By Beverly Collins

I am a huge Harry Potter fan, I was there the day the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and I have made many other friends who are just as big of fans as I am. I’ve met a lot of these people while writing what we call ‘fan fiction’; these are stories we’ve written about characters from the book. One of the sites we post them on is called Sink Into Your Eyes. I’ve met many wonderful people through this site, many talented writers. One such friend, Peter, came down this fall to visit. He came to see the shuttle launch but, of course being this close to the Orlando attractions, we had to go to the Wizarding World.

It was early November, still sunny and warm here in Florida, when Peter and I set out for a day of adventure and take alot of Wizarding World of Harry Potter pictures. I remember on opening day we met some kids there who were so excited they could hardly contain themselves. That day the excitement was palpable, it was actually in the air, and little had changed five months later. I had already been to the Wizarding World twice but this was the first time I was going to go with someone who is just as big a fan as I am which made it exciting for me too. It was great being there with him and getting his perspective too.

When we walked through the gates his first comment was how authentic everything looked. I told him that’s because J.K. Rowling herself was very involved in every last, tiny detail. We walked passed the Dragon Challenge which is a roller coaster ride set up to look like the Triwizard Tournament’s first challenge. There are banners all along the queue to the ride and the tent part contains things you might see as the champions are waiting their turn to compete such as the Goblet of Fire and the Triwizard Cup itself. We also took a picture by the famous red Steam Engine, Hogwarts Express which is right there too. Next we went to the Owlery, Dervish and Banges and the Owl Post which are together right there. While in Dervish and Bangs we looked over the robes, house t-shirts and brooms for sale. I bought a Gryffindor t-shirt and we both laughed at the Monsters Book of Monsters that they had in a cage there. Next we went to Ollivanders which I’ve yet to visit because there’s always an hour wait to get in but hey you get to have a wand choose you so I can understand the attraction. We then rode the Flight of the Hippogriff which is a roller coaster set up around Hagrid’s hut where he introduces you to Buckbeak and teaches you how to approach a hippogriff respectfully; it’s a great ride for the whole family.

Then we stopped to watch the Frog Choir and the kids of the Triwizard Spirit rally. The choir sang songs from the movies and the girls of Beauxbatons and the men of Durmstrang showed off their respective talents, you can get a picture with them after they are done if you’d like.

Next we went to the big ride, the main event: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is the ride located in the magnificent Hogwarts Castle and from the moment you are greeted by students welcoming you to ‘their’ school you know it’s going to be great. The queue for the ride takes you through the castle but before you get there you go though Professor Sprout’s greenhouse where you pass some potted Mandrakes. Once you get into the castle you pass by the house points counters, the sorting hat and the Hall of Portraits. You go through Dumbledore’s office and the History of Magic classroom. Dumbledore welcomes you to the castle and tells you to beware of a loose dragon. Then you meet up with Harry, Ron and Hermione who invite you to ’skive’ off class with them and here’s where the journey begins.

Hermione charms your benches and off you go to Quidditch pitch. You are chased by a dragon, meet up with a huge spider and Harry wards off a Dementor for you, when you finally do make it to the Quidditch pitch, of course, you win the game and are cheered by all your fellow Gryffindors. The ride lets you out at Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods we had a good time looking around this store. They have death eater masks and other props from the movies here as well as scarves and t-shirts.

After all this excitement we were hungry so we went to the Three Broomsticks to grab a bite. We, of course, got some butterbeer now I had tried it before and I had described it to my friend so I was interested to hear what he thought, he liked it, as I knew he would. The décor in the Three Broomsticks is great. They have antlers on the wall and a huge fireplace, the tables are all wood and everything is so authentic we half expected to see a student on a ‘Hogsmeade weekend’ to come strolling in or Madame Rosmerta to come by ask for our drink order. In short, we loved it.

Zonko’s joke shop, right nest door, was wonderful with all the pranks for purchase and pigmy puffs. Walking through Zonko’s into Honeydukes it was very colorful, they have an entire wall dedicated to Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. They also have chocolate frogs, with real trading cards in them, cauldron cakes and many other sweets.

The sun was starting to set and our day was coming to an end so, reluctantly we decided to go but on our way out we stopped by the Marvel Super Hero Island, also a part of the Islands of Adventure Park, for an ice cream cone. I had chocolate, Peter had vanilla I felt like such a kid, it was quite a day!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a great success and I can tell you this too, as of the writing of this article, Jan 2011, they have already sold over one million mugs of Butterbeer, which can’t surprise anyone who’s had the pleasure of tasting it.

When you visit Orlando you’ll want to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Florida you and your family will enjoy Central Florida.