TRAVELLIVE 04-2017

chest will open magically. Scattered
in the Wizarding World of Harry
Potter are many more attractions
for you to show your skills, but
remember to purchase the right
Magical Wand!
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TRAVELLIVE
niversal Studios also
offers the Express
Pass, allowing
guests to shorten
the wait time at
some games, or
set up fixed times
to avoid long queues. You should
notice that the Express Pass is sold
separately and cannot be used as
the Studio Pass. Some people are
hesitant to pay the extra fee for the
Express Pass, but in my opinion,
the Express Pass really gets its
money's worth with it, especially if
you only visit the Universal Studios
Osaka once or twice. Without this
"Wait free pass", your queue time
for some hotspot attractions such
as Harry Potter and the Forbidden
Journey may exceed 90 minutes!
Unlike other parts at Universal
Studios, the Wizarding World
of Harry Potter is situated in a
separate area at the entrance of
a pine forests. The theme music
makes it as mysterious as the
Forbidden forest which surround
Hogwarts castle in the movie.
Along the pathway, you will have
a chance to catch sight of Ron's
Flying Car stuck in a bush in the
road, flashing its lights and revving
its engine as if its seeking its
former owner.
Skirting the forest for about 2
minutes, you will arrive at the
Hogsmeade village gate Behind this
solid stone gate is the Hogwarts
Express with the conductor dressed
in a British-styled uniform. You
can line up to take photos with the
conductor, or partake in a "cooler"
activity: showing your magic skills!
Not that at Universal Studios's
shops, including in the Wizarding
World of Harry Potter, there are 2
kinds of magical wands available
for purchase: Original Wands and
the so-called "genuine" Magical
Wand. The Magical Wand is just
slightly more expensive, but it has
a special inductor so that when you
visit some specific attractions in the
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
and use your wand following some
moves, "magic" really happens!
Back to the Hogwarts Express, next
to the locomotive are some luggage
chests, where you can practice
casting your first spell on with the
special wand. The administrator
will guide you through how to use
your wand to start the inductor
on the chest. It will take 2 or 3
attempts; however, when you
perform the moves correctly, the
Leaving the Hogwarts Express
behind, your next stop must be the
stall selling butter beer! The park
features 2 - 3 food stalls where you
can enjoy the favorite foods and
beverages of the young wizards.
Butterbeer is amber with thick
cream foam. It is sweet, fragrant,
and non-alcohol. You can also buy
the cups with the word "butterbeer"
printed on them for your family
as friends as a gift. Apart from
butterbeer, there are many dishes
that every fan of Harry Potter
knows such as chocolates and
candies with various flavors.
The Hogsmeade village's shops,
including Honeydukes Sweetshop,
Zonko's Joke Shop, and especially
Olivander's Wand Shop easily
entice customers. At Olivander's,
wands are sophisticatedly
There are 2 kinds of magical wands available for purchase:
Original Wands and Magical Wand. In the Wizarding World
of Harry Potter, visit some specific attractions and use your
wand following some moves, "magic" really happens!
designed, with some following the
characteristics of Harry's, Ron's,
Hermione's, Dumbledore's, and
Voldermort's wands as well. Here,
you can join a short tour, exploring
the workplace of Mr. Olivander
behind a secret door. A lucky
visitor will be allowed to try a magic
wand like Harry Potter in the first
episode. Pirate maps, monsters,
flying brooms, and other bewitched
items are displayed in different
shops. You absolutely shouldn't
miss any shop!
The last place in the Harry Potter
themed park is nowhere else but
Hogwarts Castle. Situated on the