The Most Magical Place On Earth Other Than Hogwarts

Universal Globe, Dragon over Gringotts,
Butterbeer, The Resort

Florida, god's waiting room. Which is also home to the two of the best places on earth! Disney World & Universal Studios. Over our spring break, I flew down to Orlando with my family. Of course I dragged them to Harry Potter world, which is where I spent most of my days. Harry Potter is one of my favorite book and movies series. It was my entire childhood/teenage years in one place. I was in heaven. The detail was unbelievable, how they designed the buildings to be almost exact, the rides, the lines, it was all so amazing, there are barely any words to describe it. Also the scenery was unbelievable, you would think you were transported into the world you were walking through. The lines were half of the fun, because of how accurately decorated they were!

Courtesy of Universal Orlando

The hotel we stayed at was called the Cabana Bay Resort, which was owned by Universal. This hotel was unlike any others I have ever stayed at before because, it was a 50s themed hotel. Which is my favorite era. Everyone worked there dressed how they would in the 50s, also the hotel was decorated retro, they had the lights, wallpaper, and everything! They also had a shuttle that would take you to the park from the hotel, and back. On the outside of the bus it was painted like a old station wagon, but in a bus form, while the inside was just like a normal bus.

We started our day by eating breakfast in the Hog's Head Pub, which is inside Universals Islands Of Adventure. Then once we left, we were greeted by a large barrel of Butterbeer. Which tastes like a strong cream soda, with whipped cream on top. They offer a frozen (Slushy) or the actual smooth drink. The best by far was the frozen one, since it was 85-90 degrees. We stayed inside the Harry Potter park for about an hour or so. Then moved onto the main park, which you take the Hogwarts Express to. Inside the main park they have Diagon Alley, which is also placed in Harry Potter.

Now here are my top two favorite rides!

Train, Hogwarts Castle, Bar Soap, Line For Train

My all time favorite ride was Harry Potter and The Escape From Gringotts. A 4D steel roller coaster, it starts with you in the Gringotts Bank walking through the entire bank. You then climb into a 'minecart' and it shoots you off. Once inside the ride you are surrounded by TV screen, but keep in mind you cannot see these TVs it feels like you are immersed into this world. Then you are greeted by Voldemort and Beatrix who then does a spell and the track slowly angles down, your cart is locked into place. Once angled almost straight down, you have a few seconds, of silence. Then BOOM your dropped about 25 feet, while on the track. You then follow Ron Weasly's brother through the bank to try and escape. At some points you feel the hot breath of a dragon, and water being splashed on you.

My second favorite ride, is the 4D Minion Mayhem (I'm really into 4D rides) this one is just like the mobile game Minion Rush. But in these carts, that are stationary but can move in almost any direction. This being one of my other favorite movies again, it was my childhood. It lasted only about a minute or so, but it is amazing how much they can fit in within these few minutes.

I would strongly suggest that if you enjoy Harry Potter you try and go sometime soon!! We only got to spend a day in the park, due to also having to visit family friends in Northern Florida. We had to cram a lot of rides into 10 hours, due to the waits being about 30-45 minutes long. It was also graduate night so the park closed two hours early at 6:30. (More pictures can be found here)