the Wizarding World!

sunny, hot, humid - temps low 90s

Day two at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! As you can see by the photos, it's honestly magical!! We're staying on site at one of the hotels so we get into the park an hour before anyone else.

Long day yesterday (thursday). Up at 5:30 in Montreal. Took almost 2 hours to get through the airport lines - then Bethany, Linda and I caught the flight to Orlando. Very easy. only about 2.5 hours. Linda had arranged for a driver to pick us up so we were whisked off to the hotel. We checked in (nice hotel gave us upgrades ((because someone asked - nicely)), then we had lunch (bento box for bethany, turkey club for linda and burger for me - linda and i asked for fruit instead of fries and each of us got this huge bowl of succulent fruit - yum). Then Bethany wanted to head over to HP world. We hopped onto the water taxi (free with the hotel) and it took us to the park...we waltzed through - rounded a corner...and there it was. Hogwarts.

I have to tell you, as someone who has read and loved the books, and loved the films - it was spectacular. Bethany, a composed 16 year old, went nuts. It was SUCH fun to see!!! So we toured Hogwarts yesterday....but it was SO hot and steamy and we were exhausted - so we came back to the hotel - to swim. Only to find some child had pooped in the pool.

Now, as someone who is not overly enamoured of children this place could be torture. But most are very, very well behaved - laughing and having fun, but not obnoxious. Mostly because I think the parents have made it clear this is a special treat, and they need to be on their best behavior.

Except for the kids in the next hotel room (the walls seem made of paper)...who have been screaming for hours now.

I keep reminding myself this is really their world, not mine. And to just enjoy it. However, if the wand I bought in Ollivanders today really did work...

This morning we were up at 5:30 - caught the 6:20am water taxi and were at aforementioned Ollivanders for 7am. A very small line-up - we got in in 15 minutes....and it is glorious.

They are brilliant here. Very respectful of the books, and of those of us (especially Bethany) who love them. Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks. More in and out of places. Got soaked by (not on) one of the rides...on purpose. It is so steamy hot here that was a HUGE relief.

We came back to the hotel by 1:00pm. Grabbed a swim and a relax by the pool. then showered and we're meeting up for a late lunch - then a quiet time.

What a fun holiday!!! Oh, we also dropped by Honey dukes - the sweet emporium. Bought chocolate frogs for Michael - and some bertie botts all flavour beans - for me!

More fun at the Wizarding World tomorrow. Hope you;re enjoying it as much as I am!!