Universal Studios

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Man, I love this picture.  Tyson's lips, Brennon's eyebrows, and Shelby's pose.  I love my kids so much!!!!!

Harry Potter- Hogsmeade

This conductor was the funnest, most friendly guy.  He talked to us, had picture ideas with the kids, and made sure Caden had special treatment.

See that sign?  There were people asking after we left if they could do that.  He said nope, and that was the end of the questioning.  Caden got a one-of-a-kind experience in the Wizarding World.

Here he was telling us that once Caden was old enough, he should apply for the very position which he now held.  That of The Conductor.  It was fun listening to him say all the qualities that was needed for the very important position.  It was so much fun!!!

All I can say about the 'town' was that it was magical.  It sounds totally lame (and something I would totally say) but it was the truth.  There was a quality about the whole place, that hinted at something that couldn't really be real.  It was amazing!!

Olivanders was an "experience" more than a "ride." About 50 of us were lead into the room (We didn't even have to wait in line.)  It was the exact room replica in which Harry goes to get his wand.  Two stories of wands crammed in tiny cubicles with a winding staircase and a desk.  Caden and Keilie were chosen to hold various wands, waiting for the wands that would choose them.  They tried a few things, waving the wands when asked, and made things happen in the store, just like in the movie.  After a few 'tries,' Olivander said, "I Wonder!" and grabbed two wands with identical cores in their center.  When Caden and Keilie grabbed them, the lights descended, the winds picked up, the music escalated, just like in the movie.  Keilie was certain that this meant she got to keep the $50 wand.  But, alas, it did not.  It kind of made me wish they wouldn't have chosen my kids.  We had a near-tears Keilie saying she was certain it meant it was hers.  We told her it was just a show, that it was just a prop.  We almost bought it for her, but it was just too much.  We love Harry Potter, and may have bought it is if was 2003, but not now.  It was still a cool thing to do.

The Sorting Hat inside the castle.

Brennon thought he was being so funny.  Tyson was just doing his lip-thing.

I love Brennon's I'm so funny face.

Do you see the chimneys?  That's what I mean.  You wouldn't really see bent chimneys in real life.  It added to the magic of it all.

We got to ride on a train from Hogsmeade to the newly-finished Diagon Alley.  Each family sat in their own railcar.  With the door closed, they made the screens show pictures of countryside, and other scenery.  Also, the screen (that would normally be a window) on the door showed 'shadows' of Ron, Hermione, and Harry walking past our car because it's full.

Diagon Alley

Weasley Prank Shop.  Caden purchased a Chocolate Frog.  And, regrettably, no, it doesn't jump.

Gringotts.  It was a fun ride!  They have spared no expense on any of these rides.  Everything made you feel as if you were in the movie!

We could have stopped for a Butter-Beer.  We chose against it.

Randy took Caden and Keilie on the rides that the shorter kids couldn't go on.  We were walking to a kids' playground, when this man stopped us for a try.  He said that each kid could take a try winning a prize for Caden, the wish kid.  I'm not sure why my camera didn't capture Brennon or Tyson.  I was SO sad to see that it had only gotten Shelby.  She got two tries, Brennon got two tries, and then Tyson got two...and won!

He wished us a fun time, and sent us with a SpongeBob Square Pants.  They were jumping with joy to give it to Caden. 

No clouds, but still a great sunset!!

This was the third night that Brennon had gotten hives.  They never really itched, just caused him to have "bumpy skin."  He's had almost a full bottle of Benadryl since, he gets them almost every night now.

This park was geared more for older kids.  The three little ones were quite upset that they kept getting told no.  It was fun, just not my favorite of the parks.  Caden and Keilie had an absolute blast.  And who could blame them?!

Long Live Harry Potter!!!!!