The Grand Florida Adventure: Thursday

Thursday we were off to Universal Studio's. Oh yes, we enjoyed the fun that is Suessville:

We went on the Hulk, Jurrasic Park's River Adventure, and really enjoyed Poseidon's Fury,

But the real reason that we went there was to check out the new
HARRY POTTER LAND!

One of our biggest reasons for visiting Florida was to go to Harry Potter world at Universal Studio's Island of Adventure. We wanted to be able to enjoy the experience fully, and thus we decided that just the grown ups would go, and we'd take turns staying home with the kids. :) So Thursday I took off with Karl, Liz & Eric in what was honestly a day of dreams-come-true for any level of Harry Potter fan...

Amazing! Fantastic! Outstanding! Adjective's fail me. The attention and detail put into "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" theme park was seriously over the top... Hogwarts castle, outside and in? Check. Lunch at the Three Broomsticks? Check. As much butterbeer as we could consume without literally making ourselves sick? Check. Moaning Myrtle keeping us company in the public bathrooms? Check. Seriously, I think I swooned when Hogsmeade came into view, and I don't know that I fully recovered in the four hours we spent perusing the town. It was FANTASTIC!!!!

Welcome to Hogsmeade

(No, my parents weren't there with us. But I forgot to take a picture of the Hogsmede entrance, so I stole theirs!)

Our first glimpse of Hogwarts castle. Yes, there were tons of people there on this random Thursday in February. And it didn't lessen the magic one bit! And while it seemed like tons, it was actually a really empty day! I'd hate to see it full! :)

And inside the castle:

Dumbledore talking to you from his study

The sorting hat!

The Tri-Wizard Cup

Harry, Ron and Hermione about to lead you off on your 3-D adventure

The ride was 4.5 minutes of total awesomeness! Honestly, the coolest ride I have EVER ridden! Yes, I am sure it was more cool because of the insane love I have for Harry Potter, but even without that, the ride rocked! Liz and I may have gone on it three times. And would have gone more! But the joy of Harry Potter Land didn't end there!

There was a full on Honeduke's Candy Shop
Along with a Zonko's Joke Shop

Hagrid's Hut

King's Cross

And the Three Broomsticks



Where we enjoyed this DELECTABLE feast:

Along with some BUTTERBEER!
(Which was actually really good!)

(So this picture was taken right after we rode Jurassic Park and got DRENCHED.
No, I did not wet my pants. Though it does look like it.)

Honestly, a day to be remembered for always! We wandered and gazed and were mesmerized by everything. Yes, I am sure it makes me a dork, but I LOVE Harry Potter! And the detail that has been put into this place makes you feel like you have stepped right into the books. A dream come true for any true Potter nerd! A day perfectly spent!