Escape from the Muggle World, if only for a moment
I woke up early this morning, before the sun peeked over the horizon, in a rather foggy minded state to venture out and see if I could catch something. Sure, it was a Saturday morning. I was guaranteed not to be the only one out, let alone one in a small crowd. But there I was, shy of 8am at the entrance to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Waiting patiently with others, rolling feet over pavement and stretching muscles to keep comfortable, we all let out cheers when Team Members began scanning us through the turnstiles at a few minutes to 9am.
I had been prepared for a stampede of humans, yet the mass moved with relative patience and grace. A fast paced walk through Seuss Land, to a grounding halt at The Lost Continent that lasted all of twenty seconds. Then it was the Universal Executives turn to usher the masses through to the next area. Just across from the Sinbad show, talking fountain and the like, a gate was open. A gate to another world; created by an author in a small coffee shop in Edinburgh, brought to life in a book, and translated to tangible form in the movies.
It was surreal walking through the gates to Hogsmeade. Had to hold my breath and pull down my shades - such a wild mix of emotion pouring into me as I walked past the Hogwarts Express (the train used to cart students to and from the famed British school for Witchcraft and Wizardry). I made my way through the village, watching the buildings wind and loom their way over the crowds, topped with snow and ice as if they had been transported from another climate.
Several rides later - I reflect on the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff (to myself only - no spoilers here, but I will say the are amazing). I am sated by a mug of Butterbeer, a bottle of Pumpkin Juice (for later), and an American Style breakfast laid out before me at The Three Broomsticks. If I only had a wand, I wouldn't feel like such a Muggle.
(Note: The wands at Olivanders seem to be all resin, though I can't say for certain that they are. If you are seeking a wand made entirely from wood, please visit Alivans online.)
I had been prepared for a stampede of humans, yet the mass moved with relative patience and grace. A fast paced walk through Seuss Land, to a grounding halt at The Lost Continent that lasted all of twenty seconds. Then it was the Universal Executives turn to usher the masses through to the next area. Just across from the Sinbad show, talking fountain and the like, a gate was open. A gate to another world; created by an author in a small coffee shop in Edinburgh, brought to life in a book, and translated to tangible form in the movies.
It was surreal walking through the gates to Hogsmeade. Had to hold my breath and pull down my shades - such a wild mix of emotion pouring into me as I walked past the Hogwarts Express (the train used to cart students to and from the famed British school for Witchcraft and Wizardry). I made my way through the village, watching the buildings wind and loom their way over the crowds, topped with snow and ice as if they had been transported from another climate.
Several rides later - I reflect on the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff (to myself only - no spoilers here, but I will say the are amazing). I am sated by a mug of Butterbeer, a bottle of Pumpkin Juice (for later), and an American Style breakfast laid out before me at The Three Broomsticks. If I only had a wand, I wouldn't feel like such a Muggle.
(Note: The wands at Olivanders seem to be all resin, though I can't say for certain that they are. If you are seeking a wand made entirely from wood, please visit Alivans online.)
posted by Jennifer Lynn at Saturday, June 05, 2010
