I've decided to post my blogs about my family vacation to Florida from 8/15 to 8/20.
Here's the second one, August 16th: our day at Universal Islands of Adventure!
(These are directly transcribed from my written diary on my iPad.)
Pre-Universal
" I woke up super early due to my brother's snoring: that boy can SNORE! But I can't go back to sleep because I feel like I am in those retro Disney World commercials where the two kids can't fall asleep and giggle all night in excitement because today is IT! The day I finally see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
I never thought my family would ever go on this trip, but here we are! I am so excited to try pumpkin juice and butterbeer, buy Hogwarts presents for my loved ones and myself, and just taking in the atmosphere of being in Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, even in the midst of Florida humidity.
I'm almost unrecognizably different and grown up since the seventh Harry Potter book release and even the final movie that came out last year. The series still teaches me new things today, though. I did a full re-read this summer and can totally relate to the trio setting out on their journey without that extra year of school. (Though, in Hermione-like fashion, I'll have numerous degrees before I'm through!) I love the sheer simplicity of catergorization that "sorting" into Hogwarts' houses and that accompanying question via Dumbledore: do we sort too soon? Do we pass judgement without due process? Especially for someone like me who's quick to judge, file, sort, and generally have my mind made up on my first meeting of someone, it's a question that enables me to take a time out to re-evaluate.
Lessons aside, some of my best childhood memories involve roadtrips with Harry Potter either being narrated by Jim Dale or being read frantically fast and much preferred over the scenic view of Niagara Falls (for the 50 billionth time, mind you). Book launches and midnight showings colored my childhood and made me forever enamored of Jo Rowling and the magnificient world of her creation. Today is like a visit into my past as well as culmination of 13 years worth of ardent fangirl-ing. "
Post-Universal
"So since I wrote last, I ran to the will call window to get our tickets. The machine didn't work and I got them from the window as my father staked out a newly awaiting turnstile. It was 7:00am. We waited almost 2 hours, chatting with the staff, neighbors in line, and basking in the glory of just knowing we were going to be the 1st family going in for the general admission. When it was getting close to opening, Babwah from Trinidad, a staff member, introduced us to Gaby from Antigua who invited us to formally open the park for the day! Not only did we end up getting in the part earlier than the other general admission waiters, but we got to relax, take pictures, get professional ones for free, and special commemorative badges to wear all day long. A dream come true! Then I got to make a speech to open the park and then I sprinted to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With a quick detour through Seussland, we got our special entrance pictures, went to Ollivander's, taking an obscene amount of pictures and laughing lots the whole way.
After our journey through Ollivander's and "Dervish and Banges" (gift shop), we waited in the longest queue known to man for the flagship ride of the Harry Potter Island of Adventure: The Forbidden Journey. We locked our belongings in the dungeons, waited some more in Sprout's greenhouses, and then we entered the castle and saw talking portraits and the entrance to Dumbledore's office. We spot Dumbledore and the trio as hologram life-like forms that talk to the riders as they prepare for the "journey". The actual ride was equal parts terrifying, fun, and immersive. It was incredibly detailed and true to the world. My mother and father, and even brother were NOT big fans! After the ride, I frolicked over to Hagrid's Hut to go on the Flight of the Hippogriff rollercoaster. After bidding adieu to Buckbeak, the rollercoaster was a breeze, and seemed to be made to entertain small children. After that, I met up the family for a round of butterbeers and pumpkin juice. I love the fizzy butterbeer and fully intend on making some sometime soon. After meandering through Hogsmeade shops we left Wizarding World and headed to the Lost Continent.
We ate at Mythos which is Steven Jayson's restaurant within Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Steven Jayson most notably worked with Michelle Obama on her "Let's Move!" campaign.
The food and ambience were EXCELLENT. Most highly recommended. I ordered the Pastabilities, and had the best tasting, most fresh vegetables and sauce I have ever tasted. Dessert was chocolate flour-less cake with candied banana and caramel sauce. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, and anyone going to the park, MUST eat here."
------
What did we do after lunch?
Find out in my next post! :)
xoxo,
Maithreyi
P.S.- All my love to NYC. I cannot believe what's happening to this country. Expect a post regarding gun control and the three incidents soon.
Here's the second one, August 16th: our day at Universal Islands of Adventure!
(These are directly transcribed from my written diary on my iPad.)
Pre-Universal
" I woke up super early due to my brother's snoring: that boy can SNORE! But I can't go back to sleep because I feel like I am in those retro Disney World commercials where the two kids can't fall asleep and giggle all night in excitement because today is IT! The day I finally see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
I never thought my family would ever go on this trip, but here we are! I am so excited to try pumpkin juice and butterbeer, buy Hogwarts presents for my loved ones and myself, and just taking in the atmosphere of being in Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, even in the midst of Florida humidity.
I'm almost unrecognizably different and grown up since the seventh Harry Potter book release and even the final movie that came out last year. The series still teaches me new things today, though. I did a full re-read this summer and can totally relate to the trio setting out on their journey without that extra year of school. (Though, in Hermione-like fashion, I'll have numerous degrees before I'm through!) I love the sheer simplicity of catergorization that "sorting" into Hogwarts' houses and that accompanying question via Dumbledore: do we sort too soon? Do we pass judgement without due process? Especially for someone like me who's quick to judge, file, sort, and generally have my mind made up on my first meeting of someone, it's a question that enables me to take a time out to re-evaluate.
Lessons aside, some of my best childhood memories involve roadtrips with Harry Potter either being narrated by Jim Dale or being read frantically fast and much preferred over the scenic view of Niagara Falls (for the 50 billionth time, mind you). Book launches and midnight showings colored my childhood and made me forever enamored of Jo Rowling and the magnificient world of her creation. Today is like a visit into my past as well as culmination of 13 years worth of ardent fangirl-ing. "
Post-Universal
The food and ambience were EXCELLENT. Most highly recommended. I ordered the Pastabilities, and had the best tasting, most fresh vegetables and sauce I have ever tasted. Dessert was chocolate flour-less cake with candied banana and caramel sauce. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, and anyone going to the park, MUST eat here."
------
What did we do after lunch?
Find out in my next post! :)
xoxo,
Maithreyi
P.S.- All my love to NYC. I cannot believe what's happening to this country. Expect a post regarding gun control and the three incidents soon.
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