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

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 & 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

These Are Dark Times...

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

Hogwarts Castle: A Troll's View

A view from under the bridge at Hogwarts.

It was quite a nice challenge to come up with something interesting while under this bridge. You don't get great views of the castle, so you're forced to think out the box a little.

Hogwart's Castle
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Closing In On The Journey

A close-up of some of the details on Hogwarts Castle.

Headed to the Wizarding World tomorrow. Not sure if I'll be back another time before my pass runs out in a couple of months. Also not sure when I'll have another Annual Pass for Universal. My daughter is too young for most of the attractions. And my wife is pretty indifferent about the parks. And as much as the Harry Potter geek in me likes the new area, there's really not a whole lot to do, or anything that I NEED to keep coming back for. I will miss the Butterbeer though. Mmmm..... Frothy Goodness!!!

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

"Sherbet Lemon"

Looking up to the wonderous details in Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore's Office
Hogwart's Castle
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, FL

Dumbledore's Office: The Pensieve

HP Fun 101: Get tipsy and try to stick your face in the Pensieve. At least that's what I witnessed people trying to do.

Dumbledore's Office
Hogwart's Castle

Hogwarts Castle: Wall of Talking Portraits

This was in the tour line, but I believe that the main line has its own room like this. It's pretty cool to see some of the portraits move and interact; just like in the movies. Even better that those portraits maintain their canvas look throughout everything.

Talking Portraits
Hogwarts Castle

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

On this night, there was a special Annual Passholders event. There was a Free poster for everyone.... a special pin/lanyard set was on sale.... and of course, all of the attractions were open. I really took advantage of having my tripod on me this night too...... I actually was able to use it inside of Hogwarts. Even better that there was hardly anyone in there. Gotta love special events. ;)

First Years This Way, Please!!!

The Wizarding World has such a great atmosphere at night. You totally get the feeling that you're strolling through a little town that's 'going to sleep'. And best of all, Hogwarts is just beautifully lit.

Return To Hogwarts

What's The Password???

Details on the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. There isn't an actual room to enter though. But the Fat Lady is there talking to people.

No Turning Back.... Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

During this visit, I finally got to take a tour of Hogwarts castle. Previously, I've only gone on the ride inside by using the 'Single Rider Line'. This bypasses most of the rooms and details; with guests only getting a chance to see the final room, before boarding the ride.

It was on this visit, that I discovered that there was a line solely dedicated to people that just wanted to walk the castle, but not wait for the ride. Now, you don't get to see EVERYTHING; but you do get to see all of the main rooms (i think), and a lot of the other amazing details of Hogwarts. But as a bonus, you do get to see a room of talking portraits that others completely bypass.

And as much of a Disney fan as I am; to me personally, there's no queue on Disney property to compete with this. The complete ambience is absolutely amazing!!!!!! The level of detail, mixed with some great technology, is just a sight to behold. But who knows, maybe it's just the Harry Potter geek in me too. ;)

Two Movie Worlds Brought To Life

For me, these were 2 franchises that when I saw them in the theaters, I terribly wanted them to be real. No amusement park "real".... REAL REAL.

I think it would've been great if the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was closer to the size of Jurassic Park's area; or at least had the sense of scale that you're you entering into a completely different world. i.e.... not knowing what could be lurking around the corner. With the Harry Potter attraction, when you enter, you're pretty much just 'there'. You don't have to roam around to take in almost everything there is to see. I know it's about entering all of the shops and buildings to really live the adventure. But it's nice to walk around, and be like "ooh, I wonder what's gonna be coming up now???".

And just to reiterate, I'm not a Disney person hating on Universal. I've had a Universal annual pass in the past; and I am a HUGE Harry Potter geek. And I love the job they did on the area.

Welcome To The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

During this particular visit, I did not get to see what I heard was an AMAZING queue line. I took advantage of the Single Rider line, and basically just walked onto the ride. I did get to see one room with moving portraits. And that was very cool for the 2.34 seconds I took to pass through there.

And due to Universal's policy of not allowing anything on your person; during the ride, my camera remained in the locker. I'm seriously considering to brave the line one day, just to take pictures, and not actually ride the ride.

Forbidden Journey

Hogwarts Castle isn't just sitting there to look pretty. It actually houses the new ride for the Harry Potter attraction.

To describe the ride some, it's an arm system that moves along a track. You move through various scenes and effects related to the movie; with occasional stops at screens that simulate flying around Hogwarts, around the Quidditch pitch, and other locations of the wizarding world.

VERY cool ride, btw!!!! :)

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

This Way To Hogwarts

It's great to see that Universal finally has a cool castle to call its own. :)

Approaching Hogwarts

One of the great things about venturing to an unknown area, is the buildup of excitement that can sometimes come along with it. Of course, THE main thing to see at the Wizarding World, is Hogwarts Castle. And depending on your approach, you'll just see bits and pieces of the castle, to take that excitement to a whole new extreme. [This land is at the back of the park, and there are 2 main ways of getting there.... this shot was taken by going clock-wise through the park.]