While on a vacation to Panama City Beach last week, we made a last minute decision to drive east towards Orlando rather than north back home, to attend the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios. Despite the anticipated crowds and leaving at 3 a.m. from Panama City Beach, the park was totally worth the extra miles, admission cost, almost unbearable heat and humidity and extremely long lines — a 6 to 8 hour wait for some! When I saw my son, Carson’s reaction, I knew I had made the right decision! After all, he is a Harry Potter fanatic!
All who made it into the park were instantly overwhelmed with the concept, engineering, detail and overall precise design as it was like being on the actual set of a Harry Potter movie!
It was incredible, remarkable and unbelievable. It was magical!
We walked around “Hogsmeade” taking in all the shops, props, and actors portraying characters from Harry Potter movies, making our way to the pinnacle of the park, “Hogwarts Castle!”
Within the castle is the most exhilarating theme park attraction ever created: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey! The ride takes you on quite a journey where you will travel by Floo Network, soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack and huge spitting mutant tarantulas! You’ll have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match, come face to face with Dementors and a huge, flying Lord Voldemort himself! We were completely immersed in the experience and it is an experience of a lifetime!
Lisa Cantor-Wright, Taylor Wright, Carson Wright
Washington
