BUT WAIT! There’s was a savior upon the horizon! Universal Studios announced they’re getting ready to open a large build out, replicating the Village of Hogsmeade and the infamous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Universal Studios attraction offers a movie-like view of what the world of HP could really look like. The village is filled with unique shops and products, featuring some of the most iconic moments, stories, and products available in the books. If you’ve always dreamed of having a real Butterbeer, or a chocolate frog, then you can definitely fulfill that desire. But if you want to walk into each and every shop, at a leisurely pace, taking your time to analyze and experience every single little detail, then good luck with that. The crowds that swoon to this Universal Studios wonder don’t allow you to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in a very authentic way. Plus, a lot of the storefronts are strictly for show, with window displays and other various details adding to the whole experience.
I enjoyed visiting Universal Studios again, for the first time since I was five years old, but the day we visited was mayhem – it would have normally taken us over two hours to just enter the park, let alone to ride any of the rides. Universal Studios does a better job of putting you INSIDE the world that they’ve created, than Disney World, but the lines and the crowds ruin any sort of feeling of authenticity. Sure, it’s expected that the crowds will ravish the scenes, rides, and experiences, but there’s a point where it’s just ridiculously overpacked with people.
I even grew up reading J.K. Rowling’s masterpiece, more times than I would like to admit to be honest with you, but I can still say to this day that it’s one of the most treasured stories from my childhood. And yes, I would LOVE to live in the enchanting and magical world of J.K. Rowling’s complex, yet wonderful world.