The Darling Family June 2010 Trip Report: When are the Parents Showing Up?11/5 New TR

[dismagiclover]

It was 8:18 when we took this picture in front of the castle.

We headed in and there still wasn’t much of a line. We walked slowly through the queue noticing some of the details we missed the day before. Of course I took a few more pictures. This is of the mirror where you see what you want most (I can’t remember its name. I‘m sure someone out there will help me out.)

I didn’t see anything in it so it must not work for Muggles. Or I was living what I wanted most We passed through the outdoor part of the queue and Michael was still loving his owl.

Then we entered the main part of the castle. I think this is the counter that keeps track of each House’s points. Looks like Slytherin and Gryfinddor are neck to neck.

Here is a map of Hogwarts

Some of the portraits on the wall in Dumbledore’s office.

Couple more shots of Dumbledore’s office. Dumbledore is on the balcony in the first one.

Then we headed into the Defense Against Dark Arts Classroom. This beast was hanging from the ceiling.

Here is Harry, Ron and Hermione again.

Here is the lesson for the day

The ride still wasn’t running so we exited directly into Filch’s Emporioum. This is probably the most crowded store in the park. Like the other stores it is quite small, but the ride empties out here so it has a constant influx of people. There are cool details here too. This is a shot of the Marauder’s Map.

Lots of merchandise, but I didn’t take many pictures. Most of the merchandise was for either Gryfinddor or Slytherin. I took this picture of scarves for the other two houses.

We picked up a few things in here

After paying we headed back outside trying to decide what do to next . . .

 

[klacey1]

The little details are just amazing. They did such a great job with everything-- I love the Maurauder's Map!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Can you buy a Marauder's Map?? I want one!!

 

[mermaid764]

I can't get over how much detail they put into everything...makes me want to go one day even more.

Hopefully they got the ride up and running soon, and I'm looking forward to hearing more

 

[praisehisname]

I didn’t see anything in it so it must not work for Muggles. Or I was living what I wanted most

Aw, that's so sweet!

 

[dismagiclover]

The little details are just amazing. They did such a great job with everything-- I love the Maurauder's Map!

All of the details really make this land incredible! It is literally like walking into the world of the books.

Can you buy a Marauder's Map?? I want one!!

I don't think they were for sale.

I can't get over how much detail they put into everything...makes me want to go one day even more.

Hopefully they got the ride up and running soon, and I'm looking forward to hearing more

I don't know when they finally got the ride up. We didn't try again since we'd already ridden it the day before.

Aw, that's so sweet!

There is nothing better than a vacation in my favorite place with my favorite people

 

[Queenofallthings]

Hi Jenny!

I have to go back and catch up but wanted to do a quick post to say hello!!

 

[dismagiclover]

It was about time for the general public crowds to arrive. We knew we could still easily get in a ride or two on the Flight of the Hippogriff though. So we hopped over there.

This ride has great views of the castle.

Wendy and John wanted to go again so we did.

Then we decided to head towards Hogsmeade

Where we had some butterbeer.

Did a little window shopping.

And met the conductor for the Hogwarts Express

Then we said goodbye to the WWOHP. We had a few more hours before we needed to hit the road. We spent a bit of time in Seuss Landing.

DH and I both rode the Hulk which is an awesome roller coaster!

This is what everyone was doing when I got off the Hulk.

Then John decided he wanted a lemon slushie. It was around 10:15 and we went over to the stand. They told us they would open at 10:30. So we went into a store to browse. Here we found some Harry Potter merchandise with no crowds and no lines.

So I would recommend checking in the main store by the front gate for easy access to the Harry Potter merchandise. They didn’t have as much as back in the land, but it was a much more pleasant shopping experience. At 10:30 DH took John back to get his slushie. They were having computer problems and wouldn’t take our money. It took another ten minutes before John finally was holding this.

He thought it was worth the wait. It was time to say goodbye to Universal. We had a bit of a drive ahead of us. So we headed back to the hotel where we checked out and hopped in the car. Our destination: stay tuned.

 

[creativeamanda]

What a nice Universal morning. I absolutely love the detail put into WWOHP.

I don't think I could do the Hulk, though. Yikes!

Oh, and the mirror? It's the Mirror of Erised.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Darn, someone beat me to it but yeah, the mirror is the Mirror of Erised (desire spelled backwards!).

I love that Hogwarts Cup shirt. I really wanted to get some sort of shirt when we went but didn't. I was just looking at the US store website yesterday because I was thinking I need something to wear to the movie when it comes out.

Jealous you got to do the Hulk. We weren't able to do it. Oh well.

And I agree about checking out the main store for HP stuff. Even the airport store is better! We stopped in there before our flight home and I saw stuff in there that I didn't even see at the park.

 

[klacey1]

I didn't know they had a Hogwarts Express! How cool! The picture of the kids with the conductor is great

 

[praisehisname]

I can't believe the Orlando part of your trip is over already!

 

[dismagiclover]

What a nice Universal morning. I absolutely love the detail put into WWOHP.

I don't think I could do the Hulk, though. Yikes!

Oh, and the mirror? It's the Mirror of Erised.

I knew someone would help me out with the name of the mirror. Thanks The Hulk was a great coaster, but it was a bit intense.

Darn, someone beat me to it but yeah, the mirror is the Mirror of Erised (desire spelled backwards!).

I love that Hogwarts Cup shirt. I really wanted to get some sort of shirt when we went but didn't. I was just looking at the US store website yesterday because I was thinking I need something to wear to the movie when it comes out.

Jealous you got to do the Hulk. We weren't able to do it. Oh well.

And I agree about checking out the main store for HP stuff. Even the airport store is better! We stopped in there before our flight home and I saw stuff in there that I didn't even see at the park.

Thanks for pointing out it is desire spelled backwards. Now I might actually remember the name. The Hogwarts Cup shirt is DH's and he wears it quite a bit. The Hulk was great, but we only did it because of the Express passes so no line. Good to know about the airport store too. We may stop in there in October. Could pick up some more Bertie Botts

I didn't know they had a Hogwarts Express! How cool! The picture of the kids with the conductor is great

The Hogwarts Express even blows real steam. Very fun! The conductor is a friendly guy too.

I can't believe the Orlando part of your trip is over already!

It's funny you say that because I was thinking it seems like I've dragged this trip report out forever. I figured people would be thinking, "Thank goodness she has finally gotten to the end."

 

[dismagiclover]

Our Orlando vacation was over and the drive home had begun. We were splitting up the drive a bit with a day at the beach so we still had some fun to look forward to. It took us around 6 hours to reach Hilton Head, South Carolina. I would have loved to stay at the Disney resort, but that wasn’t in the cards for this trip. Instead we just stayed at a regular hotel that was a few miles from the beach. We checked in and had dinner that evening at Carabba’s. (Just your normal Carabba’s.) Then we went to Toy Story 3. At this time it had only been out for about a week. Wendy had already seen it on her cruise. (Remember she told me that the adorable pink fluffy bear was really, really bad.) Of course we loved the movie, and of course Wendy was right. Lotso is really evil! I can’t figure out why they made the villain look so adorable. None of the other Disney villains are cute (think Ursula.) The thing I did most in this movie was cry like a baby. Especially at the very end when Andy was playing with his toys one last time. I just couldn’t help thinking of the week I’d just spent with my little boys and imagining them all grown up and leaving me. I hope they have memories of childhood that are as special as Andy’s memories. Thinking about that scene now still makes me teary eyed!

Enough sappy talk. The next day we headed to the beach. What a great beach it was! We are used to the Maryland beaches which are apparently a bit cold. The South Carolina beaches are not! The water was wonderful. At one point I just laid my head back on a beach ball and let the waves come up and wash over me. It was fabulous. Here are some pictures from the day. (Too bad there was no photopass guy here.)

It was a great day and I came back with a terrible sunburn. I guess I should have reapplied the sunscreen. The kids and DH did. We headed back to the hotel where we cleaned up and then went to an awful meal at Pizza Hut. Definitely should have stuck with delivery. The next day we finished the drive home. The only notable events were listening to one of the Harry Potter CD’s (which made me appreciate the WWOHP even more) and stopping at Chick Fil A for lunch. Oh how I missed Chick Fil A! We arrived home that evening to a very warm house (we’d turned off the AC). It was sad to see the trip end, but I still had the trip report ahead of me. And I had many fantastic memories.

Still Ahead: My Final Thoughts

 

[klacey1]

What a great way to end your trip! Sounds like you guys really had a wonderful vacation!

 

[claryche]

Wonderful trip report. Thanks so much for sharing.

And as far as Toy Story 3, you weren't the only one crying. I balled too. My DS is only 4, but I could see him as plain as day leaving for college. And then just the overall sad aspect of it. And I agree why did Disney make Lotso so cute. I almost bought my DS a stuffed Lotso, before we saw the movie. So glad that I didn't.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for the tip on getting Harry Potter merchandise at the Main Store. I'll keep that in mind should we decide to visit Universal next year. I know that you were sad to see your Disney/Universal vacation come to an end. But, at least you had one more stop before actually going home. The beach pictures are great. We haven't been to the beach in a long time either. Man, your tirp report has me wanting to add some days to our trip.

 

[norybell]

Wow, I go out of town for a few days, and now your TR is almost over!

Loved seeing the WWoHP shops! So cute, and authentic. I was thinking maybe I'd give Universal a try in January or February, but now that I know about all the water, I dunno...

Also, now I'm dying for some time on a nice beach!

 

[mermaid764]

Wow I can't believe your TR is almost over already, and I have enjoyed reading every installment of it.

That's nice that you were able to squeeze in a visit to the beach at the end. It must have been nice to at least have something to look forward to on the drive home.

I'm looking forward to hearing your final thoughts

 

[creativeamanda]

Ah. . .SOuth Carolina beaches. You know, I live near Myrtle Beach . . .

This was really a good extension for you all. I'm glad you enjoyed Hilton Head--it really is nice down there.