The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (referred to by us as Harry Potter Land) was simply magical.  Brittany, Gio, and I went a couple weeks ago and felt like giddy 12-year-olds running about, casting spells, buying chocolate frogs, and generally being wowed by the thoughtful details creators put into this park.

Harry Potter Land is nestled into a corner of Universal Studios Hollywood, and while we did some other fun things at the park that day (like enjoying the new and improved studio tour, being able to walk around freely with beer in hand, and being attacked by dinosaurs on Jurassic Park), the bread and butterbeer of the day was Harry Potter Land.

The first thing we did was head straight for Hogwarts Castle.  The perspective on this thing is amazing.  The imposing structure grows out of a monstrous rock mountain and contains the ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  I have to say I enjoyed waiting in line even more than the ride, with its fun details like the greenhouse, Dumbledore's office, and galleries of bewitched paintings.

We imagined how incredible it must be for J.K. Rowling to see the stuff of her imagination grow into such a tangible reality, enjoyed by millions.

The figures in the paintings actually move and talk to each other.

But they still LOOK LIKE PAINTINGS.

How do they do it?!

The ride itself was unlike anything we've been on before.  Think Haunted Mansion meets Indiana Jones meets Flying Over California, but with wizards.  It was thrilling, at times frightening, and incredibly nauseating (motion sickness friends, consider yourself warned!).  Afterwards, we enjoyed some frozen butterbeer (basically a butterscotch and cream soda slushie) while waiting in line for The Flight of the Hippogriff next door, which was pretty tame! 

Out and about in the wizarding town of Hogsmeade, we visited the station, several shops selling anything from wands to robes to sweets, and the restaurant/bar combo The Hog's Head and the Three Broomsticks.  One of the best things about the park is that everyone is just so into it.  Universal employees are dressed and act in character; children and adults alike are excitedly running around in robes; the entire language spoken comes from J.K. Rowling's mind.  It makes the whole thing really immersive, because you're surrounded by people who want to believe it's real. 

Exploring Honeyduke's sweets

With our booty, including Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

My brother claims "dirt" is the worst bean of the bunch.

Gio had borrowed a friend's wand for the trip, so we were able to cast different spells around Hogsmeade, where we'd silence bubbling cauldrons, or unlock secret boxes, with a specific flick of the wrist and incantation.  It was so cool, and really fun to watch kids bouncing around making magic happen!  (As a rule, they were much better at it than us.)

Gio focused SO HARD on her spells

McGonagall would be proud!

The Three Broomsticks had specially brewed beer, including a delicious red Scottish ale.  They seriously thought of everything!  Also, the Hog's Head's food was delicious, offering typical British pub fare, like Shepherd's Pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips.  We were impressed.

After spending the afternoon in other areas of Universal, we returned to HP Land at dusk to do the castle ride again and perfect our spell-casting. 

Perhaps my favorite memory of the day was when Brittany said, "Guys, we better hurry back to the castle before we get in trouble!" and I suggested we use our invisibility cloak.  I swooshed my arm over our heads, and we all ducked under the invisible cloak, huddling together toward the castle, giggling.  It was silly, unadulterated fun. 

Here are some tips and tricks we used to navigate the park efficiently.  If you love Harry Potter, are nostalgic for old fashioned British villages, or just want to feel like a kid again, this is the place for you!