Recently, I had my spring break and decided--last minute with no planning--to drive down to Orlando and go to Universal Studios. More specifically: to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I love the books and the fantastical world JK Rowling created in them. I've never seen the Harry Potter sections of the parks (the last time I went to Universal was before they were built), and thought it was high-time I did.
The first park I went to was Diagon Alley. You have to find the entrance to Diagon Alley, as it is cleverly hidden behind a brick wall. I was able to find it only because of the Knight Bus and the sound of the Harry Potter soundtrack playing (which, by the way, is one of the best parts about this place--the MUSIC!)
This is what greets you when you first walk into Diagon Alley--this dragon was so much fun to photograph. If I included too many in this blog post, please forgive me.
This guy was in charge of enticing people to eat at the Leaky Cauldron (which I did), and did a fabulous job--including posing like this for my camera :)
I know this technique is outdated, but it is still one of my favorites. It was also the most effective way to highlight the young boy on his father's shoulders.....feet below the roaring mouth of a dragon.
Inside the Gringotts Bank. This was actually the line for the Escape from Gringotts ride (which I did ride). Because the lines for the rides are such an experience in and of themselves for Potter fans, they will let you walk through the express line if you are just doing a "Bank Tour" (where you get to walk through the bank, see Bill Weasley's office, and ride the lift down to the vault levels without acutally getting on the ride). No, I didn't say I was doing the bank tour and then get on the ride through the express line--I had my bulky camera with me, and all items have to be stowed in a locker during the ride.
The Leaky Cauldron sign.
Inside the Leaky Cauldron--I probably ate here (and at the Three Broomsticks) more than I should have, but it is just so exciting. The place has been designed and decorated with such detail and precision.
Yes, this dragon did indeed breathe fire. I asked one of the workers what the schedule was (wanted to be able to prepare my camera for it) and was told "She's a wild dragon--we never know." I didn't believe that for a second. Fortunately, I spent enough time in Diagon Alley to get a basic sense of the schedule, which is how I was able to get this shot--the dragon's reflection in the window of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
There were two different street shows that showed periodically throughout the day in Diagon Alley. One was Celestina Warbeck (which I didn't really care for, simply because the 50's style of music doesn't go with the rest of the music from Harry Potter in my head--the two styles just shouldn't be mixed), but the other was a puppet re-telling of the Tale of the Three Brothers. I think I watched the show 3 different times, and was just fascinated with photographing the Death puppet.
They modeled the puppets used in the show after the animated segment of the 7th Harry Potter movie (where Hermione reads the story in voice-over). The streamers of the Death puppet were wonderful to try and capture in an image, as the puppeteer dramatically moved and spun the puppet around. I wanted to capture the movement of these streamers, as that was when the puppet looked it's scariest.....like a character from a surreal nightmare.
Next to the Gringott's Bank is a set of stairs that leads to somewhere tourists aren't allowed to go, but they can sit on the stairs and rest (which actually means people watching and photographing for me). It had a great view of the Alley, complete with the Dragon's head sticking out.
If you look at the very bottom of the picture, you can see Hagrid's motorcycle from the 7th Harry Potter movie.
This is probably my favorite shot of the dragon. Even though it was "technically" bad lighting, having the sun behind the tower and the dragon breathing fire made it awesome.
This is actually a vertical panorama picture. My camera did not have a wide enough angle to be this close, AND get the whole bank entrance in the shot, so this is 4 landscape oriented photos stitched together on top of each other.
Platform 9 and 3/4!
This train really does take you to Hogsmeade (located in the other park), so it is an official ride, but it is very tame. I think I rode it at least 6 different times. Plus the ride is different depending on which direction you ride it, so you have to ride it in both directions to get the full experience.
What do I do when I'm bored by myself in a theme park?--take photos of other people in reflections, of course.
Hogsmeade station :)
I did respect the spell limits--at least no one pulled me over when I was going for a quick spin on my Nimbus 2000 ;)
While Hogsmeade was wonderful, I will admit, it is not as immersive as Diagon Alley. The majority of the shops are just facades in Hogsmeade, and don't actually open, whereas the ones in "London" do. Doesn't mean I didn't geek out and have a great time with my camera.
The Three Broomsticks! Definitely ate here multiple time as well--just as magical as the Leaky Cauldron with the added bonus of outdoor seating with a spectacular view of the Castle (you'll see it soon!)
Inside the Three Broomsticks (I didn't see Rosmerta anywhere.....bummer).
Apparently the upper levels were for guests that were staying at the Three Broomsticks. But I never saw that option on Universal's website--I would have stayed there in a heartbeat!
(that was sarcasm--no one was allowed upstairs and you can't actually stay there--I just love the details--there was an actual sign that said upper level closed to all except tenants. The designers put as much care in them as the original author put in her stories)
Ready to see the Castle? Right this way......
Hogwarts!
Yes, I probably took too many pictures of the castle, but it was so awesome!
The astronomy tower--according to the little girl whose father asked her what the glass thing was. Makes sense to me!
What I imagine to be the Gryffindor tower, and the place where dormitories are.
They even had the winged boars at the entrance. It was fun to position the castle towers in between the wings of the boar.
Reverse shot--this is what you see when you stand at the base of the castle and look back at Hogsmeade--in case you were wondering.
So while I was in the line for the Hogwarts ride ("Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey"), I found this tiny little pathway in the rocks under the castle that essentially leads to nowhere (some back alley for maintenance access I think). This is the view from the bottom of this path--really cool.
The lights started turning on--geek out!
Most of the pictures I took inside Hogwarts (the line you wait in to ride the ride) were just ok. It was VERY dark inside, and I did not have my flash. I did get a few, including this one--the entrance to Dumbledore's office!
This room was so cool. It is the outer room of Dumbledore's office where all of the portraits of headmasters are displayed. And yes, they DO talk to each other and move.
Apparently, Phineas Nigellus was not happy to see so many Muggles in the castle :P
The room was sooooo tall--I would guess 30 foot high ceiling at least.
This was spectacular--and so well done by the designers. If you can't tell, it's the floating candles from the Great Hall--multiplied by millions through the effect of mirrors.
This was the place where people got onto the ride. Alas, I was not brave enough to go on the ride, as I found that I don't do well with flying (real OR simulated).
Good bye Hogwarts. :'(
Let me know if you have any teaching positions open--I would love to apply!
