Continued from Previous Post
After not riding Escape From Gringotts, we decided to check out the Hogwarts train running from Kings Cross (Universal) to Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure). We had not been on the train in that direction yet.
You start out at London’s King Cross Station, where you present your park admission since you will be going from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure.
You walk through the train station. This trip, we were pretty backed up and it took us awhile.
The theming here is way better than going in the other direction, however on this trip we missed the special effect where you can see others going through the wall at Platform 9 ¾ into the Hogwarts Express train station. Note- one member of your group has to stay back, before you round the corner, if you want to see them “go through” to the other side.
In my notes, I wrote “Rude Photo Girl” from our time in the line. I can’ remember exactly who this was or what she was doing, but it was probably a good story.
I think we were seated with an annoying family on the train. Mark doesn’t like it when a family or group sits on different sides of the train car, closest to the window. He thinks that family groups should be on the same side, 4 in a row, so you are not sitting next to strangers. I think they talked through most of the ride. “Look, there’s Hagrid” “Hedwig’s flying!”
As you exit the train, you see this “horseless carriage” You may recall from the movies that these carts are actually pulled by Thestrals, but a person can only see them if they have witnessed death. I didn’t notice it moving, but during our August trip, I saw the carriage move back and forth.
It was time for lunch, so we went to 3 Broomsticks for the Great Feast.
The good thing about the set up at both 3 Broomsticks and The Leaky Cauldron is that house elfs direct you to an order line and then once you have your food, they seat you.
We were directed to a line, behind a totally clueless family. They had purchased the meal plan and the house elf at the order station had to explain, and explain again (and again) what was covered and what was not. We were waiting an uncomfortable amount of time behind them. When we noticed a counter near us about to clear, I looked over at the house elf who was directing traffic and indicated I was changing lines. She nodded.
I think that first family is still in line trying to figure out why Butterbeer is a snack and not a drink.
Meal was good, but not great. We loved it when we had it last year, but the ribs this year were not as good.
We walked around Hogsmeade for a little bit, but it was majorly crowded. Here are pictures taken from the same spot in both directions.
We escaped to other areas of IoA, but we would be back.
Next Up: Jurassic Photo Shoot and More Gringotts!