I Can Spot Frozen Fireworks Anywhere! Aug. '14 TR Updated 7/12

[JulieODC]

Great photos of HP world!! So many fun little details -- I notice something new everytime I read a different report!

And butterbeer ice cream? YUM!

 

[khertz]

I can't waaaaaaait to finally get to see Diagon Alley! It looks so amazing, especially through Franklin's lens. I am eager to see what you thought of Escape from Gringott's!

 

[kastoney]

Wow, your photos of Universal are amazing. I'm not too familiar with either Harry Potter or Universal, so these are pretty new to me. But man, the streets and buildings really do look like London.

That train looks amazing. Does it actually move or is it all simulated?

Can't wait for more (and really can't wait until my little one is big enough to go)!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I am considering a trip to Universal to see the HP stuff. Do you need a park to park ticket in order to see all of the HP stuff?

 

[tdashgirl]

Quite honestly, the HP stuff at Universal was one of the highlights of our 1st trip to Florida in October. They did an awesome job. They captured that elusive hard -to-define Disney-esque magic. We really felt like we were in Harry Potter's world.

I agree that Universal is making a fortune in park to park tickets We would have never bought a multi-park ticket to Uni if it wasn't for the HP world being split into 2 and for the Hogwarts Express experience. That is "not to be missed" IMO. We felt bad for all the tourists who weren't aware of that requirement and were turned away at the train station.

I agree with you about the Simpsons area looking really cool. We also didn't get a chance to enjoy that area...for a future visit perhaps

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Fire breathing dragon photo
Love it all-looks fantastic. Like you we were totally amazed by how authentic it all is but we didn't get to do much because it was wall-to-wall people when we were there

 

[natebenma]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time in EPCOT.

Got to love taking newbies on M:S (green, I assume) and TT.

Congratulations on your winning car. Unique design AND powerful. Nice combo. Neat picture of all of you (and Franklin's camera) in the mirror.

Wine Glasses! Whenever I see something like that I think- does anyone actually buy this stuff. Probably

That chandelier at Via Napoli is so colorful and whimsical! Your appetizer plate looks great- is that on the menu or was it specially designed for you VIPs?

Love the story of the mailbox. I don't think I have really noticed there before, but now I will always think of your dad when I see it.

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This is gorgeous!

 

[natebenma]

Great food porn pix at Ohana, of course!!!

Nice to see the veggie options. The stir-fry looks yummy, but I wouldn't be able to pass up the yummy pot stickers or wings.

Wow, loved everything about your Frozen fireworks update. The descriptions, the pictures!!! I am imagining everyone singing along? Yes? What a great fireworks show, and I can't wait to see more of it later in your report.

I saw the FF from the Boardwalk Bridge and then the BC beach during my hit and run August trip. Never made it to HS in my 2 days at Disney.

 

[natebenma]

Wow!!! Great introduction to Diagon Alley!!!

I agree, the picture of the fire breathing dragon, and the one with the moving flame (I forgot what it is called- I want to say pictograph, but that's just a guess) is awesome!!! And of course, just like photos in Harry Potter's world!

This is the first time I have seen pictures from inside the train.



Butterbeer, Butterbeer. How do I love you?

Let me count the ways:

Frozen

Hot

Ice Cream

Can't wait to try it all!!!

 

[natebenma]

That explains why I didn't know what the lotus blossom band was in the Disney princess collection. I've never seen Mulan.

I just painted the Mickey heads on the other bands.

Wow!!!

These are gorgeous.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

One of these years we'll get to Universal when the kids are a bit older - my oldest gets so scared of like everything we haven't even introduced HP yet. All the HP stuff looks great though!

The concept of the Hogwarts Express is so great - and looks like the execution is just as good. And it does definitely promote the sale of park2park tickets - so a win-win I'd say

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Joining in! I don't know why I've never followed one of your prior reports - they're great!

The Villas at the Grand Floridian are BEAUTIFUL! I've never been a big fan of the GF room décor (although I don't mind the updated rooms), but those villas are stunning. Thanks for all the pictures!

It's too bad the Villains Unleashed party was poorly planned. Hopefully they learned some things and next year's party will be better? I'm glad you were able to provide some constructive feedback - and bravo to the CM for going above and beyond and refunding your tickets.

It's HARD not to overeat at Via Napoli - it's just so good! I'm glad your guests still enjoyed 'Ohana.

Your (Franklin's?) pictures at the WWoHP are FANTASTIC! I especially love all the photos from the inside of the Hogwarts Express - I don't believe I've seen any before. I am SO STINKING EXCITED to see Diagon Alley in May, and your report makes me even more excited!

I look forward to hearing more!

 

[maryj11]

Just found your trip report and decided to follow along. We will be staying at the GF this coming August Love your trip report, you have so many great pictures

 

[jessicalynn88]

Just found this and subscribing! Loving it!

 

[Missyrose]

Welcome back! We had just come off our first ride on Hogwarts Express and a spin on Forbidden Journey.

Kim, Dad and Franklin wanted to ride Dragon Cup Challenge, while Michelle, Chelsea and I wanted no part of it. So the three of us when to Three Broomsticks for a snack, while the others went to ride. You know how milkshakes and french fries are one of the best snack combos ever? Frozen Butterbeer and french fries is better, much better.

Once we all met back up, it was time to go back to Diagon Alley and ride Gringotts! Back to the train!

There was a mom and her son in our train compartment with us, they’d flown all the way from England to see Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The son was a BIG fan.

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[Missyrose]

In case you were wondering, I was pretty darn happy to be there.

It was time to ride Escape from Gringotts!

What did we think of the new ride? It was good, not as mind blowingly great as that first ride you had on Forbidden Journey. The new scenes they filmed for Gringotts were amazing and the queue in the bank itself is exquisite. But the actual ride part is more “meh” than I expected. It’s very much like Spiderman or Transformers where you’re in a car that bounces and spins, but you’re basically just moving from screen to screen. I’m interested to see what happens when we ride it again (a few times, hopefully) when we go back in December. I’ve heard from several people that it gets better on subsequent rides.

We looked through a few more shops, but the non-HP fans in the group were getting a little antsy.

We started to make our way out of Diagon Alley.

And we ran smack dab into Caitlin and her mom, Dawn! Dismeet at Universal!

We stopped at the Knight Bus on the way out.

The shrunken head talks!

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[Missyrose]

Everyone was ready for lunch and we’d promised my dad that we’d eat at Margaritaville (he’s a huge Parrothead and he raised me to be a Parrothead too). So we headed for City Walk. On the way out, we noticed they were evacuating people off Rip Rocket Roller Coaster.

Who’s a happy Parrothead? This guy.

They gave us a table over near the bar, with a great view of the volcano.

Franklin had the coconut shrimp.

I had a cheeseburger in paradise, of course.

Dad had to shop after lunch, we were all just acting silly while he did.

These cracked me up. They’re ceramic cups made to look like red Solo cups.

Chelsea wanted to go back into the park to try and find a shirt she had seen a girl wearing. I said I’d go with her. Apparently things got funny in our absence.

Fins up, everyone!

Chelsea and I ended up leaving empty handed, the shirt she’d seen was an old one that they didn’t carry anymore. It was hot (I know, I know, it’s August, it’s always hot), and we’d been in the heat long enough, so we decided to leave.

Back to VGF, where Michelle came in for a tour. She loved it (and said it was way nicer than the Marriott World Center, where she and my dad were staying).

That’s where we’ll end for now, but don’t go anywhere, we’ve got quite the dinner at California Grill coming up. So stay tuned! But first, how many of you have been to Diagon Alley? What did you think of Escape from Gringotts?
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[disneyAndi14]

Hi, I have been following along. My daughter and I were at WDW and US in November. We loved DA and Escape from Gringotts. FJ in Hogsmeade is still our favorite over the two.

We also loved the train ride. I really like your reports and the great pictures. We are heading back to Disney in April and we will be at the BCV so really excited. I am following your other trip report as well where you all are at the BWV.

 

[kastoney]

While the Harry Potter stuff is largely lost on me, the theming is clearly amazing. Will have to check it out I in the nearer term and even more so now that I know there is a margaritaville. Love a fellow parrot head family ; ) my daughter is 3 and already loves uncle jimmy ; )

 

[starousse]

Loving your reviews and such amazing pics. We're going in August and were planning on a possible day to Universal. Would you say the one day is worth the $500 + in tickets that I'm gonna spend for my family of 4? I'd like to do a dual park ticket to experience both HP worlds and there are several rides in both parks I'd like to hit. Do you think it's possible to do this in a full day? Thanks.