A Muggle Born's Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Last time I wrote a Muggle's Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You can read that article here. This week we feature an exclusive look at Island of Adventure's newest land from the point of view of a Muggle-Born. For those of you who have read all seven Harry Potter books, you know that a Muggle-Born is a wizard with non-magical parents. I guess that makes me a non-magical parent. Therapy is helping me deal with that. Meanwhile, let's look at this brand new attraction from my daughter's point of view, which she says is superior to mine.

The details are dripping throughout this land, especially at Hogsmeade Village, a main street that incorporates elements of Diagon Alley. We will also reference the book and, sometimes, the page (from the hardcover edition) where you can find these details, so you can research them for yourself.

So let's take the photo journey through the area of Hogsmeade:

Hogwart's Express awaits you at the entrance to Hogsmeade. The express is mentioned in nearly every book starting with the first one (page 193). I sometimes wonder if this isn't a stripped down and re-themed version of the old Back to the Future train that used to be next door at Universal Studios. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Zonko's Joke Shop. This colorful, but intimate setting carries "jokes and tricks to fulfill even Fred and George Weasley's wildest dreams." (Book 3: 278). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Conjured up by Fred and George Weasley, Puking Pastilles are perfect for making one puke in an effort to avoid taking tests or attending lessons. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Hermione: "That's totally barbaric." Ron: "That's the Wizard's Chess" (book 1) Here it's depicted outside of Zonco's. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Many of the items referenced in the books can be found throughout the store. The merchandise is truly unique to such as can be purchased, such as Screaming Yo-Yo's and Punching Telescopes (Book 6: 118). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

U-no-poo, after all, "Why are you worrying about you-know-who? You should be worrying about u-no-poo: The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation! (Book 6: 116). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

There's a sign stating Please Do Not Walk on the Walls, referencing a point in the film version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where a kid had special shoes that allowed them to do just that. You can see the kids' foot prints still there. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

As you cross over between Zonkos and Honeydukes, look up to the ceiling where you will see extendable ears (Book 5: 67). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Every flavor jelly beans from Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jelly Beans. "When they say flavor, they mean every flavor-you know you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George reckons he had a bogey-flavor one once." (Book 1:103,104) In the movie it was booger. Either way, the risk is yours! Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Honeydukes is Hogsmeade's legendary sweetshop, filled with chocolate frogs and the Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Chocolate frogs are only half the fun, due to the collectible cards inside (Book 1:102) Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Exploding Bon-Bons are a favorite (Book 3:197). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Entrance to the Three Broomsticks. "Shall we go for Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?" (Book 3:200). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Again, difficult to see in the daylight, but study this window to the left of Three Broomsticks, and you'll see—and hear—pots and pans cleaning themselves. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Difficult to capture on film, but you see shadows of house-elves catching floating pots and pans around the room (Book 2). Other images such as flying owls can be discerned, but only if you keep looking upward (Book 1). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Have you seen this wizard? Wanted posters around Hogsmeade like this one of Sirius come alive in ways you never seen them come alive before (Book 3). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Step into these restrooms for an alarming experience with Moaning Myrtle (Book 2:156), who rambles on as you take on more private matters. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

You have to carefully look upward to see the activity going on at Dominic Maestros. One window has a cello playing in it by itself, another has a flurry of sheet music flying around. Dominique was a wizard or witch whose name was carved into a wood panel on the wall of Professor Trelawney's Divination classroom in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Hermione wears a dress of Periwinkle Blue to the Yule Ball (Book 4:414). This dress resembles the one found in the movie. An animated cat made of measuring tape completes the window scene. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Gilderoy Lockhart and his books are well self-promoted in this ode to  "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (Book 2).  As Lockhart puts it, "Celebrity is as celebrity does, Harry." Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Let's step over to Ollivander's Wand Shop.

"The wand chooses the wizard, Remember." (Book 1:85). Here in Olivander's, that premise is put to the test. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Outside Dervish and Banges, brooms of all kinds are advertised. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Don't put your fingers in too close to the Book of Monsters. You are not allowed to stroke this one. (Book 3:13). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Legendary Owl Post (Book 3: 278). Here you can have a letter stamped with a Hogsmeade postmark. And one owl comes out on signal and like a cuckoo clock, gives a hoot (you know what I mean). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Outside of Dervish and Banges in the Owlery is an electronic dragon chasing Harry on a broom around the Hogwarts castle. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Butterbeer is good. "Harry drank deeply. It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted (Book 3:201) That said, Frozen Butterbeer is better. Pumpkin Juice is even better than that. But Pumpkin Fizz (not sure that's in the book) tops them all (found in Three Broomsticks). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

As you can see, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is full of details that allude to the books and films. Special thanks to my cute little Muggle-Born, Jennica, who helped me navigate Harry Potter's world. Next time will highlight the attractions, including The Forbidden Journey.