Wizarding World and Orlando Studios

Very soon I will be heading back to MY happiest place on Earth. This brings to mind the most fantastic event of my life. A few years ago, I was able to participate in one of the celebration events at Orlando Studios. This event was the 10 year anniversary of the first movie. Having the chance to celebrate up close and personal with other fans, as well as meet some of the actors was too great an opportunity to pass up.

We didn't know which actors would be attending the event. We knew about the Phelps twins. They always seem to go to Harry Potter events, and we fans love them for it.

We we arrived at the park for the first day,the congestion was intense. Especially directly in front of the joke shop. "The Today Show is interviewing a few of the actors" the people around me said. This was pretty exciting. I could actually see the twins standing by the shop, but I kept wondering if the most important actor (to me) would be a participant. Would Rupert Grint be there?

A whisper went through the crowd. Rupert was here, getting his photo taken at another location. Surely this was just a rumor. Then, the girl next to showed the surrounding fans a photo her friend had taken. It was a bit blurry, but it was definitely Rupert. He was here! Surely they'd interview him as well as the twins for the show.

Well, they did. We all stood around in a group while Kathy Lee and Hoda insulted the twins (by barely even interviewing them at all--they addressed this insult on their Twitters later that day), interviewed all of the other actors present (Rupert, Evanna, and Jason) , and insulted Harry Potter fans by making fun of the ones crazy enough to have HP tattoos.

The next event was a Autograph session. I was slightly disappointed in the people at my personal session, but I don't think any of the "major" actors were at any of these particular events.

The true highlight was producer David Heyman. He was charismatic, funny, and apparently amazed that I was 28 and looked as young as I did. He signed my photo "Great Genes!" (my mom also looks much younger than she is).

Also present was David Bradley (Filch), George Harris (Shacklebolt), and Nick Moran (Scabior). They weren't near as friendly, although Nick is much more attractive in person.

The question answer sessions were next on the agenda. Each person was given a ticket to a specific session at a specific time. You never knew who was going to be on stage, and you couldn't change days or times. You could attend other sessions, but could only be seated after ticket holders were.

During my session, when they brought out a footstool and placed it in front of a chair, we all cheered. We knew that meant that Warwick Davis would be there. When the directors and producers walked across stage, my mother and I were disappointed. We wouldn't even get a session with actors? Next came Warwick Davis (of course) and finally Jason Isaacs. When my mother saw Jason she made a noise I'd never heard before (a shout/cheer with a hint of Rawr). The session was surprisingly hilarious. Jason and Warwick fed off of each other, and the jokes were flying. I was pleasantly surprised, although I was already planning the next sessions I would attend (I wanted to see the other attendees).

The next day while my mother and I were shopping I randomly checked Twitter. On one of the Harry Potter news accounts that I followed were the words, "Rupert Grint to answer questions at [a time I can't remember]." I looked at mom and exclaimed, "Rupert is going to be at the next session!" She said, "Run, and I'll catch up." Without another word I darted all the way across the park to where the sessions were taking place. I wasn't even out of breath when I arrived, and was sixth in line to get in (after the ticket holders, that is). This was the ONLY session that actually was too full to allow everyone entrance. I guess word traveled pretty fast.

The session was actually a WEASLEY FAMILY session. The twins, Rupert, Mark Williams, and Domhnall Gleeson were all there.

These men were hilarious, interacting almost like a real family and answering a lot of questions from the audience. The twins discussed their frequent use of social media (namely Twitter). They teased Rupert for avoiding such things, egged on by the audience. Rupert even promised to start using Twitter (liar). Gleeson discussed his years spent on set because of his father (Brendan Gleeson/Mad-Eye Moody), and his eventual acceptance of the role of Bill. They talked about their friendships on and off set, and they all answered individual questions (although I can't remember all of the questions off of the top of my head).

Besides this question/answer session, the coolest part of this trip was the night time gala event. Not only did we get dinner, Butterbeer, and dessert provided to us by the park, but we got to ride the Wizarding World roller coasters at night. During this time, the Dueling Dragons ride actually ran each coaster at the same time (someone hadn't lost an eye yet), so it was really cool.

But the best part of THIS event was that we got to line up along the red carpet and get signatures from all of the actors and other celebrities that showed up. I will include a few pictures below.

I know that they are doing another one of these celebration events in January. I also know that Matt Lewis and Rupert will be there, as well as the old staples at these events (the Phelps twins and Evanna Lynch). I would say that if there are still tickets available, buy them and experience this for yourself. While it is busy, crowded, and crazy, it is definitely worth it. I made some lifelong friends during the event, and met some cool, famous people. The greatest aspect of the event is connecting with others that love Harry Potter as much as I do, and experiencing that excitement with others that appreciate it just as much.

Family Vacation to Orlando Number One

As the newest Orlando trip approaches, I am reminded about the last few trips my mother and I took to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. I realize that none of the few people that read my blog know when I went, what we did, or really anything else about the trips. I decided that I will discuss a little about all three trips (including pictures), in preparation of the approaching vacation family fun. 

My first trip to Orlando Studios/Islands of Adventure was in 2010. I was desperate to go once they added the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A little background information: Like millions of other people out there, I absolutely love Harry Potter. The books, the movies, the world created by J. K. Rowling. I love every little aspect of it. 

The moment I walked into the park I was in awe. With a view like this:

how could I not be. The perfect representation of the most magical and amazing school ever created by an author, tangible and directly in front of me. 

I couldn't wait to try Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. After a surprisingly short wait in the line for the ride, I discovered that it was broken, or at least down for repairs. They were nice enough to let people walk through to see the decorations inside. 

The first day was a mixture of joy and disappointment. My mother's blood pressure medicine caused full body cramps and an asthma attack. After spending about an hour in the medical area behind the park (a rare, unique sight at least), the park was too full of people for us to get back into the Wizarding World area. We spent the rest of the day exploring the rest of the park. 

The next few days were spent mostly in the Wizarding World only, just immersing ourselves in the tiny sample of the magical world. 

We DID get to finally ride the Forbidden Journey. It was a unique ride that really felt like we were flying through the magical grounds of Hogwarts. My advice is to avoid the ride if you get motion sick easily (or at least don't make the same mistake I did, and ride it three times in a row in quick succession). 

The two main shows (The Frog Choir and the performances of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons) were an interesting and creative addition. I enjoyed the school performances, but the Frog Choir was more entertaining. The singers had specific personalities based on their house affiliation, and their voices were delightful. The songs were great, and even Hedwig's Theme sounded lovely when sung A Capella.  

One downside to the Wizarding World was the food. This trip was the only trip to Universal in which I ate the food at the Three Broomsticks, not because it was too expensive or too busy in the restaurant, but because it was not very good. I got the Shepard's Pie, and it honestly tasted like it was made at Taco Bell. It WAS pretty...but awful.

Of course, the main delicious attraction in the park was the Butterbeer. Honestly, frozen Butterbeer is so good that I dream about it sometimes. It's less than a month before I go back, and I think that might be the part that I look forward to the most. 

A piece of advice to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure virgins: If you really, really like butterscotch, try the regular, cold Butterbeer. It is quite strong, and a bit too intense for me. The frozen is a perfect blend of butterscotch flavor and icy cream. I am actually really excited to try the warm Butterbeer that they apparently have now. Okay, now I'm sad that I have to wait about a month to have some. 

Something I got to see during my first visit to the Wizarding World that no one will see again is the Zonkos Joke shop. They have since moved all of the joke shop items to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. I wish I had taken more pictures inside of the store, but I have a few that I will include, in case you are wondering what the store looked like. 

If you were wondering, yes I did see other parts of the two parks on this trip, but the main focus was on the main attraction (or at least the main attraction for me). Here are pictures of some other highlights of the two parks, given in quick succession. 

Family Vacations

As December approaches, I am starting to get more nervous and more excited. No, not because of Christmas. Christmas has sort of become unimportant to me since I've become an adult (and sort of poor). It is pretty much a day to spend time with my mother and boyfriend, eating a nice dinner and doing family things. 

No, on December sixth, my mother and I will be going to Orlando, Florida to Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure. This will be the fourth time I've been, so you'd think I wouldn't be this excited. I have found, though, that I don't have much to look forward to these days since school ended and I've been stuck in a sort of dead end job, so vacationing with my mother is something that brings me joy. 

My biggest piece of advice to everyone is to spend time enjoying the company of family while you have the chance. I am 31 years old, and I am going to a theme park with my mother. While this might seem a bit immature, it is something fun that I can do with my mother and involves something I love (Harry Potter). Last year, one of my mother's childhood friends (the daughter of a family friend) got a terrible case of the flu. This lead to infections (including blood and brain infections) and her untimely death. This sudden, terrible death made us both realize that life is really short and, and any second could be our last. I don't have children, I'm not married, and I don't have a demanding job at the moment. This means that I have time to actually spend with my mother, while both of us are healthy and free to leave for a week. 

I'm not saying that everyone should go on vacation to a theme park. That is just what WE like to do. But I would advise everyone to step back and take a moment to appreciate what they have, spend time with their loved ones, and cherish the lives they have while they have them. You never know when there will be no more time at all.