Hey, did I ever tell you my favorite grace-under-pressure story?
It happened just recently. And not to me, thank God. But – rather – to poor Rupert
Grint, the talented young actor who's
played Ron Weasley in all of the "Harry Potter" movies to date.
Photo by Jim Hill
Now let me take a moment to properly set the scene here: It's
a brutally hot June afternoon in Central Florida. I'm down at Universal Studios'
Islands of Adventure theme park attending The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's
grand opening press event. To be specific,
I'm standing in line just outside the entrance of Ollivander's Wand Shop with a
perfect view of what's about to occur.
Anyway … Poor Rupert Grint. Since 8 o'clock in the morning,
he's been doing interview after interview as part of the official launch of IOA's
newest "land." Gamely answering the same stupid questions over & over &
over again (i.e. "What do you think of The Wizarding World? Is it just like being
inside of a Harry Potter movie? What's your favorite ride?", etc). All the
while trying to beat the heat by guzzling bottle after bottle of spring water.
Photo by Jim Hill
And after enduring 4 straight hours of this … To be blunt,
the poor guy's got to go. So Rupert quickly ducks into Hogsmeade Village's public
convenience. Which is located right next door to the Three Broomsticks &
the Hog's Head Pub. More importantly, right across the street from Ollivander's
Wand Shop.
But what poor Mr. Grint doesn't realize is that – while he's
in the loo – Universal Orlando has decided to allow a certain number of resort
guests to enter The Wizarding World. So – in two minute's time – hundreds
of people have come pouring into Hogsmeade Village. What's more, word quickly
spreads that one of the stars of the "Harry Potter" movies has just gone into
the men's room. So a lot of these tourists are now crowded around the entrance to the restroom, waiting to see who's going to emerge.
Photo by Jim Hill
So imagine Rupert's surprise when he steps back out into the sunlight and finds that there are now 200+ people waiting for him in the streets. Grint looks out into this veritable sea
of digital cameras (which are now recording his every move) and then – right off
the top of his head – Rupert says: "Well, I'm really glad that I washed my
hands."
Now how many of us – faced with this same sort of situation –
could have come up with a line like that? Something that instantly charmed &
disarmed that crowd? I know that I certainly couldn't have done it.
Photo by Jim Hill
Anyway … That story came to mind because I've just been
paging through "Universal Orlando 2011" (The Intrepid Traveler, September
2010). Which bills itself as being "The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme
Park Adventure."
I'll say this much: If you're a Universal newbie and are just
now considering taking your very first trip to this 840-acre Central Florida resort
because of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter … Well, then you really owe it
to yourself to pick up a copy of this 302-page paperback. For Seth Kubersky – working with Kelly
Monaghan – has done a brilliant job of updating the 10th edition of
this unofficial guide to the Universal Orlando Resort.
Copyright 2010 The Intrepid Traveler
All rights reserved
In fact, if you read those 17 pages of new Wizarding World-centric content that Seth & Kelly have created for "Universal Orlando 2011," then you're virtually guaranteed to see all of those great Harry Potter-related touches that the crew at Universal Creative have hidden away
in Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village. Everything from those hovering brooms
which are tethered to the second-story balcony in Dervish & Banges to those holographic
"Howlers" that regularly scream at passersby from the windows at the Owl Post.
Thanks to this unofficial guidebook, you'll now know to keep
an eye out for that flurry of sheet music which occurs whenever that enchanted
cello in Dominic Maestro's second-story music shop suddenly hits a bad note. Or
– better yet – search for that runaway snitch which flits around inside of the window at Spintwitches
sporting goods.
Photo by Jim Hill
Kubersky & Monaghan clue you in to the subtle but special ways you can make the most of your day in Harry
Potter Land. Like suggesting that you slip the bartender at the Hog's Head Pub
a tip (so that he or she will then be compelled to hit the hidden switch. Which will then bring this establishment's
grizzly namesake – which is mounted behind the bar next to a brace of shrunken
heads — snorting to life) as well as where to look for those dishes that wash
themselves at the Three Broomsticks and/or that tailor-tape cat which playfully
paws at the hem of Heromine's Yule Ball gown in the window at Gladrags
Wizardwear.
Which is why that I have to say that "Universal Orlando 2011"
is damn near indispensable if you're planning on visiting the Wizarding World in the coming year. Oh, sure. Some things may have already changed
since this paperback was published just last month (EX: Universal has
reportedly adjusted the safety restraints which are used on "Harry Potter and
the Forbidden Journey" 's flying benches. Which means that more of UOR's
heftier customers can now experience that cutting-edge attraction which many
industry insiders are calling the most amazing theme park ride currently operating
in the US). But that said, there still isn't another book on the market right now that does a better job of walking you through the Wizarding World … or the rest of the Universal Orlando Resort, for that matter.
Photo by Jim Hill
So be sure to pick up a copy of "Universal Orlando 2011" if
you plan on visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter anytime soon. More to the point, if
you find yourself ducking into that public convenience right next door to the Three Broomsticks
& the Hog's Head Pub (if only so you can then hear that recording of
Moaning Myrtle. Who supposedly haunts both the men's and the ladies rooms) … Well, you might want to consider washing your hands
before you head back into the Park.
You know. Just in case.
Photo by Jim Hill
Your thoughts?