Harry Potter Rides Report w/pics

[Karpkg]

Hello everybody!

Thought I'd give a report of our family's rides through Harry Potter World. We're a family of 4, me, DH and DD age 7 (finished 1st grade) and DS almost 6 finished Kindergarten. Height wise, DD is just over 46' and DS can ride Expedition Everest in Disney World (tad over 44').

I'll start with the Flight of the Hippogriff.

This was the only ride the entire family could ride. To compare to Disney, it's situated between Toontown's Barnstormer and Big Thunder, both rollercoasters the kids love. To compare against IOA kid's roller coaster, it's longer and more thrilling than the Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster.

Even if you don't ride the rollercoaster, you have to go through the queue line. Basically, you're visiting Hagrid's home. You go through the pumpkin patch similar to the scenes from Harry Potter's Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix.

As you wind around the pumpkin patch you walk up toward Hagrid's house on the right. Great picture posing, I just stand aside and let the few people go by.

Continue up the path...

and see the back of a large nest. (can you guess what's in the nest?)

 

[Karpkg]

Here's pics of us and other people on the ride.

Me and DS in bright yellow.

 

[southernsam]

great photos! thanks for posting!

 

[patster734]

Thanks for the pictures!

 

[Karpkg]

But what's in that nest???

Just a few feet ahead is....Buckbeak!!!

Hagrid's voice tells you to nod to Buckbeak as you go by, and he nods right back at you!!!

Can you guess why we rode umpteen million times for the next 3 days??

The ride is up and down, mild twists and turns, no upside down whatsoever. Great view of the castle when you're at the top.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Great pics and report. You guys look adorable!

 

[sjs314]

Nice Pics, TY for shareing

 

[loveysbydesign]

thanks for the pix!

 

[Karpkg]

For this one again, even if you don't ride go through the queue line. It has scenes from the Goblet's of Fire. Gorgeous walk up into the castle, flags of all the competing schools, the Goblet inside the castle. Very regal.

Fantastic castle view on the walk up.

Passing by the car that Ron stole to rescue Harry from his relatives. Crashed in the forest. Engine's still running as you walk by.

Crossing the bridge into the castle.

Test scene where Harry Potter is waiting nervously for his challenge with the dragon.

 

[Karpkg]

Seeing this was AWESOME. Literally. Looks better without the flash.

I couldn't get this without a flash, but you can figure out what they are.
Just close your ears if you try and open them!

Floating candles, again better without the flash.

Finally, the ride. We veered off to the side and did child swap. DH in line.

I would say if you've been on the Hulk, it's a longer ride and slightly less intense. I've never been on upside down rides before so here's my thoughts...I'm a former high school gymnast and it's the closest a lay person can get to doing multiple back and front handsprings along with several half twists in the air. It was DH's first time and he came off the ride very queasy. He wouldn't do it again so I didn't either.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Great photos and information.

 

[shasess]

Great pics!!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[JRoyster86]

Being a big HP geek, I have to ask, I don't see any Support Cedric stuff on Dueling Dragons. Was it there and it's just not in the pics or is he mysteriously missing?

 

[Bradsdadg]

Great pics and info, thanks for sharing!

 

[Dollyrar]

Thanks so much for sharing. You've shared so many unique things with us that I had yet to see

 

[TLinden16]

Great pictures!

 

[bucky1023]

Great pics.

I have a quick quesiton. My mom uses a scooter (had knee surgery and can't stand for too long) can she ride her scooter up to the ride or would she have to park outside and walk through?

 

[DISNEY CRAZY 69]

Great photos thank you for sharing...going in Jan. 2011 and CAN NOT WAIT

Thanks again

 

[Karpkg]

Great pics.

I have a quick quesiton. My mom uses a scooter (had knee surgery and can't stand for too long) can she ride her scooter up to the ride or would she have to park outside and walk through?

The pathways were wide enough for me and both kids to walk up side by side at times at Flight of Hippogriff. Looking at the pics of Dragon Challenge I believe it's wide enough there as well. So many people had cameras and video cameras taking pics of everything that all TM's know not every single person there was there for the ride. I do know when were in line for Forbidden Journey there was a lady in a wheelchair in front of me taking pictures than she veered off at the chicken exit.

 

[Karpkg]

Being a big HP geek, I have to ask, I don't see any Support Cedric stuff on Dueling Dragons. Was it there and it's just not in the pics or is he mysteriously missing?

How funny! No, I actually saw 2 flags for Harry, 1 for Krum, 1 for Fleur. There may have been but I don't have a pic. I did see support cedric stuff in merchandise though!