Trick or Tweet! The Lurkyloos Do F&W, etc: 11/8 Last Day at WDW!

[lurkyloo]

Great pictures Carrie! Your report is the most detailed (pictures wise) I've seen so far for WWoHP (what else would I expect from Ms. Lurkyloo ) You're doing a good job considering you're a newb to the HP lore. Your TR is certainly going to be helpful for when we go in December.

Glad to hear it! The one thing I'll talk about in the second installment is how much I wished I'd at least seen the movies before we went to WWoHP. I mean, I still enjoyed it, but now that I've seen the whole series, I really think I would have gotten so much more out of the place if I'd been familiar with it. It really makes me want to go back!

 

[Beka]

We were there the same time too. I agree with going to Ollivander's first. We ate at the Three Broomsticks (fish n chips) & were pleased. Overall, we were unimpressed with IOA & don't plan on going back any time soon.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

What a great post, I had concluded the same plan of attack would work this December, though we will get to utilize the on-site perks. I'm glad to see my thoughts worked in real life. Can't wait to go!! Great Update...

Though I am a tad curious if you are not a Harry Potter fan why go to IoA?

 

[lurkyloo]

We were there the same time too. I agree with going to Ollivander's first. We ate at the Three Broomsticks (fish n chips) & were pleased. Overall, we were unimpressed with IOA & don't plan on going back any time soon.

Yeah, just wait til I get to the general IOA part of my trip report... we were not impressed either!

What a great post, I had concluded the same plan of attack would work this December, though we will get to utilize the on-site perks. I'm glad to see my thoughts worked in real life. Can't wait to go!! Great Update...

Though I am a tad curious if you are not a Harry Potter fan why go to IoA?

Because Patrick is a Harry Potter fan! I got to be all martyred about it like I was doing him this huge favor, but then it turned out I had fun too! You guys are gonna have it easy with all those on-site perks like early entry—what fun!

 

[JRoyster86]

I had to work hard to talk myself out of these witches' cauldrons—they were so cute and sounded so good (chocolate cake with a mousse center, as I recall), but I could already almost taste how bland they would be…

The chocolate cauldron was actually my favorite purchase from all of the shops in WWoHP! The cake was soft and the mousse had a great flavor. I bought it just because I thought it looked awesome but I was shocked when it actually tasted great! If I had had the chance I would have actually gone back and bought a couple more...

Loving the report!

 

[lurkyloo]

Oooh! I love this tip! OK, I am ready to be surprised by the chocolate cauldrons... just one more reason we need to go back!

 

[Happydog]

Great new update and great previous two updates Which I had to catch up with! Love the photos from the karamel Kuche store in Germany. That kid plastered to the display case reminds me of Augustus Gloop... I am bummed to hear those cookies are just "meh" -- they looked fabulous! But I have to agree with you it all looks so appealing.

You really got around on this trip trying everything out! Some great undercover work on the venues, etc.

We have never eaten at the Yachtsman. I always get lured over to Blue Zoo when we are at the Beachclub. BUT you always describe such a great meal there... next time we will.

lots and lots of photos from HP land... I have to say my son would be beside himself, but I think that is the idea.. neat details, and if you know the stories even more so. We plan to go in 2012. Dueling Dragons, yep, that is the revamped coaster. I have only been to Universal once before, in my tweens... we rode Dueling Dragons three times in a row (idiots we were -- we just couldn't believe there wasn't a line) Oh was I nauseous. BADLY. STOOPID move on my part... I will never ride DD again, I don't care if you slap a Gryffindor logo on it!

Can't wait for more fun!

 

[lurkyloo]

Well I can see how bluezoo would lure you away from just about anywhere! I can really only recommend the Porterhouse at Yachtsman cuz we get it every single time. But that's cuz it's so dang good!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Thanks for your honest review of Mythos. We're planning on eating lunch there as well. I think we'll stick to the burgers/sandwiches.

I, too, had never seen the Harry Potter movies and only read the first book ages ago. We've been watching all the Harry Potter movies to get ready for the trip. We're up to the 6th one now. They're "ok" movies, but it'll be nice to have a reference point while we are there. We're mainly going to IoA for something new, WWoHP is just an added bonus.

Looking forward to reading more! Is Butter Beer carbonated?

 

[Disneygrl36]

Loving all the WWoHP pictures. Your tips really helped us out when we were there in January.....so thanks for that. Although, my Mom, Eric & I are all big Harry Potter fans, we were a tad bit underwhelmed with the WWoHP. I am glad we got to see it but it wasn't enough of a draw that we would leave our beloved Disney to go back unless they really expanded on the concept & added alot more stuff. It was also sooooo crowded the day we went that that really took away from our enjoyment because that area is so small that when it is packed it starts to feel really claustrophobic.

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks for your honest review of Mythos. We're planning on eating lunch there as well. I think we'll stick to the burgers/sandwiches.

I, too, had never seen the Harry Potter movies and only read the first book ages ago. We've been watching all the Harry Potter movies to get ready for the trip. We're up to the 6th one now. They're "ok" movies, but it'll be nice to have a reference point while we are there. We're mainly going to IoA for something new, WWoHP is just an added bonus.

Looking forward to reading more! Is Butter Beer carbonated?

I may be misremembering, but I think it is not. I mean, it didn't taste like cream soda or anything.

Good idea to watch all the movies first! We did it after the fact, and I was having all these delayed reactions like, "So THAT's why there's a crashed car outside of Dragon Challenge!!!"

Loving all the WWoHP pictures. Your tips really helped us out when we were there in January.....so thanks for that. Although, my Mom, Eric & I are all big Harry Potter fans, we were a tad bit underwhelmed with the WWoHP. I am glad we got to see it but it wasn't enough of a draw that we would leave our beloved Disney to go back unless they really expanded on the concept & added alot more stuff. It was also sooooo crowded the day we went that that really took away from our enjoyment because that area is so small that when it is packed it starts to feel really claustrophobic.

That's true—and supposedly they're already planning to expand it, so that will be nice. I know they'd never do this, but if they had a reduced-price ticket that just got you into WWoHP, I think we'd go back before the expansion.

 

[Beka]

That's true—and supposedly they're already planning to expand it, so that will be nice. I know they'd never do this, but if they had a reduced-price ticket that just got you into WWoHP, I think we'd go back before the expansion.

Agreed!

One thing I noticed when we were at IOP is how un-family-friendly it is. I was 8 weeks pregnant, and while I did ride (I'm having new infant brain here - sleep deprivation!) the Hogwarts ride, there wasn't much that I would have been able to ride, unlike the parks at WDW.

I too wish the stores weren't just facades, and that the actual stores were bigger. Yes, I know JKR wanted it to feel cramped (intimate?), but my God, they could have doubled the size & they still would have felt small! I found it hard to appreciate the details because of fighting crowds.

 

[Aburns8]

Thank you for the update! I am not a huge HP fan, so I guess I can wait a couple more years before I NEED to go!

 

[lurkyloo]

Agreed!

One thing I noticed when we were at IOP is how un-family-friendly it is. I was 8 weeks pregnant, and while I did ride (I'm having new infant brain here - sleep deprivation!) the Hogwarts ride, there wasn't much that I would have been able to ride, unlike the parks at WDW.

I too wish the stores weren't just facades, and that the actual stores were bigger. Yes, I know JKR wanted it to feel cramped (intimate?), but my God, they could have doubled the size & they still would have felt small! I found it hard to appreciate the details because of fighting crowds.

Totally! Maybe they'll remedy that if they do an addition.

Thank you for the update! I am not a huge HP fan, so I guess I can wait a couple more years before I NEED to go!

Yeah, I say wait until they expand it, which is looking more and more likely.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Enjoying the HP updates. We are going in December and I am takaing note of your hints. Since I booked our airfare a day early to save $400 we are probably going to spend the first night on Universal property for early entry and front of the line (and because we don't have enough DVC points to add another day at VWL).

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[norybell]

Love your WWoHP review! I'm such a huge HP geek, it's really sad that I haven't been able to drag myself away from WDW for a day to see it. One day, I will. Really.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I purchased the Universal book and read through most of it this past weekend. I am not a writer, or even that knowledgeable about grammar and whatnot, but it was strange how many errors are in this book. It is a great reference tool, though, as you said, there's not a lot of help planning Universal trips out there.

 

[JessieP2]

That's true—and supposedly they're already planning to expand it, so that will be nice. I know they'd never do this, but if they had a reduced-price ticket that just got you into WWoHP, I think we'd go back before the expansion.

Brilliant idea, then Disney could follow suit and I could get a discounted ticket to DHS because I only like TOT and RnRC. Then the kids could get a discounted ticket at MK because they never want to leave Fantasyland, then the person in our group who really doesn't like to ride could get a discounted ticket as an observer.

You think it's crowded now? Even with a huge expansion if they gave a discount to just go to WWOHP the place would be packed even more than it is now.
Ahh, gotta love the Disneyites.

 

[MEK]

Loved the update. We are going to Universal in December. We must do a very quick disney trip and our AP's will have expired. We are thinking of doing Universal two days and MVMCP. It's really all we have time for. I appreciate hearing your plan of attack on the forbidden journey.


Are there lockers before you even get into Harry's world? I am wondering if it would be easier to just ditch everything on the way in. Other than Forbidden Journey, I'm not too interested in the other things. I rather get over to Spider Man or go ride the Hulk.

Interested to see how the rest of the day went.


Thanks for the Mythos review.

 

[AnimalPrincess]

I am normally quite the lurker in your TR's but I decided to post something this time.
Your room at Beach Club is freaking amazing!! That view is to die for and what an awesome distance to IG, I am so jealous! We had a great room like that at BWV, unfortunately the short walk was to MGM not Epcot
We were in Orlando right after you were, overlapping by a few days I think. We loved WWoHP but we are huge HP fans, our friend actually works at HFJ so we got a special tour of the ride. I agree the ride is very jarring, kinda scary but awesome! I loved Honeydukes as well and took a zillion photos! Looking forward to reading more!