NEVER TOO EARLY TO BECOME A FAN OF SUPERHEROES AND WIZARDS

Kids Preferred, an American toy company with a focus on providing developmental tools and entertaining products for infants and toddlers has announced a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to bring some Hollywood magic to little ones. They have joined forces to create an incredible infant and toddler collection that will introduce the enchanting worlds of the DC Universe and Harry Potter to Generation Alpha. It is never too early to become a fan of superheroes and wizards! 

Kids Preferred has brought caped crusaders and beloved wizards to life in the form of cuddly and adorable plush toys, blankets, teethers, and activity toys. Parents can share their fanship with children through an assortment of adorable, safe and family-friendly DC Universe and Harry Potter themed items. A perfect way to ignite the imagination of little ones.

YOU ARE A WIZARD HARRY! 

From the Hogwarts House on-the-go blanket to Dobby foot rattles, parents can introduce little ones to the fantastical people, places and animal companions of the Wizarding World franchise. The Golden Snitch Plush offers embroidered wings filled with a crinkle sound to perk up little ears. The beans tucked inside the golden ball can even boost sensory development.

For teething babies, choose a Harry Potter Teether Blanket to soothe achy gums. Hermione Granger’s Teether blankie, like Harry Potters’s, offers crinkle sounds. A Ron Weasley Plush Beanbag features the red-haired and freckled wizard with many embroidered details. If you must choose between Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw, make sure to have its mascot in plush – Lion, Snake, Badger or Raven.

HOLY RATTLES, TEETHERS & PLUSH TOYS BATMAN!

Kids Preferred has also introduced a range of DC Universe toys to engage the youngest members of the family. From the Batman-on-the-go clip and pull-down vibrating activity toy to the Squeak and Peek Soft Book, there's something for every little superhero. Here are some highlights of the DC Universe collection: 

 - Batman and The Joker 15" plush 

 - Superman Activity toy with rattle, teether, and crinkle sensory textures 

 - Wonder Woman Plush with a swaddling cape 

 - Batman and Superman-themed ribbed textured blankies

Look for these Kids Preferred licensed products this summer and fall at retail partners Amazon, Target, Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble, Burlington and others across the United States. 

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ALBUS DUMBLEDORE FANTASTIC BEASTS WAND

As magic wielding evolved through the generations, wizards and witches began to harness the conducting properties of certain woods to craft wands which allowed for greater accuracy and enhanced power in spellcasting. There becomes a mystical bond between a wand and its magic user that tie to the two together. While most wands tend to be a conduit for a magician's natural connection with the supernatural, others actual bestow extraordinary ability upon its wielder. 

The Elder Wand for example, possessed by Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter novels and movies, was considered to be one of the most powerful wands to ever exist. It would allow its user to perform feats of magic that would normally be impossible for even the most skilled wizards and witches. It was one of three magical items called the Deathly Hallows that were allegedly created by Death himself.

According to legend, three brothers defeated Death in a contest of wits. Each of these brothers from the Peverell family were granted a prize for their victory. Antioch Peverell received the Elder Wand, an immensely powerful that was considered unbeatable; Cadmus Peverell was gifted the Resurrection Stone, which could summon the spirits of the dead; and Ignotus Peverell was given the Cloak of Invisibility which granted its wearer to be unperceivable. Anyone who was to possess all three of these Deathly Hallows would become the Master of Death.

There are gaps, of course, and long ones, where it vanishes from view, temporarily lost or hidden; but it always resurfaces. It has certain identifying characteristics that those who are learned in wandlore recognise... Whether it needs to pass by murder, I do not know. Its history is bloody, but that may be simply due to the fact that it is such a desirable object and arouses such passions in wizards. Immensely powerful, dangerous in the wrong hands, and an object of incredible fascination to all of us who study the power of wands. - Garrick Ollivander discussing the Elder Wand.

While most inhabitants of the wizarding world thought of the Deathly Hallows as simply a spooky story made up by Beedle the Bard to amuse and scare children, it turns out that these magical items were actually very real. In fact, at the time Harry Potter enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the headmaster of the school Albus Dumbledore was unbeknownst to other wielding the Elder Wand. During his battle with Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Potter eventually comes into possession of the Deathly Hallows. He is thus able to master death overcoming Voldemort's curse against him to defeat the evil wizard.

In the J.K. Rowling Fantastic Beast prequel movies to her Harry Potter stories, we are introduced to a middle-aged Dumbledore in the early years of his career at Hogwarts. The casual observer may not notice this, but Albus' wand is distinctly different in Fantastic Beasts from the one in the Harry Potter stories. He hasn't acquired the Elder Wand yet! 

But I have! I've gotten my hands on a movie prop replica of the Fantastic Beasts Albus Dumbledore Wand from The Noble Collection. This officially licensed, screen accurate reproduction is 15.5" long and features the same details as the prop utilized by Jude Law in The Crimes of Grindelwald and Secrets of Dumbledore. The Fantastic Beasts Albus Dumbledore Wand includes silver metallic bands with rune carvings that symbolize light winning out over dark and a carved twisted handle that are exact prop reproductions as used in the films.

I have my wand stashed away at the office. Sometimes when I'm thinking things out or practicing for oral arguments, it is used as a fidget stick that is spun and waved to help me focus on working through a problem or to cut through some stress or tension. While my Fantastic Beasts Albus Dumbledore Wand at the moment is tucked in a desk drawer, it would also make a great decoration to display in a man cave, game room, home library or children's bedroom. Fans of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world are sure to be delighted by this or any of the other movie replica wands available from The Noble Collection. 

I personally like this wand because it has the sophisticated look of a more mature wizard more fitting to my current stature. What style of wand would you wield? Is there a specific look or features that appeal to you? The Noble Collection has a wide selection of officially licensed wands to choose from based upon the movie props utilized by actors in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films produced by Warner Bros Pictures.

Do you think we'll learn more about the Elder Wand in the new Fantastic Beasts 3 film arriving at movie theaters this year? In Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards and witches. They soon encounter an array of old and new beasts as they clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers.

Here is a bit of a spoiler. The Noble Collection has released a movie prop replica of Fantastic Beasts Gellert Grindelwald Wand. It is the Elder Wand as seen in the Harry Potter movies! We are absolutely going to have a wand showdown at some point in the Fantastic Beasts movies. Who else is geeked to see what happens in Fantastic Beasts 3?!

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To view the whole collection of wands and other movie replica props from Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter, head over to noblecollection.com

MAGICAL MOTHERS DAY GIFT IDEAS

Mothers Day will be upon us within a few weeks. Do you have a special lady in your life who is a fan of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world? If so, The Noble Collection has a great selection of jewelry that are authentic prop replicas of items worn in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies that would make magical Mothers Day gifts.

Gellert Grindelwald Pendant

What are the mystical properties of this pendant seen worn by the villainous rogue wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts films? This lovely item of jewelry is silver plated and full of intricate details. The pendant is approximately 3" inches tall and includes a 26" inch long chain.

Hermiones Yule Ball Earrings

Wear the same earrings that Emma Watson wore during the Yule Ball scenes of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. These flower shaped pieces are crafted in sterling silver and set with pink crystals. 

Hermione Red Crystal Necklace

As seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, this necklace worn by Hermione is crafted in sterling silver and set with crystals, faceted glass, and freshwater pearls. The chain is approximately 18" inches long.

Deathly Hallows Necklace

As seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, worn by Xenphilius Lovegood as he recounts Beedle the Bard's "The Tale of the Three Brothers." This necklace features the symbol of the Deathly Hallows with a rotating center. It includes a 22" inch adjustable chain and collector box.

Narcissa Malfoy Spider Earrings

The earring worn by the Slytherin Death Eater in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. These sterling silver shaped spiders are complimented with freshwater pearls. 

Time-Turner Necklace

This necklace allows Hermione Granger to move back and forth through time in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The necklace's pendant features a working hourglass surrounded by rotating rings. The necklace is plated in 24 karat gold and has a chain that measures 18" inches long.

These officially licensed, screen accurate jewelry replicas from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie are fantastic. Check out the whole collection of Wizarding World movie prop replicas that are available at noblecollection.com.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY

Happy Birthday Harry! In J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World of Harry Potter it is Harry Potter's birthday today! According the the Harry Potter novels, The Boy Who Lived was born on July 31, 1980 and the first book was set twelve years later as he embarked to study the art of magic at Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That day just happens to be the author's birthday too. J.K. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965.

To celebrate Harry Potter Day thanks to our friends at The Noble Collection a Geek Daddy is hosting a magical giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a movie prop replica of the wand Daniel Radcliffe wields in the Harry Potter films. If you've ever imagined casting a spell with a magic wand in your hand now is your chance! 

To toss your name in the hat for a chance to win, just retweet our Twitter contest tweet before the witching hour on Saturday, August 7, 2020. Simple as that! One lucky winner will be randomly selected and The Noble Collection will mail the wand directly to that individual within an authentic reproduction of an Ollivanders' box. Good luck to all our entrants!

In honor of Harry Potter's birthday follow @GeekDad248 + RT for chance to win a replica prop wand from the movies courtesy of my friends at https://t.co/wj8OVUgUtr. According to J.K. Rowling's novels #HarryPotter would be 41 years old today! #wizardingworld #magicwand #giveaway pic.twitter.com/A1b3pYWlFI

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) August 1, 2021

HERMIONE GRANGER TIME TURNER PENDANT

My daughter has become quite a Potterhead this summer reading through J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels during the break from school. So she was delighted when The Noble Collection sent her a Time Turner pendant from their collection of Harry Potter jewelry. Wearing this Hermione Granger Time Turner Pendant while reading these stories makes her feel a connection with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter feeling as if she could be a part of the fantasy.

This Hermione Granger necklace is an authentic recreation of the movie prop featured in Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Hermione Granger's Time Turner Pendant is plated in 24 karat gold with a chain the measures 18 inches. The center of the pendant features a working hour glass and rotating rings so that its wearers can imagine they can go back in time like Hermione does in the Prisoner of Azkaban book and movie.

It also comes with a nice display case to show off this impressive piece of Harry Potter jewelry when not being worn. The Noble Collection has a variety of jewelry replicating those worn by Emma Watson who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies including her red crystal necklace from Deathly Hallows Part 1, the Horcrux Locket from Deathly Hallows Part 2, and the earings she wore at the Yule Ball in The Goblet of Fire. Replica props like these are such a great way to have fun immersing yourself in the fantasy of a favorite movie.

My daughter loves her movie replica pendant from The Noble Collection Harry Potter jewelry collection! It is sturdy enough to stand up to her spinning around its rotating pieces playing around with it while also looking like an attractive piece of jewelry. We really appreciate The Noble Collection sending us ageekdaddy.com a complimentary one for a review. It has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for how much she adores it.

I was stunned to find out that they are only charging $49 for a Hermione Granger Time Turner Pendant. That seems a bargain for such a quality piece of jewelry that is also an officially licensed product from such a popular and prominent brand. Plus it comes with a decent display case for showing it off. My daughter keeps it right on her reading desk. I'm sure she'll be trying to use it to alter time to avoid doing her homework when the school year begins. Sorry honey it really is just a movie prop!

For more information about magical items that Potterheads are sure to find FAN-tastic, head over to noblecollection.com.

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FANARTI STUDIOS FANTASTIC PORTRAITS

The talented Matt Farra created a customized portrait for this Geek Daddy to demonstrate the impressive works available through his Fanarti Studios online store on Etsy.com. Ever imagined what you would look like as a Star Wars Jedi, Star Trek Captain or student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry? Submit a photograph of yourself, a family member or friend to Fanarti Studios and Matt will customize a hand drawn illustration with the face from your submitted picture incorporated into one of a number of templates you can choose from. What a great way to immerse yourself in your fanship of Harry Potter, Star Wars or Star Trek.

I am one with the Force and the Force is with me. I choose a Star Wars template depicting the prequal era Obi-Wan Kenobi for my Fanarti Studios portrait that shows me as a Jedi. Attempting to do my best to replicate the look on the face of Obi-Wan, my wife snapped a picture of me to send over to Matt. He then replaced Kenobi's face with a hand drawn sketch of my own. 

Voila! I have a nice piece of artwork depicting me as one of the last Jedi preparing to take on the villainous Darth Vader in an effort to save the Galaxy from the Sith. I was so geeked for the opportunity to be portrayed as a Jedi in a quality piece of artwork!

You can purchase just a digital image to be sent to your or pay a bit extra to have Matt send you the image printed on High Quality Lustre Paper. Framing isn't included so you'll need to pick out one on your own. If you are interested in seeing yourself as a Jedi, head over to Fanarti Studios on Etsy and use code JEDI30 to get a 30% discount off your order. Let Matt know you saw his artwork on ageekdaddy.com! 

Templates you can choose from include a Star Wars Jedi like in my portrait or a Luke Skywalker inspired Rebel pilot suit; Harry Potter inspired images including Hogwarts' school uniforms and quiddich robes; and a variety of Star Trek scenes depicting the Captain's Chair on a number of different starships. Which of these custom portraits would you like to see yourself in? There is also the option to have Star Trek or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter personalized caricatures drafted up. There is even an option to have a cartoon of your pet sketched into a caricature with you. 

With so many impressive options to choose from it may be hard to select just one. With the reasonable pricing for this artwork it is reasonable and affordable to order a number of customized personal caricatures and portraits from Fanarti Studios. I'm thinking of getting portraits done of myself as a Star Trek Captain and my daughter as a Hogwarts student as well as a caricature of my son as Harry Potter. So many awesome templates to choose from!

Matt Farra has absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for the hands on approach to catering to his cliental, excellent customer service and impressive art. Head over to Etsy and check out his portfolio for yourself. His work is FAN-tastic!

NOBLE COLLECTION HARRY POTTER WAND

Harry Potter fans admit it → you've pretended to wave around a magic wand like the spellcasters in the Wizarding World created by author J.K. Rowling. There have been times I've waived around a pen at the office trying to conjure up just the right words for paperwork or a pretzel stick while goofing around the house seeing if just maybe I could Wingardium Leviosa my dog. Do you have a favorite spell from the Harry Potter novels or movies?

If so instead of having some pretend play with a pen or pretzel stick, check out the incredibly detailed Harry Potter wand available from The Noble Collection. It is a prop replica of the wands used by Daniel Radcliffe in filming scenes for the Harry Potter movies. This authentic recreation of Harry Potter's wand is 14 inches long and also comes with a replica of the Ollivanders' box from  that the character received it in during The Sorcerer's Stone as he prepared to head to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. 

In celebration of Harry Potter's birthday being this month, the nice folks over at The Noble Collection sent my daughter one of these wands to have some fun with. She is a true Potterhead and was so geeked when this Harry Potter wand arrived!

According to J.K. Rowling's novels, Harry Potter was born on July 31, 1980. So many Potterheads have designated July 31 as Harry Potter Day to indulge in their fanship. Do you have any fun plans for Harry Potter day? It would be a great time to play around with one of these movie accurate prop replica Harry Potter wands from The Noble Collection. Immerse yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter whether you want to play with it as a toy or just display a wand as an interesting decoration by picking up one of these amazing looking collectible wands. 

A variety of movie prop replica wands are available from The Noble Collection ranging from heroes such as Professor Dumbledore, Sirius Black and Luna Lovegood to villains such as Lord Voldemort, Draco Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Do you have a favorite character whose wand you'd crave? Check out all the available wands at noblecollection.com.

Make Harry Potter Day extra fun with a replica movie prop from The Noble Collection. Have a child in your life who dreams of going to Hogwarts? This could be a fun back to school gift to get a kid excited about going back to the classroom as summer break comes to an end. Or may just a fun present for someone who enjoys the geeky side of life and is a Harry Potter fan. These Harry Potter wands look awesome!

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HARRY POTTER SPELLCASTERS GAME

Thanks to Goliath Games who sent us their HARRY POTTER SPELLCASTERS GAME to try out. We had lots of family game time fun pretending to be wizards and witches practicing for our Hogwarts exams. Instead of being in the drafty castle of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry though we were flicking and swashing the replica Harry Potter wand that comes included with the game on our comfy backyard patio.

In this charades style game players need to guess what spells are being cast by whoever is wielding the wand. A number of spell tiles are laid out for everyone to see. The first spellcaster then secretly pulls from a blind deck a card selecting one of those spells to cast. That person waives the wand to duplicate the pattern displayed on their card to cast a particular spell that is a mystery to the game's other participants.

The first person to recognize the spell being cast from the tiles on display laid out before them wins the round. That person picks up the tile for the spell they guessed and becomes the next Spellcaster.  When someone successfully guesses a spell the caster keeps the card otherwise it gets put back into the draw deck. The game goes on until the last card from the blind deck is drawn. Whoever collects the most spell tiles and cards wins the game.

Recommended for 3 - 8 players aged 6+. A typically game lasts about twenty minutes. HARRY POTTER SPELLCASTERS GAME includes 32 spell tiles and spellcaster cards, a plastic wand and play instructions.

Can you master spellcasting like your favorite characters in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Do you know the difference between accio and incendio? When to swish instead of flick? Cast and recognize spells to earn Hogwart's Barnabus Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spell-Casting or in the Muggle World bragging rights among your family and friends.

FIVE TOYS THAT WILL ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE CHILDREN

In my opinion the best way to get children excited about learning is to get them associating educational endeavors with fun activities instead of them getting stuck into the mindset that schoolwork is a chore. This can be challenging but getting kids started off in their younger years playing with toys that are both entertaining and educational can help get them excited about wanting to learn new things and being creative as they grow older. Here are five examples of toys that inspired my own children to engage in imaginative play and lit a spark for them to be excited about discovering new experiences in life.

LEGO

Both my son and daughter love LEGO! He enjoys the engineering aspect of these toys getting the most fun out of constructing buildings and vehicles. On the other hand, my daughter's favorite aspect of these toys is imagining adventures for the mini-figures in her Harry Potter and LEGO Friends playsets. With LEGO sets ranging from super heroes to space ships you are sure to find something to suit every interest your child could have.

LEGO can be pricey! My kids have been having lots of fun with the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Moments Playsets. Build a storage case out of LEGO bricks that resembles a Harry Potter book case then open it up to build a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry classroom complete with mini-figures of some of your favorite characters. 

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Moments Playsets include Professor McGonagall's Transfigurations Class, Studies in Potions with Professor Snape, Herbology with Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick's Charms Class. My son and daughter have spent hours having fun playing with these Harry Potter toys and I really like them because while nice LEGO sets can cost in the ballpark of $100 these are only around $25 providing parents with some great value for the family budget.

LEGO though won’t just keep you and your children occupied for hours; it will also teach your children the importance of patience and persistence. LEGO are also great for teaching your children how to work together as a team and giving them a sense of accomplishment once they have finished their project. The best part is that once you have completed building your wizarding school or battleship, you can take it apart and do it all again! 

KITCHEN SETS  

Kids kitchen toys and accessories can be great toys because they set a precedent for kids learning real life skills while having fun. A great way to get children interested in cooking and baking. Kitchen sets can easily be fitted into a playroom or bedroom and can even be used outside on sunny days so your children can play outside. These playtime kitchen toys and accessories are great for teaching children to use their imagination and share with others, as no doubt their siblings and friends will want to have a shot in the kitchen too. We've always had great experiences with Step2 products if you are shopping for a kitchen set for your little one.

TREE HOUSES

All right this might not be a toy, but what child isn't amazed by a tree house? While this is not something that everyone can have as it requires having a big sturdy tree nearby, it is definitely worth doing if you can. Tree houses provide unlimited fun for children and give children a space of their own where they can play without feeling like their parents are constantly watching them. 

Being in a tree house surrounded by nature can also be a calming influence for children and help reduce stress. They inspire an adventurous attitude that will promote in interest in exploration and discovery. If you are considering constructing one in your yard, Black & Decker has created a handy guide for tree house building.

WOODEN BLOCKS

This toy may not sound the most exciting, but you will be surprised at how long it will keep your children occupied. Wooden blocks allow a child’s imagination to flourish, as they can build almost anything they can think of with wooden blocks. Wooden blocks will help your children learn to share with others and be resilient, as often they will have to keep changing their blocks to make their desired object.

PUPPETS  

Puppets come in all shapes and sizes. You could purchase animal puppets, traditional puppets or even make your own sock puppets, and your children are bound to love them. Folkmanis creates some incredibly detailed puppets that are decently priced.

Puppets are not only good for your child’s imagination but help develop their confidence and speaking skills through puppet shows to friends and family members. Suppose you want to give your child more of a creative experience. In that case, you could help them make their own sock puppets at home using googly eyes and art materials as decorations, allowing them to express themselves creatively.

Puppets have always been one of my favorite toys and I've shared my appreciation of them with my kids. We are all looking forward to heading to The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation this summer to check out their special exhibit Jim Henson: Imagination Unlimited. It will be showcasing 25 original puppets crafted by the creator of The Muppets as well as character sketches, storyboards, costumes and other memorabilia from Henson Studios productions. If you are in the Detroit area check it out!

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HARRY POTTER TRAIN RIDE

If you've read the Harry Potter novels or seen the movies, you must have dreamed of taking a ride for yourself on the Hogwarts Express to get to the fabled school of witchcraft and wizardry that these stories revolve around. My kids were so geeked to be able to ride this steam engine during a visit to the theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. All aboard for a Harry Potter themed train ride!

Universal Orlando Resort has created a trolley that replicates the Hogwarts Express from J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While it looks like a great big locomotive this is actually an electric powered cable car that transports riders between two of the resort's theme parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). Thanks to the magic of special effects though riders are provided with the look and feel of going on a train ride across the English countryside. 

Your ticket to riding the Hogwarts Express is purchasing multi-park passes so you can visit both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks in Orlando, Florida on the same day. Without the multi-park pass you can visit either Diagon Alley (Universal Studios) or Hogwarts Castle (Islands of Adventure) in the theme park you have passes for but you can't traverse between the two via a Harry Potter train ride. So if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express be prepared to visit both Universal Orlando Resort theme parks in the same day.

You can hop on the train from either King Cross Station or the Hogsmeade Station located in the village at the base of Hogwarts Castle. I recommend starting off in Universal Studios because it provides the most immersive experience to make Harry Potter fans feel as if they are part of the Wizarding World and replicates the pattern of events from the stories. Pay a visit to Diagon Alley to get your school supplies and some delicious snacks. Then disappear into Platform 9 ¾ to catch a ride on the Hogwarts Express.

A lot of people miss this special effect but you can actually take pictures and videos of walking through a brick wall to catch the train. For those not paying attention it appears you are just walking through a hallway on your way to the train platform. But between markers for Platform 9 and 10 is a nook off to the side of the ride queue line that provides a view of people walking through a brick wall to get to Platform  9 ¾. If you snooze you lose so don't miss out on this magical photo op available at the Kings Cross Station. Remember if you only have time to ride the train once during your visit and depart from Islands of Adventure going to Universal Studios there won't be a chance to have your own Platform  9 ¾ moment.

Here are a few other interesting tidbits about the Kings Cross Station at Universal Studios theme park in Orlando. Pre-pandemic there would be street musicians entertaining folks in the queue lines just like you might come across in a real London train station. Hopefully they will return when things get back to normal. Plus the train schedule posted at Kings Cross Station with actual scheduled travel routes taking place that day in England. Oh and keep an eye out for an animatronic Hedwig while waiting to board the train to Hogwarts.

Once you are on the Hogwarts Express you can look at the window to view a fantasy landscape go by. The windows are actually video screens that make it seem as if you are a part of a Harry Potter story. Pulling out from the urban train station Hedwig the Owl soars down to fly next to the train as it rumbles through neighborhoods of London townhouses. 

As the owl flies off, Dementors begin chasing the train for a scary experience. Passengers dodge them though as the train goes through a tunnel. Then comes some comic relief when Arthur Weasley’s car, the Flying Ford Anglia, crashes in front of your eyes. Finally Hagrid zooms in on his motorbike to escort you into the train station as you are provided a view of Hogwarts Castle in the distance. Exit the train for fun experiences at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry including what has become my favorite ride at these theme parks Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure roller coaster.

Guess what?! If you head back on the train to Kings Cross Station there is different imagery to take in through your passenger cabin windows. As you depart Hogsmeade Station, Hagrid is on the platform waving goodbye and then Buckbeak flies by the train.  The Weasley twins escort you for awhile and provide a fireworks show. Then the Knight Bus whizzes about the train to guide you into the London station. 

Don't just look out the windows during the entire ride though. Because if you look at the door to your train compartment during your trip it is likely you will see the shadows of Harry, Ron and Hermione as they walk by. Listen closely and you can even eavesdrop on their conversation. Harry Potter fans are sure to appreciate this close encounter with these characters as if they were really right next to you.

Yes it cost some extra money to take a Harry Potter train ride but the smiles and sounds of delight from my children made it absolutely worthwhile. They were ecstatic about our Hogwarts Express experience. It really made them feel like they were part of the Wizarding World as they sat with their wands out ready to ward off any Dementors or Death Eaters that might slip onto the train. If you have friends or family who are big Harry Potter fans like my kids are they will be geeked to take part in this train ride.