All aboard the Hogwarts Express! This is one commute worth buying a ticket for!
As I settled uncomfortably against the shoulder of the commuter wedged in front of me, the question that had been bugging me for months became apparent again. Why is train travel such a misery? Surely it has to be one of the least enjoyable modes of transportation known to mankind? Old, creaky and with questionable levels of cleanliness. And that’s just some of the patrons…
And then I received the news that somewhere out there in the big wide world, the concept of train travel was returning to the fun, magical ideal of what it used to be, pre-privatization.
And where else would this dream become reality but in Orlando, Florida at the hugely successful Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Scheduled to open this summer, this amazing experience brings to life the Hogwarts Express train, which transports guests from the Muggle world to the wizarding world on a deliciously authentic steam train without so much as a sniff of a delay caused by “leaves on the line.” I for one, cannot wait to replace the usual sight of stuffy grey suited fellow commuters with the likes of the Weasley twins on brooms and Buckbeak the Hippogriff swooping gracefully across my view…even Dementors would be preferable!
Guests can experience more of the magic by booking an onsite stay at one of four Universal Orlando hotels, the newest of which is the four-star Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which features a bowling alley, lazy river, complimentary transportation to the Parks and Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens and of course there is plenty to explore once in-resort, from the action rides of Universal Studios to the bars and clubs at CityWalk.
Orlando remains perhaps the best family-friendly and fun-loving destination in the world and this latest opening at Diagon Alley is sure to cement its status for a good while to come as the very latest in cutting edge technology continues to enthrall and excite visitors. My hope is that the next time I find myself day-dreaming of sunnier climes and Hagrid on a flying motorbike as my train rattles through suburban London, I will be just days away from departing for Orlando, Florida and making that magical commute a reality.
7 nights room-only at the 4* Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort from £859 per adult including return flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick. Valid for stays between 01-30 Sep 14
For more Orlando/Florida holidays follow the link below:
https://www.letsgo2.com/holidays/usa/florida/default.aspx
