Island of Adventure

The reason we waited until right before school to make this trip to Florida was "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." It did not open until mid June and we had a full summer, but the kids really, really wanted to go to Harry Potter Land. All morning there was a line to even enter this area of the park so we enjoyed the shorter lines in the rest of the park. The big kids loved the "Hulk" coaster. Everyone liked the "Spiderman" ride and I made them all ride the "Cat in the Hat" ride. We got soaked on "Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges" and attacked by dinosaurs on the Jurassic Park ride. Finally, about 4:00 I decided we needed to brave the crowds. We weren't going to come all this way and miss Harry Potter! So, we waited in line about an hour for "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey." It was great, we all loved it. Then Brett and I enjoyed the "Flight of the Hippogriff" while everyone else went to the "Dragon Challenge." There were even lines to get in the shops. We heard that JK Rowling wanted them built to scale, making them very small. So, we skipped most of them. But, it was an amazing looking place and the rides were so fun! Dave and Brett waiting to go to Hogwarts Castle.

The kids getting ready to enter Dumbledore's office.

Yes, we tried the butterbeer. Regular and Frozen were both yummy!

Is there a basalisk hiding in there?

The Three Broomsticks was packed so we just peeked in.

Honeydukes was full of sugary, pretty, tempting, but very expensive treat of all kinds.

We looked for Sirus Black but, didn't find him.

Bryce and Ty in Hogsmead, near the Hog's Head.