Disney Springs

DISNEY SPRINGS

Next to Disney world  there is an outdoor mall that has a lot of fun shops.  We decided to check it out on our last day. 

First we picked out an ornament from the Christmas shop, 

We enjoyed some Ghirardelli chocolates.  

You may not be able to tell from the picture, but this sea monster coming out of the lagoon is made entirely of LEGO bricks.

Our favorite place was the amazing LEGO store where they had LEGO and DUPLO bins full of LEGOs for the kids to build with.  They also had race tracks where they could race the LEGO cars they built.  Probably the best part of the store were all the amazing LEGO statues.

Hollywood Studios

Stormtrooper march

AT-AT

Jedi Training

Jared and the kids really liked the updated Star Wars themed Star Tours ride.

Audrey really enjoyed the Frozen sing along, especially the part where it began to snow in the theater as she sang out "Let it Go!"

Audrey had fun meeting Olaf

Audrey meeting a car

After waiting a very long time in line for a Toy Story ride, the ride broke down right before it was our turn to board.  Luckily we got fast passes for later.

The girls liked the Beauty and the Beast Show

The Fantasmic light, music, and water show was fun.

We also really enjoyed the Star Wars fireworks & light show at the end.  They made it look like there were lasers blasting each other across the square.  While Maddy, Audrey, Brooklyn and I watched the light show, Nathan, Jared and Abby braved the Tower of Terror before we left the park.

Hollywood studios was probably the least favorite of the four Disney theme parks, but was still fun.  It felt like a bit of a let down after our amazing Harry Potter experience.

Universal Harry Potter

A LONDON STREET

At first it looks like you are walking down a regular street in London.

Then you come across the Knight Bus.

You also happen to pass by Grimmauld Place.

You can also check out the phone booth a.k.a. the secret entrance to the Ministry of Magic.

DIAGON ALLEY

For me the most magical part of the day was exploring behind a regular looking brick wall and then walking into this!

 Diagon Alley is a completely immersive environment that makes you feel as if you are walking into the scene in the movie when Harry sees the magical world for the first time.  The details on every shop and storefront were amazing.

The window displays magically moved.  The kids are watching a scarf knit itself.

Buying a chocolate frog and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.  The jelly beans were fun to eat while we stood in line and the kids made guesses about what flavor they ate.  True to the story, there were normal ones, but also earthworm (tasted like dirt), rotten eggs, etc.

The Leaky Cauldron

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes

Olivander's wand shop

 
Quality Quidditch supplies




Magical Menagerie was Audrey's favorite shop.  She liked all the stuffed animals and ended up with a purple pygmy puff.

The dragon on top of Gringotts Bank took us off guard by periodically growling and sometimes letting out a huge burst of flame.

Gringott's bank

Our favorite ride of the day was Escape From Gringotts.  It is a 3D roller coaster that took you on a run away ride through the vaults at Gringotts.

Hagrid's motorcycle

Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment

Norberta, our baby dragon.

THE HOGWART'S EXPRESS

The station

Platform 9 3/4

Boarding the train felt like you were just getting onto the actual train on your way to Hogwarts.


The screen outside the window made you feel as if you were traveling out of London into the countryside, just like the train does in the movies.

Unfortunately our train was attacked by some Dementors.

The train and its conductor.

Hogsmead Station

HOGWART'S CASTLE

The Forbidden Journey ride was amazing, although it made me a bit sick.  We didn't mind the wait in  line because it took us through different places in Hogwarts castle (the hall of portraits, the green houses, entrance to Dumbledoor's office, the mirror of Erised, etc.)

SHOWS

Celestina Warbeck singing

The Tales of Beedle the Bard -- performed by a "traveling" acting troupe in Diagon Alley.

The Triwizard spirit rally

The Frog Choir

HOGSMEAD

Shops at Hogsmead

Inside the Hog's Head

The Three Broomsticks, where we tried some delicious butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

The Monster Book of Monsters

The Quibbler

Honeydukes Sweet Shop

Pumpkin juice!  It was actually really good.  It tasted like a pumpkin pie flavored spiced apple cider.

Honeydukes

Zonko's Joke Shop

Hagrid's Hut

Audrey was super excited to go on Flight of the Hippogriff.  It was her first big roller coaster.  I was worried that she would be scared, but she told me she loved it!

I think this was our family's favorite day of the trip.