Orlando Florida Harry Potter World

So last week we left for Fall break to Orlando. We were so excited to go to Universal Studios to see the new Harry Potter addition.

So we took a red eye light out leaving at 11 and got in to Orlando about 5 AM and we couldn't check into  the hotel until later that day so we decided to go drop our luggage off at the hotel and go get breakfast at Dennys, then head to the park. We were pretty tired since we didn't sleep on the plane, but we were stoked to get to the parks. We had to wait in a line just to get into the park and then everyone was heading to the new Hagrad's bike nride so we were in line for at least 2 hours. It was crazy, but it was one of the funnest rides there and was worth it.

 

The Hogwarts Castle.

  

This year we tried the Butter Beer. Both frozen and the Hot version. It was super yummy.

The sorting hat and pensieve in the castle

Various other pictures from within the castle.
 

We then took the Hogwarts Express Train over to the other park to see the new Harry Potter world addition.

 The train ride was a nice little rest from standing on our feet and it was a cool little attraction.  Steve was so tired the first day we rode it given we had been up for 2 days and he was wearing a motion sickness patch that made him drowsey so he slept through the whole thing so we had to ride it a second time so he could see it and its a nice little ride to the other park and better then walking it.

 The little shrunken head on the bus was talking to the kids.

 I bought one of the shrunken heads to hang in the car. It talks and is kinda fun.

Got some awesome fudge from HoneyDukes. Didn't get a picture though.

This area was a little more of the shopping and buildings to see. They had one attraction there in the Gringotts Bank. It was also a very fun ride.

 

Knockturn Alley. It was pretty dark in there so it was hard to get any decent pictures but they had some fun shops in there and little side alleys and store fronts.

This girl right here is our biggest Harry Potter Nerd. She was in her full glory here. I think she was the most excited for this trip.

 It was cool to see the wanted signs and the newspapers with live action going on like in the movie.

 I love these kind of memories. The kids are growing up way to fast and soon they wont be here to do these kinds of things with. They will have families of their own to do this with. Kinda makes me sad. I wish I could keep them small forever.  Missing our bubba here. He was the first to get married and fly the coop. He didnt have vacation time to come with us. Hopefully next vacation he and Mckenna can come. Who knows maybe Allie will be married bu then too.  Our family is growing!!

 Finally timed it right to get a couple pictures of the dragon blowing fire.

 This was the Kong ride. It was ok. It was a 3-D movie ride.

 Just a really big Ferris wheel on one of the Streets going to our Hotel. Kings Park i think it was.  On Saturday it was pouring rain and we were waiting to see if it would let up to go to the parks. Luckily it only lasted half the day and we were able to go to the park and hang out and get the last couple rides we really wanted to go on. All in all it was a great time, minus the long lines and standing for hours to get on rides. I cant imagine what it would have been like when school wasnt in. It was fall break for alot so it was prob a tad more crowded, but better then it would have been in the summer.

The longest ride we stood in was prob 2-3 hrs. And that was for the newest most popular ride. I dont think my feet and back and hips have ever hurt this much, but it was worth it.

We had to get some of the Famous Voodoo Doughnuts on the way out of the park. I had never heard of them before but apparently they are pretty poplular in other states. They make some pretty weird doughnuts. Some with butterfinger on them, some with cereal on them. The ones we got were pretty dang good I have to admit. I got one that was filled with raspberry jelly. so yummy and worth the gluten issues.

 We thought this chair fit logans personality pretty well. She is our food lover. Especially sweets.

 This was the view from the gazebo at our hotel that overlooks a small lake or pond.

These were what was in the small lake or pond. It was pretty cool to see an alligator up close.

 Check out the size of that carp..

It had several snapping turtles swimming around.

 

Me and Allie trying to suck up that last little bit of sun, warm temps and humidity before we had to head to the airport. BooHoo  It was a really fun little get away from the stress of school and life back home. We even bought into the Hilton ownership while there so hopefully we can take more vacations like this every year. Hope it was worth it.