The Magical World of Harry Potter

I'm not sure who was more excited about visiting HP World....the Moms and Dads or the kids.

In all truthfulness I think it was the Moms and then the Dads and then the kids.

Is it too much to say this was a dream come true? Not that I felt I've had no purpose in life before visiting, but come on! For those of us that have loved the books for so many years we've all had dreams about being a part of that magical world if only for a day.

Unfortunately everyone else in the park had the same idea. As we walked towards Hogsmead so did everyone else.

Only a few, and I mean very few people drifted in other directions. Reggie and Lauren took this opportunity to ride some adult coasters on the other side of the park and met up with us later.

Had we known that the crowds and long lines would only last until mid day we would have maybe changed our plans a bit. But there was really no way of knowing.

In reality there was no place else I wanted to be than waiting in the immensely long line sipping the divine shortbread and butterscotch concoction better known as Butterbeer. I brought back as many of the Icee and regular versions as I could carry to the line.

After we knocked back a few of the Butterbeers we could get back to focusing on the magnificent scenes around every corner.

To help the parents not go crazy we played a game of Harry Potter ABC's in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

If felt so real inside the castle: talking pictures, advice from the sorting hat, bad singing from the Fat Lady, and after speaking with Harry, Hermione, and Ron it began to snow....inside the castle. The ride itself was the longest most intense ride I have ever been on. I actually closed my eye in fright a few times...thankfully I missed the big snake.

Then it was time for the Wand to choose Zach. For months he had saved and then passed up almost every other tempting purchase during the trip in order to buy a wand. All along he said he intended to buy Dumbledore's wand.

But as we walked along feeling each one it was Hermione's that chose him. If I had purchased one, and I was tempted, it would have been Professor Lupin's.

This was a we're out of Pumpkin Juice, or Butterbeer, or I want a wand too melt down. I don't honestly remember now. He was still very sick so you really can't blame the little guy.

The tricky part about this day was that Ethan did not meet the height requirements for most of the rides. So that meant a lot of standing in line with nothing to do except harasses his immediate and extended family. But can you blame the kid? He hasn't read the books and only seen snippets of the movies- since he hasn't read the books. So what else was there to do?

Hiding in this nest is a giant Hippogriff.

Just look at the smile on Ethan's face here. Finally something he could do.

By this time we were ready for a feast.....

and there was no place better than the 3 Broomsticks.

The set up inside was very well organized and went smoothly considering how crowded of a day it was.

And feast we did. There is also a giant family salad that goes along with this meal. Of course we washed it all down with a few more Butterbeers. So glad they didn't stick with a traditional British menu because for park food this was really good....especially the ribs.

After lunch we separated, the Jenkins to Honeydukes and the Slocombe/Hamms to Olivander's Wand Shop.

Zonko's was a delight where you could adopt fuzzy pets or buy extend-able ears.

We missed the show but caught a glimpse of wizarding students from Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbaton.

The boys decided on enormous chocolate frogs with collectible wizard cards inside. Meanwhile Chris and I shared a chocolate cauldron and some mini mint chocolate frogs.

It did feel as though a magic spell was cast upon us that morning, playing a game of Quiditch, escaping the Dementor's Kiss, being chased by a fire breathing dragon amongst other things..... if only for a few hours.