So as we are winding down on day 4 I can tell that the students and counselors are starting to get a bit tired. They spent all day, and I mean all day at Universal Studios – Islands of Adventure. They were there as the park opened and heading to the buses as the park closed for the day.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade area is completely packed with people all day long. The lines for Butterbeer wrap around corners and stretch down the main roads. There is a reason for this, it tastes amazing.  Also found here are the Harry Potter rides. These lines aren’t short but well worth the wait. Dragon Challenge is an intense twisting and looping high-speed roller coaster where you have climbed aboard one of two dragons that go screaming past each other. The students have said this is one of their favorite rides and one that they did multiple times. The other big ride is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey that can be found in the magnificent Hogwarts Castle. Not only is this an awesome ride, but the que line that you have to wait in has extreme detail from the books and movies. It completely immerses you in the Wizarding World at Hogwarts. The ride is as if you are riding on a broomstick flying around Hogwarts, playing quiddich and flying away from dragons. You are also flying past animatronic dragons, spiders and the whomping willow tree itself. As you fly through classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts you really feel as if you are a part of that world. Again the students, and chaperones, really enjoyed this ride.

After they landed back at Hogwarts they headed to Jurassic Park where they encountered some pretty big dinosaurs. Not sure how many braved the Jurassic Park River Adventure but for those who did, they received a much needed bath. Of course it isn’t necessarily clean water since this is where the dinosaurs live.

In Marvel Super Hero Island, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man were a huge success.  Doctor Doom’s sends you 150 feet into the air just to drop you. Quite a thrilling ride from what I’m to understand.

Like the Disney theme parks, you can find characters here as well. I know that one group found the Grinch and The Cat in The Hat and Thing 1 & Thing 2.

                         
There are many things to see and do but I’m going to end tonight with some pictures of Hogwarts Castle. The great lengths that Universal went too are impressive. You really feel as if you are in Hogsmeade shopping and playing. You might even eat at Three Broomsticks, shop for candy at Honeydukes or purchase a wand at Olivander’s.

Tomorrow is performance day and I will have many pictures and hopefully some more input from the students on how excited they were for this event. Thank you again Kylee for sharing your amazing pictures and so glad you and your friends are having the trip of a lifetime.
To Infinity and Beyond – Traci