Mischief Managed
Nov 7 to Nov 11, 2017
Just one year ago I had the pleasure of visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time! It was so magical that it definitely warranted a second trip. This time, I tried to read all of the books ahead of time but only made it through book four. I have not previously read the books because I enjoy movies far more prior to reading the books. I will also say that I am thoroughly enjoying the books and will most likely read them again to absorb all of the details!
I have also been meeting with my friends Sabrina & Marty almost once a week to play Harry Potter - Hogwarts Battle (A cooperative deck-building game) and it has been adding to the excitement!
Normally I would have blogged a day at a time but as this is a post-trip blog I'll recount our adventures in one go.
7 Nov - Tuesday
My checked bag was only 36lbs! I was proud of myself. We had a turbulent but nice flight, Delta of course, and Emily had upgraded us to Delta Comfort- which means extra leg room! Being short I don't really need that but it was a different experience! We were actually the front row by the door which is excellent for getting on and off the plane. However, since we didn't have seats in front of us, our tray tables folded in the sides of our arm rests and there were no pouches to keep things. So keep that in mind if you are thinking about upgrading!
Em let me have the window which helps my plane anxiety and we got GREAT views of Detroit, the Ambassador Bridge, and Canada. I think I even saw the cottage (our family cottage, which now belongs to a new family)! Unfortunately when we landed I searched and searched but could not see the park anywhere!
We rented a lime green Kia and took a wonderful drive to the always excellent Hard Rock Hotel, then headed to City Walk to grab our traditional first night dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.
8 Nov - Wednesday
First park day! Sporting our HP #squadgoals tanks, we started at Hogsmeade (Universal Islands of Adventure Park) and rode "the castle ride'" Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, followed by Flight of the Hippogriff. It was HOT and humid so we had lunch inside of the air conditioned Burger Digs in the Jurassic World section of Islands of Adventure. We did some window shopping and then returned to Hogsmeade to creep on the construction of Fantastic Beasts (they just removed the dragon coaster) and catch the Hogwarts Express over to Diagon Alley. We tried to visit the Leaky Cauldron but the line was insane so maybe next time. We settled for a butter beer from the Hopping Pot, people watched, ventured through some shops, and then passed by 12 Grimmauld Place on our way out.
We walked through the Hard Rock Hotel's butterfly garden and then relaxed by the pool for a few hours before heading out to dinner at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. I have to say, I'm not sure if it's because we waited so long in line, because we were insanely hungry, or because our waitress was fantastic, but the first time was better. I got the same thing I got last time and I wish I would've tried something new, then we both repeated our shake orders from last time as well. This time we were able to eat/drink a little bit more of them but still couldn't finish!
9 Nov - Thursday
Park Hard All Day. This is our motto for park days! Plus, it was JIMMY FALLON RIDE DAY (Race through New York starring Jimmy Fallon)! I was super excited to check out this new attraction and it did not disappoint! It reminded me of when I went to go see a taping of Conan! The wait was long even though they had an express entrance but the ride is new so I get it. They also had tons of stuff to entertain you will you waited! The set-up was unique and when you enter you're given a colored "ticket" and you wait in the lobby until your color flashes on the overhead lights. In the lobby are all the previous hosts of the Tonight Show (Conan included!) and some memorabilia and tidbits about their time as host. When it's your turn to go upstairs you are greeted by Hashtag Panda, comfy couches and chairs with interactive video screens in front of them, and a stage featuring the barbershop quartet The Ragtime Gals from Jimmy's show. The ride itself was a sim ride and while I prefer to be in smaller groups on those, this one was dine. It was like an auditorium style seating arrangement with seat belts and you were basically racing Jimmy in a car through New York. I enjoyed it! I also thought the shop was cool and I got a nice Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon zip up hoodie!
Wandering around Universal Studios we ran into Beetlejuice! I was pretty excited since we hadn't seen him last time. He was roughing up some kids and then it was my turn for a photo and he was quite affectionate and I was quite surprised but also happy! I love the people that work at these places, they are probably (hopefully) amazingly fun to hang out with outside of work! And they are also really excellent at their jobs (I always think of the Stan I got to take a photo with on our first trip- he would not break character!). My nephews favorite transformer, Bumblebee, was also out but unfortunately disappeared back into the N*E*S*T before I could get a photo with him. THEN we happened upon the Penguins of Madagascar which was also quite exciting- who doesn't love penguins?!
For lunch we took the Hogwarts Express (I was wearing my "Must be a Weasley" tank and a conductor looked me up and down and said, "you fit the bill") to Islands of Adventure and went to Mythos. I had a falafel burger which was probably my favorite meal of the trip. Back at Hogsmeade we visited Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer Potted Cream and then checked out Hog's Head (a bar in the back) as well. Another thing we didn't do last trip was the raptor encounter so we stopped by Jurassic World and the raptor was OUT! The velociraptor we "encountered," Roe, loved Emily and I really enjoyed Justin, the raptor wrangler. I look pretty tense in all of the 23478 photos that the photo lady took but it was fun!
After riding Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott's (one of my FAVORITE rides), Revenge of the Mummy, E.T. Adventure, and Men In Black Alien Attack, it was almost closing time, but after I got my "Must Be a Weasley" photo in front of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes we happened upon an empty Ollivanders - only three of us were part of the wand experience and I was the lucky one chosen! It was very fun and Emily grabbed some photos and video for me. We visited Knockturn Alley before heading out and grabbing a quick to-go dinner from Moe's and relaxing at the hotel for the rest of the night (I'm pretty sure we were both out by 8 or 9pm!).
10 Nov - Friday
Last park day! I really feel that three days is the perfect amount of time to give yourself at both parks. You can focus one one park each for the first two days and then reserve repeats and anything you missed for the third day. It also gives you a buffer in case of inclement weather!
We rode the Jimmy Fallon ride again so I could get my picture with Hashtag the Panda- and also because you should ride new rides at least twice! We also began buying souvenirs and I got myself a pumpkin pasty to try from Sugarplum's Sweet Shop! At some point we visited Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions and her mirror was kind to me, it said, "I must say... you are one of the few people who could pull off that outfit!" Thankfully we caught the Tales of Beedle the Bard show in Diagon Alley which was on Em's list and something we missed last time. It was really great! The puppets were so intricate and the performers did a wonderful job (as usual). We grabbed one last butterbeer and a final ride on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure). We rode Skull Island: Reign of Kong for the third time, and each time we got to travel with a different expedition truck & driver- Will, Jinks, and Charlie (there are five total)!
We closed our trip with another dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (they really do have good food! and a great atmosphere!). I finally got to have the long-awaited and delicious cauliflower burger!
11 Nov - Saturday
This was my first time flying out of MCO (Orlando's airport) and I can tell you I have no interest in ever doing it again. It is a MADHOUSE. I caught it on an exceptionally poor day but I imagine I'd feel the same on a normal day anyway. On Friday, the 10th, a man going through security had a lithium ion camera battery that blew up. Chaos ensued, as could be expected. People ran through security without being checked which forced most flights to be deplaned so that security could ensure everyone had been through properly. At least six flights were cancelled, and the airport was closed for about six hours. The following day, we arrived with plenty of time but the airport was supremely busy because of the incident the day before. In an attempt to make up for all the trouble, security wanted to get people through as quickly as possible by negating all of the usual security checks such as: removing shoes, removing electronics, and the TSA body scan. Needless to say, I did not feel comfortable and felt that this was a direct message to anybody wanting to harm people- cause an incident as a diversion and then on the next day security doesn't give a crap. Either that or all of the normal stuff we do is actually unnecessary in the grand scheme of things which makes one wonder why we bother.
Anyway, we did make it home without a problem and overall it was an excellent trip. I love The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as well as all of Universal. I think they offer a great time for kids and adults and I am excited to go back again! Perhaps next time I will have to experience "Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter."