One way or another related to the filming of the Harry Potter films. But it turns out that far outside England there is an amusement park based on the books of J.K. Rowling and influenced by the Harry Potter films.
Today we go to the USA, because it was there, in the state of Florida in the city of Orlando in Universal's Island of Adventure - one of the two parks of the famous entertainment complex Universal Orlando Resort in 2010 a new theme park « Magic world Harry Potter "(The Wizarding World of Harry Potter).
"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"
This huge park entertainment, created on an area of eight hectares, where all the rides and surroundings are subordinated to one theme - to recreate the atmosphere of your favorite books and films about Harry Potter.
We managed to do this in full. The help of the designers and artists who took part in the filming of the Harry Potter films, and the advice of the author of the books, J.K. Rowling, helped the creators of this project to make the amusement park as close as possible to the events taking place in books and films.
The accuracy of reproduction of various little things and details is striking, ranging from the Hogwarts castle, the interior of its offices and halls, to the goods displayed in the windows of shops and shops in Hogsmeade.
Even the old recipes for pumpkin juice and butter beer, which are sold at the Boar's Head and Three Broomsticks in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, are accurate.
Adventure Island Walk
Once in the territory of a huge park in Florida, we again find ourselves in the world of an unusual school, where the famous wizard boy studied.
Lost in an unknown place in an unreal world, the Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry reappears in our world, and we, having got to this place, willingly agree that everything that happened and is happening has a place to be in our life.
Our journey to the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" in the Island of Adventure Park begins with the village of Hogsmeade (the only village of wizards where ordinary people do not live).
Through the arched gate we enter railway station Hogsmeade, which is on the very outskirts of the village, with the Hogwarts Express puffing at the station and further into the streets of the village with houses with snow roofs and black chimneys with soot.
Hogsmeade is not an easy place at all. Here, in the world of Harry Potter, senior students from the Hogwarts school rested and had fun.
There is an owl post office in the village. In Harry's world, this is the resting place for owls after the letters have been delivered. In reality, this is a place in the park where visitors can relax. And at the same time, from here you can send a letter with the coat of arms of the village of Hogsmeade instead of the postmark.
There are a lot of different shops with magical gags, quaint shops, restaurants. But we'll talk about this a little later.
And now we will continue our journey along the cobbled pavements to the main object of our route - the ancient castle of Hogwarts, which is at the same time the School of Magic and Wizardry, in which we will have amazing adventures on unique attractions.
Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry
On the territory of the Hogwarts castle, the main exciting events take place that carry visitors into a world very accurately recreated from books and films.
Here, following the route developed by the creators of this amazing park entertainment, we find ourselves in the most intimate places of the magic school, we participate in exciting events, accompanied by the heroes of the films.
Before embarking on an amazing flight over Hogwarts, there are many more events and adventures awaiting us on the way to the "Help Room".
Attraction "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey"
When creating the main attraction "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" robotic manipulators, animation, real scenery, music, sound and light special effects and, probably, a little magic were used.
With their help, specially illuminated scenes are created, and with the help of a circular view screen, an incredibly realistic video is shown that creates the illusion of visitors flying in controlled vehicles along with Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron.
The main attraction of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Park is located inside the castle. And to get to the attraction, you need to go through the doors of Hogwarts and go down into the dungeon, where the passengers of this unusual journey encounter many unusual objects, characters, interiors familiar from books and films.
I think you understand why this ride got this strange name"Forbidden journey". Earlier, in the days of wizards, the School of Magic and Wizardry was hiding in every possible way from ordinary people and they could not be in this place under any circumstances.
And here, please, everyone is invited to a tour of the amazing and mysterious places castle.
The first on the way of the castle guests are greenhouses filled with mandrakes.
Further through the corridor, everyone ends up in a gallery with real "talking" portraits of Hogwarts teachers, whose characters, not at all embarrassed by the presence of non-wizards, are animatedly talking and moving from picture to picture.
In front of Dumbledore's office, we come across a majestic statue of Griffin, which has been recreated to the smallest detail from the Harry Potter films.
And here we are in Dumbledore's office, in which the headmaster of Hogwarts welcomes the Muggles (that is, us) who have visited this castle for the first time. Of course, Dumbledore himself is not in the room, and he greets visitors from the screen. But the impression is made illusory that he is among the guests of the castle.
The director's office is a very exact copy of the office that we saw in one of the films.
Amazingly realistic holograms of wizards, a talking distribution hat, create a sense of the existence of this amazing delightful world in reality.
And the most impressive is the horror road with an unforgettable meeting with the Rattling Willow, a clash with dementors, dragons, giant spiders, participation in a Quidditch match and an amazing flight with young wizards over Hogwarts.
There are some restrictions for visitors to this attraction: the height cannot be less than 120 cm.
There are special testing devices in front of the entrance to the attraction, which help to choose a comfortable seat, taking into account the large height (weight) due to the peculiarities of attaching the passenger to the seat.
The tour and flight are approximately one hour long. But let's not forget that on the territory of the castle there are several more interesting attractions and many more exciting trips to the shops and shops of Hogsmeade.
Attraction "Flight on the Hippogriff"
As we remember from books and films, the Hippogriff is a magical creature of a very unusual kind: half horse, half griffin.
And the attraction itself is something like a roller coaster, but in a more gentle version. It is preferred by family tourists with children. Its height is 13 meters, its speed is 45.9 kilometers per hour. Height restriction - 91 cm.
On the way to the "Flight on the Hippogriff" slides, you can walk past Hagrid's hut. You cannot enter the hut, since this structure only exactly reproduces the appearance of the forester's house.
But then you can get instructions and instructions from Hagrid, how to approach, "tame" and ride the Hippogriff.
Attraction "Contest with the Dragon"
Based on the Three Wizards Tournament from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
It is a high-speed double roller coaster in the form of an intertwined inverted roller coaster with several trains, symbolizing the battle of Harry Potter with the dragon Hungarian Horntail and Victor Krum with the dragon Chinese Fireball in the first challenge of the Tournament. Three Wizards.
The Chinese Fireball develops a speed of 96.6 kilometers per hour, and the Hungarian Horntail - 88.5 kilometers per hour. Height - 38.1 meters. The total ride time on the attraction is approximately 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
Height restrictions - 137 cm.
Not far from the attraction are the Triwizard Goblet and the Goblet of Fire, Hagrid's hut and the Weasley flying car.
The main attractions of the park are complemented by themed restaurants, shops, shops, which are also created under the impression of books and films read and with observance of the smallest details.
Quirky stalls and shops in Hogsmeade Village
And here we are again in the village of Hogsmeade, which came to the park "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" from the pages of books and from the screen of films with numerous shops, restaurants and cafes, which we simply have no right not to visit.
Shop "Sweet Kingdom"
The most famous pastry shop of all kinds of sweets in the world of wizards.
Here you can buy sweets for a wide variety of tastes: chocolate frogs, exploding candies, licorice sticks, custard pots, Drubbles chewing gum, colorful Bertie Botts, sugar feathers, bloody candies, butter sweets - and surprise yourself and your loved ones with these extraordinary sweets.
Shop "Zonko"
Shop of comic goods and magic tricks. Hogwarts students loved to visit this shop, and today it is one of the favorite places for tourists.
As a keepsake and as a souvenir, you can take away from here both completely unusual toys, such as screaming toys, retractable ears, pumpkin pastilles, flying crackers, a boxing telescope (copies of harmful scopes), and quite ordinary souvenir mugs, T-shirts.
Dervish and Bangs store
Be sure to check out this store. All sorts of magic gizmos, props used in films, toys and souvenirs are sold here. For example, Quidditch sets, Triwizard Tournament uniforms, reminders, spectral glasses, Monster Book of Monsters, sweatshirts, scarves, hats, shoulder bags.
Attraction "The wand chooses the wizard"
Events take place in the shop of Mr. Ollivander, or rather, in its absolute copy. Here, everyone, like Harry Potter once, can pass the test and find out which wand is right for you, and purchase it in this shop.
Try your luck, and the magic wand will choose you by itself (well, just a little bit the actor and special effects will help her to do this).
"Three Brooms" and "Boar's Head"
After walking in the park, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. But, if you want to continue your journey to the places associated with Harry Potter, then it is better to do it at the Three Broomsticks restaurant. Visitors are attracted here not only by the original interior, but also by the opportunity to taste butter beer or delicious branded pumpkin juice, which the heroes of the films and books about Harry Potter loved so much.
Here you can also order national British dishes, various delicacies, for example, baked turkey, Cornish pies, fresh fruits and vegetables. We also took care of the children: the special menu includes a sweet table with strawberry and apple pies, chocolate truffles, ice cream.
Universal Orlando Park Opening Hours
The Universal Orlando Resort amusement park is open all year round. But opening times may vary. Therefore, as always, before the trip we check all the information on the website.
The official website of the Universal Orlando entertainment complex: www.universalorlando.com. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park official website: www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter.
On the territory of the park there is parking for baby strollers, toilets, wheelchair ramps, storage rooms, entertainment for children.
The cost of visiting "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" for 2019
You can buy tickets to visit two theme parks at once or just one: Universal Studios Florida or Universal's Island of Adventure.
The cost of visiting 1 park:
- 1 day - adult / child - $ 115.00 / $ 110.00
The cost of visiting 2 parks:
- 1 day - adult / child - $ 170.00 / $ 165.00.
On the ticket purchase page, there are various tariff plans for visiting 1, 2 or even 3 parks for a period of 1 to 5 days, as well as special advantageous offers.
This is where we end our journey to the places dedicated to Harry Potter. Bye Bye…
P.S. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park has now been expanded. For several years now, new rides and themed areas related to the story of Harry Potter have been opened in the second park of the complex - Universal Studios Florida, which can be traveled between on the Hogwarts Express.
On the spring break went with friends to Los Angeles, to the park Universal studios, mainly for the freshly built part dedicated to the Harry Potter universe. Under the sun southern california built a hybrid of the village of Hogsmeade (with snow on the roofs), where the heroes of the films went from school on weekends to drink butterbeer (in the park, lemonade like Pinocchio with a cap of ice cream foam plays its role, $ 7 per glass) and Diagon Alley. Rowling's vintage shabby book aesthetic is very reconcile to the plastic world amusement park.
A lot of nishtyaks have been invented - Crybaby Myrtle is talking through the speakers in the toilets, in the Three Panicles cafe they give food with a claim to old English (in fact, this is just normal food, unlike hot dogs and fried wings in other cafes), an ordinary ATM is decorated, like the ATM of the fabulous Gringotts Bank, even the card terminals in the shops look antique. Owls sit high under the roofs on beams.
Actually there are two attractions - flying on a broomstick (half virtual) inside Hogwarts Castle and a small rollercoaster on the theme of flying on a hippogriff near Hagrid's house. The rest is, in fact, shopping, shopping, but brought to high art.
All the shops are in place, there is a post office, you can buy sweets with all tastes (like in the book), all sorts of jokes in the corresponding shop. The most popular shop is Ollivander's wands. Who is standing - sit down, or better - just lie down. A piece of plastic in a box costs 43-50 dollars, and there is nowhere for an apple to fall in the store. Almost every child in the park has such a stick, and the one that is more expensive activates "live" showcases in the "village", so it is almost impossible to refrain from buying. In front of the showcase, you need to stand at a specially marked point, make a special wave of the stick and the sensor (infrared?) Starts the movement. Quidditch balls start bouncing, chained in a chest, or something like that. The idea with showcases is simply brilliant - it ensures not only the sale of sticks, but also constant gatherings of people around the stores, gives children something to do for half an hour, or even more.
In souvenir shops, prices are fear and horror. Real millionaires are unlikely to be interested in visiting an amusement park, so I tend to believe that people save up for a long time before going to such places. :) For us, the opportunity to get about six hours to LA by car creates a false feeling that this is not a vacation of the century, but we just went out to get some air.
The kids tried to ask the price for the broomstick. When it turned out that the broom was worth something like $ 350, the instant reaction was "But it doesn't even fly !!!"
The second high art is queuing organization as a separate entertainment. The waiting time for popular attractions in the park can be up to two hours, but at this time, at least visitors will be shown cartoons, shown posters, conducted interactive polls, and so on. In the case of Hogwarts Castle, we walked along a semi-dark atmospheric corridor past classrooms, Dumbledore's office, we were talking to eerily natural living pictures, for example, with the Fat Lady, who guarded the entrance to the Gryffindor rooms. There are a lot of details to consider. In some places, the line goes out into the street, where, under the awnings, you can observe a greenhouse with plants from books.
In addition to Harripotter's pieces, we were shown a tour of the Potemkin cinematic villages. I'm not sure, but it feels like last time films were shot in real scenery about thirty years ago. Now either they shoot in Canada, or everyone draws on the computer.
On the question of drawing on computers - not only Potemkin villages are dying out, but maybe physical attractions as such? The latest mod is virtual roller coasters. You sit down, buckle up, and virtual reality is broadcast to you. Sometimes in 3d glasses, sometimes just like that. The chair is shaken, tilted, blown air in the face, sometimes they radiate heat or spray with water. It sounds pathetic, but in fact the illusion is complete. You can fall from a skyscraper, you can "participate" in any fantastic adventures. This is not like riding the Surprise ride. (By the way, judging by YouTube, this horror still exists and works.)
Universal opened a theme park in Los Angeles based on the famous book by J.K. Rowling. Now fans of the famous saga will be able to plunge into the world of magic and become for a moment magicians and sorcerers. ... Park visitors can stroll the streets of Hogsmeade Village
Visit Hagrid "/>
Visit Hagrid
And even ride the Hippogriff "/>
© Gilbert Flores / Broadimage / EAST NEWS
And even ride the Hippogriff
The creators of the park have thought through everything to the smallest detail "/>
© David Sprague / Universal
The creators of the park thought through everything to the smallest detail
© Gilbert Flores / Broadimage / EAST NEWS Students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons can be found in the park
Meet Arthur Weasley "/>
Meet Arthur Weasley
Have a look at a cup of tea in Madame Paddyfoot's cafe "/>
© UniversalStudiosHollywood / facebook.com
Drop by for a cup of tea at Madame Paddyfoot's Cafe
And buy an unusual Hogwarts newspaper "/>
© David Sprague / Universal
And buy a fancy Hogwarts newspaper
Are you a movie buff and love movies with the latest special effects? Or maybe you are a fan of the classic genre? Or do you know all the parts of the Potter by heart? Can you tell a T-Rex from a Stegosaurus in the famous Jurassic Park movie? On these and other occasions, you should definitely visit the Universal Studios amusement park, which is located in sunny Los Angeles.
The famous globe - a symbol of the studioDon't think this place is for kids only. This park is more interesting for adults, because Universal Studios produces movie legends and cult films. In particular, such modern blockbusters as "Transformers", "Terminator", "War of the Worlds", "Fast and the Furious", "Jurassic Park", "Back to the Future" were filmed at its sites. The list goes on and on, as Universal is the oldest film studio in existence today. It was founded in 1912 and during its existence has released more than three thousand films and TV series, including the Oscar-winning ones: The Bourne Ultimatum, Atonement, King Kong, Shakespeare in Love and many others.
While in Los Angeles, two adults (that is, we) could not deny ourselves the pleasure of seeing Universal Studios with our own eyes.
How to get there and where to park
The amusement park is located on the red line of the subway at Universal City station in one of the most famous areas of Los Angeles - Hollywood. There is a free shuttle bus from the metro station to the entrance to Universal Studios, which will take you very quickly.
Roomy shuttle bass with trailers
If you will be driving, be aware that parking around the park is not cheap, ranging from $ 10 to $ 40, depending on how long you want to leave your car. We advise to do without a car on the day of visiting the park, given that getting to the park is not at all difficult. You can check the parking rates at the official website of the park.
Entrance fees
The cost of a one-time daily pass varies depending on the season of the year. That is, in winter the price is reduced, and in summer, during the holiday season, tickets reach their maximum price peak. For example, we visited the park in December 2016 and paid $ 92 per person to enter, but in the spring of 2017 ticket prices range from $ 105 to $ 116. You can buy your entrance ticket online or directly at the ticket office at the park entrance. It is most profitable to buy an annual pass, which gives you the right to visit the park for a whole year. It will cost you $ 289 including car parking. But, of course, it will be relevant to you if you live in California or neighboring states. At the box office, you will definitely be offered to buy tickets with an increased level of comfort. Some of them give the right to priority access to attractions without queues. And if you purchase a VIP ticket, then a special guide will be attached to you, who will take you to the “holy of holies” - film sets and pavilions where legendary films were filmed. Or maybe you will even be lucky to see the shooting of the next new blockbuster directly.
Focus on price entrance ticket for a specific date, follow the link to the official website of Universal Studios Due to the fact that we visited the amusement park in " low season”, We did not have to buy a ticket“ out of line ”, as we did not observe queues near the attractions. We limited ourselves to a regular ticket, which cost $ 92 per person.
So, the ticket has been bought, a selfie in front of the famous film studio's logo has been made, which means that you can safely step on the red carpet, which will lead you straight to the main entrance to Universal Studios.
Walking the red carpet, you can feel like a movie star As soon as you go inside, the first thing you will see is a monument to people who are an integral part of the filming process: the cameraman, director and sound engineer. During our visit, they were solemnly dressed in Santa Claus hats for the upcoming Christmas.
People, without whom no filming process is complete You will be amazed at the vast territory of this amusement park and at every step you can meet your favorite characters and cool attractions. At the entrance, along with the tickets, you will be given a card that will help you not to get lost in such an abundance of entertainment places.
Detailed map Universal Studios Jurassic Park
The first attraction we literally ran to was Jurassic Park, based on the film of the same name, which I love very much. It is located at the lower level of the park and to get to it, you need to ride on two long escalators.
Between the escalators, a beautiful observation deck from where you will see Warner Brothers Studios and Walt Disney Panorama Studios As I said earlier, there were no queues in the park, so we immediately got into the boat, which took us to “ lost World". Jurassic Park is positioned as a "water" attraction, during which its participants get wet. We managed to film the whole process of the trip, during which we got a lot of positive emotions.
The entrance is guarded by prehistoric lizards 
Carnivorous Spinosaurus Shows Off Its Big Teeth
Also on the lower level there are 2 more cool attractions: Mummy and Transformers.
Mummy
In pitch darkness, you will move at great speed, and you will be accompanied by all the attributes of an adventurer in the ancient pyramids: spells, scarab beetles and, of course, mummies.
The entrance looks promising 
To get on the attraction, you need to be at least 148 cm, otherwise they will not be allowed 
There are many Egyptian symbols inside 
You can't do without mummies here Transformers
Near the attraction with transformers, according to the schedule, you can take a picture with one of the main characters: funny Bumblebee, powerful Optimus Prime or Megatron. Once on the ride, you find yourself in the thick of 3-D events, and your main task will be to help Optimus Prime save humanity. A very dynamic and cool ride.
This is not just a statue, but a real transformer that interacts with you 
Old Frankie. How not to take a picture? 
Coffee and donut. What could be tastier? 
Shrek's domain 
The motorcycle that starred in the film Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino On the top floor of the park, we liked the following 2 attractions the most.
the walking Dead
The attraction opened in June 2016. It differs in that specially made up actors participate in it. In this regard, the entrance is carried out according to the schedule strictly in certain time... You will be asked to go through the hospital buildings, which are literally teeming with zombies. The realistic setting, constant interruptions in light and sound will not leave you indifferent, and you will feel like the main character of the film, who has to get out safe and sound. The situation was so realistic that the girl who entered in front of us rushed in the opposite direction from the exit, shouting for help. If you love to tickle your nerves, then this ride is definitely for you. I don’t think it’s worth saying that you will not be allowed with your children.
Entrance to the attraction is strictly on schedule 
Those who want to tickle the nerves are going a large number of
This is what is left of the previous group who visited this attraction 
The last thing people see before entering the building is ……. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
An excellent 3-D attraction that will allow you to get in touch with witchcraft and magic. Hold on tight, because during the trip you have to perform acrobatic stunts in the seat of your chair. And all because you will learn to fly on a magic broomstick, dodge a fire-breathing dragon and accompany Harry Potter himself on all his adventures.
It is better for people with an unstable vestibular apparatus not to ride this attraction. And don't sit here right after your meal.
The gloomy walls of Hogwarts 
The real snowy Harry Potter village 
Many wizards can be found here 
In this store, on the purchased postcard, you can put the real stamp of the Hogwarts school 
Attractions for children 
Dedicated to Simpsons lovers 
Favorite Posіpaki Where to eat
Literally at every step you will see many restaurants, bistros, Chinese cuisine, hot dogs and donuts for every taste and in different price categories. On the territory of Universal Studos, you will even find a Starbucks coffee shop, where you can drink coffee and think about your further route. There will be no problems with food.
The choice of places to eat is huge. 
Why not grab a hot dog snack? 
You will be welcome everywhere 
Small and cozy restaurants invite for lunch To summarize, Universal Studios is perfect place where you can spend the whole day and recharge your batteries for the rest of your vacation. You should definitely come here in order to feel the spirit of the cult film industry. And we continue our journey across sunny California. Stay with us!
A place where you remember that at heart we are all children Which Los Angeles attraction would you like to visit the most? Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Downtown? I dreamed about Universal studios Hollywood- an amusement park, the thought of which my little harrypotteromaniac tachycardia heart began to beat even faster.
I was in a hurry to see Hogwarts and walk the streets of Hogsmeade,
True, first you have to go through several long streets full of shops with Chinese souvenirs of your favorite Universal characters. 
A required attribute is a spinning ball with a company logo at the entrance. 
And the red carpet in compensation for the admission price: from $ 105 to $ 116 online (depending on the date), $ 120 on site. 
In the park itself, despite Monday, the crowd of visitors. 
On the way to the attractions and entertainment, you can find life-size puppets of the characters of the film company and sculptures dedicated to the filmmakers. 
Unfortunately not a flying Fordick England. 
In addition to attractions, entertainment and educational shows are held in the park several times a day. We check what the coolest of them is - WaterWorld- will start in 10 minutes and go to take places. 
In 15 minutes representation viewers can watch a real live movie with shooting and chases, fights and falls into the water from great heights, explosions and burning people, and even a small plane. 
Universal Studios Hollywood's second hottest show is studio tour... It resembles a studio tour (which is advised to attend before), but shorter and richer. And there are much more sightseeing buses. I recommend sitting down on the left side (go in last), because most of the points of interest are on the left side in the direction of travel. So it was almost impossible to capture, for example, an exhibition of equipment from various studio films on the far right seat. 
The excursion starts in almost the same way as in Warner Park: we drive through the streets, the scenery for the films. 
Will Back to the Future fans recognize the watch? 
Often, instead of the real facades of buildings in films, they show painted ones. 
3D attraction King kong 360... The bus enters the tunnel, where visitors become direct participants contractions King Kong with tyrannosaurs. 
They showed how the weather was controlled on the set. A little rain started in this small village ... 
Which turned into a downpour and contributed to the flood that demolished everything in its path. 
In this part of the studio, films about the Wild West are shot. Ennio Morricone's music immediately plays in my head. 
Earthquake in the subway... Everything crashes, shakes, falls apart, burns and drowns. The most interesting thing is how, after the end of the earthquake, in seconds everything is restored, extinguished, collected and returned to its place. 
Shark attack from Jaws 1975. Considering that the film was shot over 40 years ago, it looks pretty realistic from afar. 
Once again about the facades of buildings in the films. 
The Grinch Stole Christmas. 
"Psycho" by Alfred Hitchcock. First, the man took the woman's corpse out of the hotel and hid it in the trunk, and then chased the bus with a knife. An unenviable job for an actor: every couple of minutes for 8-10 hours a day to carry a "corpse". 
For the filming of the film "War of the Worlds" by Steven Spielberg, a real Boeing 747 was sawed. The scale of the disaster is impressive: destroyed houses, twisted cars, smoke, sirens ... 
After the excursion, we wandered a little more in search of the next show (the park is rather big and two-level) and ended up on the lower level. We did not have time to ride all three attractions.
Jurassic park promised to be good, but did not want to get wet from head to toe. 
Mummy- the scariest attraction in the park and Transformers... The approximate waiting time is indicated in front of the entrance (at that time - 50 minutes for the "Mummy"). On weekends, you can stand in line for 2 or 3 hours. 
We return to the upper level and go to special effects show... It was worth coming here just to relax in the dark and cool - it was about 35 degrees in the park, while on the coast it did not exceed 25. They showed and told how they imitate sounds and cut hands in films, motion capture technology and burning people. Not very interesting, it would be better to go to the animal show (we didn't have time to go there) or went to another attraction. 
Then (well, nakanetsta!) We went to the coolest part of the park, but since waiting for the holiday is better than the holiday itself, while I’ll tell you about the remaining attractions, and leave Hogwarts and Hogsmeade for last.
The walking dead("The walking Dead")... I love and watch both this series and BHM, read comics and played the games of the franchise. Waiting for their turn takes place within the walls of an abandoned Atlanta hospital, where main character in the first episode I woke up from a coma. They launch in groups of 15 people, and it so happened that my husband and I were the first in our line, so all those couple of minutes for which the attraction had to be passed, he pulled me by the hand, and I resisted and asked, "Can we, we won't go first? Please! " It turned out to be not scary at all, only sometimes unexpectedly (I would have gone again), and often zombies (most of them, by the way, play real people) let the first people go ahead and jump onto the next. 
Shrek 4D... At first, everyone, waiting for their turn, crammed into a basement full of instruments of torture. Then a 10-minute cartoon. The cinema was soon closed (not surprisingly, compared to the rest of the entertainment, its level is an order of magnitude lower). 
Despicable Me... They turn you into minions and invite you to a party, but it's not that simple. 
Each attraction is decorated in the style of a movie, cartoon or TV series: fans will find buns while waiting for their turn, and in photo zones on the street, and, of course, in souvenir shops. 
The service staff are also dressed like characters from the film, and themed food is sold in cafes (I remember the crowds of people taking pictures of the Simpsons donuts right after the purchase). 
But most of all I liked the cool zones (play on words: cool - cool and cool) - fans blowing cool air with water (do you remember, it was 35 degrees in the park? That day it seemed hot ... phaha, the day after tomorrow we we will be in Nevada, there, indeed, Zharischa!). 
Super silly fun land- carousel for the little ones. 
The simpsons ride... As you may have noticed, almost all slides in the park are 5D, and I like them much more than usual ones, because I'm paranoid, I know that even if something breaks, I won't fall anywhere or fall out, but just get out of my chair. A side effect - from constant shaking, bouncing and hitting the hard back of the chair in the evening, the back begins to ache. In "gratitude" for visiting some of the rides give different bonuses. Here, for example, they gave samples of "Jelly Beans" - sweets from "Harry Potter", and after a tour of the studio - a ticket to visit one slide without a queue. 
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, our beloved Hogwarts ...(humming). How did I feel at that moment? Imagine your favorite book, movie, TV series, computer game - any fictional universe. Imagine that a world is designed in this universe - with characters and buildings, their own "laws" and paraphernalia, clothing and food. And you can see all this with your own eyes, touch, participate, try and even conjure, if you buy a wand for fifty dollars. Now there will be many photos, because I wanted to capture everything, everything, everything! 
Of course, compared to the multi-park Universal Orlando Resort in Florida (where we were originally going), the tiny Hogsmeade of 10 houses did not stand nearby: there is and Diagon Alley, and Gringotts with a dragon on the roof, and the Hogwarts Express, on which you can ride, and the Night Knight, and various shops, and buildings, and shows ... But Hogsmeade in Los Angeles is also interesting and beautiful. Hogsmeade in Los Angeles. Hogsmeade among the palms. Nothing unusual, scroll on). 
In the castle itself is the coolest attraction in the park - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure(fans, watch the full video, you won't regret it!). 
At the entrance to the castle, all personal belongings have to be taken to the storage room so that they would not fall out during the ride, so I only had to blink with enthusiasm and admire the greenhouses and offices of Hogwarts, statues and talking portraits (which really looked like portraits, not like screens) and projections of Dumbledore, Harry, Ron and Hermione without the possibility of photographing. True, not everyone handed over their phones. The Korean woman in front of us took a selfie with duck lips throughout the line (almost an hour!) Without stopping. Hour, Karl. I would still understand if she was photographed against the background of interesting things, but she just took pictures of her face for an hour. The slide itself is even cooler than the buns waiting for it. Shakes, twists and staggers more than on other attractions, but I would play Quidditch, save myself from spiders and dementors again 5. Or 25).
Locomotive of the Hogwarts Express. I adore people who are in their place, love and do their job well. Of course, there are activities that are much more difficult and more important, but standing for hours in uniform in 40-degree heat, posing and taking pictures with thousands of people every day, finding an approach to each child so that the baby's faith in magic only grows - not everyone will be able to do that. In front of us, the driver was quietly telling the little girl some magic story about his pocket watch, and she listened spellbound. Then we went to take a picture with the driver, my husband said to him: "You made that girl so happy," and he replied: "And now I will make you happy." And in fact, at that moment I was very happy).
Then a little boy ran up to the train and asked: "Is this the real Hogwarts Express?" "Of course it's real!" - answered the driver. The little boy let out an enthusiastic cry and ran to show off to his mother. 
A bit of snowy Hogsmeade. 
In the toilets, by the way, Crybaby Myrtle howls. 
The shops on the street sell butter beer of all kinds and varieties (looks like a very sweet soda with whipped cream froth) and pumpkin juice in a cute bottle with a pumpkin cap (waiting in the wings for Halloween). 
And we went to dinner at "Three brooms"- the most entourage cafe with the most delicious and wholesome food. True, there is little unclear here. 
Everything inside is very Hogsmeade-like, albeit blurry. I liked the uniform of the service staff (they also joke all sorts of magic jokes; and at the checkout you sign a check with a pen in the form of a feather). 
Chorus of frogs. 
Before you get to Ollivander's shop (probably the only store where clutter in the layout of goods is encouraged), you can visit the attraction "The wand chooses the wizard"... Usually a kid is chosen from the crowd, and he repeats the fate of Harry when he was chosen by his wand. It was especially interesting to watch a plump middle-aged Asian in the role of Ollivander. 
No wonder the wand costs $ 50 - it contains a mechanism that can be used to create almost real magic. Some of the buildings and display cases in Hogsmeade have instructions on what to do, what spell to cast, and how to wave the wand. If everything is done correctly, something will appear, grow, pour, start spinning or dancing. 
"I didn't really want to, I was just passing by." 
Honeydukes(Sweet Kingdom) - here I am stuck for a long time. 
That feeling when you buy a 40-gram frog-shaped chocolate bar for the price of 10 bars in Belarus just because it has a label "Harry Potter" (but I came across a card with Dumbledore - they are different, I googled it! ... The pot is delicious + there is a mold for muffins, a pudding with butter beer - it’s like that, lemon slices (wrapped) are not bad, but ordinary candies, crystals - sugar with dye and sourness (about which I later broke a piece of my tooth). But the beans "Bertie Botts" in America, I probably bought almost a kilogram all the time (I am writing this post and crushing the last candy). In the original, they can have absolutely any taste: sweet and harmless (cherry, cotton candy, apple ...), unusual and exotic (black pepper, grass, sausage ...) to the most disgusting (earwax, snot, vomit .. .), but I only bought "tasty" options. And upon arrival from America, they gave me a package of dragees, where 50/50 - half delicious, half not. So, I'm still looking for those who want to share these sweets with me in half - so far, for some reason, no one agrees. Surely no one wants to?) 
And the most wonderful ending of the evening was show projection on the lock. The official opening took place only a few weeks after our visit, but the projection was already shown in test mode. On the walls of the castle, to the music from the films, animals of all four faculties ran and crawled, turning into the coat of arms of each of them (so-so description, so-so photos, so you better watch the video). 
It's time to go home. Through shopping streets, shops and crowds. 
Don't switch - Las Vegas is coming soon. 
Tl; dr. Universal Park- this, of course, is the dream of a Harry Potter fan (and not only - there are many interesting attractions) of any age. The entrance is expensive ($ 120), but I would come back here again (or better - to Universal Orlando). If someone needs it (and for completeness of immersion), I added YouTube links to videos of attacks to the post. Prank was a success. Knox!
