Orlando Holiday Blog
‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ brings back childhood memories
If you stood 50 college-aged students in a room and tried to pick out the Harry Potter fans, I don't think I would immediately jump to mind.
In my experience, Harry Potter has become the great equalizer in terms of appeal. Most individuals from our age group grew up with Harry Potter in a way that is totally unique to our generation. I remember getting the first book when I was in the fourth grade and staying inside all day on a Saturday (the true sign of commitment) to read it cover to cover, then over again.
Getting to go to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios, Orlando let me crack open that chapter of childhood history (minus the semi-sibling rivalry), and let my "Harry Potter" freak-flag fly. I've since grown up from the gangly book- worm with glasses (I was a sight to see, no pun intended) that first picked up the novel and have become, in most respects, a completely normal person by every conventional standard.
To my general surprise, in the crowd of hundreds of people storming the gates of the fake-Hogsmeade baking in the sun of scenic-Orlando, there was just as eclectic a crowd. There were a group of frat guys posing next to the entrance to "The Three Broomsticks," and lining up a point-and-shoot digital camera to accurately frame a poster of Sirius Black.
Not to get sappy, but besides being a big pain to anyone (and everyone's) checkbook, the most magical part of the Harry Potter theme park was just how magical everyone found it to be. For the price of an inflated park ticket, everyone got to be a gawky, 11-year-old for an afternoon, marveling at the story of a kid, just like them, who found something special in himself. It didn't matter who you grew up to be, but who you were when you picked up "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Read the Entire Article by Hillary Brady to learn more.