If you are like me, you may have spent your childhood either reading all of the Harry Potter books multiple times, and going to see all of the Harry Potter movies during the midnight showing because you just simply couldn't wait any longer. Growing up, my family would make watching Harry Potter movies an intimate event. Most of my family had read the books as well, but we would often spend our weekends spread out on the couch, participating in Harry Potter Weekend where ABC would play Harry Potter movies nonstop. I loved watching each movie multiple times to find the small details I missed the time before. After seeing Deathly Hallows Part II in theatre during the midnight showing, I bawled like a baby. I didn't want Harry Potter to end. I wanted to keep watching. I didn't want the story to be over.
Although the story may have ended, Universal Studios recently has added two sections to their park: Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Both of these parks allow Harry Potter fans to experience what it's like to be a wizard in the Wizarding World. Each park contains a high-level of details to make each person actually feel like they are getting the true Harry Potter experience. Every corner of the park is extremely elaborate, making sure this world truly feels like the world you'd experience if you were a wizard. You can purchase wands that are interactive and trigger animation effects in selected windows Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to make it seems as though you are truly casting a spell! You can also purchase butterbeer, which is actually very delicious.
In Diagon Alley, there are not as many rides as most amusements parks, but the attractions that are there are amazing. There is a ride that takes you through Gringotts, which is the bank of the wizarding world. While you are waiting in line you get to walk into the lobby and interact with the mean, cranky goblins. This park also has Leaky Cauldron, which is a restaurant that serves food that wizards would eat. There are also several shops that you can go into, including Fred and George's prank shop. In Hogsmeade, there are several attractions, including a roller coaster where you can ride either the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail, two dragons that were seen in The Goblet of Fire. There is also a ride that allows you to ride a broomstick and travel throughout Hogwarts. Lastly, there is a ride allows you to ride a Hippogriff, which is one of Hagrid's favorite animals! There are also several food places and shops that allow you to buy awesome souvenirs. You can also broad the Hogswarts Express to travel to each of these parks!
Overall, Universal Studios has done an excellent job at making Harry Potter World feel like it is more than just an amusement park. Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade bring to life the Harry Potter experience and allow each visitor to truly feel the magic that is present in all the books and films.
