The Harry Potter park in Orlando

I grew up reading Harry Potter. Yes, I’m from the generation that read the first book when I was around the age of the characters and then eagerly awaited the release of each of the other six volumes. I’ve attended fan meetings, I’ve written fanfic, I know where my house is and I cried when some of the characters died. And of course, I was sad when I realized I would never receive my Hogwarts letter. A theme park that imitated the settings of the films and books was the closest I would get to the wizarding world. And that’s why the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located inside the Island of Adventure, in Orlando, was one of the most anticipated attractions for me during my trip to Orlando.

Read too: Harry Potter Settings and Places in London

Every detail of the park was designed to make you feel like you are in the universe created by JK Rowling. At the entrance to the area, you come across the Hogwarts Express, the same train that transports the protagonist from the Muggle world to the wizarding world every year.

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The area represents the wizarding town of Hogsmead. Some of the most important points of the city portrayed in the books were reproduced in the park. Who has never wanted to have a butterbeer at Três Broomsticks or Cabeça de Javali?

Butterbeer, in fact, actually exists and can be purchased at various points in the park. But, make no mistake, although there are strong indications that Hermione got drunk at least twice in the books, wizarding beer is non-alcoholic. It’s more of a sweet drink with a vanilla taste. I didn’t think it was bad, but it’s very sweet for a glass that size. It’s worth buying to get in the mood, but try sharing it with someone to see if you like it. Another drink from the books that is also sold in the park is pumpkin juice. I haven’t tried this one to know if it’s good.

One of the most famous places in the park is Honeydukes, Hogsmead’s magical candy store. There you can buy chocolate frogs and the famous beans in all flavors, which also have bizarre flavors, just like the book. At the bottom of the bean box there is a paper that shows you the flavors. Among the most unusual are vomit, grass, dirt, earwax and worms. The vomiting was the worst taste experience of my life. The soap one looks like we are actually eating a piece of soap. As Luíza said, science has made our world somewhat magical, which is why it is possible to reproduce in real life several things imagined by JK

But that’s not the only store in the park. You can also buy your wand at Ollivanders, house t-shirts – but there were practically only Gryffindor and a few Slytherins. Absurd! -, the Marauder’s Map, keychains, school scarves, plush toys, dolls and all kinds of souvenirs.

The park has only three rides. O Dragon Challenge It’s for those who like excitement. Inspired by the first test of the Triwizard tournament, it’s a rollercoaster. Already the Flight of the Hippogriff It is lighter, good for children and those who are afraid of heights and speed. But the best of all is, without a doubt, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a 3D roller coaster that simulates flying on a broomstick through the grounds of Hogwarts in the company of the protagonist. It’s just perfect. Even my aunts, who don’t understand anything about the books, said “It looks like we’re flying with him”. I liked it so much that I went three times.

Forbidden Journey works inside Hogwarts castle, which is located at the back of Hogsmead.

Expansion: Diagon Alley

Since the beginning of June, fans of the saga have gained another space to explore the JK universe: Diagon Alley. This wizarding haven in central London has stores such as the Leaky Cauldron, the incredible Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes – with THREE floors -, Knockturn Alley and its macabre shops (go there if you want your Death Eater mask) and Gringotts, which it housed one of the park’s main attractions: a roller coaster that simulates an escape through the labyrinthine trails of the wizard bank.

The Alley operates at Universal Studios, not Island of Adventure, where Hogsmead is located. However, to get between the two parks, you can take the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 1/2 in “London” and make the journey to the magical village in the same way as Harry would. To do this, you need to buy a ticket that allows access to both parks on the same day.

Also read: How to buy tickets to Universal parks in Orlando

When I went, this area was still under construction (#todoschora), but at least there was a good reason for me to return.

*Featured Image: Mel 23 – CC BY 3.0

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