When I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago for the IAPSC conference, it also happened to be school vacation week so I brought the kids along for a visit to my parents’ house.  They all survived while I was in Miami Beach, so when I got back from the conference I took them to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando.  One of our Florida specwriters, Steve King, had written the hardware spec for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to check it out.

I was so touched that Steve, our end-user rep, Ron McWilliams, and Universal’s Physical Security Administrator, Jimmy Haveard, met us in Diagon Alley to show me a few doors.  The kids were very impressed that Jimmy knew how to get onto the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in record time.  I don’t think they were as impressed that I got to go up the VIP stair and therefore I must be a VIP.  😀 

I can’t describe the scale of Hogwarts Castle – it’s HUGE!!!  And the snow-covered roofs of the shops almost had the kids convinced that it had actually snowed.  We had a lot of fun in the park but I have to say that the highlight for me was spending time with fellow hardware-lovers (I’m sure that does not come as a surprise to many of you).  Many thanks to Steve, Ron, and Jimmy for the guided tour!!

Here are some photos from other areas of Universal Studios – mostly in Seuss Landing:

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.