Universal 1

This was the day that Ems had been waiting for.  Universal Studios to go to Harry Potter World of Wizardry.  It's the newest area at the furthest point in the park where they have built Hogsmead village and Hogwart's, Harry's school.  It actually takes your breath away.  This gives you some idea of the scale of it.

Apparantly Disney wanted the rights to develop a HP theme park but they wanted to 'Disney-fy' the buildings and ideas.  So JK Rowling went to Universal instead.  Everything is true to the stories - there are sweet shops, magic shops, wand shops.  Here is our very own wizarding professor!

And the funniest thing - here is Ems on a magic broomstick - trying to get that perfect camera shot when she's just taking off.

After a game of Quidditch, we're all ready for lunch in the Three Broomsticks.

Then we're off to do a dragon rollercoaster past the Weasley's Car and Hagrid's Hut.  Magical.

This was the highlight but we also did the Hulk Roller coaster, Spiderman, Poseidon's Fury (not me - that one is in the dark). Home, exhausted, headed for the pool.