The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure doesn't officially open until June 18, but they held a special "soft opening" for on-site hotel guests only on Friday, May 28. And guess what? We just happened to stay on-site for the first time and got a sneak peek!
Total. Awesomesauce.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see everything. Of our whole group, I was one of two of us who agreed to wait in line for the ride in Hogwarts castle, while everyone else ran around, checking things out. They only gave us two hours in that section of the park, but we thought we'd have time to still see everything. We toured through the castle (it's part of the line), strapped ourselves in for the ride, got through almost all of the ride (which is very, VERY cool! It was like we were on a broom, playing Quidditch and being chased by dragons)...
Then the ride broke down. Our "cart" was perfectly upright for the first 10 or 15 minutes. Then they moved us and we were kind of hanging forward for about 5 minutes. Then they moved us again and we leaned to the left. Then finally they up-righted us and we sat...and sat...and sat... And then they turned on the lights and said the ride was officially broken down and someone would come to release us. We were one of the last ones out. Total of about 45 minutes stranded on the ride. By the time we got out, the HP World was closed down and I didn't get to visit the shops or go on any other rides. But I have a story only a handful of us can share. :-)
So here are some pics I did manage to snap. I can't wait to go back and experience it all!!! Hopefully, the ride will be permanently fixed by then!
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| Entrance to Hogsmeade |
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| Hogsmeade |
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| Zonkos |
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| Honeydukes!!! |
If you get a chance, you have to check it out. There's nothing like seeing your imagination come to life like this. And if you're going, let me know. Maybe I'll meet you there! :-)
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteExcept, I would have been so sick... upside down for 45 minutes... I'd never have been able to watch Harry Potter again.
Oh, no, we weren't upside down for 45 minutes! In fact, we weren't upside down at all. Just kinda at an angle for a few minutes. It was worth it. We felt lucky just to get a preview.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! I am simultaneously feeling very sorry for you and feeling very jealous of you!!! Wow, did you just happen upon this chance or did you know ahead of time! Amazing! I can't wait to go, I'm such a huge fan!! I'm going to have to link your blog post on my blog because I have a lot of Harry Potter lovers!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading/reviewing your book!!
My blog post! (in case you're interested :)
ReplyDeleteI love the permanent snow, nice touch!
ReplyDeleteAndye - Both. I knew there was going to be a soft opening, but didn't know it was only for two hours and only for guests of the on-site hotels. We stayed on-site this time because you get free Express Passes, which means you get to jump to the front of the line on my rides. Totally worth it! So that part was a fluke. I would have been truly disappointed if I knew of the soft opening, didn't stay on-site and ended up not being able to go. Thanks for the link! :)
ReplyDeleteJan, I know, right?!? It was 8 a.m. and we're all sweating in shorts and the buildings were covered in snow. LOL
ReplyDelete