SPOLIER ALERT – if you want to enter Wizarding World without knowing anything about it, read no further!
Made it into Wizarding World today! Had a fantastic time. I loved Forbidden Journey in 3D. I thought it added a lot. I especially loved the vortex at the beginning and end of the ride. I did note, however, that on two occasions I clearly saw the ride vehicle in front of me. Something I never remember seeing in Florida. I expect it’s the brighter lighting that’s needed for the 3D. I did miss the quidditch goggles. I’m hoping they’ll be in place by April 7th.
Another difference I noticed from Florida was in the queue. In the Defense against the Dark Arts Classroom, I remember Ron making it snow throughout the entire room. Here, it only snowed up in the front of the classroom, in the part the queue does not go through. So, if you’re in the queue, you don’t get snowed on. I’m wondering if the other snow machines just aren’t operating yet or if this is an unfortunate design change. Time alone will tell.
After Forbidden Journey, I went straight out and got a Butter Beer – cold. Yum. I can see this is going to be a big problem for my waist line.
I then checked out the shops. They are like the ones in Orlando only different. The Honeydukes/Zonko’s shop is smaller. The Honeydukes portion is about the same size as the one in Orlando when it first opened. But the Zonko’s portion is basically one wall – far smaller than the Zonko’s area was originally in the Orlando version (Zonko’s has since been removed from the Orlando Hogsmeade and the entire building is now Honeydukes).
The Owl Post/Gladrags/Dervish and Bangles(I think that’s name of the 3rd shop). That was a little weird because the area that was Olivanders in Florida is Gladrags here. And there was a merchandise shelf missing from Dervish and Bangles – one where I remember them selling The Quibbler – and I can’t tell you why this stuck out to me so much, but it really did.
Wiseacres is kind of a cruel joke. I mean if you’ve been to the one in Orlando in Diagon Alley, I think you’ll agree the Florida shop is pretty impressive. This one, although it has a few of the same elements, it little more than a corridor leading to Olivanders, and it mostly sells Hogwarts Express merchandise.
I never did the Olivander’s show in Hogsmede in Orlando, but I saw the one in Diagon Alley. The Olivanders’ show here was much smaller and more intimate than the Diagon Alley version I saw. But, since I have no reference, I’ll leave others to compare the two Hogsmede shows.
Another thing I hesitate to comment on is Flight of the Hippogriff. The last time I rode the one in Florida, it was the Flying Unicorn. I will say that this ride is much, much smoother than I remember that ride being. Also I loved the view from the lift hill. This is one time the visual intrusions get a pass from me.
And that brings us neatly to the visual intrusions. They are appalling. This is the first time I understood Jon’s complaint about adding a Costco onto the back of the castle, because this is exactly how it appears. You can also clearly see the greenhouse has been added onto the side of the Costco. The Shrek building is a horrible intrusion also. I have to say one of the first things you see coming out of the exit of Forbidden Journey is the Hilton looming over the horizon. And then there’s that office building behind City Walk. I can’t imagine anything less Wizarding Worldly. I realize there’s nothing they can do to eliminate all of this, but they could certainly do more than they’ve done. The visual intrusions in the area between Hogsmede and Hogwarts are a major problem, and more needs to be done to soften them.
And last, I paid a visit to the The Three Broomsticks, where I had the fish and chips – and a Frozen Butter Beer. I think there was some slight variation, but for the most part it’s very close to the Florida version.
Did I have a good time? I had a great time! In fact I’m seriously considering going back up there tomorrow!