Wizards for a Day

Our little family was very spoiled this year. In addition to going to Disneyland for Thanksgiving with my family, we had been planning on a cruise to the Bahamas for the past year courtesy of Tim's Grandparents. Because the cruise left out of Florida, Tim's parents decided to take his family a day early and check out Universal Studios.  Ty LOVES his Christmas present from Aunt Aubrey; Disney's Cars. It kept him quiet on the 3.5 hour flight. We made it to Florida okay but, unfortunately, Ty's carseat did not. Though there were several flights from Denver to Orlando, we had to wait at the airport for four more hours so we could actually leave the airport on a shuttle. Ty kept himself busy by planking. Haha! (No, that luggage belt was NOT on)

 The next day we went to Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios and promptly headed to Hogsmead (Harry Potter World).  All of the little store fronts were fun. Some of the merchandise was "bewitched!" We checked out Honey Duke's candy shop and also the joke shop next door.

   Because we've learned our lesson about amusement parks: go early, we didn't have to wait too long for the Harry Potter ride, but because the line was moving so fast we didn't have a lot of time to take pictures in the castle. We went back later in the evening to "tour" the castle. I had to add lighting to a lot of the pictures because it was so dark in there, but we walked by Dumbledore's office, Harry Potter's Quidditch locker, and the staircase with moving pictures! Note: the Hogwarts ride is kind of scary and makes you sick, just fyi.  They are making another Harry Potter area in the other Universal Studio Park and the rumor is that the Hogwarts Express Train will take people between the two towns.

 

 I really liked the Hippogriff coaster, and Tim liked the Dragon Racing coaster, but the best part of HP world: the drinks! It's hard to see below, but I'm pointing to my Pumpkin Juice. Mmm, kind of like apple cider!

Tim's parents took Ty home and we stayed with Aubrey to eat at the 3 Broomsticks. More delicious drinks...Butterbeer. Yum. The foam on top was amazing!

 

I put all the HP pictures together, but we only went in the morning and evening when it wasn't too crowded. In the middle of the day we experienced the rest of Universal Studios. They have areas for Dr Seuss, Jurassic Park, Adventure...something, and more. Ty's favorite areas were the playgrounds for kids. The Dr Seuss play area had water to play in and he was a happy boy. It was a fun-filled day!