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Great Escape: From Rochester to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I left my Around Town duties for a week to escape to the Universal attraction. Here are my tips for you.

For your family, a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Florida may be your ultimate escape this spring.

Wish you had your own copy of a Maurader's Map to guide you?

I've just returned from Universal's Islands of Adventure, where the Wizarding World calls home, and I'm here to help. There are three actual rides in the Wizarding World, one restaurant/pub and a handful of shops. Here are my recommendations for a day spent with Harry Potter.

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My tips: Get to the park when it opens. Yes, it's worth setting your alarm clock on vacation. The Wizarding World is a huge draw and will be packed by 11 a.m.

First thing's first: Get to the wand shop

Ollivanders is known for matching a wizard to his or her perfect wand. And you can see it happen in a live performance that takes place in a special room of the shop. The great wand-maker himself descends a staircase and picks a young "wizard" at random from the crowd, then helps them select a wand, in a scene right out of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The room is intimate with a limit of 20 guests at a time, and a long line quickly forms. Universal Express Pass in not permitted for this show.

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(The Universal Express Pass is a special pass that allows its holder to go to the front of a line. While it can be used on most rides, it is not available for all rides. The cost of the pass is based on the day of your visit. A one-day pass can range from $19.99 to $59.99 per person in addition to your entrance ticket cost.)

My tips: Do the wand shop first for the shortest wait and try to position your wand-seeker at the bottom of the stairs.

Next stop: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

After you leave the wand shop (and keep in mind, all purchases can be sent to the front of the park for end-of-day pick-up), take a right and head straight up to Hogwarts Castle. The Universal Express Pass cannot be used on this ride.

The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is housed inside the castle, but even if you're too short to ride it (the height requirement is 48 inches), you can still walk through the castle to see talking portraits, Professor Dumbledore and your favorite three young wizards. These elements provide the background to the story of the ride, so listen carefully to what they all have to say. When you see — and hear — The Sorting Hat, you've reached the ride.

'Child Swap' room

My youngest child was a hair too short for this ride, and actually I was grateful. It is pretty intense and scary. While you don't flip completely upside down, you come close. (Free lockers are provided at the start of the line so you don't lose your possession during some of the wilder parts of the ride). 

Here's the ride's story: You are a muggle friend of Harry's and through magic he actually gets your bench to fly. You're suppose to just join him in a Quidditch match but Hagrid accidentally let lose a dragon! Be prepared for a hot blast of dragon breath on your face, along with spider spit (close your mouth!!), a near brush with the Whomping Willow and an attack by dementors. In the end even Dumbledore commends you on your bravery.

My tip: When the spiders come down, say "cheese" — that's your photo op.

In my opinion, it's the best ride in all of Orlando, but if your child can't ride, Universal has provided a great Child Swap room so you still can. You go through all of the castle as a family and as you reach the end, workers will direct you to a special line. At the end of that line, one adult and too-short child will enter the Child Swap room while the rest of your party goes on the ride. Inside the Child Swap room are benches and a TV playing your favorite Harry Potter movie. When the rest of your party exits the ride, they come directly to the Child Swap room and the other adult immediately goes on the ride.

My tip: Ride this one as many times as you can. Each time you will notice something new.

Flight of the Hippogriff

The exit of the Forbidden Journey — through a gift shop, naturally — places you neatly at the entrance to the Flight of the Hippogriff ride. This is a kid-friendly roller coaster that takes you past Hagrid's Hut and Buckbeak's nest, while Hagrid's voice explains the correct way to approach a hippogriff. The height requirement is 36 inches. The Universal Express Pass can be used on this ride.

My tip: The perfect ride for the kid who just had to sit out The Forbidden Journey.

Dragon Challenge

The third and final ride in The Wizarding World is by far the scariest, as indicated by its 54-inch height requirement. Based on the Triwizard Cup from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it's a dueling dragon roller coaster. Each coaster, or dragon, offers an entirely different ride, as they swoop, spin and come within 18 inches of colliding. You will go upside down more than once. If you manage to keep your eyes open, you'll spot hidden Harry Potter treasures like the Weasley's car. The Universal Express Pass can be used on this ride.

My tip: There's a nice viewing spot tucked behind the wand line if you want to watch your braver half turn an interesting shade of green.

Dining Option (there's only one)

There's only one restaurant in The Wizarding World and that is Three Broomsticks. It's not fancy and don't expect to get served. You wait in line to place your order from a limited menu of traditional British fare then wait in another line to pick up your food. A worker then escorts your party to a table. For true Harry Potter fans, it's worth a go — once. Then keep in mind that Universal park does have other dining options.

My tip: If you want to relax, Mythos and Confisco Grill provide more food choices and sit-down service.

Hog's Head Pub

This rustic pub is attached to Three Broomsticks and serves only beverages, including pumpkin juice, Butterbeer and alcohol. Be prepared for long lines to soak up the atmosphere.

My tip: Butterbeer and pumpkin juice are also sold in kiosks in the streets of Hogsmeade. Also remember that Butterbeer is sold only in the Wizarding World.

Shopping and Such

I hope everyone has been saving up their allowance, because the Wizarding World has lots of shopping options. Whether you want a sweet treat from Honeydukes or a practical joke from Zonko's, if you've seen it in a Harry Potter movie, they've got it here. 

A couple special things to keep in mind:

  • The Owl Post is a working post office, and things mailed from this location will have a special Hogsmeade postmark. Postcards and stationary are available for purchase.
  • Hogwarts Express is found near the Lost Continent entrance. The train blows steam and whistles. At certain times a conductor shows up for photo opportunities.
  • If all those Butterbeers necessitate a bathroom break, listen carefully for the voice of Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secrets. 
  • Wands can be purchased throughout Hogsmeade. You can buy the wand of your favorite character or a wand based on your date of birth. A wand, if you're curious, goes for seven gold Galleions (or $29.95 in muggle money.)

It's a shame that I can't use that wand to make my Visa bill disappear. But it was a magical trip we'll never forget. So for now, "Mischief managed."

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