As I wrote about in a previous post, I went to the “Open at the Close” event two weeks ago. I didn’t write about the different shops in the Harry Potter theme park, because I didn’t have the time. I think the most significant part of the park is not really Hogwarts, but Hogsmeade. Honeydukes, Dervish and Banges, Zonko’s Joke Shop, The Three Broomsticks… All these famous shops are there. However, Ollivander’s, which is actually located in Diagon Alley, is in Hogsmeade too, instead, but I can understand why. You really can’t have a Harry Potter theme park without the opportunity to experience a wand choosing a wizard!
Even though the sweets looked absolutely delectable at Honeydukes, I avoided buying any. I was especially worried about buying a Chocolate Frog. While I desperately wanted a souvenir Wizard Card, I was concerned about the frog melting before I made it back to my hotel. I could have bought some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans instead, but those never seemed appealing to me. What if I ate vomit or ear wax?
Besides, during the time that I was there, during the “Open at the Close” event, all the LeakyCon attendees were given free food and drinks, so I really had more than my fair share of Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice. Actually, I only had one glass/bottle each, but that was more than enough for me, because they are truly unbearably sweet, so sweet that I couldn’t finish them. I managed to chug my Pumpkin Juice, but I had to throw the rest of my Butterbeer away. Hopefully, I will get back someday to taste the rest of these sweets!
Going to Hogsmeade and to Hogwarts was truly a magical, and very surreal experience. I swear I started to hyperventilate as I walked through the front doors of the park, as I saw the Hogwarts Express, as I saw the peaks of the shops in Hogwsmeade, and as I eventually saw the turrets and towers of Hogwarts.
I will write one more post covering the rest of my experiences at LeakyCon hopefully very soon. My deadline is before July 31st, because I know I will be working hard after that point to get into the Pottermore beta.
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