Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando

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Harry Potter has had such a big impact on me growing up. And even now I still watch the movies more than what you would consider normal or reread the books because i just love it so much. I remember going to these readings at the bookshop every time a new book came out and then right at midnight it was possible to buy the new book.

I would start reading as soon as I would get home not caring how late it was already. I have read some good books after that but not a single series would ever made me be the first one to buy it nor will there ever be one.

We have all been waiting for our letter to Hogwarts. We just wanted it to be real and for it all to become reality. And even after all movies have come out the story will never die. When I heard there was going to be a Harry Potter part in a theme park of course i couldn’t tame my excitement. I also knew, I would probably never get the chance to visit it. The first one was in Florida and that was just too far away.

Gladly I got lucky and it turned out that I was moving to Tennessee for a year in 2011 to go to an American High School. Before I flew home a year later I just couldn’t resist then to pay a sneaky little visit to Florida for two weeks before heading back to Germany after. It was not a cheap decision but a great one for sure.

Let’s throw it back to the possibly happiest day of my life: The day I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Islands of Adventure park in Orlando, Florida. Orlando is known as the city for amusement parks and I have visited a lot while I was there, but spending a day in Hogsmeade, drinking Butterbeer and having lunch in the three broomsticks was by far the most memorable experience.

I had one day planned for Islands of Adventure and one day for Universal Studios, but since I have already been to the Universal Studios in Hollywood and it was quite similar as well, I spent both days pretty much only in the Harry Potter themed area.

Now this was back in 2012, when Diagon Alley was not even there yet so I will have to come back one day and see that as well. However, as the biggest Harry Potter fan, there was still so much to do in Hogsmeade alone and I could have easily spent a couple of more days at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

My absolute favourite was the Forbidden Journey ride which was absolutely amazing. We had to queue for quite a while but it was definitely worth it. The ride is located inside the Hogwarts castle so while waiting in line you still get to see some nice decorations that you would have not seen otherwise.

Also make sure to check out each and every window. You can even go into Ollivander’s and purchase a wand perhaps, just so you are ready when your letter finally arrives. To sum this up, it has been an awesome experience that I always like to look back to 🙂

Talk to you later x