Harry Potter theme park: A magical ride for true fans

ORLANDO, Fla. —If you’re not into roller coasters and you’re not all about the merchandise, then the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is going to be a bit of a rough ride. On the other hand, if you love thrills and having your stomach tied in knots and you crave a taste of Butterbeer, then you might pronounce it “brilliant.”

And if you just plain love the Harry Potter books and films, as millions do, then you just have to see for yourself, as millions already have.

Here’s a ride through my recent journey to Harry Potter land, with some of the costs figured in:

It was $82 for a day pass to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, the home of the Harry Potter theme park that opened a year ago June. That also gets you into Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Seuss Landing and Jurassic Park, but not into the Universal Studios portion of the park.

WWofHP is in the far end of Islands of Adventure, and you can see the towering spires and turrets of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry from many vantage points. At the archway entrance, a woman was clicking an attendance counter as we entered. I asked how many so far that day, but she said she doesn’t count.

The first view is a doozy. The bright red engine of the Hogwarts Express is a photo op to the right, and in front of you is a winding boulevard lined with shops that are a combination of the town of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, with mansard protrusions decked out in winter white. Snow on the rooftops and shorts weather in the street adds to the magical mood as you approach Hogwarts, which looms majestically at the end of the rows of shops.

Here’s where it may fall apart if, like me, you are a die-hard Harry Potter fan but you have motion sickness or don’t do well on roller coasters. There are four main activities including two roller coasters: the younger-skewing, smaller Flight of the Hippogriff (an HP creature that has the head and claws of an eagle and the back end of a horse). Then there’s the Dragon Challenge, a looping coaster that I could not even consider but which has some cool touches at the entry, a la the Triwizard Tournament.

There’s the find-a-wand experience at Olivander’s and the main event, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a dizzying ride that combines virtual reality and practical effects.

From the start, my husband, Phil, and I determined to do everything except the two coasters.

Starting near the entry, we took a walk through Zonko’s Joke Shop (founded by Fred and George Weasley in the books and films) and Honeydukes (Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs were in abundance), and then passed the long line at Olivander’s wand shop and headed straight to Hogwarts castle for the Forbidden Journey.

We walked past the gates, where a sign warned that there was a 90-minute wait (it turned out to be 45 minutes) and locked away anything that was tied on tight in computer-operated lockers.

Another sign from “the Department of Magical Games and Sports” had this warning: “This Ride Simulates Dramatic Aerobatics. The Ride Vehicle Will Suddenly Accelerate, Stop, Turn, Climb And Drop. Failure To Follow Posted Guidelines May Result In Serious Injury Or Expulsion From The Park.”

Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs abound at the Honeydukes sweet shop (right).

Along the mazelike path to the castle and the ride, there were continuous warnings for folks who have back and heart problems, motion sickness or become dizzy under such circumstances. You can walk through the castle and skip the ride, but I chose to take my best shot after taking Dramamine.

The line moved constantly, up and down and back and forth, so it didn’t seem too long before we were at the Hogwarts entrance. The interior walk-through had some talking portraits and a greeting from a 3-D hologram of Head Master Albus Dumbledore. Further along, Hogwarts students Harry, Hermione and Ron (also seen as holograms) invite you to follow them on a “forbidden journey.”

I thought the interior could have used moving staircases for more authenticity, but was otherwise a hit.

A Florida teen in line in front of us was worried when she heard we weren’t roller-coaster people. “Do you know what you’re in for?” she asked. This was her third time, and she advised us not to close our eyes when we felt dizzy but to look at a fixed spot. It proved to be good advice.

As we walked through the halls and toward the “journey,” a girl behind us said, “This is so legit!” “It’s changed my life!” said her friend.

We reached the seats, four across, and were given the middle two. We were strapped in tight — as I imagine Navy pilots are for test dives into deep water.

Let the lurching, pitching, flying, falling, etc., begin.

“Forbidden Journey,” in which you follow Harry & Co. on their broomstick ride through the castle grounds and the Quidditch pitch, past a steam-breathing dragon and through Hogwarts’ Great Hall, is about four minutes long but feels twice that, even though it is nonstop, without a moment to catch your breath. When we passed soul-sucking Dementors, I screamed “expecto patronum” just before Harry did.

Dodging the dragon is a practical effect and scary-cool, I have to admit, though just as hard on the stomach as the moments flying behind Harry’s broomstick in the midst of a Quidditch match. When we were told we’d be going through the Great Hall, I was hoping for a final few seconds to hover, relax and get a good view, but it didn’t happen.

Poof! It was over.

We wobbled out of our seats and, of course, into the dark, crowded souvenir shop. I was queasy and shaken but otherwise unscathed.

We headed straight for the Butterbeer keg — we had earned it. The outdoor stand had a slow-moving line, but a waitress arrived for those who were paying cash. One “frozen” Butterbeer in a souvenir cup ($11.25) was delivered on a tray. It was frosty cold but still liquid and foamy at the top. Our intent was to share it, but Phil said I had better drink up because he wanted it all for himself.

As we walked the length of the park one more time and past a window near The Three Broomsticks, we heard a whiny cry. A Mandrake root (if you don’t know what that is, you’ve failed Professor Sprout’s herbology class) was peeking out of a pot and giving passers-by an earful.

Details like that will bring a smile to the face of hard-core fans even if, unlike Harry, they are not naturals when it comes to riding a broomstick.

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