As one of Ryan’s birthday gifts for his birthday back in October, I gave him two tickets to Universal to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a brand new section of Univeral’s Islands of Adventure theme park completely dedicated to Harry Potter.
Early this morning, we hopped in Ryan’s car and headed to the park, excited to see some of our favorite books (and movies) come to life.
We arrived as the park was opening and made a beeline for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the main ride in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Look! It’s Hogwarts!!!
Our wait time for the ride was about an hour, but it really didn’t feel that long because there was so much to look at while we were in line. From the sorting hat to Dumbledore’s desk and the talking portraits in the halls of Hogwarts, I felt entertained during the entire wait.
The ride itself was pretty cool! Anyone who is plagued with even the slightest bit of motion sickness should definitely steer clear of this ride though because it was dizzying! Riders watch a 3D screen nearly the entire time and it truly feels like you’re flying above Hogwarts and through the school.
As we were exiting the ride, we saw a cart selling Butterbeer and pumpkin juice!
We were tempted to buy a cup of the Butterbeer, but overheard some people saying it didn’t live up to their expectations and opted to save our $5… and spend $3 of it on a soft pretzel!
I love soft pretzels and was grateful to Ryan for letting me eat my half plus all the nubs and twisty parts (my favorite)!
As we ate our pretzel, we wandered around Hogsmeade and ended up in line for the Dragon Challenge, a dueling dragons rollercoaster where patrons choose to ride one of two dragon rollercoasters.
We chose the blue coaster (the Hungarian Horntail) and had a blast, though I must say that the ride was really short. Everyone on the rollercoaster was shocked when it came to a halt, signaling that the ride was over.
Ryan and I spent some more time exploring the adorable shops of Hogsmeade, including Honeydukes candy shop and a trick store.
Before leaving Harry Potter, we had to say hi to Hedwig!
That’s the Hogwarts express behind us!
Eventually we made it out of Harry Potter and started exploring the rest of the park.
We rode several other rides, including The Cat in the Hat before it was time for lunch.
After searching around, we managed to find a relatively health looking sandwich shop and popped in for his and hers subs.
I opted for a roast beef sub on wheat bread with lots of veggies and spicy mustard.
The sub was only okay, but I was hungry and ate every bite.
Once our hunger was taken care of, we joined the line of people waiting to ride the Hulk, a giant rollercoaster that Ryan remembered as one of his favorites when he visited Universal several years ago.
The ride was so, so fast! I felt like I was slammed up against the back of my seat! It was intense and totally awesome.
We had a great time exploring the park a bit more before deciding we’d had our fill.
“I’m Foxy Cleopatra and I’m a whole lotta woman!”
I’ll pick up back here in a bit! For now I just want to chill out in the backyard with Ryan and Sadie and eat an inordinate amount of cheese popcorn.
Hope you’re all having a fantastic Saturday! 
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Ah I’m so jealous you went! My parents live in Punta Gorda and I definitely want to make it out there this summer. Looks like you had a blast!
ahhh so jealous!! I love Universal and I have been wanting to go to the Harry Potter World since it opened! Looks like you had a blast!
Looks like so much fun!!! I love the nubby parts of soft pretzels, too. 🙂
i’m so jeal when I was down in Florida for the Disney Princess 1/2 all I wanted to do was go to Hogwarts…but I guess i’ll have to run another race to try and get there!
SO JEALOUS!! I want to go there SO badly!! It looks AMAZING!! Especially that giant pretzel…now I want to go even more!! 😛
I am so jealous, looks like you had a great time and the weather looks awesome!
You should have had the butterbeer! So delicious and one of my favourite parts about visiting Universal and the Wizarding World!
aw, bust! we actually heard a few people say to pass. now i wish we would’ve tried it!
It’s ridiculously sweet, but the “foam” on top is to DIE for!
It was literally the best thing me and my man had ever tasted. We had the slushy version and the carbonated version… I recommend BOTH. And the foam… oh my gosh.
I will beg to differ, I thought the butter beer was amazing! Try it next time 🙂
I’ve never read the books (and always fall asleep during the movies) but I definitely want to try and see the World of Harry Potter! Looks like so much fun 🙂
Yes, very curious. And where exactly was Harry Potter? I’ve been looking for him….
What a fun day, so glad you enjoyed it. I’m pretty sure the butterbeer was just Cream Soda with vanilla softserve, but it is yummy. Did you try the pumpkin juice?
Looks like so much fun!! Can’t wait to visit Harry Potter World myself 🙂 PS- Ellen Degeneres has been filming at the park this weekend and today she tweeted that she rode The Hulk!! Too bad you didn’t run into her!
AHHH what a fun day!!! that looks like a legit BLAST!
That pretzel looks delicious. So salty!!!
I remember seeing a challenge on the Apprentice about the Harry Potter theme park — kind of neat to see what their ideas were vs. what really got made!
What a fun day! 🙂
I went to the Wizarding World a month after it opened – glad to see it’s still insane! When you go back you HAVE to try the butterbeer, it’s really sweet so have it in the afternoon but the drink is a must-do if you go.
You should also dine in the Three Broomsticks; pretty good food for the $ and it’s right from the books 🙂
You’re so lucky you live close – you can visit all the time! Take advantage of that.
You two always have so much fun, I love it 😀
Are you going to do a fashion post? I LOVE the dress!
just posted!
looks really fun!
Looks like a blast!! You two are so cute. Reminds me of when I ran in the Disney Marathon a few years ago. You should definitely consider doing a half or full marathon there (if you decide to do another). I think you would really appreciate seeing all of the parks 🙂
where did you get the dress from? love it!!!
i just updated all the info on the fashion page!
thank you, thank you!!!
The nubbins and twisty bits on pretzels are my fave too 😀
When I was in Florida they were in the middle of building Harry Potter 🙁
You guys look like you had loads of fun!
That looks like so much fun! Glad you had a great time! 😀
I love Harry Potter World! So much fun! 😀
Pretzel nubs are DA BOMB!
Oh and that hair…so you, Julie. Do it. Just do it. Tomorrow…go to the salon and do it 🙂
I wonder what Sadie would think if you came home with that on?!
That looks like suuuuch a blast!! I love Harry Potter. I’ve read every book like twenty times. Dork alert! haha
That looks like so much fun!! A few ofmy friends went the HP World right when it opened and I was sooo jealous. I definitely want to go someday!
If you are a fan of soft pretzels, then you DEFINITELY have to go to Germany someday — Especially if you are making a trip to Europe this summer! (:
I REALLY want to go there, I am so jealous of you!
I heart theme parks! I wish we lived closer to a cool one 😉
I want to try butterbeer!! That looks like fun.
ooooooh fun! I SO want to go there (as I am a huge HP fan!!) Looks awesome- go have fun with your fam…and enjoy that buttery goodness!
SO jealous! the harry potter area wasn’t opened yet when we went to florida, i was so disappointed! it looks like so much fun!
you guys look adorable in the thing1 thing2 visors 🙂
This looks like SO much fun!! LOVE you foxy Cleopatra wig! 🙂 I am with you on the soft pretzels – they’re delicious! Haven’t had one in wayy too long though.
Looks like a blast! I really wanna check it out because I’m a huge harry potter fan.
This looks like so much fun!! I went to disney world two years ago with my family and had a blast!! Have you ever had the Selma cookies or brownies that they sell at all the little bakery’s? I know for sure they are sold at universal studios, but they are huge and amazing!!!!!! I order them from their site!!
hey there, i just found your blog not too long ago and i love it! you inspired me to start going to the body pump class at my ymca and it’s awesome.
me and my boyfriend went to islands of adventure on wednesday for spring break and i must say the harry potter part and the butter beer were amazing! we shared 3 butter beers throughout the day lol, if you go back you have to try them 🙂
Looks like so much fun!! I love that cleopatra wig! 🙂
looks like a blast! I would love to go see the wizarding world of harry potter (loved the books and movies)
the hulk is the best! i loveee that rollercoaster! And I’m cracking up at the afro wig pic! hilarious!
Haaaa that last picture of you is TOO ADORABLE! I have to admit, I’ve actually never seen any of the Harry Potter movies before… isn’t that crazy!???! I sure do love me some 3-D movie rides, though!
Hey! I’m a regular reader of your blog and I just created one of my own today! Check it out! http://www.7plates.wordpress.com 🙂
You are hilarious! I was actually thinking of that movie before I even read the caption. 🙂
The nubs and twists are the best part of a pretzel! thats why braided pretzels are awesome.
How fun! Y’all are so cute! And I love the nubs of pretzels too. 🙂
ahh I haven’t been able to catch up on your blog in a few days, but I am OBSESSED with Harry Potter!! I love the new pictures from the theme park, especially the one with Hedwig! soooo jealous!
So fun. Definitely want to check out the Harry Potter part of Universal one day!
Ahh I always love reading about your weekend adventures. Looks like you guys so much fun at Universal! My sister’s in Florida right now, so I looked up the weather, and it’s hot for you guys (well she’s in Fort Lauderdale) but stil, you guys are in full on summer!! So jealous. It’s nice here today, but definitely not summer!
What a fun post to read Julie! Thanks! For someone who lives in Minnesota and has only ONE memory of Universal Studios (when I was like 6) ….. it was great to re-live it through you!