I went to a Land of Dreams to see an Ogre and a Donkey. There were Trolls. I saw a light show over the water and on the Castle. I saw a Epic Model.

[Robo56]

I’ve not had good luck with the two candle tin as to scent being a bit too faint for my liking. Could be the ones I selected. What do you think about them?

So happy to have you along for the report.

The candle tin I bought from HHN was the Chucky one and it smelled like Fruit Loops
and the scent was just enough when lit. I’am going to pick up one of the Hogwarts Christmas Gingerbread ones in September. Will let you know how that one does.

Which ones did you try?

Wow, so many photos. Thanks for another good read.

So glad to have you along for the report.

Good night and sweet dreams for all the homies.

Sweet dreams to you too Mac

 

[Robo56]

 

[Robo56]

During the Castle show “Hogwarts Always” the Hogwarts House who won the Triwizard Tournament that night would be displayed at the end. This could change on any given night. Tonight’s winner was Slytherin.














The first showing was over and I was ready for something to drink. The TM’s were directing everyone out as the next showing was starting soon. I made a quick stop in the restroom then onto the Hog’s Head for a drink.






Although it was busy outside with the next show getting ready to start there was hardly anyone in the Hog’s Head. As is always in the WWOHP with magical things the trophied head of the Pig moves.

I had never tried the Pumpkin Fiz before and decided to have one.



It was really good. It was not overly sweet and the pumpkin flavor was not as intense as I had thought it would be.

It was nice and cool inside and I was happy for the beverage and the reprieve from the heat.

After I was finished with my Pumpkin Fiz I was still a little thirsty so I decided to see how the Butterbeer was.



I had tried the Frozen Butterbeer when Hogsmeade first opened many moons ago. I could only tolerate a couple of sips and I was done. As you all know who have tried it. It has a strong taste of cream soda and butterscotch.

I think the original recipe was tweaked from what was presented when it was first offered when Hogsmeade had just opened or maybe it is my taste buds.

It is just to overly sweet to me.

Everyone seems to have their favorite Butterbeer be it regular, hot or frozen.

I keep thinking it will grow on me and I will like it, don’t think it will happen.

My younger sister who vacations with me at Universal does like thes Frozen Butterbeer.

While I was sitting and having my drinks the bartender and I had a nice talk. She was so nice and you could tell she enjoyed her job.

After a couple sips of the Butterbeer I was done and it was time to start making my way out of Hogsmeade.





To be continued

 

[macraven]

Have to say, you have captured fantastic pictures!
Appreciate you are posting them!

 

[keishashadow]

Which ones did you try?

HHN ones, fog & a pumpkiny one (can't remember the names)

The ET one seems nice, plan on trying it

Have multiple wdw ones & the wax melts (which are even worse as to little scent).

I bought the ones for our fav resorts & a couple of the rides. Other than a couple, passed most along to others who said they thot were fine. Maybe my nose is off? lol

Believe the wdw & u ones by the same company? Magic candle, not sure.

It is just to overly sweet to me

I just cannot, so many seem to adore the different varieties. Most agree on the frozen being the best

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Love the pictures of the new lightshow! I can't wait to see it in person!!!! 70 days!!!!

Great pictures!

 

[Robo56]

Have to say, you have captured fantastic pictures!
Appreciate you are posting them!

Your so welcome Mac. I’am glad you are enjoying them.

Love the pictures of the new lightshow! I can't wait to see it in person!!!! 70 days!!!!

Great pictures!

Thank you Pumpkin. It is so nice hear you are enjoying the pictures.

The present light show on the Castle was posted to be over August 25th. I think they will probably have a Halloween Dark Arts theme for Halloween season if they follow what they have done in years pass.

No matter what they show you will love it.

Your trip will be here before you know it.

 

[Robo56]

Sunday, June 23rd continued

I took a quick photo of the Three Broomsticks before I left. I have eaten at the Three Broomsticks on a few occasions with my family and by myself. I always get the roast chicken and rib meal. It has always been good.

The Great Feast meal for a family is a great value.

For those that haven’t visited Hogsmeade yet. When you are in the Three B’s you turn and walk as far as you can to the right and it leads into the Hog’s Head.

So there are two entrances to the Hog’s Head, from Three B’s and the outside entrance directly into Hog’s Head.

I stopped in front of the Dogweed & Deathcap store to get a few photos of the Mandrake plants.







Remember in the HP movie “Chamber of Secrets” when Harry and the gang are being instructed in their Herbology class in the greenhouse my Professor Pomona Sprout. The lesson was on how to re-pot baby Mandrakes.

The Professor had the students put on noise canceling earmuffs to help so they could not hear the shrieking of the baby Mandrakes as they were transplanting them.

When uprooted from the earth the scream of an adult Mandrakes shriek could shatter glass and cause anyone who hears it to die.

The baby Mandrakes shriek could cause someone to pass out for a while. Which is what poor Neville Longbottom did even though he had the earmuffs on.

A little tidbit. Professor Sprout was a Hufflepuff.

It would have been wonderful had there been more actual stores located in store fronts in Hogsmeade. Those stores would have been awesome to walk through.

Maybe in the future they will expand to include some of stores.

It would be awesome to attend a meal in the Hogwarts Castle.

There are so many ways Universal can grow the WWOHP franchise even in its present footprint. It would mean taking over some other areas of the park adjacent to it. I don’t see the interest ever waning in the WWOHP. I’am looking forward to seeing the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.

I next I crossed over the street to the Owl Post.






I have always thought how accurate and life like the displays are of the Owls perching in the Owl Post in Hogsmead and the Owl display in Diagon Alley. Right down to the Owl waste dripping down the perch post, yuk.



It was nice to walk in easily as this area is usually mobbed with people.

 

[Robo56]

Of course I couldn’t leave Hogsmeade without walking through HoneyDukes. I have fond memories here. I brought my grandchildren here many times. They bought their chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's every flavor jelly beans here and many more treats over the years,

Rememeber when Hogsmeade first opened. Half the of store was HoneyDukes and the other half was Zonko’s joke shop (toy store).










To be continued

 

[Robo56]

Sunday, June 23rd continued

After leaving Hogsmeade I enjoyed my saunter throught the Lost Continent. The Parks do take on a different life altogether in the dark with everything lit up.









Seuss Landing is especially colorful at night with the lights on.





I headed for the park exit after a quick wonder through Seuss Landing. I thought of my little Great-Nephew J that I watch one day a week. He loves his Dr. Seuss books. His favorite is “Fox in Sox”. He reads it to me everytime I sit with him. He is 4 years old and the sweetest little fella.

When I approached the Water Taxi dock there was a bit of a line for Sapphire Falls, but I decided not to walk to the Resort tonight. It was not to long a wait until the Water Taxi arrived. I did make it on the second one.

It was so nice to enter into the airconditioning once reaching the door to the resort. I made a beeline for my room, locked the door, closed the drapes and took a nice cool shower. Then put my comfy gown on and when my head hit the pillow I was out.




to be continued

 

[Robo56]

Monday, June 24th

I was up early and I took a nice shower. The sun was up and bright. It is such a nice view looking out the windows onto the Lagoon.


I was ready for my morning Starbucks. So I was off for my walk over to Aventura.


I ordered a Carmel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino with nonfat milk and an extra shot. I decided on an Everything bagel with avocado and cream cheese.




After breakfast I stopped in to look around the gift shop.

All the gift shops even the ones in parks do not carry the same items. I had seen a little Minion Bob here and I stopped in and picked it up on my way out. My little great-nephew J loves the Minions so I thought he would like to add this to his collection.

I headed back to by room and the maid had already been in and made the bed and left fresh towels etc.

I pulled my dirty laundry together and went down to the laundry room on the first floor. With it being as hot and humid as it has been I was going through clothes and wanted to get everything clean to go back into my suitcase.



The laundry is on the first floor. There was only one other person in the there when I arrived.

I started my laundry and set the timer on my phone according to finish time on the washer.

You can see the credit card slots on top of the machines for easy use of the machines,


There is a laundry detergent machine in the laundry room if you don’t have your own.

I went up to the lobby and did some reading until my laundry was done. I went back to my room and put my clothes away and I wanted to head back over to the studios for a while.

As soon as I walked out the door to head to the Water Taxi the heat and humidity had amped up for sure.

Our boat Captain on the way over was Captain Bob. He has been around for a long time and he is a happy nice guy. He loves to tell jokes and you can tell he loves his job.



To be continued

 

[Robo56]

Monday, June 24th continued

After I arrived in CityWalk I decided to pop back into the Epic Universe preview center. I wanted to get another look at the roller coaster that is going to be in Celestial Park.



LOL….this one is going to be a nail biter for sure. Universal keeps upping their game on these new coasters for sure.


After leaving the preview center I headed over to the Studios.

It was not busy at all getting into the park.

Scooby and the gang came out and there were little ones and adults alike that were very happy to see them.







I then went over to one of my must look in stores the Five & Dime.


I always like to see what they have done with the Monsters in the store.





They really do up the display for HHN.

This bride of Frankenstein is one of my favorites, but it looks like her expression is different than before. I will have to compare it to last years photos.


No it is the same as before It just looks different as I took a straight on photo.

 

[Robo56]

As you walked in the door they had HHN merchandise.


This is a cute and creepy Halloween shirt. I saw this at the All Hallows Eve Boutique too. It is kinda growing on me. Might have to get this one.




There was a lot of Chucky merchadise.






I don’t recall seeing these Chucky “wanna play” jumpers last year.







To be continued

 

[Robo56]

HHN ones, fog & a pumpkiny one (can't remember the names)

I like Pumpkin scented candles.

 

[wdwrule]

Monday, June 24th

I was up early and I took a nice shower. The sun was up and bright. It is such a nice view looking out the windows onto the Lagoon.
View attachment 882163

I was ready for my morning Starbucks. So I was off for my walk over to Aventura.


I ordered a Carmel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino with nonfat milk and an extra shot. I decided on an Everything bagel with avocado and cream cheese.
View attachment 882159

View attachment 882160

After breakfast I stopped in to look around the gift shop.
View attachment 882161
All the gift shops even the ones in parks do not carry the same items. I had seen a little Minion Bob here and I stopped in and picked it up on my way out. My little great-nephew J loves the Minions so I thought he would like to add this to his collection.

I headed back to by room and the maid had already been in and made the bed and left fresh towels etc.

I pulled my dirty laundry together and went down to the laundry room on the first floor. With it being as hot and humid as it has been I was going through clothes and wanted to get everything clean to go back into my suitcase.

View attachment 882164

The laundry is on the first floor. There was only one other person in the there when I arrived.

I started my laundry and set the timer on my phone according to finish time on the washer.

You can see the credit card slots on top of the machines for easy use of the machines,
View attachment 882165

There is a laundry detergent machine in the laundry room if you don’t have your own.
View attachment 882167
I went up to the lobby and did some reading until my laundry was done. I went back to my room and put my clothes away and I wanted to head back over to the studios for a while.

As soon as I walked out the door to head to the Water Taxi the heat and humidity had amped up for sure.

Our boat Captain on the way over was Captain Bob. He has been around for a long time and he is a happy nice guy. He loves to tell jokes and you can tell he loves his job.



To be continued

Love Captain Bob! He is such a hoot and you can tell he genuinely enjoys his job.

 

[Robo56]

Love Captain Bob! He is such a hoot and you can tell he genuinely enjoys his job.

Yes, he is a gem for sure.

 

[Robo56]

Monday, June 24th continued

I looked at some more Halloween T-shirts in the Five & Dime. Universal has done a wonderful job of growing their Halloween merchandise over the years. They have an incredible selection of t-shirts to choose from as well as tons of other merchandise. If you have a Halloween fan in the family bring a bigger suit case to get your Halloween booty back home.












After looking around the Five & Dime I looked across the street and Homer and Marge Simpson were out for photos.







I have wonderful fond memories with the meet and greets with the various characters over the years with my grandchildren.

 

[Robo56]

Then as I was walking I noticed this fella standing outside Pantages Theatre




BeetleJuice is still a popular character folks like taking photos with.

Many years ago Universal had a Monster musical show. It was really good. I miss it.

I walked over to DreamWorks Land and had to have one more Poppy-licious lemonade cream.





to be continued

 

[Robo56]

Monday. June 24th continued

After getting my lemonade ice cream I walked over to the bridge crossed halfway over and took this photo it was a beautiful hot and humid day at Universal. A beautiful blue sky and cotton candy clouds……LOL….must be the sugar in the ice cream talking.


As I was passing 12 Grimmauld Place a lady asked me why people were stopping and looking up at the building. She had obviously not seen Kreacher yet. The Black Family’s Elf with an Attidude……I told her to wait a couple of minutes and finally Kreacher appeared.





She then asked me where the entrance to Diagon Alley was. She was suppose to meet her family there. I told her it was not marked as it should not be and told her to follow me.

As we entered inside her mouth dropped and I told her everyone pretty much has that reaction the first time and told her to have fun exploring.

The first time my older sister who lives in Florida went to Diagon Alley she called me and asked me were it was. I asked her if she had seen the Knight Bus and the phone box and she had. I told her she was near the entrance. She said there was no sign…I told her there was not supposed to be a sign. I told her if there was a sign every MUGGLE in town would be in there and us WIZARDING FOLK would never be able to get in……LOL

She did finally find the entrance and yes she was very impressed. Who wouldn’t be “right”.











I came into the Money Exchange and a little girl and her family were staring at the Goblin. I told her to talk to him and she did and was overjoyed when he responded to her.










To be continued

 

[Robo56]

Monday, June 24th continued


I often hear and read people say that they never tire of entering those bricks that reveal the wonder of Diagon Alley when you enter. I feel the same way.

Universal really packed the feel and the magic of Diagon Alley into this space. I always find something I have not noticed before when I visit.

To me it seems it is really hard to capture the beauty and Magic of the buildings in photos. It is truly one of those places you just have to see yourself to appreciate it.

What an incredible writer J.K. Rowling is to have been able to pull all the characters, places, food, animals etc… out of her imagination. I’am awed by her talent. I don’t think the interest in the Wizarding World will ever dimmish.

Everyone is looking forward to the Ministry of Magic Park at Epic Universe.

Florean’s has really good ice cream and you really should visit multiple times to find your favorite flavor. There are many to choose from. I had already had my ice cream for the day so no more for me.

It can be pretty busy and there is usually a line earlier in the day. If you visit during the evening it is usually easier to get in.


I always stop at the Magical Menagerie to take a photo of the Parsel Tongue Snake. If you are facing the front of the store go to the left side of the building and you will see the snake in the window.

There are some benches back there also to set on in that area.


Inside the shop they have some fun Pigmy Puff items. I remember when there were just the small Pigmy Puffs. Now you can buy robes, slippers etc.











One of my favorite parts of Daigon Alley is Knockturn Alley.


There is more then one way to enter Knockturn Alley.


Once your eyes adjust to the darkness in Knockturn Alley enjoy all the magical things to see inside.







to be continued