We walked through Universal Studios into London, and entered Diagon Alley. The accuracy from the Harry Potter series is extraordinary. From the Gringotts dragon which breathes hot fire to the smells to the sounds to the moving pictures to every minute detail of the storyline - we marveled at it all. We started with the Escape from Gringotts ride and made our way through the bank, which was filled with very realistic goblins. The ride was an incredible journey where we were in a mining car making a dramatic escape from the bank's vaults. A true feat of engineering and storytelling.
We then visited Ollivander's where Willa purchased Ginny's wand. Jia had borrowed Luna Lovegood's wand from a friend. We also viewed the very charming wand selection ceremony. Two twin boys were celebrating their birthday and they were both chosen for the ceremony in a twin selection.
After purchasing a wand, we enjoyed the interactive spell casting throughout the park. We made ink plumes float, umbrellas dump rain, and chocolate frogs croak.
The storefronts and stores are amazing. The Books of Monsters snarl and the mirror in Madam Malkins' robe store has opinions about your outfits. Willa selected Buckbeak from the Magical Menagerie. We exchanged Muggle money at the Gringotts bank.
At the Hopping Pot, we enjoyed Fishy Green Ale, which tastes like citrus cinnamon soda with blueberry popping boba. The Weasley's Wizard Wheezes joke shop had everything from Extendable Ears to Nosebleed Nougat. A potions shop featured "skele-grow." We purchased many candies from Sugarplum's Sweetshop. We grabbed a yummy breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron, with Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer to drink. It was so much fun to see everything re-created from the books.
Knockturn Alley had a shrunken head chorus, and Daily Prophet warnings about Bellatrix. Willa's skeleton danced and dabbed in the dark after doing a spell. Borgin and Burkes featured the creepy hand which grabbed Harry.
We visited with the conductor (and the shrunken head) of the Knight Bus. "You are from Minnesota? I don't want a Minne-Soda. I want a Minn-Beer from the Minne-Bar!" the shrunken head yelled. We also dialed M-A-G-I-C at the red phone booth. The girls had to learn how to use a rotary phone. We reached the Ministry of Magic.
We then entered Kings Cross station and watched the girls disappear at the Platform 9 3/4. We rode the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade in the Universal Islands of Adventure. Wow. The train's windows and door told an exciting story along the way.
Hogsmeade was a charming village covered with snow. We visited Honeyduke's Sweet Shop, heard screaming baby mandrakes and even Moaning Myrtle was in the bathroom! We tried a yummy frozen Butterbeer, and then entered Hogwarts Castle.
The castle was tremendous. We visited Dumbledore's office complete with pensieve and a wise Dumbledore. The pictures in the corridors spoke to each other. Harry, Ron and Hermoine warned us of boring lectures by Professor Bins, and the sorting hat was as concerning as always. Then we were off on the Forbidden Journey ride inside. It was a flight simulator that tossed us around so much that I nearly tossed my lunch. It was much more realistic and dramatic than anticipated - Jia loved it. It was truly like flying. (Apparently I am not made for flying.)
Willa was very apprehensive about the Forbidden Journey ride, but agreed to it as Jia really wanted to do it. Afterward, Jia used her own money to buy her Dumbledore's Phoenix Fawkes.
Being immersed in the Harry Potter world was so impressive. When I asked Jia about her favorite part of the day, she replied, "As soon as I walked in, I knew - this is my place."
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