Diagon Alley

Keith and I have annual passes to universal orlando courtesy of a family member as a Christmas present (yearly). It's an amazing present and we use it a few times a month on average. To me, during the months that it is not super busy, it allows me to take Bryce somewhere big where he can interact with a diverse population and run around to get some of his 2 year old energy out! I love the Jurassic Park playground for the kids. While he and I can't really ride too many rides together until he's older, it's just plain fun.

All that said, we've attended 3 out of the 5 days of previews for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley and OH EM GEE it is AMAZING. It surpasses everything you've ever thought a theme park could give you and then doubles and triples your expectations. When I walked in to Diagon Alley from muggle London I literally stopped and gasped. The amazing part (that only theme park junkies will truly 'get') is that you're completely immersed in this land. It is even more remarkable if you're a Harry Potter fan-but that truly is not the most important aspect. You could hate HP and still love the theme park revolutionary part. We happen to be both (myself more than Keith) and wow. Just wow.

After I got over the initial shock of how amazing it all looks, we went in to several shops....It was like we were IN the movies! We ate at the Leaky Cauldron and the food was awesome...then we topped it off with butterbeer icecream. I do want to warn you families with kiddos though...the dragon that perches her fire-breathing body on top of Gringott's Bank...yeah...she's a bit intimidating. Bryce does.not.like.her. He's a bit terrified. We've tried playing a game of telling her to 'be nice' when she breathes fire but he still begs to go indoors when she starts growling. So be aware that she's incredibly realistic and...well she's been trapped in the vaults of Gringott's for years so....she's a bit pissed (and rightly so).

The icecream flavors are inventive and NOT paleo (heh) and every other aspect is amazing. I can't boast about it enough. We will not be returning this summer however because of the crowds it will create. We feel blessed that we were able to enjoy it for previews and we look forward to returning in fall after school resumes.

Have you been? Do you plan on going? Let me know what you think :)