Feeling Hot Hot Hot! The Rain Curse is Broken! Two Weeks of Fun in the Sun! COMPLETE

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

These pictures were taken on the "closed" trail which I did not go down.

Erich made a friend

While there were gone I heard the loud crack of an avalanche, didn't see anything though. Knowing my brothers I was just a little worried that they had done something stupid. Luckily they arrived back safe and sound and they hadn't seen the avalanche either. Dad said it was probably good that I didn't go down the "closed" trail as there were a few parts that would have been too scary for me. He said that the only reason the trail was "Closed" is because a tree had fallen across the path.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I can't wait to read about your Harry Potter experience, we might go there one day. Your pictures from the trip with your Dad are amazing, the mountains are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us .

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

May 17th Continued

We had arrived at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I was so excited! I LOVE Harry Potter. I discovered the books in my first year of university many years ago. I spent the days before my first Psychology midterm reading the first four books (I still got a B on the midterm by the way, not bad for a slacker first year student! ) Erich had been reading the books from the start so he was already an established fan, I was just jumping on the bandwagon. I am dating myself here but the first movie came out that winter and the first thing we did as a family when I got off the plane at Christmas was head to the theatre to see the movie! Mom and Alek are also fans but not as much as Erich and I. When books 5,6, and 7 came out I got the books on the release day and then I sat down and read them straight through that same day. I couldn't risk anybody spoiling them for me and I just had to know what was going to happen next!

I am at heart a book fan but I enjoy the movies as well and I was amazed at how they recreated the movie world for the park. It was amazing and beautiful! So much detail! If not for the crowds of people (wouldn't have been bad if they were all wearing wizarding robes! ) and the hot Florida sun you would feel as though you were actually in Hogsmeade!

The Hogwarts Express!

The first place we went was Ollivander's. While researching I had read that the line for this develops really quickly and is very slow moving as they can only take about 20-30 people, if that, into the shop at a time and then there is the show which lasts for about 6 minutes. The line was not long yet so we got in line. We ended up waiting through the show that was already occurring and one other show. To give you an idea of how long we waited the first picture I took while standing in line was at 8:45 and my first picture of the show was taken at 8:58, not bad! We were in Ollivander's before the official park opening time. My tip: Arrive at the park for opening and head straight to Ollivander's if you plan on catching the show.

What does one do while waiting in line? Take pictures!

Hogwarts in the distance!

Ollivander's emptied out into Dervish and Banges

Continued in Next Post

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

We were finally let into Ollivander's and we shuffled over to the far side of the room. Ollivander was working away at some bookkeeping when we entered.

The shop was very authentic to the movie and had a nice atmosphere. It was a very small space though so there was not much room to move around.

One lucky person in the audience gets picked by Ollivander to go through the wand ceremony. Of course it is usually a kid but I have read about adults getting chosen from time to time so don't count yourself out of luck if you don't have a kid in tow! Sadly we weren't lucky enough to get chosen.

I recorded the show for you, it is a dark video as they really lower the lighting during the show for effect. It is nearly identical to Harry's experience at Ollivander's in the movie although the interaction with the chosen guest is, of course, different each time. The interaction with the little boy when we were there was pretty funny.

Here is the video if you want to check it out: Video:Ollivander's Wand Shop

After the show we were lead out into Dervish and Banges and that is where I will leave you until next time!



[post=42820711]Click here to continue[/post]

 

[jenbear123]

Wow! Awesome update on Harry potter! So they only choose kids mainly for the whole "let the wand choose you" etc thing that I've heard about? Can you buy wands there or is it only a show? Ah! I'm so excited to see it myself. That's quite ambitious of you to read the entire 5th,6th and 7th book straight through. Those are thick books! Can't wait to read more.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wow! Awesome update on Harry potter! So they only choose kids mainly for the whole "let the wand choose you" etc thing that I've heard about? Can you buy wands there or is it only a show? Ah! I'm so excited to see it myself. That's quite ambitious of you to read the entire 5th,6th and 7th book straight through. Those are thick books! Can't wait to read more.

Yep, they mainly choose kids for the wand ceremony, sometimes adults are chosen, I have read a few trip reports on the Universal boards where a teen or adult was chosen. It is just luck of the draw and I also think they look for enthusiasm when picking an adult.

Ollivander's is just the show, after the "wand ceremony" you are dumped into Dervish and Banges where you can buy wands and all sorts of other stuff. I'm pretty sure you can also buy wands at Filch's up at Hogwarts.

Yep, each time one of the new books came out I would book the day off from work and seclude myself in my room until I had finished reading it. I am a fast reader so I could usually finish them "quickly" aka within 24 hours.

 

[emmaca]

May 17th Continued

We had arrived at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I was so excited! I LOVE Harry Potter. I discovered the books in my first year of university many years ago. I spent the days before my first Psychology midterm reading the first four books (I still got a B on the midterm by the way, not bad for a slacker first year student! ) Erich had been reading the books from the start so he was already an established fan, I was just jumping on the bandwagon. I am dating myself here but the first movie came out that winter and the first thing we did as a family when I got off the plane at Christmas was head to the theatre to see the movie! Mom and Alek are also fans but not as much as Erich and I. When books 5,6, and 7 came out I got the books on the release day and then I sat down and read them straight through that same day. I couldn't risk anybody spoiling them for me and I just had to know what was going to happen next!

Continued in Next Post

Yes, Lessa is correct about the family being Harry Potter fans
- right before the first book arrived (by UPS), Lessa received a special delivery at the front door, owl mail had delivered, a special Harry Potter Cake. Truth be told, one of her brothers and I had placed the cake on the doorstep rang the doorbell and ran like lightning and hid behind the nearest bush, because we knew Lessa would be at the door at lightning speed. LOL!
- in 2001 we were living in Virginia Beach, I worked in a Middle School Library, during the school's reading week, the librarian and I transformed the library in Hogwarts with school banners, hanging candles, brewing potions, etc... Erich was asked to play the part of Harry Potter for the the reading week luncheon for all the teachers, I was Hagrid, and the librarian played the part of Prof. Dumbledore, we had a sorting hat and sat the teachers accordingly. It was a great day and week. I still laugh to this day about LITTLE ol' me being Hagrid. LOL. The year before, the reading week theme was "favorite literary characters", and I presented on Anne of Green Gables and dressed up as Anne. I was amazed that alot of the students did not know who Anne of Green Gables was or where Prince Edward Island was, mind you this was in Virginia and the students were in grades 6-8, so maybe not so surprising.

Memories....

 

[Must C Mickey]

Marcus and his hiking pack are too cute! and I really enjoy seeing pics of the mountains and wild animals that are not native to where I live. It's all quite breathtaking

 

[SmallWorld71]

Another great update! I am a huge Harry Potter fan as well and we visited WWOHP a year ago and LOVED it. We can't wait to go back!
Also, FWIW, it was a teen girl (around 17/18) that was chose when we went to Ollivander's and there were a lot of kids in our group in the 6-12 range who all looked like they would be thrilled to be chosen. Unfortunately, the teen was not at all in to it, so it turned out to be a bad decision on Ollivander' part; oh well.

 

[AliceinWonderland7]

great TR

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Marcus and his hiking pack are too cute! and I really enjoy seeing pics of the mountains and wild animals that are not native to where I live. It's all quite breathtaking

I'm glad you are enjoying the pictures and that you agree that Marcus is adorable!

Another great update! I am a huge Harry Potter fan as well and we visited WWOHP a year ago and LOVED it. We can't wait to go back!
Also, FWIW, it was a teen girl (around 17/18) that was chose when we went to Ollivander's and there were a lot of kids in our group in the 6-12 range who all looked like they would be thrilled to be chosen. Unfortunately, the teen was not at all in to it, so it turned out to be a bad decision on Ollivander' part; oh well.

It is always unfortunate when somebody gets picked from the audience to participate in something and they aren't excited about it. It is nice though that they are making an effort to not just pick kids.

great TR

Thanks!

 

[englishrose47]

Great pix of Haryy Potter Land !!I can't wait to see it myself next year !!!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Great pix of Haryy Potter Land !!I can't wait to see it myself next year !!!!

Are you going to visit on one of your free trips?

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Poor Marcus! Dad just e-mailed and said that he had to take Marcus to the vet to have a broken porcupine quill surgically removed from his paw. Apparently he caught it in his paw on their trip to Banff last week (must be nice to live so close you can go whenever you want)! They have no idea how it got snagged in his paw. Apparently he is now limping around all doped up with a bandage. Poor puppy dog!

 

[Must C Mickey]

Ouch! Poor Marcus. Sending him some pixie dust for a fast recovery

 

[GeminiAngel]

The poor pup'ers.
Hugs and kisses to Marcus.

 

[All7OfUs]

Sounds like you had a great day at the WWOHP!! I'd love to go there someday; I've never read the books, but the theming does look amazing!

 

[orangecats2]

Oh, poor baby! I hope he gets better really quick!

 

[reelmom]

I love the pictures of the WWoHP. We are going next June and I cannot wait. I have seem movies 1-7.1 and started reading the books a little while ago. I am up to book 5. The movies are good but the books are so much better. I can actually understand what is going on in the movies now.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Ouch! Poor Marcus. Sending him some pixie dust for a fast recovery

The poor pup'ers.
Hugs and kisses to Marcus.

Oh, poor baby! I hope he gets better really quick!

I know, poor Marcus! I don't know how he will get by with an injured paw, he won't be able to run around acting crazy!

Sounds like you had a great day at the WWOHP!! I'd love to go there someday; I've never read the books, but the theming does look amazing!

Liesa, the books are so good, if you ever have the chance you should try them.

I love the pictures of the WWoHP. We are going next June and I cannot wait. I have seem movies 1-7.1 and started reading the books a little while ago. I am up to book 5. The movies are good but the books are so much better. I can actually understand what is going on in the movies now.

I know exactly what you mean, I consider the movies as a supplement to the books, I imagine that parts of them are hard to follow/understand without having the knowledge from the books. For instance, you don't get the same level of character attachment to some of the "minor" characters in the movies like you do in the books, makes a big difference when it comes to the emotion of the story.