Wednesday 24th August.
Now I have been a Harry Potter fan ever since the first book was published . I loved the stories , romance, drama and wizardry ! I've read all the books and watched all the films. Being from the North East I live near to Anwick castle & Durham cathedral both film *locations. When I heard there was going to be a 'Harry Potter World' I knew a visit was a must do!*
As I said previously dh and myself don't tend to do roller coaters or other scary rides. I have back problems ( some of my discs have degenerated) and I also get motion sickness. * At HPW there are 3 ride attractions. Two of them, the flight of the hippograff and duelling dragons are roller coasters, so I knew we wouldn't be able to do them . The third ride was the main attraction called 'The Forbidden Journey ' which was a simulation ride. I had done some research of this to try and see what was involved. A lot people warned me that they had done it and were extremely sick afterwards due the motion. Although I kept telling myself it was going to be like Soarin but with wands!
Anyway the alarm was set for 7am and we were soon eating our bagels ! HPW was part of universal studious IOA a theme *park we'd never been too, due to the belief it was primarily full of roller coasters. As we didn't have a car we would be getting a taxi to and from the park. IOA didn't open till 9am but we also didn't want to get caught in any rush hour traffic . *So we left AKV at8.45 and got a taxi straight there. It cost us $40 Inc tips. *I was buzzing with excitement . For over a year I'd studied the park map so I kinda knew the most direct route to HPW.*
It was if we were transported back in time. Hogsmead was very quaint, if somewhat smaller than I imagined. It was also quite bizarre seeing snow in the Florida heat!*
Dh and I headed straight to Hogwarts as that was were the forbidden journey was. However our short cue luck had ran out and the sign said 75 min wait! Still it was what we came for so we walked up the entrance. A cast member was just outside *and she was telling everyone if they had a bag it had to be placed in a locker. No big problem I thought -although I'd forgotten I was not at Disney!!!
The locker rooms were in a state of absolute chaos! There were not very many signs and no cast members to help. It was very disorganised . People were pushing in different directions trying to find a locker that was open and unused. *After about 10 mins of searching for a locker, I saw an employee and asked how they worked. He took me to a desk and you scanned one of your fingers. It then automatically opened a specific locker and you placed your bag into it. Although I had to tell a lady who was standing next to the locker that it was assigned to me, *not to place her bag into it. In order to get your bag out your finger had to be scanned . Oh and you only had your locker for 90 minutes otherwise they started charging you.*
Finally my bag was secure and I was then able to rejoin dh and go to the back of the line. *Now another difference between WDW & US was the cueing system. The majority of the line snaked round the back of Hogwarts , there wasn't much too see and only limited fans, cooling systems. It eventually snaked round professor Sprouts greenhouses , but could I see any mandrakes - NO! *For about 7o minutes we just stood in a line! *
At last we made it through the doors and into the main body of Hogwarts. It then became interesting as you saw the moving paintings and were introduced to the background behind the ride. However we were rushed through this and couldn't enjoy it.*
We came to the platform where you had to get into the chairs, alarmingly they looked a lot *like a roller coaster chair and had the same sort of security fastenings. One difference was that they were side by side, rather than behind each other. *Oh because of the motion sickness worries, before I left our room this morning I took two travel sickness tablets as a precaution . Woosh off we went following Harry. Boy you felt like you were going 100mph ! It was amazing, scary but amazing. If anyone was watching me they would've laughed their socks off! Going round my hand was held out as if holding a wand and dh when we got off said, " I hear you shout , expecto patronum?" well yes I actually did, as I pretended I was immersed in the film, to get me through the ride.*
It was amazing, but equally I was very wobbly when I *got off. I was pleased once I'd retrieved my bag, to have a sit down in the sun and take some deep breaths!*
Going round we saw the Hogwarts express, honeydukes and the three broomsticks. We also saw Olivanders but we didn't go in, we were not after a wand and there was a 45 minute wait! I think the whole of Florida were at HPW. We were thirsty and we had to have some * Butterbeer, yet we cued for 25 minutes just to get some. It was scrummy and the frothy head had a vanilla flavour.*
It was around 1 pm when we left hogsmeade, and headed round the rest of IOA. We spent quite a bit of time going round the Jurassic park , and then we looked at the toons. We had decided to have lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe and by now it was 2 pm and we were getting hungry.*
Although foolishly we decided to do one more ride before lunch. Big Mistake! We went on 'Marges, Barges', a raft ride, it said on the poster you might get wet! WRONG - YOU GET ABSOLUTELY SOAKED! *The ride was fun, however I've never ever been so wet with all my clothes on. I thought back to when I was a school, doing my lifesaving swimming badges , where you had to swim in your pyjamas - I was wetter than that!*
After wringing out our clothes , dh and I sat in the sun for 20 mins to try and dry out. Although it didn't work, we were still soaking. But it was nearly 3pm and we were starving so we headed to Hard Rock. * * *
As we were so hungry we got the mixed appetisers for two, then we followed that with beef and shrimp fajitas! Boy they were good, although with the air conditioning and our wet clothes , sitting down was rather uncomfortable . By the time we finished our meal and of course had a look around the shop, and bought a hooded top, it was nearly 5 so we decided to go and get a taxi back to AKV.
By 6pm I was immersed into a hot bath, as despite the Florida heat, the wet clothes and air conditioning had froze me! As we had, had a late lunch, tea was made up of cereal and snacks again later that night. Another benefit of the one bedroom villas was the large washer and dryer. *As we watched tv , I managed to get all of our washing done, ready to pack tomorrow! Hmm I wish I'd bought a wand after all!*
also my previous one )
I've had to but an "interim" (boring black) case but can't wait to Disney it ip a bit!
We also must do Dumbo every time we go! We either do it first thing or save it for later in the evening though. We love the ride, but can do without the LONG waits in the Florida sun! 
while I was working ...
laura
