The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Public Post)
So I am home from the preview for Harry Potter and to be honest I don't know where to start. Everything was amazing and way better than I could imagine. Go below cut for my brief but almost thorough report.
I met up with some friends at the front gates of IOA. Everyone was clearly excited to finally see everything that would make up the island. Many of us were coming up with a game plan on what we were going to do first and so on. Luckily we were the ones first through the turn styles.
As you walk up to the gate of Hogsmeade we went from running/ speed walking to an almost instant stop and not just cause we needed to hand over tickets but because we all just wanted to take in the whole experience. There seemed to have been many ways for us to go. The decision was made to start at Olivander's Wand Shop. A group of about 30 people will enter the tiny shop and there you will meet a wand master. Out of the group one lucky person is picked to have the Wand Master choose them for acquiring a wand. In our group sun_litsam was choosen. It was amazing and a wonderful thing to watch and really makes you want to go back and hope to have a wand choose you.
Then we started to head towards the new ride for a queue walk only. Sadly the ride was not available to the preview goers. The line is going to be long but enjoyable none the less. Watched all versions of queue videos and was a wonderful who's who and what's what.......The rooms are amazingly accurate to the films (thank you Alan Gillmore! In case you are wondering Alan worked on the movies and then came to help design the WWoHP). Talked to many of the team members who were all in character and many of them, although houses are choosen by size, were well aware of what their houses were known for and such. They interacted with those of us that were guest and enjoyed sharing with us what they could of the ride.....Sadly the only down side is when I tried the test seat it didn't register that I was clear to ride but many of the TMs were surprised by this since there were some people quiet larger than I who were able to fit. I was told to come back and they would assist me once the ride was open.
Then it was on to Flight of the Hippogryph. You will hear this a lot but OMG! The details are amazing!I never went to IOA when it first opened so have no idea how Flying Unicorn was but this is a fun Kiddie coaster and well I love the queue.
Then it was on to the Butterbeer.....ZOMG! <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 This stuff is amazing! I bought the frozen Butterbeer with a souvenir cup. The glass is only about 12oz or so and funny enough I noticed almost everyone seemed to be drinking one glass for quiet some time so it's not really a complete ripoff. Also had a quick stop at the Public Conveniences aka the Loo. Well a certain former Hogwarts student let's her presence be known there.
Then we did a walk through of the Dragon Challenge (Dueling Dragons) and another great detailed addition to an already wonderful ride. The change in themeing is obvious if you know the old queue and can notice where some of the old props and such use to be but they did a great job of keeping you in the story.
After Dragons ran into one of the Beetlejuice's and we talked for a bit. He also let me try some of the Hog's Head Brew Microbrew Beer and I gave him a sip of my Butterbeer. I am not a beer drinker...in fact I hate the stuff give me Vodka and Rum any day. Sidetrack......Anyways I actually have to say that I was surprised by this brew....It was smooth and didn't leave too much of a bitter taste to my mouth that most beers do.
We then went to see our live entertainment.....Frog Choir and the TriWizard Champions show. Frog Choir is great and the frogs are actually adorable. As for the TriWizard Champion show......HOT HOT guys of Durmstrang......please sign me up for that school.... A mix of stick wielding and showing off that leaves them sweaty and makes you want more......The the girls of Beuxbaton's a display worthy of the grace and beauty that is established through the books and films.
After the show it was mostly going back around the island more and just taking in anything and everything I missed the first time around. I know I still haven't seen everything and can't wait to go back for more. I did buy one thing other than my Butterbeer cup and that was a Pygmy Puff from Zonko's Joke shop.
Sadly with that my 3 hours were over and I wanted more. I went in every shop and walked through almost everything I could but still there was more to see and I can't wait.....Sadly it will be a LONG time before I can go through everything in about 3 hours more like I will be standing in one place fro 3 hours next time I get to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
I met up with some friends at the front gates of IOA. Everyone was clearly excited to finally see everything that would make up the island. Many of us were coming up with a game plan on what we were going to do first and so on. Luckily we were the ones first through the turn styles.
As you walk up to the gate of Hogsmeade we went from running/ speed walking to an almost instant stop and not just cause we needed to hand over tickets but because we all just wanted to take in the whole experience. There seemed to have been many ways for us to go. The decision was made to start at Olivander's Wand Shop. A group of about 30 people will enter the tiny shop and there you will meet a wand master. Out of the group one lucky person is picked to have the Wand Master choose them for acquiring a wand. In our group sun_litsam was choosen. It was amazing and a wonderful thing to watch and really makes you want to go back and hope to have a wand choose you.
Then we started to head towards the new ride for a queue walk only. Sadly the ride was not available to the preview goers. The line is going to be long but enjoyable none the less. Watched all versions of queue videos and was a wonderful who's who and what's what.......The rooms are amazingly accurate to the films (thank you Alan Gillmore! In case you are wondering Alan worked on the movies and then came to help design the WWoHP). Talked to many of the team members who were all in character and many of them, although houses are choosen by size, were well aware of what their houses were known for and such. They interacted with those of us that were guest and enjoyed sharing with us what they could of the ride.....Sadly the only down side is when I tried the test seat it didn't register that I was clear to ride but many of the TMs were surprised by this since there were some people quiet larger than I who were able to fit. I was told to come back and they would assist me once the ride was open.
Then it was on to Flight of the Hippogryph. You will hear this a lot but OMG! The details are amazing!I never went to IOA when it first opened so have no idea how Flying Unicorn was but this is a fun Kiddie coaster and well I love the queue.
Then it was on to the Butterbeer.....ZOMG! <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 This stuff is amazing! I bought the frozen Butterbeer with a souvenir cup. The glass is only about 12oz or so and funny enough I noticed almost everyone seemed to be drinking one glass for quiet some time so it's not really a complete ripoff. Also had a quick stop at the Public Conveniences aka the Loo. Well a certain former Hogwarts student let's her presence be known there.
Then we did a walk through of the Dragon Challenge (Dueling Dragons) and another great detailed addition to an already wonderful ride. The change in themeing is obvious if you know the old queue and can notice where some of the old props and such use to be but they did a great job of keeping you in the story.
After Dragons ran into one of the Beetlejuice's and we talked for a bit. He also let me try some of the Hog's Head Brew Microbrew Beer and I gave him a sip of my Butterbeer. I am not a beer drinker...in fact I hate the stuff give me Vodka and Rum any day. Sidetrack......Anyways I actually have to say that I was surprised by this brew....It was smooth and didn't leave too much of a bitter taste to my mouth that most beers do.
We then went to see our live entertainment.....Frog Choir and the TriWizard Champions show. Frog Choir is great and the frogs are actually adorable. As for the TriWizard Champion show......HOT HOT guys of Durmstrang......please sign me up for that school.... A mix of stick wielding and showing off that leaves them sweaty and makes you want more......The the girls of Beuxbaton's a display worthy of the grace and beauty that is established through the books and films.
After the show it was mostly going back around the island more and just taking in anything and everything I missed the first time around. I know I still haven't seen everything and can't wait to go back for more. I did buy one thing other than my Butterbeer cup and that was a Pygmy Puff from Zonko's Joke shop.
Sadly with that my 3 hours were over and I wanted more. I went in every shop and walked through almost everything I could but still there was more to see and I can't wait.....Sadly it will be a LONG time before I can go through everything in about 3 hours more like I will be standing in one place fro 3 hours next time I get to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.