Lucy Steward
With the rise of the Harry Potter fandom, many across the world have longed for their own letters of acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although that might not happen, you still can experience what it’s like to immerse yourself in Universal Studios’ Harry Potter World, which I had the pleasure of visiting recently. Let’s divulge an inside glimpse at the secrets of the Harry Potter world, whisk you away to look at the best Harry Potter rides and roller coasters, take a look at the classic non-muggle foods, as well as dive into other fun things hidden in the Harry Potter world.
Known for its peculiar 9 ¾ platform, the Hogwarts Express train is the classic entrance to the witching academy, which you can ride in yourself. Hop on the one and only Hogwarts Express train to Diagon alley from Hogsmeade, or the other way, to Hogsmeade from Diagonal Alley. The lifesize train smokes and whistles on the 9 ¾ platform as you board its cabins, and the windows play a digitized screening of the rolling hills of Hogwarts as you pull into the academy, or the other way around, of the London landscape as you arrive back in muggle territory.
The “Escape from Gringotts” ride was by far my favorite ride. After winding through dark corridors and being greeted by a surprisingly realistic hologram of a Gringotts goblin and a Weasley brother, you’re guided into a large golden-doored elevator that shakes as you descend down to the vaults below. Through a room under hanging stalactites, you finally enter the ride itself. With three rows of four seats per row, it’s comfy for multiple people. It tilts forward and then quickly drops into the tunnel beneath Gringotts for a tour— the only scary drop in this ride. Voldemort and Belatrox Lestrange suddenly burst through the walls in the chaos of rubble and spells, and attack! The mayhem that ensues encapsulates the rest of the ride, as you’re rushed tantalizingly close to the Gringotts dragon, spinning around as Harry and Hermoine try to help you escape, all in a manner perfectly exciting but still suited for a non-roller coaster person like myself. Rated: mildly whippy, only one real drop at the beginning, excellent visual screen effects.
Under the premise of Hermione wingardium leviosa-ing your broom to levitate, the trip takes you after Harry and crew as you race around Hogwarts, following them on their brooms. You’ll escape through the thrashing whomping willow tree, dart past scuttling giant spiders that are friends of Hagrid’s, and other terrors you find yourself thrown upon. You’ll also sweep through the quidditch field that’s projected on realistic 3D screens all around you, through the thrashing limbs of the Whomping willow tree and swooping around the outside of the academy’s turrets. Even the long and winding waiting line leading up to the ride is entertaining, as it leads you through the stone corridors inside the castle. Rating: more of a visual simulation ride and less roller-coasterish, not for people afraid of spiders or dragons or for those whose stomachs get upset when watching visual screen effects.
This ride is better for the fast moving, sudden drop, whips-your-head adrenaline seeking ride lovers: Hagrid’s Motorcycle ride. One can choose to sit in either the side compartment of Hagrid’s bike, where Harry typically sat, or ride on Hagrid’s bike itself. Located on Adventure Island, this ride moves as quickly as Hagrid’s bike does in the movies, with sharp turns and quite a few drops. There’s one moment where you plummet straight down into darkness, and then just outwards again, back onto the roller coaster ride. Rating: a fast-moving ride, quite fun for the more adrenaline seeking people.
There are plenty of other equally entertaining things to do besides rides, such as trying the famous butterbeer! I personally thought it tasted like orange Fanta, but I’m simply not the biggest fan of butterscotch flavoring in general. Though, it’s a staple that you shouldn’t pass up on trying. Off the side of Diagon Alley is a sneaky corridor leading to the dark Knockturn Alley, with a dim and ghastly shop. Peak into all of the other shops, whether that be Ollivander’s Wands or Honeydukes for a piece of fudge or a chocolate frog. Don’t worry, Neville Longbottom’s toad will be perfectly fine and not dipped in chocolate. If you happen to have $64 to spare, you can even purchase a wand that allows you to do magic tricks around Universal, because of its mechanical wireless connection to machine activated scenarios. For instance, if you waved the wand at a shop window, it might trigger the packages in the window to move (pretty nifty). If not, you can still taste a tinge of said magic with the dragon statue lurking above the Gringotts escape ride, as ever so often, it opens its mouth and belches out real fire. I felt its warmth in my face while unknowingly walking right underneath it.
Overall, this experience is quite fun for families and people of any age, with plenty of rides and mystical doodads for all to enjoy. Of course, nothing can truly live up to the actual books and movies itself, but it does come close to living the Harry Potter life itself. If you’ve got the time to spare and are seeking an adventure, whizz on over faster than the golden snitch does in a game of Quidditch.
The Beacon Beat 