Monday, July 31, 2017

Universal Studios 2017 - All Things Harry Potter!

Here's the last of my vacation pictures from our trip to Orlando in May - I saved the best for last.  We are huge Harry Potter fans, going back to reading the books, seeing the movies, owning the movies, owning better copies of the movies, and finally, getting to visit Harry Potter world several times now.  We had a great time, and not just when we were laughing our heads off at Jeff - but more on that in a bit.

As usual, we started off our visit with a round of butterbeer:
Toasting to another great trip together!
We also had Butterbeer ice cream...
And these fools had to try the Fishy Green Ale - it's not actually fish-flavored, but rather minty with blueberry boba pearls in the bottom.  

Of course we went on all the rides, including a trip on the Hogwarts Express:
The train coming into the station!  I was as excited to see it as the kids in front of me were.

We went to Ollivander's Wand Shop:
Even though we already have wands, it's fun to visit and watch the wand ceremony.
So! Many! Wands!

I just liked this sign because of the B:

The dragon guarding Gringott's Bank:
And the dragon breathing fire - yes, it gets warm if you're standing nearby! 

And now to the part where Jeff was a good sport while we could not stop laughing:
It started innocently enough - we all sat down to watch a show starring Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.
And then suddenly the Banshees were coming off the stage, straight toward Jeff.  They beckoned him to come with them...
Once on stage, they sang to him...
And even got him to dance along with them.

We were dying - Sam was videoing the performance and it was a HOOT to watch.  Jeff is lucky that I don't have the video, because you know I'd post it here, but trust me when I say that we enjoyed this surprise performance immensely!

One last picture:
That's Hogwarts castle behind us, and the place where my kids (aw, who am I kidding - and me as well) wish we could have gone to school.

17 comments:

  1. That looks like so much fun! Your husband was such a good sport, too.

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    1. He was - he said later he wished he'd been wearing his sunglasses, as he would have felt more comfortable. Now we know why the movie stars wear sunglasses all the time, right? ;)

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  2. The butter beer ice cream sounds delish! I don't know the Banshees--they must have been from a later episode of Harry Potter? Jeff was a very good sport!

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    1. The Butterbeer ice cream is so good - and this is coming from a chocolate lover! Celestina and the Banshees were barely mentioned in the books...I didn't know them either.

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  3. I'm probably one of the only people on earth who hasn't read Harry Potter or seen the movies! But you guys sure make it look like fun. Maybe you can secure the video from Sam, I think we need to see it!

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    1. We happen to own all of the good versions of the movies now, thanks to Allie (we went to watch one over Christmas and it was letterboxed and she could not abide, LOL).

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    2. Helen - I haven't read the books or seen any movies, either! Glad I'm not alone

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  4. What a fantastic place to visit...it's on my list of things to do asap!!!!

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  5. I think I would have peed in my pants had I been you watching Jeff. How fun!

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    1. Honestly, it would have fun for you to hear the audio from the video...we all were laughing so hard!

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  6. This looks like SUCH a neat area! I would love to visit one day! That ice cream looks amazing!

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  7. Love that Jeff got pulled into the show! LOL! I don't know much about Harry Potter, but this place looks so fun!

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  8. Beer, ice cream, fun - count me in!

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  9. I also love the books and the movies. I have read all books only once, I can't get myself to read the last one because reviews aren't that good but I will read it one day.

    The movies are at least once a year on TV and I often watch them then.

    There is an exhibition with requisitions from the movies here in Holland but we haven't seen it. It is only shortly here and I don't think we have time to visit it before it is over.

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    1. I can't believe you didn't read the last book! Reviews, whatever - it's the conclusion of the saga...you have to read it! ;)

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