A Harry Potter theme park opened this summer in Florida and I think I’m going to die if I don’t go there this year!
Do you guys like Harry Potter? I’m obsessed with the books and, consequently, the movies – so this is such a dream come true! I can’t wait to get sorted by the Sorting Hat, explore Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, and drink butterbeer!
You can get Butterbeer there too!
Doe Deere Reply:
July 23, 2010 at 4:02 pm
That’s great! How about treacle fudge?
Christie Reply:
August 2, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I just went there. Butterbeer is DELICIOUS :) but they don’t sell treacle fudge :(. I’m gryffindor, how about you?
As I understand it (from friends that have already been) they have both Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer available. And the lines are still crazy-long, might want to let things die down a bit (if that’s even possible, lol) before taking the trip :)
I love the books 1-6 and movies 1-4. I’m way too much of a Slytherin fan to stand book seven and movies 5 and 6 sucked for me, I’m too much of a purist to stand them.
The theme park looks way too awesome to be true. I want to go there and have a Butterbeer :DD
I want to take my boyfriend so badly! He is a Harry Potter freak, where as I’m intrigued by the last few. Someday I’ll take him and make his life :)
Love and Turtledoves,
Jaco
I think Xenia only said ‘their equivalent of a Butterbeer’ because, in the slideshow, slide 9 depicts a bottle of pumpkin juice with the caption: ‘An alternative to Butterbeer: Pumpkin Juice on ice’. However, slide 8 shows a glass of Butterbeer ;)
In the books, pumpkin juice is served frequently with Hogwarts dinners, IIRC.
Doe Deere Reply:
July 23, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Aha! Well that’s awesome news, cause I wasn’t sure if selling any kind of “beer” wasn’t kosher with Disney…
Natasha Reply:
July 24, 2010 at 6:33 am
Disney has nothing to do with the new park, its all Universal Orlando http://www.universalorlando.com/Home/harrypotter.aspx
But yeah, I’ve been reading everything I can find, I cannot WAIT to go! I plan to wait until its “died down” a bit more though. I work at Disneyland and I HATE crowds!
Natasha Reply:
July 24, 2010 at 6:34 am
Oh and while Disneyland doesn’t sell beer, Disney’s California Adventure does, wine and cocktails too.
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I would KILL for a job at Disney! D: (Okay.. not actually kill.. but I’d do almost anything else!)
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Actually, disney totally sells beer (at least I think so at the Beergarten Restaurant in Epcot!)
Oh I soooooooo want to go! It’ll be awesome!
I’m going there next weekend! so excited!
Doe Deere Reply:
July 23, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Lucky you!
LIKE Harry Potter? I lovee Harry Potter haha I’ve read all of the books a million times (8 for the one I like the least) and was always at the midnight launches. They came out when I was in second grade, so I sort of grew up with them. I hate the movies (except the first, which was pretty much perfect) because even though I know it’s necessary, I hate how they cut out whole characters/plotlines- since I’ve read them so many times, I definitely notice. The park looks awesome, I definitely wanna go sometime.
If you love Harry Potter you must check out A Very Potter Musical on youtube. It’s BRILLIANT! ^^ A must for any potter fan. The actor that plays you know who is SOOOOOO attractive! XD
Peaches Reply:
July 24, 2010 at 10:03 am
and they have a sequel now too!
OMG I need to go there, too!!
I really enjoyed the Harry Potter books and movies. The park looks like so much fun! I want to go!
Like Harry Potter? Omg, LOVE! This is so fun!!
That looks totally cool. I’ll wait until the crowds die down some before going. I love the books myself, and the movies. I have to say that the Goblet of Fire is my favorite book.
Also, not related to the books but related to the characters, check out Potter Puppet Pals on YouTube. You’ll die laughing.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4)
That one’s called “The Mysterious Ticking Noise”. There’s a whole bunch more.
“Wizard Swears” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTHmzMk0Cw&feature=channel) is another great one.
Mugglenet.com has recipes for both Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer: http://www.mugglenet.com/misc/rosmertas/index.shtml
Side note: I made the pumpkin cookies once, they were to die for!
I love Harry Potter! Especially since I am a Potter (though I sometimes get tired of people saying my name with a British accent. lol).
I just recently started reading the books. I’m on Year 4 right now. I went to the book store last month and bought the whole series (including the 2 school books!). AND my boyfriend just bought me a couple Harry Potter PS2 games that I have been playing a lot.
I wish they were opening this place in California since I go to visit there about 1-2 times a year. I don’t know when I’ll ever get to Florida.
That park looks like fun:)
Would be nice to go there :D
HI! So i was fortunate to visit heaven this past weekend! Being as totally dorky as i can get about harry potter, i knew that i had to go! now, as anyone would expect, the lines are long, there are crowds of people everywhere, the sun is beating down on you, but none of that mattered, because you are in hogsmeade! the waits even didnt seem so long because there is so much to look at, the creators of the park got it so perfect! I hope you can go ASAP!!!!
I’m a huge Harry Potter Geek, and that is definitively one of the places I want to visit at some point. It’s soo far away, though, so it will be really expensive. But yes, please. I want a wand from Ollivander’s! :D
Hilde Reply:
July 23, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Also: This inspired me so much, I’m picking up the books again. Must. Read. Books. Again!
I am going their on August 7th!! I heard that they have moaning Mertyle in the woman’s bathrooms!! Can’t wait, I am going to get a wand from them that “Picked me” like in the movies!!
The HP park does look like to coolest place on Earth!
Although, as a near-life-long Florida resident I will warn you it’d be best to go sometime during the winter, so you aren’t baked alive by the schorching sun. Mind you, our winter only lasts from December to January, though… and only when it’s dark out, so take a bag big enough to carry your coats and sweaters, ’cause it’ll be about 80ish around noon.
I will also warn you to never, ever, ever go to any theme park during July. You’ll die of heat stroke. Plain and simple. Or it’ll rain. Every day. From two to four. On the dot. That’s Florida for you.
I need to move…. but not before visiting WWoHP, though! XD
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I visited Florida’s Walt Disney World and Sea World last year with my boyfriend for 10 days in July and I loved every minute of it! Sure, the humility is different than that of California, but it was still so worth it to me. :)
Yes, add me to the Harry Potter Obsessed club. My husband is even more so, he has a HP tattoo. The dark mark, right where you’d think it would be.
I so want to go, but the crowds scare me. I don’t think I could deal with them. Plus the prices. But I am dying to try the drinks! Do you think that pumpkin juice is really derived from pumpkins?
Those pictures made my boyfriend ask: “What’s wrong?” because I was so sad I can’t go right now :( Norway is a little far if you just want a “quick trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida“. Sadly.
But I’d love to go! I want a sugar quill, and a wand! And Butterbeer and ribs and I want to go on the train and I want to see Hogwarts and I want to send Owl post and I want to have butterbeer! (did I already say that? – Who cares, I’ll do it twice!)
Sniff. It’s on my to-do list. Definitely.
I went there last month with my friend. We are both total nerds and we had a blast. Stayed in the Wizarding World for most of the day. It was absolutely FANTASTIC. I will definitely go again. The lines are long pretty much all day though, or they were at least.
I’m a major fan of Harry Potter to the point where you could label me rabid. I reread the books 1-7 in a week last summer and I always read them whenever I’m on holiday, book 4 is my favorite. If I had my way, I’d go to Hogwarts solely for the food. Viva Hermione, patron saint of us fellow bookworms! *waves flag*
I’m throwing a Harry Potter themed sweet 16 for my sister tomorrow! We’re having Golden Snitch Oreo truffles, sugar spiders, every-flavor beans, cotton candy, caramel apple suckers, licorice wands, and pizza. It’s going to be SO fun! I have the entire Harry Potter soundtrack downloaded to play during the party too :)
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Sounds like fun! I hope you guys had a good time. :)
Ohhhhh-MY-GAD!
You must know I am trying to keep myself composed, trying my absolute best not to get hyper over the thought of anything HP related. I’m known for going over the top sometimes but I think I’m just passionate^_^
I think my favorite idea about going to the Harry Potter Theme Park would be sending a letter by owl-OWL! You can send a letter to someone via owl, it just tickles me to death.
I also feel like I grew up with Harry Potter I started reading the books when I was about 10 and now I’m 20! Big Fan<3
I’m so excited!!!! It’s one of the few benefits of being a Floridian. I’m hoping to visit the park the same weekend I go to Halloween Horror Nights. :D
I used to spend a very large part of my ample free time, and a lot of the time I was supposed to be in school obsessing over Harry Potter, but since I got into fashion I have drifted away. Definitely excited for the theme park though.
My friend’s going sometime (and decided to take her other friend, boooo!), and I swear if she sees you there and I never see you, I’m going to die. I want to go so bad… you should tell us when you’re about to go.. :’D
Harry Potter’s cool. This looks like such a great theme park! I think my favourite movie is the Chamber of Secrets one. I liked the huge Basilisk snake thing that lived under the school! ;)
I’m actually not a huge Harry Potter fan, I read the first four books back in high school but after that I just never found the time to read the rest… =/ HOWEVER, this theme park looks like it would be so much fun!
I’m always ALL for magical experiences in real life!! =D
Ohh, I love Harry Potter too, especially HBP and DH – Snape is my favourite character…Hopefully I’ll be able to go there next year, it sounds fantastic!
My mum is dying to get me a ticket to go there for my 21st in November haha! I was like, “Mum, I’m going to New York for my birth-” “NO YOU AREN’T, YOU’RE GOING TO HARRY POTTER WORLD!”
She’s so cute. :D
But yes, I’m dying to go, so that sounds like an excellent present to me!
I’ve applied to work their twice and was shot down the first time (I cried – that’s how much I love Harry Potter). I had an interview about a week ago and I don’t think I got it.. again. ): I’m so sad about it!
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Don’t worry! If you love it that much, keep trying. Don’t give up!
I went a couple of weeks ago, and it is pretty awesome! The lines for most everything are super long though! If anyone goes, then they HAVE to do the 3D ride! It was exactly like flying through Hogwarts! Plus, the butterbeer is really yummy :D
The park is awesome, event to someone like me, who doesn’t care for HP. I went with a dear friend who is a total Potter geek. Make sure you take a ride on the simulation- it’s the most AMAZING thing ever. And butterbeer is great. I liked it iced best, but the regular version is good, too. I didn’t ride any of the roller coasters when I went (I like my feet on the ground…) but I heard that they were great, too.
Tip: When you go on the simulation, go in the “singles” line if you want to beat the long wait. You’ll see less of the inner castle that way, but you’ll still see some of it. Being in the singles line means that you won’t be riding with your friends, but the simulation is pretty much a single-person experience anyway. Plus, who wouldn’t choose a 15 minute wait over a 90 minute one?
I want to go so bad. :( Unfortunatley, it’s in Florida, and I’m in CA, also I’m a teenager with no money. :(
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Me too! (Except I’m a 21 year old with no money lol)
I used to really love Harry Potter movies (certainly still love the books), but I think my admiration has died down a bit since I didn’t see the last 2 in theaters. I will definitely be going to see Deathly Hallows at the theater though!
Random “Hogwarts” note: When I was a freshman in college, we used to call our dorm Hogwarts (it had towers and gargoyles and castle-like entrances). Here’s a pic: http://bit.ly/at7yxs
Shealia Reply:
August 7, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Wow that’s beautiful! D: Too bad I can’t go to college out-of-state!
I absolutely cannot wait to go to it. Thomas and I are saving up for it. I love the books and especially when those books are spoken aloud by Jim Dale. Seriously, look into the audiobooks. You will love them!
Have you seen a very potter musical?! It’s sooooooo good(: and funny, watch it on YouTube
But anyway, I NEED to go the this park!
This is random, but do you like narwhals?
I just returned from my visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’ve been a fan for the past 9 years and while I enjoyed my trip I will say, it’s not all it’s built up to be….but it’s still amazing. Butterbeer is a weird thing, it’s like root beer with butterscotch froth ontop, pumpkin juice is quite sweet, a bit too sweet for my preference. The whole thing is set to be far more for children than for adults, the merchandise while it being harry potter related for the most part is angled towards children. But as you are a lover of sunglasses, you would most likely die for a pair of Luna Lovegood’s Spectraspecs which come in varying colours. You won’t be sorted but you can get a wand chosen for you, if you decide to wait in the hour long ride that it normally is. My suggestion for you is to go early if you go, if you’re not staying at the Portifino, the Royal Pacific or the Hardrock you might want to get a fast pass.
I got to attend a wondrous thing called Night of a Thousand Wizards, which allowed Infinitus attendees to visit the park after hours. It allowed us to walk through the park in costume, to go through everything line free and receive free butterbeer, strawberry peanutbutter ice cream and pumpkin pastries.
Infinitus was a Harry Potter Conference/Convention, with balls, feasts, park events, harry potter showings, musicals, Wrock and many other harry potter related events. I traveled from Philadelphia to Orlando Florida via a 24 hour bus ride to stay in Florida for a few days to attend the convention and visit the park. It was all quite worth the time and money spent on the trip.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeekphoto/4815703220/in/set-72157624551477128/
A picture of the Dress Robes that I created for a friend and myself.
Oooh! My friends and I are planning a road-trip there next summer!
I’m a HUGE fan, and I live in Orlando, and my best friend and I went Opening Day and it was simply amazing. It’s everything you imagine it to be, and more. They’ve done it in such literally perfect detail that you really feel as if you dropped right into the stories. I’ve watched them build the pieces in the park over the last four years, and it’s really amazing to finally see them in place :)
You can eat at the Three Broomsticks, and there’s tons of Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice, and Honeydukes has just about any candy you can think of…Hogwarts Castle is incredible and the ride inside is thrilling and terrifying, and the shops have a ton of merchandise.
You will spend a fair amount of money, but as it is a theme park, that’s rather to be expected. But it’s worth it! :)
I love the books and movies too. My favorites are Sorceror’s Stone and Order of the Phoenix. I know some people didn’t like Half-Blood Prince because it didn’t have a lot of action, but I like those kinds of movies that focus more on characters and less on action.
And I live in Iowa, so I have no hopes of going to the theme park in the next decade, though I’d love to!
I am so angry! It is going to be a long time before I can go! I live half way across the world!!!
Heading there during Thanksgiving break this year. SO EXCITED!
I love Harry Potter! I was actually down in Orlando the week that the Harry Potter park opened up in Orlando Studios. i went down for the big Orlando Premier Hair Show with Paul Mitchell and TIGI. Sadly, I left two or three days before the park was officially open :(. I would have for sure gone to it.
I’m sad that hogwarts is all the way across the country…but I will go one day!
OMG
YOU’RE SO LUCKY!!
I wish I could go there!!! I love Harry Potter!