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!