The Polite Traveler

What is Universal's King’s Cross Station & The Hogwarts Express Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Channeling the excitement Harry must have had for his first ride on the Hogwarts Express – and finding platform 9 ¾ – I nearly ran through a wonderfully replicated King’s Cross Station to get to said train.  Totally unnecessary, but I couldn’t help it.  I am an old lady who still thinks she is a kid. Note : Follow CDC and Park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Let’s Make a Little Magic Attention to detail is on overload at King’s Cross, right down to the perfume ad Harry and Dumbledore stood in front of near the beginning of the movie Half-Blood Prince.  Slow down and try to appreciate the setting.  Gaze at the brick walls.  Appreciate the ubiquitous musician at the front of the station—very typical at the actual King’s Cross in London.  Platform 9 ¾ Once up a flight...

Special Cookies Not to Missed in Universal Studios Florida Revised 4/2021 Visiting Universal Orlando is like reliving a childhood only realized in a fantasy world.  Since I am a vintage variety of child who thrives on fantasy, this is the place for me.  What follows is my list of favorite “cookies” found around the two parks. Note : Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public. Hooray for Hollywood and ... Turn to the right as you enter the park and you will find yourself in Hollywood—one of my favs and one of the best places to find iconic characters, like Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball.   One can also find...wait for it... Scooby-Doo and the Gang!  The gang even drove the Mystery Machine.  As a die-hard Scooby-Doo fan, I was ecstatic.   Not so fast, Hollywood isn’t just about actors dressed up, it is also about the setting.  The attention to detail is evident at every turn ...

Special Cookies Not to Missed in Islands of Adventure Revised 4/2021 Everyone loves a good cookie and when on vacation, why not seek out the best.  Here I share with you the very best cookies I found during my most recent visit to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure . Note : Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public. Pity the Villains who Dare to Enter the Marvel Superhero Island When I first entered Marvel Superhero Island, I wasn’t a fan.  Loud music and superhero posters lining the streets didn’t impress me.  My view completely changed on this recent visit.  Walking down the street in this area of the park is like being in a superhero comic book.  Only here, all the superheroes and villains are alive.     Besides the Green Goblin sightings – which are always fun, as he pulls pranks on guests – the golden “cookie” here shows up at the top of the hour.  Near the top of most h...

Restaurants in Hogsmeade Are they Expensive & Overrated or Good Food Reasonably Priced? Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Ah to be young, free and playing my day away in the sun.  Well, that’s exactly what I did for my 60 th birthday , except that I shared it with thousands of others at Universal Orlando immersing myself in everything Harry Potter.  This included trying out as much of the various food options offered by those in the Wizarding world.  In this case, I’m eating my way through Hogsmeade.  Was it worth it?  Follow along to find out. Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Three Broomsticks As my travel buddy/husband and I trekked our way from the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade I fought tears of joy.  It looked and felt so much like the books and movies.  One difference is the mass of muggles.   Glancing to my left, I see a building adorned...

There's More to Do Than Just Ride Rollercoasters in These Parks Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Turning 60 is a major life event for a woman.  Or, is that just me?  For my 60th, I wanted to play like a kid again and indulge my love of everything Harry Potter.  Consequently, I decided to spend my hard-earned vacation dollars at Universal Studios Florida.  Nevertheless, I couldn’t just spend all my time, drooling over the new Diagon Alley and Hogsmead—which includes the Hogswart Castle.  I hoped for Galleons of entertainment.  After all, Universal Studios is an active movie studio.  Was I disappointed?  Follow along to find out. Muggle note : Galleons is Wizarding Money. Note : Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Meet your favorite movie, cartoon, and comic book characters. Smitten with superheroes?  How about a classic movie actor of the past...

Hokey or Realistic?  Over-Priced or Worth Every Penny? Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, I’ve always been the mature one, the one to be counted on to be responsible.  However, when I turned 50, I decided that I needed more fun and color in my life.  Out came the purple hats and coffee with friends three times each week.    As I was about to turn 60, my hubby asked where I’d like to go for a special vacation.  Instead of considering a much more “mature” vacation of sitting on a beach somewhere or visiting a museum-laden city, I decided to give in to my inner Potter Head and venture across the country to Orlando Florida.  Universal Orlando and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for me baby!  Note : Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Since there is so much to see and do in Diagon Alley, I will focus on just the shops in this article. Stocking up on wiz...