You can take the girl out of Disney, BUT………

[annmarieda]

Having never been to the Harry Potter stuff at Universal, I just have to go off of what people have written about it. People always like that ride...even if it is a bit intense at times. Someday I hope to go. Do you think Claire would have been more into all of this if she had read the books? (I assume she hasn't) I am wondering since dd and she are roughly the same age. Wonder if it is something I should have dd read before going. (and that is IF we ever go)

I have heard butter beer is a like or not like sort of deal. sweet butterscotch? I think I would like it a lot at the beginning...but suspect it might end up being too sweet in the end.

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

I'm enjoying the tour Jen. I'm so glad Claire enjoyed FJ! And I love her reaction to the Butterbeer!

Thanks. Yeah, it was typical of her. I think she wanted to like it ,but it is something that can get too sweet fast.

Originally Posted by annmarieda

Having never been to the Harry Potter stuff at Universal, I just have to go off of what people have written about it. People always like that ride...even if it is a bit intense at times. Someday I hope to go. Do you think Claire would have been more into all of this if she had read the books? (I assume she hasn't) I am wondering since dd and she are roughly the same age. Wonder if it is something I should have dd read before going. (and that is IF we ever go)

I have heard butter beer is a like or not like sort of deal. sweet butterscotch? I think I would like it a lot at the beginning...but suspect it might end up being too sweet in the end.

Claire knows a little about Harry Potter. I listen the books over and over every so often, so though she hasn't actually read them herself, she can't help but hear parts of it when I'm driving somewhere. She has seen bits and pieces of the movies too. I think it's a little over her head yet to read and understand. She liked it there, but there isn't a whole lot in the area to do. $ rides and one is too wild for her (dueling dragons). She had her mind more on Seuss Landing, but she knew I loved Harry Potter so that gave her some excitement.
The butterbeer was too sweet for me. I do suggest trying it, but share one to start.

[micandminforever]

I must confess I have never read the Harry Potter books and only watched the first movie. Your pictures are great and the background that you had to explain to Clair also helped me out.

My niece and nephews want to spend a couple of days at the two parks of Universal on our next family trip. They have read all the books and have the movies, but I do not want to miss two days at Disney. We are still talking about it. We may split the older adults stay at Disney and the younger ones drive over to Universal. Of course they want to stay on the grounds for early entry, but are not footing the bill. I have a feeling they will at least be staying at Pop Century and driving over, if they want to try Harry Potter rides. Our last family trip was two nights at Universal and three nights at Disney and my SIL and I said then that the next trip would be all Disney. So I have done all the rides at both Universal parks except Harry Potter section.

My DH are going to Disney in Sept., but when we go there are no thrill rides and with niece and nephews I ride all the thrill rides. For that reason the trips are totally different.

[dizneeat]

Love all the new photo in the updates, Jen!

Since I don't know much about Harry Potter, this is so interesting. I love all the queue areas (except the greenhouse idea in the summer )

I love Claire's reaction to butterbeer. She is such a trooper tasting it.

Can't wait for more!

[wildcatfan]

I am enjoying your trip report. Your daughter has grown so much! Keep the info coming!!

[stmize]

"gasp" lol you went to the other side. Kinda glad you did tho. I haven't been to US since 1996 and I was preggers then. My DS has read all of the HP books and would love to go but the disney fanatic that I am can't split my time. When I'm in Orlando it's all at WDW or this mom isn't happy. Maybe one day I'll try for them tho.

[natebenma]

WOW! Fantastic pictures of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. It is such a well themed area and impressive on its own, but the details are so much more meaningful if you are into HP (said the Griffindork).

ITA about the greenhouse! Way too hot in there, and that is where the line always seems to back up. The rest of the castle before and after is really cool (and cooler).

Our family enjoys the Butterbeer, but oh my is it sweet!

[PrincessBetsy]

Joining in! Love the pictures so far. I am obsessed with Harry Potter, so I definitely need to go to the WWoHP soon.

[Poolrat]

Originally Posted by jenseib

You could help Skip turn innocent road names into dirty names then.

I have to say, there is an exit in Michigan....exit 69, and the road name is Big Beaver Road....you can NOT tell me they didn't do that on purpose.

Originally Posted by jedijill

My high school principal was Richard Head.

Jill in CO

Originally Posted by reelmom

My 10th grade English teacher's name was Richard Weed.

Love this conversation!!!! Mine to add - we had swim team shirts with our last names on them. If you has a sibling on the team it was your first initial and last name. Well Paul Nussbaum had a brother and they did not fit his whole name on the back so....

On the back of his shirt was P. Nuss


Love seeing all the Harry Potter stuff. Need to tear myself away from Disney for just a bit to go.

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by micandminforever

I must confess I have never read the Harry Potter books and only watched the first movie. Your pictures are great and the background that you had to explain to Clair also helped me out.

My niece and nephews want to spend a couple of days at the two parks of Universal on our next family trip. They have read all the books and have the movies, but I do not want to miss two days at Disney. We are still talking about it. We may split the older adults stay at Disney and the younger ones drive over to Universal. Of course they want to stay on the grounds for early entry, but are not footing the bill. I have a feeling they will at least be staying at Pop Century and driving over, if they want to try Harry Potter rides. Our last family trip was two nights at Universal and three nights at Disney and my SIL and I said then that the next trip would be all Disney. So I have done all the rides at both Universal parks except Harry Potter section.

My DH are going to Disney in Sept., but when we go there are no thrill rides and with niece and nephews I ride all the thrill rides. For that reason the trips are totally different.

I have a suggestion for those who do want to do the 2 days at Universal and want early entry. Book a night at the Quality Inn. It's not too far down the road, it's a decent Hotel. Not luxurious, but it's good enough, and they will get early entry then...and it's one of the cheapest good neighbor hotels. If they want express pass, thats another story, but they can buy it themselves if they really want it.

Originally Posted by dizneeat

Love all the new photo in the updates, Jen!

Since I don't know much about Harry Potter, this is so interesting. I love all the queue areas (except the greenhouse idea in the summer )

I love Claire's reaction to butterbeer. She is such a trooper tasting it.

Can't wait for more!

Maybe you should start reading the books to your class? They are probably at a good age to like them. Or get the CD on book and play a chapter each day. You don't have to admit, it's for your own research.

You could get the English versions so it would be an English lesson as well.

Originally Posted by wildcatfan

I am enjoying your trip report. Your daughter has grown so much! Keep the info coming!!

Thanks so much. She really is growing like a weed.

Originally Posted by stmize

"gasp" lol you went to the other side. Kinda glad you did tho. I haven't been to US since 1996 and I was preggers then. My DS has read all of the HP books and would love to go but the disney fanatic that I am can't split my time. When I'm in Orlando it's all at WDW or this mom isn't happy. Maybe one day I'll try for them tho.

I have a hard time with that too, which is one reason we haven't gone before now on our family trips. This worked out great, because it was a Universal trip, with a little Disney thrown in, but I went knowing Universal was the main place. And it helps that I am going down to Disney in Nov. too.

Maybe my TR and pics will make you want to give it a try.

Originally Posted by natebenma

WOW! Fantastic pictures of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. It is such a well themed area and impressive on its own, but the details are so much more meaningful if you are into HP (said the Griffindork).

ITA about the greenhouse! Way too hot in there, and that is where the line always seems to back up. The rest of the castle before and after is really cool (and cooler).

Our family enjoys the Butterbeer, but oh my is it sweet!

I'm a bit of a Griffindork too. When you had those quizes on your TR, even though I read it much later...I still took them.

Butterbeer is too sweet, which I usually like that stuff...a little spoiler, I did try the cold one the next day and I liked that one much better.

Originally Posted by PrincessBetsy

Joining in! Love the pictures so far. I am obsessed with Harry Potter, so I definitely need to go to the WWoHP soon.

Thanks so much for joining! If you like Harry Potter then this would be the place for you. I really hope all the rumors are true and that they are putting in Diagon Alley over where Jaws used to be at Studios.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Love this conversation!!!! Mine to add - we had swim team shirts with our last names on them. If you has a sibling on the team it was your first initial and last name. Well Paul Nussbaum had a brother and they did not fit his whole name on the back so....

On the back of his shirt was P. Nuss


Love seeing all the Harry Potter stuff. Need to tear myself away from Disney for just a bit to go.

I totally laughed out loud. That poor kid! Did people tease him...because if I was his friend....I would have!

I was telling Skip some of these the other night and he was just loving it. We love grade school humor.

[Wicket's Mom]

I love seeing the HP stuff, it looks so real.

I do think that the HP books are better suited for older kids say around 10 or maybe 9. Each book gets darker & scarier as Harry ages, the first chapter of the last book in the series almost put me off finishing it! The vision of that was almost too much for me. I did finally read it & I thoroughly loved those books.

[scottmel]

Just found your report and am enjoying it! couple questions if you don't mind...I was there opening day at WWohP and perhaps this is why I remember very little - sheer madness!

Last time I did not ride FJ but DH and DD did. I went thru the que with them and then went to child swap area. Am I given a ticket or the ability to ride if I do choose? I have a bad hip/low back and always wait for the verdict from DH on a ride. He claims I could handle it, DD says no! So if I go to the child swap area can I then ride the ride if the verdict comes back to go for it?

Also, assuming I opt NOT to chance FJ, go to the child swap area and wait - can I have our backpack wtih us since I will not be riding or must I check this at the locker?

[Poolrat]

Originally Posted by jenseib

I totally laughed out loud. That poor kid! Did people tease him...because if I was his friend....I would have!

I was telling Skip some of these the other night and he was just loving it. We love grade school humor.

We would shout it across the pool deck. Luckily the kid had a sense of humor and we were teens so it was hilarious. It would be Hey NUSS P. NUSS

[Poolrat]

Originally Posted by jenseib

I totally laughed out loud. That poor kid! Did people tease him...because if I was his friend....I would have!

I was telling Skip some of these the other night and he was just loving it. We love grade school humor.

We would shout it across the pool deck. Luckily the kid had a sense of humor and we were teens so it was hilarious. It would be Hey NUSS P. NUSS

[Caretames1]

Again, please forgive my HP ignorance.... but what is butter beer and what does it taste like?

The rides, are they like scene from the movies?