Kim and I drove up to Orlando to meet Brad, Lauren, Oliver, Dana & Susie for a weekend getaway at Universal Orlando where we planned to spend the whole day Saturday at Harry Potter World. We arrived late afternoon, just ten minutes before the other half of the family arrived and we were soon checked into our rooms. But due to a clerical error, Dana & Suzy didn't have a room :O It took them quite a while to straighten it out and Dana convinced the front desk to award him a $200 dinner voucher, which we used at dinner that evening. We took the boat ride over to City Walk and got into the restaurant early. Had a L-O-N-G wait for the meal but it was very good.
The next morning we were in the lobby by 7:45am and set out on the about ten minute walk to the park. Kim was such a "good girl" as she was able to walk around, using the travel wheel chair for stability, but spent the majority of the day IN the chair as Brad and I pushed her. We arrived at security right around 9am and after a short wait we were in the park headed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
After about another ten minutes we arrived! And we made a bee-line straight to Ollivander's Wand Shop. And once inside Oliver was the first one chosen to meet the wand keeper who let the wand pick him. It was really well done performance and we were all very proud of our own little wizard!
We left Ollivanders and went to the Three Broomsticks for brunch. Kim and I shared eggs & bacon along with frozen butterbeer! We then continued exploring and next up was a visit to Hogwarts. When Kim and I visited the London Harry Potter Experience we saw the actual sets, but when we "saw Hogwarts" it was model. No such thing here.....full, life size - amazing. And then Brad & I rode the intense castle tour ride where you fly all over the school grounds and thru the school itself. Breath taking!
We then boarded the Hogwarts Express to head to Diagon Alley. When you ride the train you are in your own private compartment and as you look out the windows you see the "live" scenery of the area around Hogwarts on the way to London!
Once we arrived at the Diagon Alley we went thru the "secret passage in the wall" and began exploring the amazing array of wizard shops. The absolute coolest part is the dragon who comes to life every fifteen minutes atop Gringots Bank. And inside we rode the elevator down to the bottom and then rode in the mine cars on a wild chase through the vaults ..... so thrilling!
We spent the late afternoon at the resort - Kim for the first time was able to actually "play" some water volleyball as her knees continue to improve. Then we headed back to City Walk for dinner at the Chocolate Emporium. Enjoyed a fabulous dinner topped off by, of course, a chocolate themed desert.
