The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Journey of the Forbidden

This is a pretty cool gate column; because the lit words appear as if they're being written.  They don't stay up there too long though. I started my exposure as soon as the "magic" began; so that I could get more out of this scene.  Even then, most of this pic was underexposed.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Pram Parking

Gotta love the authenticity of this place.

Pram Parking
Hogwarts Castle
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

A World of Wizards & Witches

Hogsmeade
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

The Village of Hogsmeade

An outsider's view of the Wizarding World.

Believe it or not, this picture actually shows most of the length of the Wizarding World.

Hogsmeade
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

I have yet to try these.  But with flavours like Booger, Earwax, Earthworm, and Vomit; who could resist!?!?!?

Honeydukes
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Witches' Brew

... Where else would you expect to find it?!?!?!

I don't know what it is about the Wizarding World; but almost everytime I go to work on my pictures from there, I have the strong urge to play around with their treatment.  I think a part of me is inspired by the look of the films.  There also isn't a lot of emphasis on bright/bold colors.  Everything kind of has a natural/homely look.  I do like the color version of this scene though.  ;)

Hog's Head Pub/Inn
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

The Land of Wizards & Witches

'Images of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter'

<a href="http://blur.by/1dxbiVd" rel="nofollow">The Land of Wizards & Witches:  Images of 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter'</a> on Blurb!!!!

Finally finished my 1st Blurb book!!!  Yeah, it seems like a Disney book would've been the obvious choice for me.  But I kinda wanted to focus on something that was a little "underrepresented".  Plus, with trying to figure out how this whole book process would work out, it was nice to not have to weed through thousands of pics of say "EPCOT" or something.  And since I don't have a Universal pass anymore, I didn't have the stress of "I need to head over to get this shot for the book".  I had what I had (which was enough... I guess).

I made the book with Lightroom 4.  And although I read that the Book module isn't as great as Blurb's own software; I felt it did the job decent enough.  I mainly only had issue with photo size/placement; but it's nothing I'm kicking myself over.

But I'm very happy with the actual quality of the book.  I'll definitely be using Blurb again.  And because the books are pricier than I would've liked, I'll also be looking into eBook versions of this and other projects.

Check it out if you get a chance!!!!

Quidditch Essentials

Details outside one of the "stores" you couldn't actually go in.

Spintwitches
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Hogsmeade's Hog's Head

;

Hog's Head Pub... get your beer (Butter or otherwise) here!!!!  Wanna get a soda instead???  Well, you better head out of Hogsmeade.  The wizarding communitiy does not partake in the downing of those beverages.  Seriously, they don't.

On another note; I wish there were replicas of this sign for sale.  I'm sure it would grace the wall of many a Potter geek.  This one included... if my wife permits.  ;)  
Hog's Head Pub
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Ollivanders

The lines in this kind of remind of the Deathly Hallows symbol; just upside-down and offset some.

.... I know... I'm sure a nerd.  ;)

Ollivanders
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL 

Triwizard Spirit Rally: Wispy

One of the many belles from Beauxbatons Academy.

Triwizard Spirit Rally
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Orlando, FL

The Look

 

A different crop to a shot I posted quite some time ago (currently going through older shots).  And just to reiterate what I said back then..... 

I wish I would've fully caught the wink she threw me.   They play their parts very well.  ;)

Beauxbatons Academy
Triwizard Spirit Rally

Portraits of the Past

 The talking portraits room.  Simply put... one of the coolest things you'll ever see (especailly for you Harry Potter geeks... like me!!!!).

Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey
Hogwarts
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando, Resort, FL

The Magical Kingdom

I absolutely love how Hogwarts is lit at night.  It just beautifully stands out from the rest of Hogsmeade.  The Wizarding World is also one of the few areas at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure that is aesthetically pleasing.  I find the Universal parks (Studios more than Islands) hard to shoot because of that lack of visual goodness.

Harry Potter &amp; The Forbidden Journey
Hogwarts
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando, Resort, FL

Hogwarts Seasons

You gotta love a Florida scene like this.

This was 3 days before the official start of Winter.  The Wizarding World already has a Winter theme.... there was a touch of Autumn to the trees..... and people are walking around in shorts.  ;)

Hogwarts
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Christmas In Hogsmeade

(From an older Flickr post)...

Went to check out the Wizarding World the other day, to see what kind of decorations would be placed up for Christmas  And you are looking at the extent of what was done.  It almost seemed disappointing; but yet, not really.  The whole area already has the look of a Winter setting; with "snow" on the rooftops, and icicles all over the place.  There's even a snowman that has a permanent location.

I guess they just added some garland, wreaths, and other small details, to give the sense of a small village putting up simple decorations.  So if you look at it that way, it kinda works.  But I could've skipped this special trip to see Christmas in Hogsmeade.  I was actually gonna cancel my Universal pass back in July.   But I  was kind of contemplating a way to attend a special Harry Potter event last month (which I totally forgot about); and also wanted to check out what they would do for the Holidays.  Now that I've had my fill, I'll be ending my Passholder status this week.

On another note, Universal did an AMAZING job with decorating Seuss Landing.  There were delightful Christmas sights EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!

Owl Post
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Orlando, FL

Good To The Last Drop

Hog's Head Pub
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Florida

"Last Stop For Pottersville!!!!"

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Every Hour's The Witching Hour

Details of the Owl Post area. I don't know why this is screaming 'HDR' to me; but believe me, it's not. Just 1 RAW shot here.

The Owl Post
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

The "Flying" Ford Anglia

Finally sought out this car after seeing everyone else's shot of it. I initially didn't care for the overexposed sky... until I added some warmth to the shot. So I'm glad it worked out.

The Flying Ford Anglia
Dragon Challenge Queue
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL