Last week I spent a couple of days in Universal Studios Hollywood for the sole purpose of experiencing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
It has reawakened my obsession with witches and wizards, wands and spells, potions and magical creatures. I have made sure to watch one Harry Potter movie a day starting from the night before I visited the park. I retook the Sorting Hat quiz just to make sure I was in the right house and that I had proper pride for my house. Just so you know, it's Ravenclaw.
I can’t seem to get this song out of my head, and I’m not the least bit disappointed:
I’ll also take this opportunity to remind you that this puppetry and song exist:
Here are a few of the best parts about HP World:
1. The geeky wizards
If you want a fun place to people watch, this is the place to do it. A family of Slytherins sitting down at the Three Broomsticks. Adults gleefully swishing-and-flicking their wands at interactive window displays. Young Hogwarts students in tiny Hogwarts house robes wandering in wonderment.
2. Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom
My experience in the stall would not have been complete if Myrtle Elizabeth Warren was not present. However odd that may sound I was just too amused with her moaning, chattering, and wailing as I used the restroom and stood at the sink washing my hands. It could have only been made better if the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets appeared.
3. The Diagon Alley shops
Wands choosing little witches and wizards and shelves two stories high of replicated wands from almost four dozen characters at Ollivander’s Wand Shop. Extendable Ears sold at Zonko’s Joke Shop. Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans at Honeydukes Shop. Brooms, golden snitches, bludgers and bats, quaffles and remembralls at Dervish and Banges. Robes, scarves, sweaters and neckties at Gladrags Wizardwear. Marauder’s Maps and wizard chess sets at Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.
4. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Terrifying run-ins with dragons, Aragog and his giant spider children, the Whomping Willow, and dementors in the Chamber of Secrets will leave you feeling like you just experienced all of the stressful events of at least half of the books and movies in under five minutes.
5. Frozen butterbeer
I’ve tried several homemade versions of this famous drink and none do it justice. It’s like the best version of a cream soda you’ve ever tasted, but even more magical.
My only wishes are that (1) the park was bigger so that you could actually enter the corridors of Hogwarts or fully immerse yourself into the wizarding world; (2) the Hogwarts library and Flourish and Blotts Bookseller really existed; and (3) the weather was always overcast so that the scene is perfectly set and the snowy rooftops aren’t out of place.
