Our next day, we went to the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure...and as soon as we got there, we RAN to the Harry Potter part fo the park. So did everyone else who was arriving at the same time. I will tell you that it was very cool, very detailed and very popular! 
My dad is totally into Harry Potter so this was his big exciting morning! The pictures are of Hogsmeade, there were lots of people dressed in potter attire, young and old alike! They wserved Butterbeer and everything was really very authentic!
My dad and Christy in front of the Hogwarts Express
There are three rides in the Harry Potter part of the park. The most exciting and the newest one is the castle ride. Above is a sign posted outside the ride. I thought the prosthetic limb part was amusing and have never seen that before!
The castle, Hogwarts castle, with only a 10 minute wait...all of which involves walking through the elaborate castle. This wait time is only because we got there as the park opened and ran to Harry Potter...apparently the ride is hard to get on once the park is open for even half an hour!
My dad in front of a statue of a phoenix...the folowinog pics are all from inside the castle
my sister and I should have heeded this warning!
Dumbledore's office
a dragon skeleton
basilisk fangs
a moving and talking sorting hat...very cool! Overall the ride would have been great if my sister and I didn't have horrible motion sickness. Even if you have even the tiniest bit of motion sickness, don't go on this ride! I got off barely able to walk and almost vomited...it was terrible, but I wanted it to be great! I can do the gnarliest of roller coasters but can't ride a carousel...oh well!
Bode stopped to play with his belly button for a while!
The boys with Thing 2
The boys with Sam I Am
Charlie and Spider Man...he was creepy to be honest!
Wolverine...the boys have never seen X-men but they thought anything dressed up was great!
Cyclops
There were lots of people walking around eating these giant turkey legs so my dad got one to fit in!
It started pouring rain right after lunch so we ducked into the dinosaur exhibit area. It was the only rain we had all week and although it ended our day early, we were able to see alot of the attractions and got to ride the Hulk which is a fabulous roller coaster!
This dinosaur had the ability to make the head move, but Charlie didn't know it. He had kisses the dinosaur and nothing happened, we told him to kiss it again while my dad made the head move and he was AMAZED! He later told my dad that if you kiss a dinosaur's head twice it makes his head move...it was very cute!
Later that night we went to the Hoop-de-Doo revue...my dad booked the seats as he had heard it was a must see with kids. It was the highlight of my trip. It really was a fantastic time and there was good food, funny servers, and great entertainment! They served all you can eat ribs, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, beans, beer and wine.
Mike and Alex were in HEAVEN!
The beer and wine were served in large Mason Jars...above is my wine!
Charlie was in charge of passing out straws and he took his job very seriously!
Our table, right in the middle of it all!
we were all hooping it up!
And the true highlight, Charlie got brought up on stage (his dream come true) to dress up as a Texas Ranger and act with the show. He was not scared, shy or anything. he did everything they asked him to and he LOVED it! Kind of make me nervous that he went backstage with total strangers and had no fear, but hey! He was cracking up through the whole show and clearly had a great time!
I was so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!
