10 Nights of Magic in The Orlando Trifecta-TR - COMPLETE!! 12/10 - Page 12 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Aren't the Harry Potter areas just amazing?? The theming is as good, if not better, than anything at Disney. I'm sorry you missed Escape from Gringotts. It's a really fun ride, although not as good as Forbidden Journey, IMHO. I Forbidden Journey! It was my second favorite ride anywhere (after Soarin'), until Avatar: Flight of Passage took the lead this past weekend. FYI, for your future trips, there is a somewhat hidden single rider line for Forbidden Journey, that is faster than the Express Pass line. It is across from the locker area. You go through a doorway and up some stairs. There is a sign, but it's easy to overlook. My family rode Forbidden Journey five times in less than an hour, and could have done more if we wanted to keep going.
Aren't the Harry Potter areas just amazing?? The theming is as good, if not better, than anything at Disney. I'm sorry you missed Escape from Gringotts. It's a really fun ride, although not as good as Forbidden Journey, IMHO. I Forbidden Journey! It was my second favorite ride anywhere (after Soarin'), until Avatar: Flight of Passage took the lead this past weekend. FYI, for your future trips, there is a somewhat hidden single rider line for Forbidden Journey, that is faster than the Express Pass line. It is across from the locker area. You go through a doorway and up some stairs. There is a sign, but it's easy to overlook. My family rode Forbidden Journey five times in less than an hour, and could have done more if we wanted to keep going.
The HP area is amazing and so well themed. I love the Forbidden Journey and glad I got to experience it a few times on my trip. Thanks for the info on the single rider line and will look for it on my next trip to USF as I loved this ride so much. I too like it better than Soarin', which is no small feat to accomplish!
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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!
If Only They Were All Like This and I’d Take the Train Every Day!
Wednesday, October 4th (Part VI) I continued my exploration and adventures in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I thought I could do this in one update, but obviously not as so much to see. Next up for me is the Hogwart’s Express. I was looking forward to this as I’ve heard so many good things about it.
Posing for photos adjacent to the Hogsmeade Station
This is the one attraction in Universal Studios Florida you must have a park to park ticket to ride as it to and fro the two parks. Glad I had this as it would be worth it for this attraction alone.
Entrance at Hogsmeade to King’s Cross
It’s quite a station and love the theming on the walk to the platform, but forgot to take photos from the inside. When I got to the train platform, there was a train that was about to depart, so I’d have to wait for the next one. I only waited about five minutes until the next one arrived.
Not much of a crowd for the Hogwart’s Express as you can see, which was good.
My train arriving at the station
We were assigned numbered lanes and once we were given the ok to board, we boarded the car that corresponds to your specific lane. Inside the train it looked like one of the historic trains from years ago. I entered my car and the door to the seating area of the car, which I think seated four. I was lucky to get a window seat.
Once the train left it was quite an adventure from the view outside as well as a lot of things going on outside my car. I don’t want to give too much away but the ride was very active and enjoyed it so much. The ride lasted about five minutes and once it was over we arrived at the King’s Cross Station. If Only they were all like this and I’d take the train every day! I know the ride from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade is different than my ride, so I’ll have to do that on another day during my trip.
Once, I departed my car, the crowd waiting for the train was much larger than the one I had.
Once, I left the station I did more exploring in the area. I was now in the Universal Studios portion of the park having come from Islands of Adventure. This was still the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the London portion.
This is the entrance to Diagon Alley, which I had forgotten about. I would remember on another day but forget about one of the attractions located here, Escape From Gringotts!
A scaled version of Buckingham Palace implemented into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
More of the scaled down buildings and scenery of London
It was about 4 pm and time to return to my resort by water taxi as I wanted to get my bags and check out my room for a bit before returning to another Universal resort tonight for dinner.
The plan for tomorrow night and one of the things I was looking most forward to on this trip!
Love this park icon. Glad I was patient enough to wait until I could get most of the letters in the photo!
After leaving the Universal Studios part of the park, I walked over to City Walk and crossed the bridge and made a left to the NBC restaurant, where I’d get the water taxi back to the Royal Pacific below. I only waited a few minutes for the boat to arrive. There were quite a few resort guests waiting to return. Once we boarded and on our way, it was only a five minute trip.
Arriving at the Royal Pacific Resort
Another water taxi heading to Universal Studios
After the boat docked, I exited and headed back to the resort to check out my room for the first time. It was funny, as I mentioned a few posts back that I received a text that my room was ready, when I was walking to the water taxi dock several hours ago!
I walked back to the resort, which took a few minutes and took the elevator up to the lobby as I had to go there to get my bags from bell services which I left with them just prior to going to Universal Studios for the day.
A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Passporters and their loved ones!!! Hoping it's a good one for all!!!
NEXT: This is Bizarre and Never Had a Room Like This in Any Hotel!
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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; 12-31-2017 at 06:56 PM..
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Love all your photos and descriptions of the Hogwarts Express! Your making me want to head back to US/IoA soon!
Glad you enjoyed the photos and details of Hogwart's as I guess I succeeded! I'm enjoying Universal so much and glad I finally got to stay here! Yet, it's only Day 1!
A very Happy New Year to you, Luke and your family! Just over an hour for me and two hours for you!
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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!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
The train ride is fun and a great way to get from one park to another. I found the boat so convenient to get back and forth from the parks.
I totally agree with you on both counts! Loved both of them. But the Hogwart's is such an amazing experience and just so unique with so much going on during the ride! It would be quite easy to miss something. Glad I had that window seat to see it all from there!
Happy New Year to you and hoping for a good one!
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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!
Great photos! I miss WWoHP so much, but your photos are such a nice reminder of what it’s like. We loved the Hogwart’s Express! It’s probably my favorite thing at Universal.
Glad you enjoyed the Hogwarts Express so much Dave! I've heard only great things about this ride and the theming in general for all the new Harry Potter areas.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
We loved the Hogwarts Express - it was so much better than I expected it to be.
I remember how much you loved it and made me look forward to it even more! It didn't disappoint.
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Originally Posted by wheezie
Happy New Year’s!
Great photos! I miss WWoHP so much, but your photos are such a nice reminder of what it’s like. We loved the Hogwart’s Express! It’s probably my favorite thing at Universal.
Glad I could help. It was one of the best things at Universal with the other being the Forbidden Journey also in WWoHP.
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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!
Glad you enjoyed the Hogwarts Express so much Dave! I've heard only great things about this ride and the theming in general for all the new Harry Potter areas.
The theming is amazing here. I loved this attraction so much!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great afternoon! The pictures are fantastic!
Glad you enjoy them and I was having a great time my first day at Universal.
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Originally Posted by pamcarey
I loved the Hogwart’s Express, too! Although I waited in a much longer line than you did.
Happy New Year to you, Dave!
Glad I lucked out with the line and probably helped being on a Wednesday. It's such a great attraction with a lot going on during the ride.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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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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Forbidden Journey! It was my second favorite ride anywhere (after Soarin'), until Avatar: Flight of Passage took the lead this past weekend. FYI, for your future trips, there is a somewhat hidden single rider line for Forbidden Journey, that is faster than the Express Pass line. It is across from the locker area. You go through a doorway and up some stairs. There is a sign, but it's easy to overlook. My family rode Forbidden Journey five times in less than an hour, and could have done more if we wanted to keep going.
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I love the Forbidden Journey and glad I got to experience it a few times on my trip. Thanks for the info on the single rider line and will look for it on my next trip to USF as I loved this ride so much. 
Next up for me is the Hogwart’s Express. I was looking forward to this as I’ve heard so many good things about it. 
When I got to the train platform, there was a train that was about to depart, so I’d have to wait for the next one. I only waited about five minutes until the next one arrived.
I don’t want to give too much away but the ride was very active and enjoyed it so much. 
Hoping it's a good one for all!!! 
It would be quite easy to miss something. 
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