Sunday, April 17, 2016

Hogwarts And The Steampunk Chocolate Factory

Last week my parents were in town for a few days, so we headed out to Wizarding World to give Mom's new wand a spin. I didn't bring my camera this round, but happily my iPhone doesn't do half bad:


A cozy corner of Knockturn Alley. This one is completely unedited, with one exception: I had John photoshop out the glaring EXIT sign that's directly underneath the Embalmers sign.


Pretty Phoenix necklace spotted in the shops:



On the way in to the park we passed by the future site of The Toothsome Chocolate Factory, and lemme tell you: I am excited.

It's a steampunk chocolate restaurant, you guys. Which sounds a lot like JEN HEAVEN.

Here's what the outside will look like:

 

Diggin' the giant gears they have out front:

 You can bet I'll have a full photo tour when this thing opens.


Speaking of food, I tricked convinced my parents into trying the Fishy Green Ale at the Leaky Cauldron, then took pictures of their very first sips:
GOOD TIMES.

And yes, I totally lucked out in the parent department. Did I mention they drove all the way down here from Williamsburg... on a Harley? They just got it last year, so I'm still adjusting to my nerderiffic parents turning into bikers. I mean, my mom bought leather chaps, you guys. LEATHER CHAPS. (But look how cute she is in that biker hat. I mean, c'mon.)

Moving on...

Flight of the Hippogriff is known as a kiddy ride, so a lot of folks tend to skip it.
 
DON'T SKIP IT.

I can't speak for the ride itself (since I've never been on it), but the queue is fantastic:


You get to see a life-sized Hagrid's hut!

And if you crane your neck just right at a certain spot, you can even see Buckbeak without getting on the ride:


 And he moves!



Here's my favorite, though: UBER DRAMATIC CASTLE SHOT:

This editing was all done on my phone using the free app Snapseed, which I love, and I'm not getting anything to say that.

That ability to instantly edit is making me leave my camera at home more and more. I love editing pics anytime I have a few minutes of downtime, and it's a great distraction when I'm feeling anxious.

Wanna see how much that one was edited? Check it out:

ALL the editing!!

But like I said on Instagram, sometimes reality is overrated. ;)


I hope to have Dapper Day photos for you next, so stay tuned!

34 comments:

  1. The Flight of the Hippogriff is totally worth the line, and the ride is fun too. My boyfriend and I were probably the oldest people in line for it, but it was just a fun, no frills roller coaster. (It felt really refreshing to ride after almost barfing on the Forbidden Journey.)

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  2. I love steam punk but I have to disagree with the three gears on the front of the chocolate shop. They all interlock with each other which means none of them will ever move.

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    1. That's exactly what John said! Details, details...

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    2. It always makes my brain hurt when I notice a mistake like that...

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  3. So, saw Dapper Day in my Facebook news feed & dashed over here to see what you'd have; not Dapper Day yet, but you never disappoint! While editing it out does make for a dramatic picture, it seems appropriate to have an "exit" sign at the embalmers'. :-)

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    1. D Day pics are coming, I promise! Just have to finish all my day job stuff first. (boo)

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  4. I cannot wait to go back to Wizarding World!!!

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  5. That last one *seriously* looks like a movie poster! I can't believe that's from a free phone app!

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  6. Jen, I'm trying to finish these damn taxes! Quit distracting me with glorious photos and making me daydream about chocolate and CastlePhoenixPotterland and how excellent it must be to have parents you actually enjoy spending time with. Sigh. You live a life of envy, sweetums.

    *GROAN* Jen! I'm SICK of calculating mileage and searching through receipts! Where are those Dapper Day photos?! I want to fantasize about Disney World and retro clothes and how cool it must be to hang out with a bunch of other fun geeks who like all the same stuff I do.

    Argh. Back to deciphering the meaning behind the hieroglyphs on my hubby's calendar from last year. I'm all: "You did WHAT on February 13, 2015? Does that bear have a knife or a banana?!"

    KW

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  7. I keep telling my hubby I am going to quit art just to go work at the chocolate factory. Dress up in Steampunk every day for my JOB? UH...sign me up! Plus...add chocolate to that? Yeah...what art? I cannot WAIT for it to open!

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  8. My son has a issue with heights, so while his sister rocked it on the dragon challenge he and I did Flight of the Hippogriph. It was early and I got my camera on and took a few shots from the top, I loved the ride and the pictures.

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  9. The idea of a Steampunk chocolate restaurant is just amazing. And I'm definitely going to look into that editing app! I find I snap a lot more on my phone lately as well.

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  10. I get so excited for Dapper Days photos every year! I can't wait! These are pretty neat too though...and a steampunk chocolate restaurant sounds amazing. I guess I'm a little glad I've never made it down there because now I'll have something else to look forward to!

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  11. *grabby hands at the Phoenix necklace* :)

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    1. I literally just did grabby motions at it through my screen! Good to know I'm not alone :)

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  12. The moving Hippogriff is amazing - yet another fun thing for HP World!

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  13. Wow! So amazing photos! And also, you have the most awesome parents in the world! :D

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  14. Oooh, I'd love to go there! It's a bit far from Germany, though, so I'll have to wait until we get a European edition (or if I ever make it to the US...). Until then I'll just have to look at your pictures. :)
    And your parents look adorable.

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  15. Steampunk AND chocolate?!?! *swoons*

    I see a trip to Florida in my future as soon as that place opens and I cannot WAIT for your photo tour! You and John are wizards with the photographing and the editing :)

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  16. I am so jealous of your ability to head over to the parks on a regular basis. Darn Michigan and the lack of geeky amusements...
    http://www.thecheekygeekspeaks.com/

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  17. Hi Jen,

    Have you ever thought of selling your photos? I'd love a copy of the castle and Knockturn Alley. They'd look great framed. You are so lucky to live so close to WDW, I went once when I was 11, but I could only go on a couple of rides because my Mom was too scared and hot to wait in line or watch me on them. I got to go on the Epcot Ball ride and It's a Small World...that's it. I love roller-coasters and big rides, so it was quite a big disappointment. 26 years later I'm still a little resentful.

    That restaurant sounds like heaven to me too.

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  18. My jaw is dropped at the editing on that photo. When I saw it on Instagram I knew it had been edited; I just didn't know how much. I don't even know where my digital camera IS. I'm sure it is in the house somewhere, but I use my iPhone for all pictures and videos now. Gonna have to learn more about editing!
    Fun photos Jen - thanks for sharing. Maureen S

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  19. That editing job... the cloud-free streaks look like dementors flying away from the castle! So cool. :)

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  20. My mother is a very stereotypical middle-aged mom in appearance (short permed hair, high-waisted jeans, the works) and I find pictures of her in motorcycle leathers absolutely hilarious. But hey, my stepdad gets to go cruising on his Harley while she reads paperbacks on the rear seat and it seems to work for them...

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  21. aww i didn't know buckbeak moved! i only saw him from ON the ride!

    you should also try BeFunky photo editor, it's my go-to on my phone

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  22. If memory serves, the coaster stops for a moment in front of Buckbeak so you can bow to him, then he nods at you and you "fly"!

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  23. Gorgeous photos! I'm still going to Universal California after John's post today on CakeWrecks. :P

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  24. Your parents > everything!

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  25. Thanks, Jen, for the beautiful photos. I hope to be able to visit the Wizarding World someday, when I am better. Until then, I will live vicariously.

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  26. Having met your parents, I must concur, they are awesome!
    I think it's great that your mom bought chaps! As they say, "dress for the slide,not the ride" so besides being über cool, she's über smart!

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  27. Having met your parents, I must concur, they are awesome!
    I think it's great that your mom bought chaps! As they say, "dress for the slide,not the ride" so besides being über cool, she's über smart!

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  28. Was in WDW this weekend for the Star Wars Half marathon and LOVED seeing all the guests in their "dapper" outfits. was LOVING the Flower and Garden themed hats and outfits in Epcot on sunday. Saw some adorable butterfly and flower Minnie ears.

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  29. Love that your parents got a bike!! Hope your mom gets her own at some point! They can get communicators and it's so much fun to have your own!! (lots of great smaller light bikes on the market now for easy learning!) ^_^ And great on buying proper gear!!! Seriously something I love hearing!! ::fellow bike enthusiast, though more sport-touring/roadster than cruisers:: Love seeing all the pictures as usual!! I know I'd never get through everything down there, though tis a goal to see it all someday!

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  30. I LOVE Snapseed. I was so happy when I changed to an Android phone that they had an app for that too. I have little talent in the picture game but I have made some killer prints with that app which were good enough to print and frame.

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