Why can't you ride the ride? Is it the motion sickness that gets to you?
Yes They recently tamed the ride down from it's original format if that is the case. But I know it affects people in different ways.
I doubt it would be tamed down enough for me. I've read plenty of stories. Personally, I always take Dramamine before visiting any park these days. I'm sure it has nothing to do with me getting older.
Dramamine will put me to sleep.
Dragon's Challenge (ala Dueling Dragons) was originally supposed to be in Animal Kingdom. I think Universal could have done a better job of theming that coaster but that is not a deal breaker for me.
It is not the themeing I have a problem with.
What WWOH has, that most people enjoy, is an extremely impressive overall reproduction of what readers envisioned when they read the books. I've made it clear that I never read the books or was even a big fan. But DW was moved by the books and it captivated her.
I love the books and movies. That is why we book our last trip, so I could see the theming. I loved the walk through the castle. It was so funny when we got near the ride/chicken entrance. DH gave me the backpack and many other items. I was "loaded down". The ride operator was trying to kindly tell me that I could not ride with all that stuff and started to point me to the locker area.. Before he could finish, I told him I was not riding but taking the chicken exit.
What Cinderella's Castle means to a lot of people when they walk up Main Street USA....yeah, there are a lot of people who get those same butterflies when they walk up to Hogsmeade. Just because I personally don't fully understand it, doesn't make it any less impressive. I was converted after I fully understood that.
Neither gives me butterflies. I loved seeing both.
Disney had the first crack at landing the HP franchise but were too stubborn/arrogant to let JK Rowling call the shots.
I think Disney made the right decision. The size of the shops and street were the direct result of Rowling. She made it "real", whether you agree with it or not.
The "real" has made me less interested in returning. It was built to her scale, how she envisioned it and there was no way around that.
This is exactly why I think Disney made the right decision. What drink did you order when you had counter service?
Water, what I usually drink. DH and I tried the regular and frozen butterbeer and the pumpkin juice. The pumpkin juice tasted just like apple juice to me. We both loved the frozen BB. I know it wasn't a Coke or the likes. Rowling wouldn't allow that. That area is basically the epitome of all theming. But the best is yet to come...around the same time the Mine Train coaster opens.
The best to me is a ride I can actually ride. The Mine Train will win for me.
I will just say this about the staying onsite part. When you say the boat ride only cut out a short walk back to your resort, was it about the same distance you'd walk to a Disney bus stop at any given resort or park?
You can trust me. 
