5 things Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter must have when it opens in Spring 2016

Recently Universal Parks made a huge announcement: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Hollywood in Spring of 2016, and Potter fans here at Sideshow could not be more excited! Susan, our social media Head Girl from Ravenclaw recently had a chance to visit the parks in Orlando, Florida and took some time out to recount her favorite things about her time at Hogwarts – and more importantly, things that had better be at the park here in California!

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5. Ollivander’s Wand Shop

They say the wand chooses the wizard, and my experience was no different. After seeing a presentation done by Ollivander himself, I was taken into a room where there were wands from floor to ceiling. I tested a few and none felt quite right. Then, I was handed a ten inch Ivy wand and my heart fluttered. I had found my wand.

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4. Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes

Wanna prank someone? Of course you do, and pranks with magic are the best. From expanding ears to love potions, the Weasleys have you covered! The best part was the shopkeep who asked me how I was going to use the pranks and warned me what would happen if a Muggle should see!

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3. Escape From Gringotts

Talk about a ride that immerses you in the world! It’s part rollercoaster, part 3D experience, all fun. Your goblin companion takes you through everything, and it really feels like you are going to get something from you vault – until things I cannot reveal start to happen! Eep!

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2. Butterbeer

I had no idea what I was in for when I ordered my first Butterbeer at Hog’s Head Pub. It is sweet and savory. The perfect beverage/snack for any day! It comes in frozen, hot, and cold. Cold is definitely the easiest to get. Hot is really great if you’re staying in the parks late. Frozen is like a slushy, so there’s a time and a place for it. Whatever is your drink preference, there’s a Butterbeer for you!

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1. The Hogwarts Castle

My best friend and I legit cried when we first laid eyes on the castle. Being able to walk through this place that only existed in fantasy was a dream come true. The detail put in was beautiful. Whatever your favorite part of the castle was in the books or the movies, it’s in there. I don’t want to spoil anything, but that room? You know the one… It’s there too.

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So witches and wizards of Southern California, rejoice! The Universal Studios Park in Hollywood is already an amazing place to visit. Maybe the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will offer my favorite things and be just like my wonderful experience at Hogwarts in Orlando, or it could be an entirely new place for me to run around and be magical! My heart is happy to know that no matter where I go, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome me home.

 

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