BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: PASSION SPARKED

We had taken the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade with the intention of touring the castle itself, but by the time we arrived the wait had jumped up to at least 45 minutes, (turns out there is an app for your phone that not only helps you find your way around the park, but also tells you approximate wait-times for each ride) and we were just too tired and hungry for that. Fortunately, Lex knew just the place to go for a rejuvenating lunch experience -- a steampunk chocolate emporium! On our way there, we had to pass through the Dr. Seuss section of Universal Studios, and that's where it happened. That's where my hubby got struck by some kind of creative lightning bolt!

I took several pictures myself, just because it was such a wild, color-mad place...

A Cafe Serving Green Eggs and Ham

but with him it was something different, more like an obsession -- so much so, we thought we'd never tear him away! Same thing happened the other two times we had to pass through.

Below is just a first sampling of what resulted from this compulsion and, let me tell you, I can't wait to see the rest! 

They've got me to wonderin'... how fun would it be if we transformed our basement guest room and man cave into a Seussical-themed grandkid suite?

EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: RIDING THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS

 
When we had seen all there was to see in Diagon Alley, we decided to take the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade, the little village that sits nestled below the castle where Hogwarts school is located.  As I'm sure you must know, we boarded the train here.

The train does actually move from one park to the other, but the stuff we saw through our windows? Well, that was something else altogether...

though it wasn't until I heard Harry, Ron and Hermione talking just outside the door to our compartment -- about the Dementors heading our way -- that I actually figured that out.

Oh No! What's happening in the hallway?

Is that Hagrid I see?

Whew! We made it!

Our first glimpse of Hogsmeade.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: DIAGON ALLEY

On Friday we took advantage of the "early entry" privilege you get from staying in hotels there on the park grounds, and headed to Diagon Alley. Good thing we did, because once the park opened to the masses, we could barely squeeze ourselves into any of the shops, much less a stroller! The first thing we saw upon entering Diagon? This!

Gringotts Bank, guarded by a dragon who actually shot fire from his mouth on a regular basis!  Lex and Nate went on the ride that is inside, while we entertained Little Goober, then it was off to find Ollivander's wand shop, since the boys were both determined to purchase one of their own.

The geniuses behind The Wizarding World of Harry Potter have come up with at least a million ways to rid you of every last cent you have. One is shops that sell school robes and sweaters and ties that let you identify with the Hogwarts house of your choice.

The Mirror Talks!

Expensive? Yes. But I must say, seeing all the kids wandering around in their school robes and ties certainly did add to the atmosphere and thus, to my enjoyment!

Then, of course, there is the Butter Beer, both warm and frozen...

Beware of Butter Beer Farts

and all the tricks and treats to be found at the Weasley brothers' candy shop.

Then there are shops where you can exchange your Muggle Money or even purchase an owl for delivering your mail.

However, the most ingenious scheme by far -- one even a grown man finds difficult to resist -- is the one involving these magic wands.

You don't choose the wands. The wands choose you.  They come with maps showing you all the spots in the park where you can use them to make something magical happen, as long as you know the right words and motions to perform.

Making the Toilet Flush

Fortunately, there is usually a friendly witch or wizard around to assist those who haven't quite got the hang of it.

Highlight of the morning? Having a group of tweens in school robes come over to tell me "We've been over their gawking at your baby's awesome Toothless hat, and just had to come say something. It's soooooo CUTE! 

Oh yeah, and then there was this.

The Night Bus!

OUR MOST EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: PLANES AND TRAINS

Well, we made it back from our trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, where we had a most excellent adventure with our daughter and her little family, going back and forth between both sections of Harry Potter World -- the original Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle section, and the newer Diagon Alley section -- via the Hogwarts Express. What a hoot! But first, let me say a word or two about  another new-to-me experience, and that is flying on Jet Blue Airline. Wow. Just, wow!

Little Goober and Mortimer Moose, Ready to Take Flight

First of all, we were able to book a non-stop flight to Orlando, which means we got there in just over two hours, instead of it being an all-day ordeal. A HUGE plus when you are traveling with littles! Second, when we went on-line to check in the day before, we were given the option of upgrading to the seats with extra legroom for a modest fee, which also entitled us to be among the first to board, and put us towards the front of the plane -- first to be served and with easy access to a restroom. As if that weren't enough, it also entitled us to go through the pre-check security line at the airport, which was super-speedy and meant that we didn't have to remove shoes, belts or light jackets. What a deal, and as close as I will ever come to flying First Class!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that, though Thanksgiving in general is the busiest time of year at airports and theme parks, Thanksgiving afternoon, when everyone else is sitting down to their turkey dinners, is actually the slowest afternoon of the year? Not only was the airport a ghost town, the plane was half empty too, and we were able to spread out. When's the last time that happened? The only downside was that all the people who flew out that morning and the day before took up practically all the parking spots in all the lots, and if we hadn't come to the airport hours early, we probably wouldn't have been able to find one. Note to self: Next time, reserve a spot well in advance!

So, we were already in a pretty good mood -- especially since Lex knew from past experience to arrange for a private shuttle to pick us up from the airport -- when we arrived at Cabana Bay Resort. It's one of the newest "economy" resorts on the property, with a Vintage 50s theme, consisting of four separate buildings placed around two giant courtyards filled with pools and slides and bars and grills and lazy rivers and outdoor movie screens and fire pits for s'more grilling. In other words, kid paradise!

When checking in, Lex and I walked up to two separate stations, having made our reservations separately under different names, on-line and weeks apart, and we both end up getting our bare-bones rooms upgraded to "family suites" with kitchenettes and living areas, at no extra charge.  But wait, there's more!

We end up in adjoining rooms! As in, we left the door between us open most of the time, making it one ginormous suite.

 

Now that's the way to start a vacation off on the right foot!