Welcome Home

On the first full day of our stay in Orlando, my family went to Universal. I was the last one up but the first one out the door, dressed in my robes and ready to go! I was filled with the same anticipation I normally have on the drive to camp, but we were lucky to go when we did. The lines were long but they would be twice as long during the summer. We got into the parks and headed over to one of the parks, Universal, figuring that it was where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was. My Dad bought the tickets and we went into the park before we figured out that the Wizarding World was in Islands of Adventure, the other park. Luckily Guests Services helped us out with our tickets and we were all set to go.

Let me explain for anyone who has never been to Universal how the layout works. Universal as a whole is in three parts. Two parks and then a whole bunch of shops and even a movie theater. There are some hotels sprinkled in there somewhere. But you do have to pay two admissions to get in if you want to go to both parks. Or screwed up and bought the wrong tickets...

Eventually we walked over to Harry Potter world and my baby sister and I practically ran to the entrance. We ate at the Three Broomsticks that day for lunch. The food was really good for theme park food, and the butter beer was just how I thought it would be. It tasted like cream soda and happiness. Afterwards we headed over to the Forbidden Journey ride, where my baby sister decided that she didn't want to wait in the long line, and neither did the rest of my family.

That was fine with  me, I just headed over to the singles line and ended up meeting a really cool family from Puerto Rico. The ride itself was so real, I felt like I was flying and was totally swept into the ride. It was a dream come true for a Harry Potter fanatic for life like myself.

I met my family outside of the ride and my mom and baby sister went to Seussland and my dad and I waited in line for the wand experience. The line was about 40 minuets, but the woman running the cue said that it normally is about two and a half hours. We were at the front of the line for our session and were positioned right by the latter where Ollivander walks down and because of that, and the fact I was in robes I was chosen to do the wand picking, and had the wand pick me. It was reed with a core of dragon heart string meaning that I was passionate and a good leader. The wand picking felt incredibly real and magical.

After the wand picking I took off my robes and spent the rest of the day with a friend and his mother inside Islands of Adventure. He was on a college tour and spent the night over at Universal before flying home. We did the Forbidden Journey ride again and a few others, including the gigantic Hulk roller coaster. It was scary and exhilarating.

Tune in next time to hear about my family going to the happiest place on earth, Lego Land, and Epcot. Have y'all gone to any of these parks? Do you have a zany story to tell? If so, share it in the comments! Especially if the wand chose you. In that case I want to know what wand and what it means.