A No Snooze Bar Christmas, Harry & Mickey are Waiting..it is done

[momabaarjo]

That is so funny. I hope the toothfairy didn't mind he didn't have a tooth under his pillow.

What was really funny is that it not seem to hit him that he did not have a tooth to put under his pillow until about an hour later when he was telling Jeff that he lost his tooth...half way into his story he burst into tears. Boo assured him that since it was his first tooth, she would come because he lost his first tooth at school and put it in a baggie and then at lunch threw the baggie away at lunch. My boys...

 

[Monknmom]

Look what cupid brought back from WDW for Goo this Valentines Day...

He had a big day yesterday, he lost his first tooth...

Dear Tooth Fairy,
I lost my first tooth without even knowing it in a chocolate covered strawberry I was sneaking while mom made dinner...and I ate my tooth!
Goo

How did you buy that stuff for him without him seeing? Awww... congratulations to him losing his first tooth!

I love all of the updates! That looks like a nice roller coaster if you can take such good pictures on it! And at those street crowds in that little time! I guess that's why you made the ADR's for mid morning for breakfast? And how funny it must have been to think that Jeff was conversating with a ghost in the bathroom! LOL I mean moaning Myrtle:rotfl2!

 

[shocky5]

Not even close to being caught up but putting my 'stamp' on your TR so you will know I'm working on it!!!

 

[shocky5]

WOO HOO!! I'm caught up! So much to comment on! Teary eyed that Ab got picked for the wand! I can totally see you watching her with tears in your eyes wanting that so much for her! Wonderful memory!

And I love that you had to strongly encourage Goo to get on the Hippogriff. You know we are strong encouragers to our kids, too!

Sorry that Jeff didn't feel good - I'm afraid I'd be Jeff! Star Tours had that affect on me... never saw it coming until I was on the ride and it was 'too late.'

Okay... I may forgo the cruise next summer... my parents 50th is in 2014 and my mother asked me if we'd want to do a cruise that summer with them.... that being said... after reading your TR and Susan's and reading what I seemed to miss again in Ann's TR, and Ashley's and Betsy's and Kathy's and the list goes on and on... I think I would love to take my family back in 2013, maybe late May, early June, drive to Orlando... and do the whole IOA/WWoHP/US... and then go over to Disney. Sight see on our drive there to appease Eddie... sight see on the way home to appease Eddie... see the world but get the Orlando Fix as well....

 

[petals]

I loled at the Toothfairy note! Cool cars and even cooler pics of Hogsmeade

 

[momabaarjo]

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood​

While we wait for Jeff to emerge the kids and I take in a few of the surrounding store windows & fronts (yes disappointing that they are just a front, because they would all make neat gift shops). I tell the kids look closely because there is magic when you least expect it (and even a few movie props). I am not going to spoil the fun of looking through the windows and tell you what you will see…but trust me; there is a lot to find!

Directly above the restrooms is J. Pippin's Potions...

J. Pippin's Potions was a chain of apothecaries established in 1753. J. Pippin's sold "potions for all ailments".​

To the left of the restrooms the first storefront you will encounter is Gladrags Wizardwear...

Gladrags Wizardwear is a clothing store that was founded in 1750 and run by Gladrags Wizardwear Group Ltd., It is full of quirky merchandise and appears to specialize in strange and unusual socks.​

Abigail spent a long time staring in the windows of Gladrags, because on display is the actual gown that Herionee wore to the ball. I could see her imagining herself in this dress; maybe we could do something like this for prom in a couple of years.

Then still going towards Hogwarts, just pass Gladrags above you will be 2 windows for Dominic Maestro's music shop...

Dominic Maestro's was a music shop in Hogsmeade, run by Dominic Maestro, a musician, who once got an award at Hogwarts, possibly for excelling in music. Ab loved watching the violins play.​

Below the 1st Dominic Maestro’s window you will find Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop ...

Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop is a writing supplies store in Hogsmeade. It sells various quills, parchment and stationery needed for students at Hogwarts. The shop stock includes stationery such as rainbow ink and extra-large quills. ​

Then under the second Dominic Maestro’s window you will find the fake entrances to 2 shops Potage's Cauldron Shop and Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment...

Potage's Cauldron Shop sells all types of cauldrons, displaying them in a stack outside the shop, under a sign which read: "Cauldrons - All Sizes - Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver - Self-Stirring - Collapsible."
Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment sells a wide variety of magical instruments like telescopes and hourglasses.​

Finally on this row of shops you will come to The Magic Neep. To actually look in this window you have to work yourself around the refreshment cart that is placed in front the window…

not a great location. In this cart you will find the popular pumpkin juice in the bottle. I had brought back pumpkin juice (think Apple juice with pumpkin pie spices) to the kids on my first trip, and they were not overly impressed with it…too sweet.

But if you really want to try, go into Hogshead Tavern and get a glass of it on tap…it tastes so much better and is cheaper.

The Magic Neep (turnip in Scottish) was a magical green grocers' in Hogsmeade.​

BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE...

 

[momabaarjo]

How did you buy that stuff for him without him seeing? Awww... congratulations to him losing his first tooth!

I love all of the updates! That looks like a nice roller coaster if you can take such good pictures on it! And at those street crowds in that little time! I guess that's why you made the ADR's for mid morning for breakfast? And how funny it must have been to think that Jeff was conversating with a ghost in the bathroom! LOL I mean moaning Myrtle:rotfl2!

I was very sneaky in the World of Disney to get them paid for and out the door, and then hidden at home...actually not to hard since the World of Disney is so huge... he loves the cars!

I think Jeff was probably paying tribute to the porcelin god, then talking to Moaning Myrtle!

 

[jdd]

Subbing! Planning our first trip to Universal for August, and I'm loving the info on WWofHP! That's our whole reason for going, as our entire family have read the books/watched the movies - diehard fans! Have to go to work now, but looking forward to reading more this afternoon

 

[momabaarjo]

In professional development today and the morning has left me unfocused...these were on my table after lunch...hmmmm hint to get focused? Plus it's HP....might be a better afternoon!!!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

great updates! I love that you are explaining each detail to those of us that have no clue about these places.

I hope Jeff is ok.... long bathroom breaks in my family usually are a sign of bad things...

Congrats on the lost tooth... but he ate it?

And Abigail and the dress.. that would be cool if she could in fact wear a dress like that for prom. it is a very pretty dress.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Finally caught up. Love all the WWoHP pics. Want to go soo bad!

The Forbidden Journey sounds awesome!

Eek on still waiting and Jeff still not feeling good.

I would have LOVED to have a dress similar to Hermione's for prom! I'm sure Abby would be over the moon about that.

Eeek about eating the tooth... but uh oh on not listening to mom.

Can't wait for more. Wanna hear the Butterbeer reviews!

 

[momabaarjo]

WOO HOO!! I'm caught up! So much to comment on! Teary eyed that Ab got picked for the wand! I can totally see you watching her with tears in your eyes wanting that so much for her! Wonderful memory!

It was a very good start to the day!

And I love that you had to strongly encourage Goo to get on the Hippogriff. You know we are strong encouragers to our kids, too!

I did a lot of strongly encouraging...wait til you see what I did on day 2 to Boo and DHS day to Goo again!

Sorry that Jeff didn't feel good - I'm afraid I'd be Jeff! Star Tours had that affect on me... never saw it coming until I was on the ride and it was 'too late.'

I guess with age....

Okay... I may forgo the cruise next summer... my parents 50th is in 2014 and my mother asked me if we'd want to do a cruise that summer with them.... that being said... after reading your TR and Susan's and reading what I seemed to miss again in Ann's TR, and Ashley's and Betsy's and Kathy's and the list goes on and on... I think I would love to take my family back in 2013, maybe late May, early June, drive to Orlando... and do the whole IOA/WWoHP/US... and then go over to Disney. Sight see on our drive there to appease Eddie... sight see on the way home to appease Eddie... see the world but get the Orlando Fix as well....

I am so wanting a Disney fix right now , but Jeff is right there are other things we need to spend $$$ on right now...I just have to wait to go with you ladies in 2013!

I loled at the Toothfairy note! Cool cars and even cooler pics of Hogsmeade

Subbing! Planning our first trip to Universal for August, and I'm loving the info on WWofHP! That's our whole reason for going, as our entire family have read the books/watched the movies - diehard fans! Have to go to work now, but looking forward to reading more this afternoon

Welcome along to all the craziness that was our trip. Love to have more HP fans along for all these other muggles that are following along that have to explain all the details too (meaning my PTR followers Ann, Heather, and Michelle)! I hope you find lots of information that you can use, and feel free to ask any questions you want! I was at opening weekend in 2010 of WWofHP...and love this place!

great updates! I love that you are explaining each detail to those of us that have no clue about these places.

Did you read about yourself in the comments right above this....

I hope Jeff is ok.... long bathroom breaks in my family usually are a sign of bad things...

It was a sign of bad things...but the worse is yet to come!

Congrats on the lost tooth... but he ate it?

Yep, and it serves him right...sometimes mommie does know best!

And Abigail and the dress.. that would be cool if she could in fact wear a dress like that for prom. it is a very pretty dress.

My mil is a very good seamtress and I Abigail is her only grandaughter...so whatever her heart desires....

Finally caught up. Love all the WWoHP pics. Want to go soo bad!

I will sneak over there with you in Fall 2013!

The Forbidden Journey sounds awesome! It is!!!!!

Eek on still waiting and Jeff still not feeling good.

I would have LOVED to have a dress similar to Hermione's for prom! I'm sure Abby would be over the moon about that.

Eeek about eating the tooth... but uh oh on not listening to mom.

Yep....



Can't wait for more. Wanna hear the Butterbeer reviews!

Give me 2 more updates and we will get to the butter beer...ahhh, what I would give to have a mug of it right now!

 

[FosterA]

So impressive how those shops and fronts are done. Whoever was in charge of theming this area (besides the author) did a great job!

Still waiting for Jeff to get out of the bathroom!

 

[momabaarjo]

So impressive how those shops and fronts are done. Whoever was in charge of theming this area (besides the author) did a great job!

They sure did...I wish you could see them closer up...the details are so amazing...looks like you just need to take a trip and see it for yourself!

Still waiting for Jeff to get out of the bathroom!

We are still waiting too and the kids are getting impatient and the crowd is getting larger!

 

[lovethattink]

great updates! I love that you are explaining each detail to those of us that have no clue about these places.

I hope Jeff is ok.... long bathroom breaks in my family usually are a sign of bad things...

Congrats on the lost tooth... but he ate it?

And Abigail and the dress.. that would be cool if she could in fact wear a dress like that for prom. it is a very pretty dress.

I appreciate the details too!

Poor Jeff!!

Yes, that would be cool if she could wear a dress like that for prom.

 

[jdd]

Welcome along to all the craziness that was our trip. Love to have more HP fans along for all these other muggles that are following along that have to explain all the details too (meaning my PTR followers Ann, Heather, and Michelle)! I hope you find lots of information that you can use, and feel free to ask any questions you want! I was at opening weekend in 2010 of WWofHP...and love this place!

Thanks! I love seeing all the pictures - I know my kids are just going to love it (and me too )! I do have one question - is there a reason your youngest didn't ride the Forbidden Journey? My youngest is 7, and he LOVES Harry Potter - I was planning on taking him on this ride, but now wondering if I should???

 

[momabaarjo]

"Remember, these visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege..."
(from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)​

Finally, Jeff emerges from his visit with Moaning Myrtle and we all agree that he is looking much better and off we are to explore the rest of Hogsmeade before breakfast. The kids quickly try to catch Jeff up on all that he has missed in the store windows during his 15+ minute visit with Myrtle. I kid you not it was that long, if not longer. So let's continue our tour of Hogsmeade.
Just past Neeps is this guy...

I have no idea what he is doing in Hogsmeade! For the life of us none of us can ever recall from books or movies a snowman, but since he is wearing a Gryffindor scarf we decide he can stay! Across the cobblestone street is the Tri Wizard Pep Rally area...

I forgot to get a map (can you blame me, hey it was 7:00 am when we passed the map cart in the mad dash for WWofHP) for showtimes so we figure we will come back later when there is a show going on. Before getting to Olivanders (and the out of control line, which says 90 minute wait) you come to more fake store fronts on this side of the street…Tomes and Scrolls and Spintwitches.

Tomes and Scrolls was a specialist bookshop in Hogsmeade. It was established in 1768.

Spintwitches was a shop in Hogsmeade that sold sporting goods.

As we make our way back down the cobblestone street the kids spy a growing line that they know they just have to get in (and I must say I agree)....

 

[momabaarjo]

Thanks! I love seeing all the pictures - I know my kids are just going to love it (and me too )! I do have one question - is there a reason your youngest didn't ride the Forbidden Journey? My youngest is 7, and he LOVES Harry Potter - I was planning on taking him on this ride, but now wondering if I should???

The first question is he 48 inches tall? They ENFORCE THE HEIGHT LIMIT STRICTLY on Forbibben Journey. The ride starts out really innocent looking (especially the loading music and the loading area). Getting him on the ride would not be a problem...While on the ride you really cannot see other other 3 people that are in the same cart, so it would be hard for you to reassure him. It is not fast like a rollar coaster but has the same kinds of twists and turns. Does he like extreme rides? And there is some fright factors...This is a hard call...I am not sure if there is any youtube videos of the ride (sure there is) but you might want to check those out...

Ab and Boo hate rollarcoasters...I think because they can see them before they get on, but they LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Forbidden Journey!!!

 

[jdd]

The first question is he 48 inches tall? They ENFORCE THE HEIGHT LIMIT STRICTLY on Forbibben Journey. The ride starts out really innocent looking (especially the loading music and the loading area). Getting him on the ride would not be a problem...While on the ride you really cannot see other other 3 people that are in the same cart, so it would be hard for you to reassure him. It is not fast like a rollar coaster but has the same kinds of twists and turns. Does he like extreme rides? And there is some fright factors...This is a hard call...I am not sure if there is any youtube videos of the ride (sure there is) but you might want to check those out...

Ab and Boo hate rollarcoasters...I think because they can see them before they get on, but they LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Forbidden Journey!!!

Hmmm, we'll have to think about this one then. He is definitely tall enough, and has been on all the rides at DW (except Everest and RnR, he was still too short for those on our last visit.) He doesn't scare easily and has seen all the movies (except for the last part of the Goblet of Fire - I don't like the very end of that, so haven't let him see it - oh, and the Bathilda Bagshot scene in Deathly Hallows, part 1), so he'll know what to expect (ie, spiders, dementors, Voldemort, etc). Maybe I'll ride with my older boys first and we'll make the call then...I actually think it will be hard to get him to NOT ride

 

[momabaarjo]

Hmmm, we'll have to think about this one then. He is definitely tall enough, and has been on all the rides at DW (except Everest and RnR, he was still too short for those on our last visit.) He doesn't scare easily and has seen all the movies (except for the last part of the Goblet of Fire - I don't like the very end of that, so haven't let him see it - oh, and the Bathilda Bagshot scene in Deathly Hallows, part 1), so he'll know what to expect (ie, spiders, dementors, Voldemort, etc). Maybe I'll ride with my older boys first and we'll make the call then...I actually think it will be hard to get him to NOT ride

I think that is the best idea...do the ride first and decide based on him.