Kidsumers

What kids want and where they want to go

Home » Travel » Feeling the Magic in Hogsmeade

Feeling the Magic in Hogsmeade

By

I bought my son the first two Harry Potter books over a decade ago. He set them aside and took months to start reading them, but when he did…there was no turning back! He immediately started telling me I needed to read the books. I was busy so I didn’t get around to starting the first book until he was on the third book. I was hooked instantly though and in no time I was ready to read the newly released 4th book. Eric was also reading it though, so I had to wait until he was sleeping at night so I could sneak it out of his room and read it.

10312261396_0255f94406_c

 

When the movies were released we had a new way to experience the magic of Harry Potter. We watched them all over and over again. My younger children were introduced to the books and movies too, so we could all share our love of the Harry Potter series. I was sad when it all came to an end, but my excitement returned when I learned about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida. I visited it for the first time three years ago and I have loved the place ever since. I am so impressed with the attention to detail in the park. They have really tried to give visitors the read Hogsmeade experience. You can shop at the candy store and get a magic wand at Ollivanders. My kids chose some wands that are replicas of some beloved characters in the movies, but they could also give their birthdates to the store clerk and find out which wand would be for them.

Photo Courtesy of Universal Studios Florida
Photo Courtesy of Universal Studios Florida

 

My absolute favourite part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the ride: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is my favourite ride of all time. It is not the most thrilling or intense ride I have ever been on, although it is both of those things, but it puts the rider right in the middle of Hogwart’s and many of the incredible adventures that Harry and his friends were on. You find yourself in the middle of a Quidditch match and dodging the swinging branches of the Whomping Willow. It is the best experience for a Potterhead like myself!

Have you been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? What is your favourite part?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says

    I went once but it was on Spring break and so busy that I’m not sure I really got the experience I should have. I loved it, but I need to go back and take my time.

  7. Kelsey Apley says

    My sister and her friend would go crazy over this! They are such big fans, I will have to share this with her!!

  8. Paula @ Frosted Fingers says

    I can’t wait til the kids are older so we can visit Universal. I haven’t been able to go to the Harry Potter Section yet.

  10. caryn s says

    I haven’t read the books yet, but i love the movies. I can’t wait to read harry potter with my son now that he is getting into chapter books as bedtime stories!

  16. Colleen says

    Agreed we loved the ride. Last time we went I went straight back to the ride to make sure I got on it before the lines started. The books are awesome. I read the last one first then went back and read the rest.

  17. Anne Taylor says

    We’ve not had the opportunity to go on this ride, but I would surely love to take my grandkids one day! It sounds fantastic and we are all Harry Potter fans!

    thanks

  18. Elva Roberts says

    I have seen several of the Harry Potter movies and loved them. One of my grandsons would visit and have a book with him because he had to read it whenever he could.
    I am amazed at the imagination of the author. She really deserves all the acclaim and fame she has received. I don’t know how she kept everything in order in her imagination. Kudos to her.

  19. Elva Roberts says

    The cutest one I ever received was a mug with pictures of my eldest great grandchild on it. I really love it. I wasn’t aware until then that such a personalized mug was possible. He was three at the time.-This comment is on personalized gifts (Make them feel special with personalized gifts.)

  20. Krista M says

    It sounds amazing! We have never been to Universal Studios Florida but this is definitely a place my daughter would want to see. We watched all the Harry Potter movies together & loved them, we have yet to read the books though (which no doubt are better). What a magical sounding experience!

  21. Jeannie says

    We didn’t get a chance to go to Universal the last time we were in Florida, but I would have loved to have gone there! I think it’s so awesome they are bringing Harry Potter to life there.