Then Onto Toon Lagoon

From Hogsmeade to Jurassic Park the road leads straight to Toon Lagoon. With Dudley Dooright's Ripsaw Falls and the Bilge-Rat Barges, you are guaranteed to get soaked; possibly even if you don't ride. Plenty of spots for the perfect photo shoot and comic characters not seen for 40 years are just lying around. (Have you seen the ads for the new Mr. Peabody movie, yet?)

Jurassic Park's Next

By the time I finished up at Hogsmeade, the rest of the park was open and I could take in the sites from, ta ta da da...Jurassic Park where a t-rex runs wild. As you can see he is first seen at the jeep for the Jurassic Park ride; next he shows up in the river adventure, finally to be found attacking the parks maintenance jeep. Watch all around you as you venture through this jungle, as who knows where he may show up next.

Defense Against the Dark Arts pt 2

Today's lesson was on Dementors and how to repel them. I hope that I can remember these instructions once I get on the ride. Speaking of the ride, we are nearing the line to get on and there to greet us is none other than the Sorting Hat.

Defense Against the Dark Arts pt 1

Around the bend and straight into the Defense Against the Dark Arts room. From the dragon bones suspended above, to the spiders encased in glass, skulls, bones, books, antlers and such, there was enough to set your heart aflutter. And you had better dress warmly, because, I believe, it is Ron that makes it snow.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Holidays to all my family and friends.

 

And while Indy may look like he is grimacing he was actually having a grand time with his little cousin. They spent the entire morning together playing. Gotta love them.

Dumbledore's Treasures

At the end of the corridor, a gryphon stood guard to Dumbledore's office. And as you rounded the corner, you immediately noticed why. What a beautiful collection of magical treats were locked up behind glass doors. Oh look, the pensive. I didn't see any of Dumbledore's memories lingering around, so he must have locked them up. Just in case, Harry decided to make another trip down memory lane.

Forbidden Journey

After navigating through the detours, I finally made it to Hogwarts where several of the students were gathered outside, ushering us in for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. I am not a big roller coaster fan but I love this ride.

 

I was first greeted by He Who Should Not be Named's statue and quickly hurried by. Next up was the herbology classroom. Everyone must be gone for the holidays, because it sure was empty.

As I entered the castle proper, statues of the founding fathers were indicating the direction to follow.

In production

Wouldn't you know it. I get to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it is the site of a production. They were recording ads for the new Harry Potter stamps that were coming out that day from the U.S.P.S. I got a set and a set of prestamped envelopes. Daughter is the philatelist in the family so I guess I ought to make sure that they go to her in my will.

 

I heard there were people from the Harry Potter movies there, but I didn't see any. Then again, I really didn't go out of my way to look either. And while the area was crowded with crew and equipment, there were few tourist on hand at that hour of the morning to impede my way through.

Pan and I had made a quick stop over to Universal and got some pictures of the newest attraction being built... Diagon Alley. Can't wait to get back next year and see it.

Lost? In a way

Rounding the corner from Seuss' Landing, I ended up at the Lost Continent on my way to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When we brought the grands we ate at the Mythos restaurant, so I spent a bit of time remembering the fun we had, taking pictures of places we sat while waiting to get in and a menu to remember our lunch by.

Seuss' Landing rings with spirit

As you head right from the Port of Entry, you find yourself drifting towards Seuss' Landing and all things Cat in the Hat. Judging from the restaurant and the beach, it doesn't appear holiday festive at all. That is until you cross under the arch and suddenly Christmas is everywhere. They decorate every tree, every post, well, just about everything. So far, other than the Christmas store and some places in the Port of Entry, this is the only place already set up for the holidays. The last picture of the ribbon wreath, I took intending to show it to a friend of mine who makes her own wreaths each year. I have still forgotten to show her.