Go for the Gold - Welcome Event

Technically, the welcome event for my check-in date was one themed to Up! But there weren't going to be any cool characters, so I didn't go. I did, however, decide to go to the Olympics-themed event because there were going to be characters dressed up like they were from different countries! It took place at Chatham and I got there a little after it started. They were giving out little gold metals to everyone at the entrance to the field.

When I arrived, they were just starting some Disney trivia. I answered the question, "What is the first restaurant you see when you enter the Magic Kingdom?" Answer: Tony's Town Square. I won a freaking chair! How awesome!

My cat sitting in the chair I won.

 After that, I decided to get in line for the characters. I met Asian Chip and Dale and German Mickey.

The characters were in Chatham Classroom 4, which is where all my classes are!

Then I went and got my photo made in the photo booth.

Then I took some pics at the photo ops out in the field.

 

After that, I went and got my picture taken with the other group of characters: Italian Goofy, Spanish(?) Donald, and Statue of Liberty Minnie!

Then I got Jon a slice of pizza and a drink and left. There wasn't anything else to do other than dance to dumb music. (Although, I have to give them credit for playing Nsync and Spice Girls. Way to go, CP team!).

Free drinks! They stamp your hand when you get food.

Chatham's pool.

It was a pretty cool event. Maybe I won't have to go by myself next time. I hope they have more events with cool themed characters at some point!

Harry Potter Celebration at Universal - Part 2

 This morning I got up and headed to Universal to check out the Harry Potter Expo and attempt to attend some of the panels that would be happening throughout the day at Islands of Adventure. I never did make it to any panels, but the Expo was awesome!

I was an idiot and, upon arriving at the park and seeing all the cool photo ops, decided to return home just to change into my Slytherin uniform. *sigh*

It really sucked going to the event alone. I wish I knew other Harry Potter fans in the area. I did meet a lot of nice people while waiting in line. Quite a few of the Universal team members struck up a conversation with me throughout the day, complimented me on my costume, and offered to take photos for me. So that was nice! It made me really want to work at Universal. (Shh, don't tell anyone.)

Anyway, I had a blast. Here are some photos I took during the event:

This was one of the nice men that talked to me during the event! He was so nice.

Gringotts Bank vault photo-opportunity!

 

A set-up from the U.S. Postal Service where you could get a free souvenir photo! (Both physical and digital copies!)

Physical props from the movies:

The sorting hat ceremony! Of course, I was sorted into Slytherin and I documented the whole thing. (Suck it, Pottermore!)

The graphic designers for the Harry Potter films were there with actual props from the movies!

Costumes from Prisoner of Azkaban:

A wall presented by Scholastic where you could write was Harry Potter means to you.

Paul Harris, the wand choreographer for the films!

After seeing all there was to see at the Expo and participating in some wand combat lessons, I headed over to Islands of Adventure to ride Forbidden Journey.

I'm so excited for Diagon Alley to open this summer! Only a few more months!

Harry Potter Celebration at Universal - Part 1

Tonight was the beginning of the Harry Potter Celebration weekend at Universal Orlando, so I just simply had to go. So, as soon as I got off work, I changed clothes in the bathroom and headed off to Universal!

When I arrived, I walked as quickly as possible to the front of the park, trying to figure out how to buy an annual pass at such a late hour. I found guest relations, waited in line, purchased my annual pass (after haggling with the guy to let me use my apartment utilities bill as proof of Florida residency since I don't have a Florida I.D. yet), and got into the park just barely before they closed the park. The event was held 30 minutes after the park closed, so you had to actually be in the park before that time to attend. It was an insane rush to try to achieve all of this in the time that I had, but I made it!

Neville, Fred, George, Luna, Seamus, Mr. Weasley

It was so cold tonight that I bought a pretzel just to warm my hands up. It was really cool to get to see so many members of the Harry Potter cast in person and I'm really glad I went. Also, Neville is a babe:

I won't get to go at all tomorrow, but I plan on spending the first half of the day there on Sunday! Can't wait to see everything else at the Expo!