Day 2: Universal/Harry Potter

I don't know that this really requires an explanation.  Just try not to be too jealous...

 I was as giddy as a school girl and every time we rounded a corner there was something new to jump up and down with excitement about.  My only complaint would be that it was absolutely, unbelievably crowded.  They try to stagger the amount of people they allow in, and it was still wall-to-wall people.  You have to stand in line to get into the Harry Potter section of the park, you have to stand in line for at least thirty minutes to get into any of the shops (but usually longer), you stand in line for at least another thirty minutes at a butterbeer stand, and then the line for the Hogwarts ride was two whole hours.  Funnily enough, there was this awesome roller coaster (Dragon Challenge, formerly known as Dueling Dragons) that only had a five-fifteen minute wait almost the whole time we were there.  Don't worry, we took advantage of that and rode it at least three times.

With Grammie by the Hogwarts Express

Me and Hogwarts! Photo Cred: Mom

We so excited.

Mom in line for the Hogwarts ride.

 In the above picture is my mom at the beginning of the infamous two hour line.  Fun story: we were out in the sun waiting for so long that my grammie fainted.  That also may have had more to do with the fact that she hadn't eaten anything since lunch the day before, but there you go.  She tried to tough it out and make it to the end of the line, but she had another fainting spell so my grampie had to escort her to the exit.  Next time we need to remember to bring smelling salts, a la Mrs. Bennet.  Seriously though, it was a little scary and I'm glad she's ok.  We made sure that she ate every meal after that.
That wait also gave me the most horrifyingly sore feet I've ever had in my life, and I may have started to be a grouch. (How spoiled am I?  I get to go to Harry Potter World, my grandma faints away, and I still find something to complain about...)  Regardless, my feet hurt like a mofo the rest of the trip and are only just now starting to recover.  Apparently flats aren't good walking shoes if you're walking around in them three days straight.  Lesson learned.

More pictures from the epic line. [Photo Cred: Mom]

Spicer and I [Photo Cred: Mom]

House Points! [Photo Cred: Mom]

I was a little nervous to go meet the Headmaster.  [Photo Cred: Mom]

Dumbldore's pensieve (and my hand makes a cameo).  [Photo Cred: Mom]

Butterbeer mustache!

Chocolate frogs!

Bertie Botts!

Inside Honeydukes.

Inside Zonko's.

Inside Zonko's [Photo Cred: Mom]

More Zonko's [Photo Cred: Mom]

Ti loved Zonko's! [Photo Cred: Mom]

Enjoying our Honeydukes spoils outside.

 

They mean every flavor.

My precious Cauldron Cake!

It really was a magical experience.  I remember reading all the books out loud to my siblings when they were little, and Harry Potter was something we've all shared and loved, so it was honestly kind of special to experience this with them.  Maybe we're all big nerds, but we had a blast and I loved every minute of it.  Even my sore feet.
I'm so in love with this place, and I really want to go back.  But maybe not for another year or two, when the excitement has worn off some and it's less crowded so that you can actually enjoy it.  Yeah?