I finally experienced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. After giving the area of the park time to get into a typical groove after its early June opening, I ventured into the park on October 11, 2010.

Despite the fact it was off season and a Monday, the Wizarding World was still packed. The area of the park is by far the freshest aspect, even overshadowing Marvel Super Hero Island. As a Harry Potter fan that has actually read the books, it was easy to nitpick every aspect that didn’t coincide with the written work. For instance, Ollivanders isn’t actually in Hogsmeade. However, I kept that fact that this is just a part of a huge park and not an attempt to replicate the world in my mind.

STORES – Dervish and Banges, Filch’s Emporium, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Zonkos

The first issue that made me scratch my head in confusion was the stores themselves. They were all impossibly tiny and impossible to enjoy as fellow patrons demanded you move so they could see or simply pushed you out of the way due to such enclosed spaces. Did Universal underestimate the vast number of Harry Potter fans and their passion? I wanted to relish in offerings, look at the details and enjoy what I paid over a hundred dollars to see. It was my number one complaint…the stores beyond too small and nearly claustrophobic. There were actual waiting times demanding up to half an hour of your precious time just to enter the store. Once in, it was a chaos of fellow patrons trying to shop in slim aisles. *These stores are NOT wheelchair or stroller friendly. One woman was constantly trying to maneuver her wheelchair and eventually gave up and exited.

Squished in behind Ollivanders was Dervish and Banges. This was another top complaint. Each store was attached to another store (sans for Filch’s Emporium). That factor played to a problem that would be an obvious design flaw. Ollivanders required a 45 minute wait to witness a 5 minute “show” of ONE child having center stage to have a wand choose them. Those who waited in the nearly hour long line were then spit out into the shop itself which is smaller than my living room. Here is the issue. One could walk right into Dervish and Banges and into Ollivanders with zero wait. You didn’t see the show, but if you aren’t chosen to have the wand pick you…it’s really not worth it according to several who waited and saw the show. That factor caused issues. Angry patrons complained after waiting while others stumbled in the shop from Dervish and Banges bought their wands and exited within minutes. Wizards outside were instructing those asking where to get wands to wait in the line at Ollivanders.

Same issue for Zonkos and Honeydukes. They were attached at the cash wrap. You could easily wait in line at Honeydukes while others walked right into Zonkos and then into the candy shop. The waiting issue was prevalent in most of the park. Even Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods, which was at the end of the Forbidden Journey ride, had an issue. An entrance/exit to the store was in the locker area. Once again, people lined up outside the true entrance to the shop while others walked right in through the locker area.

Along the path through the wizarding world many “shops” were actually just for looks. It seemed like such wasted room that could have solved so many space problems. I suppose it gave you something to look at as you waited in one of the lines as the pretend stores had windows featuring interesting displays. One was a replica of Hermione’s dress worn in The Goblet of Fire with a tape measure cat and pins.

PROS: The shops have quite a few offerings. Prices were steep but a true Potter fan will fork over a kidney for some of these items. Some items were indeed ridiculously overpriced for what you got, but other items were fairly priced. A stuffed Hedwig was nearly $30 and looked unworthy of such a demand, but upon closer inspection its head moved via a puppet like stick inside and made owl noises when you squeezed the tip of its wing. Wands were beautiful, but I don’t think they are genuine wood. Each birth month is made of a different wood. For example, March 1st’s wand is supposed to be ash. Instead I was offered some sort of molded hard plastic wand that was still neat with the handle’s engraved with a leaf design.

HINT: Chocolate Cauldrons were Buy One, Get One Free. It wasn’t advertised, but ask one of the wizards manning the shops if there are any specials. You might be surprised.

PRICE LISTS

Dervish and Banges
Pins: $9.95
Patches:$6.95
House Ties: $9.95
Omnioculars: $34.95
Stuffed Dragon: $21.95
Remembrall: $12.95
Quaffle Ball: $19.95
Golden Snitch: $14.95
Wizard Robe: $99.95

Sneakoscope: $14.95
Trwizard Cup: $16.95
Bludger Bat & Ball Set: $21.95

Filch’s Emporium
Hogwarts Stein: $34.95
Scarfs: $29.95
Stuffed Phoenix: $24.95
Stuffed Hippogriff: $21.95
Ministry of Magic Mug: $12.95
Stuffed Owl (Hedwig) – $29.95
Marauder’s Map Mug: $16.95

Honeydukes
Fudge Flies: $6.95
Honeydukes Salt Water Taffy: $6.95
Chocolate Frog: $9.95
Chocolate Cauldron: $9.95
Honeydukes Milk Chocolate Bar: $4.50
Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans: $9.95
Clippy’s Clip Joint Clippings: $2.95
Honeydukes Hard Candy: $12.95
Ton-Tongue Toffee: $12.95

Ollivanders Wands: $28.95

Zonkos Joke Shop
Chattering Teeth: $4.95
Screaming Yo-Yo: $9.95
Fanged Flyer: $24.95
Zonko’s Mug: $12.95
Robot Lilliput: $21.95
Duck On Bike: $19.95
Chinese Fortune Sticks: $11.95

DINING: The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head Pub

You have one actual eating option. The Three Broomsticks offers British fair. Be warned, typical English food isn’t exactly fantastic to start with. A menu offered Shepherd’s Pie which was $9.99 and came with a small salad. In short it was awful. I adore a good Shepherd’s Pie and frequent an Irish pub in my hometown. Perhaps it is the Americanized version that I love and this was something more true to what you get in England. I hope not. Instead of what is usually filled with ground meat, diced veggies and a thin gravy…I was served tomato paste covered meat with chewy mashed potato topping. The salad was good, but how does one screw up salad?

My fellow diners got the Turkey Leg which was very good and was served with exactly 11 potato wedges and cost $11.99. Another patron ordered the Cornish Pasties that also came with the side salad for $7.99. They were worse than the Shepherd’s Pie. What I am guessing was the same meat filling used in the pie was folded into 3 tiny half circle pastries. The taste was once again tomato paste city and the portions were meager. The Rib Platter was the best by far. For $13.49 the meal came with a whole ear of corn, 6 ribs and roasted potatoes. The $11.99 fish and chips platter was also in the good category. Three Atlantic Cod were battered and sat alongside a small portion of what Americans would call steak fries.

Finally, the Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice. It can only be found in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal and was even approved by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. (Pronounced like bowling, but with an R.) The Butterbeer came in a liquid form and frozen form. It tasted like butterscotch and ginger ale or 7 Up soda. It was a carbonated beverage but still managed to be thick like a heavy beer it also boasted a white foam that was added after it is poured, leaving the drinker with a tasty mustache. I preferred the frozen to the liquid as it was incredibly rich and the frozen version seemed less tiring on my taste buds.

The Pumpkin Juice was incredible! Served on ice it tasted a bit like liquid pumpkin pie. It too is a bit rich so a little goes a long way. I can only compare it to a cider as it is something I don’t think has a rival. The ingredients label says it contains: water, apple juice concentrate, pumpkin puree, apricot puree, sugar, natural and artificial flavors. It is also sold in 16 oz souvenir bottles at Honeydukes in a small refrigerator case for $5.99.

Each beverage comes in a wimpy plastic cup or an awesome collectible mug. A souvenir mug filled with butterbeer will run you $9.99 (the frozen version is $10.99), but refills are just $2.99 for regular butterbeer and pumpkin juice and $3.99 for frozen butterbeer. The Hog’s Head brew, available in a slightly larger souvenir mug with a picture of the Hog’s Head on it, is yours for $11.49. You can also get other beer options on tap including the English Strongbow cider.

HINT: The Hog’s Head is where I recommend you buy your beverages. Carts in the paths of the wizarding world are available but usually have a 10 minute wait. I walked right into the Hog’s Head and ordered straight away then sat up the patio that gave a view of Hogwarts while everyone else waited in line at the cart and were then left trying to weave through the crowd with their drinks. Plus, the Hogs Head actually moves occasionally and the bartender was extremely nice not to mention the cooler temps.

As for miscellaneous eats, Honeydukes offers some dessert case style desserts. I bought a cauldron cake that was $3.95. It was basically a mousse filled chocolate cake dipped in chocolate. It was good, but if you aren’t a huge chocolate fan, you might not enjoy it as I did. Chocolate frogs were sporting a $9.95 price tag which nearly made me skip it. However, I had to indulge in one just to say I have had a chocolate frog. It was huge and came with a famous witch or wizard card. Worth it to me.

RIDES and SHOWS:Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Dragon Challenge, Beauxbatons/Durmstrang Triwizard Spirit Rally, Frog Choir

As for shows I didn’t get to see one. No times were posted anywhere nor were they in the map provided by Universal. The WWOHP offers a Triwizard Spirit Rally featuring the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students. I heard it was pretty good and was disappointed at the lack of info provided for park goers. A Frog Choir show is also put on. Again, no info was posted anywhere I looked and by the time I found a witch/wizard who could tell me the show times…they were over for the day. I was beyond disappointed.

The Forbidden Journey was the true crown jewel in the park. Even if you have never seen the movies or read the books, it is a thrill ride that makes you feel as though you are flying despite being attached to a giant robotic arm. It goes by incredibly fast and those who wish drink in every detail will need to ride it multiple times. The journey starts with Harry, Ron and Hermione talking you out of a boring lecture and offering to sneak you into a Quidditch game. You are strapped into a 4 person bench that is lifted into the air as they attempt to take you with them to the pitch. Along the way you encounter spiders, dragons, dementors, a basilisk and finally the field where you fly with Harry during a match against Slytherin. The breath of the dragon is actually hot, the kiss of the dementor is cold and spider venom is wet. It reminded me of the Spiderman ride that Universal also offers, but far better. When you aren’t in front of screen you are in a detailed set. It is very worth the wait and the line moves incredibly fast especially when enter the castle. You get to see house points counted, the entrance to Dumbledore’s office along with the office itself, the pensieve, the walls of moving paintings, the hump back witch and the sorting hat. You are whisked through quickly so I missed several details. Again, something you will need to go through more than once due to it’s amazing qualities.

HINT: Most of the action is focused on the right side of the seating. (Your right as you are sitting in the ride.) Place thrill seekers on the far right and those easily scared on the left. Also, many questions as to the harness issue preventing riders can be answered by click HERE to see the report of the “fixed” issue.

The Flight of the Hippogriff is best described a kid friendly coaster. Great for those who missed out on The Forbidden Journey. My only complaint is that Buckbeak is sitting in a nest that is blocked off from the awaiting line and you can only get a good look from the coaster itself which you whiz by all too quickly. You do get a good look at Hagrid’s hut while in line.

The Dragon Challenge is basically the Dueling Dragons coaster. However, tons of Harry Potter offerings are along the line including the Weasly’s bewitched car, the Goblet of Fire, the candles in the ceiling of the Great Hall and more. You can choose between the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail as they are two different coasters.

All said in done the experience was beyond fun. Many fellow patrons sourced the WWOHP the entire reason they w. Small shops, waits, price tags and lackluster food couldn’t rain on my parade. The beverages and souvenirs alone made my inner geek happy. The Forbidden Journey was near perfection. Even most of those working in the world of Harry Potter were in character and very fun. The only real negative experience I had with a WWOHP employee was the cashier at Honeydukes. He asked how I was doing and I replied: I am at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! How can I be anything but fantastic?!! He replied: “Not everyone shares your enthusiasm,” in a droll depressed tone. I looked at him confused and he shrugged and finished bagging up my purchase. On the positive side, a blonde woman working Filch’s Emporium was beyond pleasant and full of smiles and threw out a high five to a “mini muggle” wearing a Hogwarts t-shirt.

Also, a rumor is starting to rumble that Universal is entertaining the idea of expanding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Fantastic! I sincerely hope it is true. A survey of questions was being given to those exiting the park and featured the question “Would you return within the next 12 months if the Wizarding World of Harry Potter doubled in size?” This to me says they are at least cooking up ideas. Surprised? I am not. Orlando Sentinel reported the park’s massive success thanks to Potter.

Attendance at Orlando’s No. 2 theme-park resort soared 36 percent in the third quarter when compared with the same period last year, climbing by 1 million visitors to 3.7 million. It is the highest quarterly attendance Universal has reported since Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990. And it is the biggest year-over-year percentage gain at the resort since its second park, Islands of Adventure, debuted in 1999. The resort’s operating profit more than doubled, from $61 million a year ago to $127 million during the three-month period that ended Sept. 26. Net profit nearly tripled, from $37 million to $97 million.

Rumors are that Universal is taking advantage of this and going to be taking over The Lost Continent portion of the park to double the size of the WWOHP and double the offerings. Additions I’d like to see would be Gringotts (perhaps with a coaster-esque ride inside), Diagon Alley, The Leaky Cauldron and perhaps turn the Poseidon show into the Chamber of Secrets. Would you go or return? If you have gone, please share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.

**Universal Studios has shut down The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster “indefinitely” after the park claims it is performing “annual maintenance” on the coaster. It has been shut down for nearly a month and no time frames for a possible reopening have been given.

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