So where is the "after" picture? You know, the one where your DS and the stroller are covered with chocolate and sprinkles.
It was actually kind of miraculous how little of a mess he made!
Meh... it's a'ight...
Seriously though, even though I'm not a big Harry Potter fan, they did an amazing job. I mean it really feels like the temperature drops when you're there just because seeing that snow on all the roofs feels so real. The level of detail there is just amazing.
I was really so impressed! I know Universal is not known for their themeing, but I think when they really go for it, they do amazing things. I have always thought the themeing of the Jurassic Park area is spot on. I knew they could pull off a perfect HP themed land.
Good luck with that.
Good to know. We never actually had to use the rider swap last time so I haven't had any experience with it.
I had read that the locker situation was a giant headache, so this was a huge relief. Also, bonus that DH was able to take the big camera through the queue.
Well... at least now I know what some of these things are called...
I really should watch these movies at some point.
I remember being on LiveJournal way back when the 3rd movie came out, and a girl whose posts I read went to see it in the theater 3 or 4 times, and I just kept thinking to myself, who does that?!?! Then DH finally convinced me to give the movies a try, and I was hooked. The books are even better. But I would absolutely recommend the movies to anyone who asked.
That was extremely impressive!
And this is what I don't like about the Universal rider swap. It seems like it would be quicker than the Disney version, but taking small kids through the line is definitely not something that seems too appealing. Especially the queue for something like that or the Mummy where it is dark and just not "kid friendly."
I can see your point with that one. It definitely made him nervous in a dark line. Luckily since we were with a group of adults, this was the only attraction we had to use rider swap for. That early in the morning, it was REALLY quick, much more so than Disney's. But the good things Disney's version has going for it is, like you said not having to take the child through a queue that can be frightening, and also having the option to come back and ride later if riding back to back would take up a lot of time still.
This is the main reason I decided one ride was good enough for me.
The animatronics (do they call them that there) elements and the motion of the ride vehicle were fantastic, but those movie screen portions of the ride...
Yeah...it was rough! I don't think I could have handled back to back rides, despite how much I just wanted to get right back on!
Wow, I somehow missed the start of your TR!
Don't know how that happened. Either way, I'm here now!
Ahhh, WWoHP sounds amazing. Just amazing. I almost wish there'd be one bad review of the place so I'd be a little less anxious to see it for myself.
My brother went to IoA for his grad night, and he said he had the same problem with motion sickness on the Forbidden Journey. But I think it must be worth it....
Your resort for the night looked gorgeous. I know the Express Pass is a major advantage and the main reason to stay there, but it does look like a nice place.
Glad you made it over! And no worries, the fun is just beginning!
Sorry to say, this will not be the TR for you if you are looking for any bad reviews of anything US/IoA!! We had a fantastic time. But I totally understand what you mean.
I might be convinced to even stay at a roach motel if it meant unlimited Express Pass at Universal, but Universal definitely makes it a treat "forcing" you to stay at one of their gorgeous resorts! Having stayed at 2 of the 3, I have not one complaint from any of our stays. I've never stayed at Portofino, but since that is the highest priced one, I would imagine it is just as nice if not nicer than Royal Pacific & Hard Rock!
Wow that's a pretty neat trick addressing you by name at baggage services. It's amazing how many positive things I've heard recently about the level of service at Universal.
Haha, it IS a long walk in. I remember my first time I RAN the whole way (I know you shouldn't but everyone else was, so when in ROME). I don't recommend it though.
It is so funny now to look back and remember that Disney actually passed on Harry Potter. I imagine there's a bit of regret.
You are SO LUCKY not to need the locker which is without a doubt the biggest cluster of all time.
Not a cluster however is the magnificence of this ride. OMG I am SO GLAD you FINALLY got to ride. Truly there is nothing like it anywhere.
Even on the DIS Unplugged they have been raving about the great service at Universal, and we experienced the same thing! Everyone was pleasant, helpful, and smiling.
Oh gosh, even our brisk walk had me a little sweaty! It was probably the most humid morning of our whole trip. I can't even imagine running!! lol
I bet Disney is kicking themselves. But I honestly don't know if Disney would have done as well of a job as Universal did. I think Universal needed it to be big and impressive to draw more guests through the turnstiles. Disney may have done a much smaller scale version because, while cool to have, I don't think they would have needed something so impressive because they already have the attendance. Just my opinion though, I could be wrong. But I guess we'll never know!
It is definitely a one of a kind!! It was funny about the lockers because I remember reading on a TR something about, "Don't use these lockers, use those because they are less crowded/confusing." But at the moment, I couldn't remember which lockers I was supposed to use! It passed through my mind as a, "Darn it, I should have checked on that before we left" just before the TM said we didn't need them. Whew! Crisis averted. haha
Definitely one of a kind. I hope they are able to replicate their success with the HP expansion! The guests only benefit when they try to improve upon themselves!
I read the part about CityWalk but forgot to comment. The hotel looks awesome! I am now thinking maybe we will hop here after our adults only cruise and stay onsite? IDK we will see after I get to see what Paxton gets to do. Anyway, Margaritaville looks awesome (we went to one in Vegas like 10 years ago) and it sounds like a great first evening & getting to bed on time. I totally understand now about wanting more space - so tough with younger kids going to bed earlier. i'm glad sleeping in a bed wasn't bad at all for Paxton, good idea to use the pillows.
As I had figured, there was not a TON of things for Paxton to do, but we still managed to have a really fun day, and I don't think there was any times where he was bored. With a small child, I would still probably only recommend a day. During low crowds, you don't need more than that anyway. It was probably best that we did it at the beginning of the trip also, because I think had we done it at the end, he might have been more frustrated at the lack of rides he was able to do compared to everything he is able to do in WDW.
The pillows worked perfect, and I think he liked sleeping in a kind of makeshift fort!
Moving on - how were the crowds at WWoHP overall? It sounds like they were very reasonable, esp considering the wait for Ollivander's. We never did that bc the wait was always crazy and it just didn't sound worth the wait, but I'd definitely want to do it now.
Having that extra hour in the morning was FANTASTIC! We were easily able to accomplish everything vital. And when we came back later in the day a couple of times, it wasn't extremely crowded either, although Ollivander's always had a pretty long line. I don't think FJ got over 40 minutes, which I guess is not bad considering. Given the time of year, we still could have done everything else we did without the unlimited EP, no problem. But having that bonus hour in WWoHP as resort guests made it all totally worth it.
LOVE LOVE Forbidden Journey - glad you had an amazing ride and time in Hogsmeade. How excited for the new Diagon Alley are you?! Ugh I can't wait!! I like Universal's child swap policy, seems to make things go faster than having to come all the way out, find your family, switch and go back through FP line.
Looking forward to more!
I am ECSTATIC!! Since it will be awhile before our next Disney trip, I am really hoping the expansion will be done so we can check it out then! It sounds like even just riding the train back and forth will be pretty awesome, and I can't even imagine how amazing the Gringott's coaster will be!! We only had to use child swap at FJ, and it worked extremely well. Although like Andy said upthread, DS did not like having to walk through and wait in such a dark environment, so that was about the only downfall of the rider swap experienced at Universal compared to Disney.
YAY for Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and Forbidden Journeys! I am glad you loved it as much as you hoped you would. I cannot wait to go back, they truly did an amazing job.
I do hope you made it on the Dragon Challenge. Though yes, the ride is the same, the queue...is not!
I got a sugar high just looking at that donut!
SUCH an amazing job! I still get so excited just thinking about what an amazing time we had. Even years after it opened and seeing so many pictures and reading everything about it, I was still wowed and surprised by the level of detail and themeing.
Sadly, we never did end up riding Dragon Challenge.
Next time though we will definitely make time for it!
I mean really, DH should have just given DS a bag full of pure sugar for breakfast!!!
The ride really is wonderful, unlike any other ride out there. LOVE all your pictures and I love your DS's fascination with the throwing up boy 
x
I am always on the lookout for George collections. For his second Christmas Paxton got a box with I think 6 individual books in it, and last Christmas I found a big book with 8 stories in it! They are great little books, and DS also likes watching the show sometimes.
