A visit to Hogsmeade
 

On my recent trip to see the shuttle launch I was able to sneak in a day at Universal Studios Islands of Potterdom. It is, in a word, Stunning!

You enter Hogsmead via the main gates and pass by the steam engine.


The street itself is very true to the movie.


Having just come from the frigid north, I can attest to their having the best fake snow around.


If the devil is in the details, then this place is in trouble because the level of detail on everything is wonderful.


Even the butterbeer tasted like, well butterbeer!



As you come to the end of the street, you hit the castle reveal. I don't know how big it is, but the visual effect is stunning! The ride and the queue are also without peer.


Of course there are a few little problems. Being true to the books/movies creates a wee little problem. Olivander's for example has a great look to it, but it's small just like in the movie. I've never seen a line to get into a gift shop before! Still the wands are cool, no doubt about that.


Come summer time, this place is going to be so crowded nobody will be able to go. However if you do brave the crushing mobs, here are a few hints.

It it's an early entry day and you don't have early admission rights.... You're screwed. Sorry.

There is a butterbeer cart right at the entry, the lines are long. Fret not. You can also get it at two other locations, another cart up the street and at a bar in the restaurant.

Honeydukes has some unique items like chocolate frogs and every flavor beans in a true to the movie circus tent box.

Ollivanders is must see but you can buy most of the wands at several places including the main gift shop by the front gates and the airport store. However the Ollivandres custom wands are only at the shop. (Tip 'o the hat to Flippy for this tip! :snap: )

Ride the castle ride early, breakdowns are not uncommon and the lines just get longer as the day goes on. Note: The Universal fastpass type thingy you can purchase does not work here.

If you go, take your time and your patience, soak up the magic and try a butterbeer!

Does the butterbeer contain alcohol?

If it is a stupid, ignorant question, I apologize.

Strictly non-alcoholic.

I really really really wanna go.


That said, and not to impugn your photographic skills, but Hogwarts Castle kinda looks to have that Florida Haunted Mansion effect of a far-less than full-size cake top that you see, but can never really explore - since you'd suddenly be like 18 feet tall.


Is that how it really is, or did they - ya know, built a nearish-to-scale environment that you can actually interact with?

I was impressed with the visuals, but then I'm pretty simple that way.
I expect were you to physically enter Hogwarts, yes. You would be playing the part of the troll. That said it still looks larger/cooler than my limited photo skills represent.

The new Potter attraction is built into part of the Hogwarts castle so that and the prerequisite gift shop are all that you can do inside.

Yeah, see, that's where I think they totally failed. Hogsmeade is cool - but do kids grow up wanting to explore Hogsmeade or Hogwarts? What part of a zillion-dollar budget to capitalize on the world's biggest pop-culture property since The Beatles does not allow you to built a full-scale replica of the Castle?

Might have pulled some people away from the line at the wand shop, if nothing else. :p

The top of Hogwart's Castle is about 194 ft, if they built it even 10 ft. taller, they'd have to have a big ole honkin' red airplane beacon on it.

Hogsmeade is in essence a strip mall. The Castle is a school. I think I can see how that one went down with the Universal executives when it came time to decide which to built out.

Also you do get to "Explore Hogwarts" as part of the new attraction. You work your way through several rooms as part of the queue. Although calling it a queue (at that point anyway) is a disservice. The paintings, and rooms are all quite spectacular and would easily stand on their own as a walk-through attraction.

Perhaps they could have gone taller and added a fire breathing red dragon to the top. ;)

Why no honking red beacon on Cinderella Castle up the street then?