When I tell people I'm from Orlando, Florida, their immediate response is typically, "Do you go to Disney World all of the time?". Though I've had my fair share of encounters with "the most magical place on Earth", I enjoy Universal Studios Orlando more than any other theme park in Florida.
The park has drawn visitors from far and wide to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter come to life. In June of 2010, Universal Studios-Islands of Adventures created Hogsmede, and environment based upon J.K. Rowling's best-selling series Harry Potter. Guests could tour the Hogwarts Castle, shop in Hogsmede, and even drink delicious "butterbeer".
Friends and I have made it a habit to always try to convince workers we're British and though our attempts mostly fail, it adds to the excitement of the day. More than a few times, we've thrown on our robes and grabbed our wands to mess with tourists, since that's what native Floridians like to do. It didn't take us long to learn every nook and cranny of Hogsmede, so when Universal was rumored to be adding on to the Wizarding World, we accepted the challenge of discovering all the secrets of the new addition.
On July 8, 2014, guests flooded the park to check out the re-creation of the book series' most famous street, Diagon Alley. Visitors can board the Hogwarts Express, an interactive train that connects Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure. Once you leave the platform, it's a complete transformation into another world. The streets are lined with the iconic shops from the books and each is fully equipped with any magical gear you'd ever need to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
You need your school uniform? They've got a store for that. Dress robes? Another store for that. A stuffed animal pet to keep you company? A store for that as well. And if you have a sweet tooth, there's even a candy shop just a few steps away.
Walking through the portal onto the street, you're greeted by a fire-breathing dragon perched on top of Gringotts Bank. inside, you can ride the new roller-coaster and simulator ride based on a scene from the final book in the Harry Potter series, as you escape the deep vaults of Gringotts. The wait is a long one, but well worth it. While it's not a thrill ride, it is definitely a new favorite attraction of mine between both parks.
I've been attending theme parks every weekend for years, so it takes more than a fancy ride to impress me. As an enthusiastic fan of the books, I was blown away by the attention to detail in the new addition. Every possible literary detail has been transformed to life, even down to the iconic 9 3/4 platform in King's Cross Station.
It might seem like it's only a place for those die-hard Harry Potter fans that have their own wands robes, but that's not true. It's a place where creativity and imagination are key. I've had my moments in the park where I actually feel like I can cast spells and recite charms and that's the whole point of it. It's a place for people to forget where they are for a while, to forget where they're from, and live in the fictional world for an hour or two.
If you're ever planning to take a trip to Orlando, I would advise you to pencil in a day to visit both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Both are family-friendly parks and you'll be sure to appreciate the tribute to Harry Potter, whether or not you're a fan.
Written by: Rafy Evans
Photos by: Rafy Evans