Last week I had a wonderful time on vacation in the sunny stte of...Florida.

While I was there, I stayed at the Universal Resort, at the Hard Rock Hotel, and visited Islands of Adventure, home to the famous Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

(note that these pictures were taken by me)



Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey:

This has to be the best darkride I have ever experienced in my entire life. Being a veteran theme park visitor, I know a good ride when I see one. The ride was built for a cost of :

189,000,000 Dollars

It's worth every darn cent. The ride starts with your "magic bench" begin enchanted, and beginning to fly about the castle.

SPOILER ALERT! IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE RIDE A SURPRISE SKIP TO THE NEXT PICTURE

You soon encounter Ron and Harry, and a big dragon. The dragon attracks you, spraying you with steam, and you escape in the dar forest.

In the dark forest you encounter many spiders and barely manage to escape. It's not over however, as you encounter:

A FULE SCALE WHOMPING WILLOW THAT ATTACKS YOU!

FULL SCALE!

ACTUAL SIZE!

IT'S HUGE!

The willow swings it's branches at you, barely missing your bench.

You then enter a Quidditch match, which gets attacks by dementors.

To escape you fly under the castle and into the chamber of secrets. Dementors jump out at you from every angle, and the basalisk's skeleton sprays steam. Harry uses the portronus to save you, and you fly to the great hall, where you are congratulated by the whole school

The ride system uses a four seater vehicle, mounted on a fifteen foot tall, Kuka ROBOTIC ARM. So basically, the ride vehicle is a robotic arm, with you at the end!

The special effects were amazing, and I hope more Kuka rides get built soon!

Forbidden Journey:

100/10 You CANNOT go to Florida and not ride this!


Buckbeak's Flight

A coaster for the young ones around the dark forest's edge. The ride has a very impressive Buckbeak animatornic right before you go up the lift. The ride is worth a glimpse of the animatronic, otherwise, it's just another kiddie coaster repurposed for the area.

7/10



Dragon Challenge

These two dueling B&M inverted monsters dominate in the Potter area. The two tracks are intertwined around one another, and have three "crossovers" or sections where the two coaster duel. The effect is quite good, and provides some great camera shots, like the one above!

9/10

Butterbeer:

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

Most amazing drink ever.

9000/10

Olivander's Wand Shop:

Bascally all they do is a mini version of the Olivandeers scene from the first movie...it's for the fans, just a little show.

7/10

Overall:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was an excellent addition to the Unversal Resrt, and I can't wait to return to the area again in the future...I WANT MORE BUTTERBEER!

10/10



I hightly recommend this to anyone who plans on visiting FL...it is a CAN'T miss attraction, for everyone, not just Potter Fans.


And now that this review is done let us magically fly off into the sunset on brooms while enjoying a nice frothy cup of frozen butterbeer.

-Tycoon Master