The DeMaio's hit Universal Studios!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Map and Overview Video

Review by TRAVIS REED, The Associated Press

Until now, Harry Potter fans could merely imagine the sensation of quaffing a butterbeer, finding a magic wand at Ollivander's or escaping the steam from a snarling dragon's snout.

But finally, 13 years after the first of seven books began chronicling the boy wizard's adventures, imagination has become reality at Universal Orlando.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ( www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter), a minipark inside Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, opened for general admission in June.

Past a stone archway and the steam-belching Hogwarts Express, the fictitious city of Hogsmeade unfolds amid snowcapped, dingy rooftops and storefronts packed like row houses with shops straight from the books and movies. Zonko's joke shop offers Sneakoscopes and extendable ears.



The confectionery Honeydukes has chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans (pear and fish are among the delectable assortment). At the Owl Post, guests can stamp mail with a genuine Hogsmeade postmark.

Towering over it all is Hogwarts, a reproduction of the imposing, many-spired castle where Harry and his magician friends are students.

"Once we locked in and knew what we were doing, what we thought would be the most iconographic moments of the fiction to bring to life," the challenge was to strive for authenticity and detail, said Mark Woodbury, head of Universal Creative.

Park construction was overseen by the production manager from the Potter movies, and as Warner Bros. filmed the series' sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half- Blood Prince, scenes were shot for the park's crown jewel, a ride called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

The cutting-edge ride seamlessly combines the sensation of flight with tactile experiences – smoke, droplets of water – as it takes guests through a hodgepodge of encounters in Potter's chaotic life, from the Quidditch field to the mouths of giant spiders and dragons. While waiting in line, patrons can see lifelike projections of film characters such as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Potter author J.K. Rowling is a stickler for details, and Universal worked hard to get her OK. So many recipes were offered to find the perfect look, texture and taste for the heretofore fictitious butterbeer that Woodbury says he lost count. "We had to package up all the ingredients and rent a hotel kitchen in Scotland [where Rowling lives] so that we could put it all together," he said.

The result? A tasty, nonalcoholic brew reminiscent of cream soda that has proven wildly popular with fans.

Besides the Forbidden Journey, Wizarding World has just two other rides: Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge, both of which are older roller coasters repurposed with Potter themes.

There's no additional admission for Wizarding World once you pay to enter Islands of Adventure and shopping opportunities are extensive – from broomsticks ($250 to $300) to magic wands ($28.95) to Gryffindor scarves ($34.95).

DID YOU KNOW?

...that Celebrity Cruise Lines now offers UNLIMITED DRINK PACKAGES? Make your vacation more relaxing and enjoyable by paying one set price for a wide variety of beverage choices! Combined with a fabulous cruise ship and interesting itinerary, you've got an all-inclusive vacation! Oh, you need a tempting example? OK, try this one....



Starting in November 2011, The Celebrity Silhouette will sail from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, offering cruisers throughout the Northeast easy driving access to a vacation on the newest ship in the line's award-winning fleet. After Celebrity Silhouette makes her debut in Europe, she will be homeported in Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey during the winter of 2011-12, with a series of 12-night Caribbean voyages. That covers the entire holiday period, AND spring break!!



St. Kitts! St. Lucia! Antigua! FROM NEW JERSEY? YES!!!

Resort Review: Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Behold, Travel with Lisa fans, a full report (plus slideshow) of the FABULOUS Royal Plantation Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica! Tom and I were lucky enough to get away for a few nights for our anniversary. Royal Plantation exceeded EVERYTHING I was hoping for in a quick, extremely pampering, very relaxing getaway. I HIGHLY recommend this all-oceanview, all-inclusive, all butler-service suite resort the next time you and someone special want to get away for a bit. If you only knew a travel agent....


So, where to begin? The non-stop flight is 3 and a half hours from Newark. You go through customs and then head to the swanky Sandals Lounge. Tastefully elegant, there are three comfortable sitting areas with refreshments. You are quickly (less than 10 minutes) called to meet your driver, where you are privately transferred to the resort in an air conditioned Toyota Picnic. Red Stripe, water and soda are provided in a cooler for the 1 hr and 20 minute ride down a freeway to Royal Plantation. Upon arriving at Royal Plantation, you are warmly greeted with a cold lavender scented towel and a drink of choice. Check in is quick and done in a quaint sitting area near the main entrance. Your butler comes to meet you and escorts you to your suite. We were in Suite 253, one of the more moderate level suites, and it was SPECTACULAR. Your butler will offer to unpack for you, stock the in-suite bar with your drink preferences, make dinner reservations, and give you a tour of the property. He also gives you a cell phone that rings him direct 24/7. There is a flat screen TV with full satellite programming from Miami, excellent air conditioning, two ceiling fans, double vanity, walk in closet with safe, sitting area, and french balcony with direct ocean views.


Next up was a quick tour of the property; we saw the cute pool area with 2 jacuzzi's, 2 beach areas, the spa, gym, tennis courts, beach bar, main lobby bar and two restaurants inside. It was time for lunch and beach! The ocean was amazing, with mixed colors of blue. There are two beach attendants who see to it that no seaweed stays on the beach! We went to the Royal Cafe on the beach and had some freshly muddled mojitos, lobster BLT's and Jerk Chicken, and then onto the loungers!


The beach scene is tranquil; no crowds or difficulty getting the beach spot you want. The beach guys, or your butler, will set it up for you. If you want big pillows under your plush mat for more comfort, they add them. You get a flag to wave when you need Adrian to bring you anything. Here's the deal with Adrian..he makes your beach day one to remember. He arrives at 10am sharp, counts the people on the beach, and brings out the "Mangosas" to start your day. He also cleans your sunglasses, mists you with spray, brings you fresh fruit, and serves you outrageous drinks ALL DAY LONG. If you want lunch right there on your lounger, he serves it to you. I also could not believe that if you get off your lounger and go swimming, the beach guys come and shake all the sand off of your towel before you come back! There are also 15 minute foot massages in a beach cabana.
Non-motorized water sports are also included.


We met Gladstone at the Appleton Lounge that night and he made me his signature drink: a G-stone martini. I LOVED this drink and have the recipe, but YOU have to go here to try it! Camara, the hostess, will come and find you and escort you to your dinner reservation. She is delighful! We had dinner in Le Papillion, the very best in exotic french cuisine. Romaine took excellent care of us! Chilled my red wine just right! Loved when he lifted the big silver domes at the same time! The next night, Jamaican night, we enjoyed a fantastic buffet inside the Terrace Restaurant and our last night we ate outside at the Terrace. The coconut risotto I will never forget! There is also nightly entertainment. Can you tell I love this place?


We had room service delivered promptly two mornings and ate a full, deluxe breakfast the last morning at the Terrace. The coffee! YUM! Fresh squeezed OJ! Orayne, our butler, came in and set up our sitting area like a restaurant! He also knew we LOVED the organic pomegranite ice tea in the fridge and filled it up each day for us. The weather was really spectacular; the sunsets were amazing, no bugs, and lovely sounds of the cicada's each night. They offer internet in the room via a data port for just $38.99 per week. Tom was a happy camper being able to work while on vacation, as only he would love to do! There were MANY excursions we could have chosen to do; Island Routes offers excellent tours and activities in the area. We were just too much in love with Royal Plantation to get up and leave the beach! We did head to the spa for massages and that was very nice!

The service here really is like no other. At lunch, they serve these chips that are made from breadfruit. I asked Marvetta, our waitress, if they had any guacamole to serve with it. She said no, but they would make it for me...and they did!


I would love to tell you more about this wonderful place! Please view my slideshow below and know I have many other pictures as well. I was given a tour of some of the other suites by the beautiful PR Manager Winsome Chambers. It will certainly help me find just the right suite for you! There is also a 3 bedroom villa on the property, if you wanted to travel with friends. Please consider Royal Plantation when thinking about your next vacation!

Royal Plantation Jamaica