Anthony P.
Yelp
Ok, I admit, I'm a Potterhead. I got my wife to watch The Philosopher's Stone with me on a cold, rainy weekend 4 years ago and she's been hooked. We both binge on an episode at least daily (I kid you not). My kids, from 3 to 12, know almost every line and my three year old (who just turned three), had Harry Potter in his regular vocabulary. He even says it with a British accent...
I've always wanted to go to "Harry Potter Land" as my family calls it, but with COVID and the travel restrictions, we never had a chance to go to Florida. BUT... Universal Studios Hollywood has a smaller version, that we'll call more "intimate..." For a Potterhead as myself, this was an immersion heaven.
The day we went, it was a chilly December, not rainy, but there was definitely a chill. Christmas was in the air and the overall feel of the holidays permeated our walk through City Walk to the main entrance to Harry Potter Land, itself.
My wife's family usually holds holiday gatherings at the local amusement parks and we meet up then go on the rides we want, then meet up for dinner. This year, it was Universal Studios Hollywood.
As this occasion was a lazy Saturday and we got to the park around noon, we met at Krusty Burger. I'll give a review about that place later. But, I really wasn't in the mood for food as Harry Potter Land was calling out to me.
So, after the requisite grub, we entered Harry Potter Land through Olivanders (I have a separate review for that, too). I was beside myself in the fandom and immersion. The artificial snow covered roofs, the cobblestone streets, the small store fronts, the castle...THE CASTLE!!! were just awesome. Mind you, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were kind of mashed up since the size of Harry Potter Land in Hollywood was much smaller than Florida, but I enjoyed the whole experience.
It truly was an experience. I want to get passes just to spend a few hours or an entire day just at Harry Potter land at least two to three times a month. I enjoy the Potterheads dressed in movie appropriate costumes (I had to get a Gryffindor quidditch jumper (sweater to you Yanks) myself), the shops, the Butterbeer (yes!) and the food (I just love the Three Broomsticks). My kids and I also got wands and we love to wave them in front of the shops and see the special effects.
It's an immersive distraction from life and the unfortunate normal that is COVID. You can walk around, stay socially distant, and enjoy a day or evening out (the cold evenings just give the place an appropriate ambiance). Get the app, take the sorting hat quiz and see which house you belong to. Dress as your housemates or your favorite character and bring your favorite Potter book and sit, read and enjoy the sounds and smells of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
Then look up occasionally and see the words jump to life right in front of you. Have a warm or cold butter beer (or frozen, yum!) and end your day with a hearty meal at the Three Broomsticks (really, some of the best fish and chips I've had, amusement park or not), then take a leisurely walk back to your car through City Walk.
Oh, and you might want to see other attractions or ride some of the rides at Universal, too.
There's rides and other things there? Hmmmm. I didn't notice...
Revelio!