowcapped roofs
My first attraction was Flight of the Hippogriff, which is a short roller coaster and reminds me of The Barnstormer in Fantasyland. It’s a pretty rather quick ride but enjoyable. It probably lasted about a minute.
Arrival/departure area for the coaster
Close by was the Hogwart’s Castle, which also features the attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I was looking forward to this immensely as I’ve heard so many positive things about it. It would not disappoint!
Entrance to the ride queue via standby and express pass lines.
The wait for the standby was stated at 45 minutes, which is not bad for this attraction. The express line probably took about twenty minutes as it was quite a distance you walk from the queue to get on the ride. There was also the extra time you had to put your belongings in a locker. It was a complete mob scene and took some time to find an available room by going from this side to that one to find one!
Once I got on the ride it was quite enjoyable and such an amazing one! It’s a simulator ride but quite an experience and taken on quite a journey. It was longer than I expected at about five minutes and glad I got to experience it. To me it was as good as Soarin' as far as I'm concerned for the best simulator rides I've ever been on at this point! But that may change later in the trip! Spiderman and The Simpsons are also two very good simulator rides as well at USF.
Flight of the Hippogriff from outside Hogwart’s Castle
I enjoyed the Forbidden Journey so much, that I rode it again. The wait wasn’t quite as long this time and glad I have the express pass! Unfortunately, I had to go through the entire locker process again. I should have just left my stuff in there, but didn't decide to take a second ride until I collected my belongings!
Some of the entertainment
Next, on my agenda as I heard they’re quite good.
I got in line to get a Butterbeer as I wanted to try one of these. Luckily there were only a few people ahead of me, so I didn’t have to wait long.
Here it is and looks like your standard draft beer. I got the frozen version.
I tried my Butterbeer and enjoyed it to say the least! I’ve heard these were good but not this good! The flavor is simply amazing and so refreshing today as it was quite hot and humid! Although, I did receive a brain freeze while drinking it a bit too fast! I certainly, could have had another one, but seems a bit filling so I passed as I have an ADR in a few hours. I think it has the beer name with the color and not the taste is my guess.
I actually wasn't that familiar with the Harry Potter movies until a few years ago when I think one of the Turner stations ran a marathon over the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. I forget how many I watched but I would say about five of them in total. I really enjoyed them and more than I would have thought! Need to catch up on a few others. I'm pretty sure I saw these in sequence, but now can't remember where I left off. Still need to catch up on some of the Star Wars films as well with only episodes I, IV-VI under my belt. Especially, since I love these so much and seen IV-VI many times.
I explored the area in Hogsmeade for a while as there are some well themed shops, from the outside facades alone.
Much more crowded on this side of the park!
I certainly feel transported into one of the Harry Potter films!
Inside Three Broomsticks restaurant.
Some nice theming but could be a bit better as quite rustic.
I was thinking about it, but showed restraint!
You can tell what’s up next for me just past the archway!
Hogsmeade Castle from underneath the arch
NEXT: If Only, They Were All Like This and I’d Take the Train Every Day!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 12-17-2017 at 10:59 PM..
Harry Potter area is so well themed glad you liked Forbidden Journey, its a great ride. I loved the frozen butter beer, and agree its quite filling.
In August my daughter and I each wore fanny packs and just tucked them under our shirts we were able to ride each ride without having to use a locker.
Ok, you can see where the crowds were that day by your photos. Great photos from that part of the park by the way.
They all relocated to HP for obvious reasons as so much to experience there! Glad you like the photos!
Quote:
Originally Posted by patclairesmom
Great time at Wizard World! The theming is really outstanding. That's stinks about the lockers, something Disney really has a one up on!
I was really enjoying this part of the park as all new to me! I enjoy the movies as only seen them over the last few years. Not all of them but probably four or five of them. The locker situation was ridiculous and not a pleasant situation with the crowds here. If you were claustrophobic, you'd have a big problem!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Harry Potter area is so well themed glad you liked Forbidden Journey, its a great ride. I loved the frozen butter beer, and agree its quite filling.
In August my daughter and I each wore fanny packs and just tucked them under our shirts we were able to ride each ride without having to use a locker.
Loved the HP area and the theming is so amazing like something Disney would do! The ButterBeer was amazing and I'll make sure to have another one on my next visit, whenever that is. Good idea with the fanny packs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
I'm not as big a fan of Universal as I am of Disney but I really did feel they did a great job on the Harry Potter area! So glad you enjoyed it all.
It is so well themed and quite a lot to take in and deserves a few hours for a visit. I was having a great time, but just wished I hadn't overlooked one of the attractions!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great time you’re having in Harry Potter World!
I was having an amazing time, even on such a hot and humid day, which I seemed to forget about as very easy to do!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
For me, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the best part of US/IOA!
I think it is for me as well! Even though I only saw several of the movies over the last few years!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is my absolute favorite part of both parks and I'm so glad you are enjoying it!!! Sorry you missed out on Gringott's! It's excellent!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm......Butter Beer!! I dream about that stuff!!! Great day so far, Dave, and beautiful pictures!!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is my absolute favorite part of both parks and I'm so glad you are enjoying it!!! Sorry you missed out on Gringott's! It's excellent!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm......Butter Beer!! I dream about that stuff!!! Great day so far, Dave, and beautiful pictures!!
I love the HP area as so well done and my favorite as well! I just can't believe I overlooked Gringott's! Just have to return and probably within a couple of years! The Butter Beer was far beyond what I expected as just so yummy! Having a blast and glad you are enjoying my photos! So much more to come on day 1!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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I can't wait to hear what you have to say about Harry Potter!!!! Our absolute favorite at USF!!!! 
Been a big help without large crowds and the express pass has definitely saved me a lot of time, even without the big crowds. 
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Pixie Dust
I’m so glad you were able to find your phone right away! 
I was looking forward to this more than anything in Universal as this wasn’t open yet during my last visit in 2009, but was under construction. I took the path leading from Jurassic Park and over the bridge, which had some spectacular views of the Hogwart’s Castle as you’ll see below. 
I don’t know how I managed to do this as I studied my park maps rather well for a lot of the new attractions elsewhere in Universal and the others in the Harry Potter area.
It may be as Diagon Alley was on the Universal Studios portion of the map and not Islands of Adventure. 
I guess I’ll just have to return on another trip to Universal and experience this attraction! 
There was also the extra time you had to put your belongings in a locker. It was a complete mob scene and took some time to find an available room by going from this side to that one to find one! 
To me it was as good as Soarin' as far as I'm concerned for the best simulator rides I've ever been on at this point! 
I got the frozen version.
I really enjoyed them and more than I would have thought! 
PassPorter Guide Author
Great photos from that part of the park by the way. 
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