December 2022 Day 2: Harry Potter

Jun 6

Jun 6 December 2022 Day 2: Harry Potter

The Leaky Cauldron!! Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Potted Butterbeer

I have had the most MAGICAL day!!!! Despite not getting settled until nearly 1 my brain was awake by 5:17 I figured out park times and looked longingly at the map on my phone to see just how close Hogwarts was . I set up the mini advent calendar I made, and I brought Winky along in his spiffy new robes! First and most important plan for the day, Ollivanders!!! The kids woke up to brand new wizarding robes, and wand holsters I made them to hold their magical new wands!!!

Ollivanders was overwhelming in the best way! Donovan was just sure I needed my own interactive wand, and I’m so glad he talked me into it. I Had just as much fun as the kids, and I got Hermione’s wand! It has beautiful vines etched onto it. I really need a good way to display these! Donovan got an Ash wand. It was the wand suggested by his birthday . Maia chose Hazel wood with Dragon Heartstrings, and Sera got Ginny Weasley’s Yew wand with a Phoenix feather core. And she later got a Phoenix plush she named Joy who donated her feather. Maia and Eric rode the Gringotts ride while Sera, DZ and I had some quiet time in Knockturn Alley.

We reveled in casting spells, drank some frozen butterbeer and got some ice cream, ate lunch in the Leaky Cauldron, and then rode the Hogwarts Express! Every location was just magical! Beautiful garlands everywhere, snow dusting the roofs in Hogsmeade, and snow in Diagonal Alley! .

You cast a spell to make the water fountain work! Aguamenti!!!

After some spell casting and shopping in Hogsmeade, DZ and Sera needed a rest. Maia was still going strong so we watched all the shows we could find! The Tri Wizard Rally was amazing, and then there were special Christmas shows! They had a Frog Chorus and Celestina Warbeck sang. Maia particularly liked showing off her wand and holster to her fellow Slytherin in the frog chorus. I loved the music and dancing and hope the other kids get to see it! . Maia and I explored every shop, got many Christmas ornaments and a Monster Book of Monsters Journal, and rode the Hogwarts Express back!

I got a Christmas ornament just like this

The Knight Bus was hilarious. He congratulated Maia and me for bringing Hufflepuff and Slytherin together.

We met the others for dinner at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium! It was ridiculously delicious. We didn’t make it back to see Hogwarts lit up for Christmas, but hopefully tomorrow we will!!!