The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

In our house it is established that only those who have read the "Harry Potter" books can go to the Harry Potter World.      With that understanding there were no complaints when Emily and I headed off from Allyson's to Universal Studios.    Allyson's place is just 100 miles away from Universal Studios but because of downtown LA traffic it would take hours if you left anytime after 5:30.   We also discovered the night before that they had an early access at 7AM for those who bought tickets online.  So to avoid traffic and get there ahead of the crowds we left Ally's house at 4:30.   The traffic was fairly light and we made it to Universal by 6:15.  They hadn't even opened the parking garage so we found us a Carls Jr. ate breakfast in the car and was one of the first cars in for the day.  

I had done some research about how's the best way to explore Harry Potter World.  1st advice was to run to the ride "The Forbidden Journey" and to go on it twice.      We followed suit and made it through twice without a single hiccup.

Emily at the entrance at Hogwart's school.  It was too dark for pictures but it was so fun to feel like you were at wizard's school with Harry.

Second piece of advice was to skip the wand fitting ceremony.  The 2 blogs I read both said you'll wait in line forever and most likely not be chosen amidst the other 20 or so kids.    I had told Emily this and she was OK with just going straight to pick out her wand.    You see Emily had earned a wand with magical powers by having perfect attendance all school year.  As we were searching for the wand shop we saw the line for the wand fitting ceremony was light so on a whim we decided to go watch it.  To my surprise but not Emily's she was chosen to be the child who gets fitted for a wand.  The lady came over to Emily and said "This one is strong with the magic"    It was a magical thing to watch her me measure Emily's arm then pick 2 wands that wouldn't behave with Emily and then on the 3rd try as soon as she held it it lit up.    The magical part of it all was Emiy said when she saw the 1st and 2nd wand presented to her she said I kept hoping it wouldn't choose me because I didn't like them. (Have I mentioned Emily has done extensive research on the different types of wands available?)  Then she said as soon as she saw the 3rd one she thought "Oh I hope this one is it I love it".    It must of sense that from Emily because it was the perfect fit.  I remember when the lady gave it to Emily she said something about it having a heart string from a dragon its' made out of willow and picked Emily because she is kind to others and has bravery to do good.

After the ceremony the lady told Emily that although the wand picked her she still can decide if she'd rather have another one.   It wasn't even a question for Emily it was the perfect wand for her.  Later that day as we wandered around the wand shop I came across the meaning of a wand made out of Willow and took this picture.

After we got Emily's wand it was off to the windows to make magic happen.  Emily caught on quick and made drawers open, the chocolate frog's box open wide, she silenced a steaming caldron and made a snitch thing lift up.  We also met up with the Conductor for the Hogswart Express Train.

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At about 8:30ish we had done everything there was to do in Harry Potter World so we ventured out to explore Universal Studios.  Emily's favorite thing was the studio tour.  She giggled with delight and fear when we drove past the Bate's motel and Norman came out a room with a knife and chased down the bus with it.    I've always been a fan of Shrek so we got our picture taken with the characters.

Later that day after we'd been on most of the rides the park was packed and all the lines advertised and hour or more wait we went back and shared us some Frozen Butterbeer.  Thank heavens the real stuff was much better than the homemade ones.

 We also ate at "The Three Broomsticks" they had a yummy beef and lamb stew in a bread bowl with Pumpkin Juice for the drink.

 By this time my phone was long dead so no more pictures but we enjoyed wondered the park to wait until dark when they lit up Hogswart.  

What a wonderful day to spend with a girl who more than deserved to be spoiled with some fabulous memories.