TRAVEL: Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

     Who here is NOT a fan of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece - the jewel of our generation and the reason behind my becoming a bookworm - Harry Potter? 

       You either live under a rock or are totally unappreciative of anything great if you aren't. 

    You see, during the summer between my 4th and 5th grade in elementary school, my eldest sister practically forced me into reading the Harry Potter series' 1st book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". I, being a kid, wasn't interested because of 2 reasons: the book was thick and it did not have any pictures in it. But then, the movie posters for the movie adaptation started to come out and everyone got excited. I became curious. I watched the movie and boom! I got hooked. 

      It's not just because I found Daniel Radcliffe super adorable and I instantaneously wished that I can marry him someday (although it's a huge part of it). There's just something to it! Hogwarts, magic wands and spells, potions, awesome friends, interesting villain, super adorable owls, and everything in it! It's everything I can ever wish for. So I grabbed the book the moment we got home from the movie theater and read through the pages like a maniac. I finished it in 2 days which in my opinion was a record for a novel reading starter like me. Did I mention I was a kid? 

        Anyway, I started saving up my allowance from then on. I wanted to buy every single Harry Potter merchandise I can find! And through all the years the movie and books were produced, let me just say that I have acquired quite a remarkable collection of anything Harry Potter related. I'll show you a photo of it once I get around to going through the cabinet and laying it out for you.

          Many years later... I never thought I'd actually get to go to Hogwarts itself (basically). But I did. When I first heard of the news of the creation and existence of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I immediately thought of how I'd someday go there. It's practically Number 1 on my bucketlist. Although I imagined my going there with my family, I couldn't have been more grateful when a friend and her family allowed me to join them on their own family's trip there.

         When I received news that I'd be sent off to Florida, I instantly thought of a plan to go to Universal Studios Orlando because I know it's there and it's gonna be in the same State as I'll be in. So, here's my adventure to every Potterheads' dream...♥

My first ever sight of Hogsmeade! 

The Hogwarts Express (I wish people can actually ride it around the park).

Snowy Hogsmeade in sunny Orlando! 

Butterbeer stand behind me! I can't wait to have a drink. 

     I wondered why they chose to create a winter effect around Hogsmeade. Then I remembered that the students only get to go to that town during their Winter Break. Still doesn't explain why Hogwarts itself is free of snow. It was still wonderful, though. And I've never seen snow my entire life. So, tada!

These electronic lockers were amazing! It scanned your fingerprints and can only be
opened when you scan it again. Perfectly safe and useful especially if you want
to ride the more adventurous rides around Hogsmeade.

Too bad they didn't sell or even feature real owls in there. The door was even locked.

      The glorious beauty of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was too busy admiring it to realize that it wasn't just a facade of some sort. We went straight through the gates and just followed the crowd. Me thinking that it'll probably lead to a tour (stops myself from squealing in delight out loud) inside the castle.

         The place is literally MAGICAL. It knew what I was thinking. So it made my thoughts come true.

**Excuse the quality of the following photos. They're taken with an iPhone 5. 

The moment I wished I was wearing a uniform and that I was gonna stay inside
for an entire school year.

The Mirror of Erised.

Professor Pomona Sprout's Greenhouse. || This was the time that I realized that we were actually in line for something. 

I was watching the paintings closely... and then they moved! I squealed in delight.

The hallways. Just as how one would imagine it. 

The hall with so many paintings! Every painting was talking and moving. 

They were looking at the Pensieve.

Professor Albus Dumbledore's Office.

Professor Gilderoy Lockhart's Office. 

Harry, Ron and Hermione actually walked in the classroom!♥ It was hologram, of course.
But still awesome! They talked to us.

Pretty stained glass window.

The Fat Lady. She was actually singing that high-tuned song of hers and made
the glass break.

Bulletin board with moving photos from The Daily Prophet. 

Gryffindor Common Room! The fireplace where Sirius once talked to Harry.

Gryffindor Common Room.

       And here is the point of no return. I saw this sample chair on the side and a sign that warns pregnant, nauseous and ill people to just back off because where we're headed, there's no turning back.

        I seriously doubted myself. For one, I am a total sissy. I do not ride any rides in theme parks, especially ones that warn us that is extreme. Another reason is, I know we were indoors. What's scarier than an extreme ride indoors? Nothing! 

        I contemplated my choices which is to just walk back around and see the castle one more time. Or ride whatever it is that I have actually fell in line for. 

        I prayed for guidance and actually went through with it.

The Sorting Hat. Dictating which House you'll be in and reminding you to keep your arms and legs tucked in
tight for the entire ride.

     And wouldn't you know it? IT WAS THE BEST RIDE EVER!!!

     I don't know how to explain or describe it. But after you pass by the Sorting Hat, it'll lead you to a hall filled with floating candles (obviously The Great Hall). But instead of 4 long tables and chairs inside, there is a continuous flow of rows of 4 chairs moving along the floor where the people are to be strapped on and brought into the darkness beyond.

      I sat at the far right chair and strapped the belt on. The people assisting us (who were wearing Hogwarts uniforms. Jealous.) told me to keep all loose items like the cellphone I was holding. But since I left all my other belongings, including my bag, inside one of those cute lockers I showed you a photo of earlier, I didn't have anywhere to put my phone and my shorts didn't have pockets on them... So, I just tucked my phone on the garter of my shorts and prayed that the garter was actually tight enough to keep it there.

      And then our chairs were moving sideways. We were facing the wall. Darkness engulfed us and then Hermione's voice can be heard. She said a spell and a white mist engulfed us and we were suddenly swirling around and around.

      Believe me when I say that it was all a whirl of events. I can't remember it chronologically but I remember being caught by a flying broomstick and flying around Hogwarts after Harry. Then a dragon was chasing us and we got caught up in a bridge where the dragon scratched the roof off and then we were suddenly inside the Forbidden Forest and Aragog was spitting on my face. Then I was being hit by the Whomping Willow and then I was i a Quidditch field chasing after Draco and a Golden Snitch. Then I was suddenly surrounded by Dementors who were freakishly real looking that I got really scared... until one of them went straight at my face and I can feel it sucking my soul. And then a Patronus charm blinded me and tada, I was in the Chamber of Secrets, flying straight thru the giant mouth of Salazar Slytherin's monument after seeing the giant bones of the Basilisk. And then... Voldemort was there.

        I don't know how I survived all that, but Hogwarts opened up its Great Hall and I was being applauded at by everyone.

        It was then that I realized that if my dreams did come true and I actually got to go on an adventure with Harry Potter, I'd have already died of a heart attack. That was intense.

       It was super awesome and I loved it too much that I went to it twice in a row. After we exited, we went to the entrance of Hogwarts and fell in line again. Although, this time around, the line was longer.

      Anyway, if you guys want to really see how it is, there're a couple of brave souls who braved the tumbling around and actually shot a video of the entire ride. Go to YouTube and search for it. I watch it every time I feel like reliving the day I was actually there. ;)

And then I was out in the sunshine again...

And even got to get a glimpse of some alleyways.

        Everyone got tired and wanted to take a break and just get a glass of Butterbeer. But would you believe it when I actually declined? I decided to fall in line on my own outside Olivander's to get myself a magic wand. Although wands were sold around the theme park, I wanted to get mine from Mr. Olivander himself. So I stayed in line. 

         Finally, when I got inside, I was surprised that nobody was actually doing some shopping. There were only 15-20 people who were allowed inside the shop at a time. That's when I realized that there was a show. 

Mr. Olivander dictating the lines he said as he sold Harry Potter his wand.

Too many magic wands!

He was looking for the perfect wand for this little boy he called from one of us.

       It was worth waiting in line. Mr. Olivander even asked the kid to wave his new wand and boom! A vase exploded. And then shelves flew out of the cabinets. Ahhh... I felt like I was in a movie set. I didn't get a photo of it. But I took a video of it. I just don't know how to post it here. Haha.

         And finally, as we exited the store, we were led to an adjoining store where shopping happened!

The shopaholic in me went gaga.

I wanted the cardigan but it was freakin $80!!! 

Check out this cool Cashier.

Magic Wands!

THE mother of ALL souvenirs: Deathly Hallows, Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, and the Time Turner.

       After spending about an hour inside the store, I decided to finally come out and meet up with my companions. They were across the street under an umbrella, drinking Butterbeer. So, I got my own refreshment too! It was around noon that time. The scorching sun of Florida was beating down at us.

       Butterbeer. I don't really know what it's made of but it was super yummy. Although not entirely refreshing since it's sweet and just makes your throat a little drier than usual. Anyway, you can have it warm or frozen. I only tried the frozen one. I can't imagine drinking it not cold. I've had a total of 3 cups of these.

          Anyway, we went around Islands of Adventure after that. But seriously, I couldn't appreciate anything anymore because I kept thinking about Hogsmeade. Thankfully, the park just goes in circles. So once we rounded the place, we ended up in Hogwarts again. Yay!

Time to go shopping for some sweets at Honeydukes!!!

Too many Chocolate Frogs! (I opened mine when I got back to the Philippines. I got a free
card of Salazar Slytherin)

Boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans!!!

Fell in line to buy one last cup of Butterbeer.♥

      I wish I can say that THAT's my adventures at the Wizarding World... but this post is...

       To.

       Be.

       Continued.

       A.

TRAVEL: Islands of Adventure

April 26, 2013

     Around 6 in the morning, we drove off to Orlando. Everyone was completely sleepy and groggy from last night's late hellos and welcoming me. I was afraid that I'd have ruined everyone's mood for that day simply because we were all tired and not in the mood to be walking around too much under the scorching sun of Florida. Thankfully though, my friend and her family were good sports. ♥ 

     Before we made the final turn that headed to the parking lots of Universal Studios, we can already see from afar the very high and unlikely of me to ride roller coaster. Scan your eyes a little to the left and you can see the roof of the tower and spires of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. *squeal* 

     I don't know how to feel and what to say. But long story short: it was a dream come true! I will forever be grateful for that glorious blessing. So now... the photos! I must warn you though -- this post is photo heavy. 

     Enjoy! 

      Minions!!!  This is what welcomed us once we stepped out of the car and passed through the parking lot. I couldn't contain myself so I bought a shirt for my baby brother whom I will be seeing in just a month. How can you not find this adorable, right? I felt like singing "The Banana Song". ♥

     Since I knew that we'd be walking around the entire day, I opted to wear something comfortable wherein I'd be able to move however I like without feeling too hot due to the tropical-ish weather of Orlando: Star Wars muscle shirt - Forever21 | Lacey shorts - ZARA | Sandals - Mossimo | Sunglasses - D&G. 

     Knowing that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was inside Islands of Adventure, I almost couldn't stop myself from dragging everyone along with me just so we'd go straight there. Thankfully, Tita Irene is also a fan herself and she thought it wise that we head there first since it was still early and that she knew for a fact that as the hours go by, more people will head there. So on we went! 

      I will not divulge everything in this post (I know I keep delaying) but I will reserve my adventures at Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a separate post. It's that special. 

     I know this'll sound bias (which I'm sure it totally is), but after seeing Hogwarts, everything else went by like a blur. I don't remember every detail of what comes after but I know I had fun! So here are the photos of what came after my magical trip to the Wizarding World. 

     As one enters the gate of Islands of Adventure, it will lead you directly to Kingdom Far Far Away (Shrek's World). It was really pretty! I felt like I was part of the movie even if it was animated... 

And so... The Adventure Begins!

     Once we got past the Kingdom, we went to the right and ended up in... 

     Which amused me because I know for a fact that my little 2 year old brother is currently hooked on Lorax. And I took the liberty to take quite a lot of photos of the place to show to him. Imagine, he actually has the lines of the movie memorized and can sing and talk alongside the characters when he's watching the film! I'm so proud of him. He's a talented little boy.

     After crossing a bridge from there, we ended up at a place that I do not know what's called. It's some sort of ruins for Poseidon. Do you have any idea which film it's supposed to be after? 

This one's a ride. We just didn't get the chance to go to it because it was closed when we passed by it.

     Just around the corner of this was the gate to Hogsmeade or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! But like I mentioned, I'll skip that part altogether for now. ;) 

This section just outside the gates of Hogmeade reminded me of Aladdin. It has a talking fountain
up the front.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster. I was too sissy to ride roller coasters.

While eating Churros (which by the way, are yummy!), Tita and I unintentionally witnessed a parade
of Marvel Heroes.

Lunch time! 

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. It's a 3-D interactive ride that lets you experience
being a cop and getting to fight alongside Spider-Man himself. (Watch out for the blades
that the villains throw at you!)

Comic Strip World! Everything doodle-wise can be found here. It was super colorful!

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls. Again, I am too sissy to ride this. And I was afraid of getting wet. I didn't have
extra clothes with me. But I watched people enjoying it.  

     Finally, before heading back to Hogwarts and entirely leave the park, we passed by Jurassic Park where we wanted to ride the Pteranodon Flyers but alas, we were all too old and heavy for it! We just walked around and visited the gift shops and even took a photo at the tiny and cramped photobooth! 

I love photobooths!

     We had to leave at around 6PM because the park was to close early. The Senior bash of a highschool in Tampa, FL was about to take place there all night long. But it was okay. Every minute of our stay there was beyond worth it! It didn't sink in to me that I got to see it all and experience it until we were back at the hotel and we were sharing our stories to our other companions. Who knew that theme parks would still excite a 22 year old girl? 

      On our way out, the arch spoke for me... 

     A.