Harry Potter Vacation - Day Three

Today I left the hotel at 7:30am and took a taxi into Universal as I wanted to get there early as I have early entrance. So I got into Islands of Adventures right at 8am. I wanted to get video of the place. And since there were very little people this was the perfect time. So I started at the beginning with the Hogwarts Express and made my way to the end at Hogwarts. Took about 20 minutes but I covered everything. I then took my video cam with me inside Hogwarts while I was in line for Forbidden Journey. Unfortunately it's super dark and my flip cam doesn't have a light so I didn't really get that much usable footage. After that ride I did Flight of the Hippogrift.

For the next few hours I took more pictures and video. I found little things that I didn't notice yesterday.

I tried to wait but couldn't manage it and got my 1st ButterBeer of the day at 9am. I also went on The Dragon Challenge, this time I did the blue car. Slightly different then the red but this time I took my glasses off and focused on the ride and had a fun time.

Once again at around noon I went to The Three Broomsticks to have lunch. Got the same thing I got yesterday, Fish and Chips, but this time I didn't get Pumpkin juice instead I got, yep you guessed it, another frozen ButterBeer.

After lunch the WWofHP was getting busy so I decided to walk around the rest of the Islands of Adventure. There are six sections, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, Marvel Super Hero Island and of course The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

During my travels I watched people get soaked from a waterfall on some sort of rafting ride. Don't know what it is but I was there for a half hour laughing. My second favorite section is the Marvel section. Was going to do the Spiderman ride as I heard it was alot of fun but it was closed, I hope to ride it tomorrow. I did however ride The Hulk roller coaster... That was a blast.

Got back to WWofHP around 3 and just kind of hung out in that world... So much fun. One thing I forgot to mention in my blog yesterday that everywhere in WWofHP they play Harry Potter music and it's AWESOME.

I did the Forbidden Journey one last time and then went shopping. I knew this was going to be bad.. But one of the upsides of being single and childless I have a bit of expendable cash. Though I am jobless and don't have any prospects, I didn't care... It's Harry Potter :). Well I got two Harry Potter T-shirts, two key chains, a beanie cap, and Hogwarts house socks for $150. Then I went to Honeydukes and picked up some Bertie Botts every flavor beans, acid pops, Honeydukes dark chocolate bars, chocolate frog, lemon drops in a Honeydukes glass jar, death eater suckers and some pumpkin juice. That total was $75. And I still might pick up a few more things tomorrow.

After my shopping spree I went to dinner at The Three Broomsticks and had my third frozen ButterBeer for the day. After that I made my way back to the shuttle and the hotel.

Another fun day, but I do wish I had someone to share the experience with. beside seeing and experiencing all these cool things, I can't share my enthusiasm or excitement with anyone.

One thing I did learn about myself on this trip is how shy I still am. I've come a long way but still have the hardest time starting a conversation with a stranger. Evidence is how difficult it is for me to ask someone to take a picture of me. Sometimes I get the nerve and ask an employee if they don't look busy. Or someone will see me trying to take a picture of myself and offer to help. I know it's just a picture and most folks would help out but I just hate interrupting people while they are on their vacation. My big goal for tomorrow is get a picture of me in front of every shop. It's going to be tough but I'm determined to overcome my fear.

Tomorrow is my last day at Wizarding World so I'm going to make the most of it.

Pictures Below:

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Happiest Place on Earth!! http://ow.ly/6RChs

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Various Other Hogsmeade Stores http://ow.ly/6RBW7

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Owlery & Owl Post http://ow.ly/6RBIQ

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogwarts Performers http://ow.ly/6RBvD

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Flight of the Hippogrift http://ow.ly/6RA5E

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Dervish and Banges http://ow.ly/6RzYB

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Dragon Challenge http://ow.ly/6RzKL

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Three Broomsticks & Hogs Head http://ow.ly/6RztE

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Zonkos Joke Shop http://ow.ly/6Rzfn

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Honeydukes http://ow.ly/6RzbY

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ollivanders http://ow.ly/6RyU5

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogwarts Express http://ow.ly/6RyKJ

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogwarts Castle http://ow.ly/6RyFm

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade http://ow.ly/6RyDc