INSPIRATION. What a review. The opening text, the passion, the history, the perfect portrayal of a triple spliced conflict of being a theme parks fan, former potter fan, and a fan of humans who don't hurt other humans being treated as humans, and the entertainment value alone, this is one for the books. Putting this up there with Defunctland's Lines video or Tony's Escape From Tomorrow or Theme Snark's Universal Retrospective. Your shotlist and datelist must have been insane to go through THE WALKING DEAD BEFORE AND AFTER CLOSURE MATCH-CUT ARE YOU KIDDING?! Thanks for helping keep this TH-cam subgenre alive and keeping the bar THIS high. Thanks for this extremely entertaining video, thanks for creating a safe and positive community, and thanks for just being awesome.
Congratulations, Charlie! You did the thing! No sarcasm, I'm genuinely happy for you finishing this project after so long. Ya done good, kid. Now get Hailey to take you out for the really good Big Mac. You've earned it.
A month late, but I’m glad I finally got around to watching this video. There’s really no other channel that dives into Universal rides in the fascinatingly detailed and twisted way that you do.
What a Winter Solstice miracle! And just in time for finals finally ending! Okay, but here's my personal thoughts on the Wizarding World. When I first came to the Wizarding World in 2016, then later in 2017 for my 23rd birthday, I was excited because me being autistic and having grown up with the movies, I was looking forward to experiencing the land for the first time. I got myself an interactive wand and a Hufflepuff scarf because I wanted to have that experience. But then 2019 rolled around with the author's rather controversial views, and those views unfortunately changed my viewpoint on Wizarding World. The last time I was in Wizarding World was in 2022, and that excitement was just gone. In its place was guilt and shame to the point where, when I visited Universal this year for my 29th birthday, I didn't have the heart to visit Wizarding World at all because I genuinely felt ashamed. However, it was 2019 when Galaxy's Edge rolled around that my excitement was fully placed on that and then shared starting in 2021 with the opening of Avengers Campus, where both lands were able to recapture that lost wonder that Wizarding World once had yet also exceed where even Wizarding World fell short-- and that was feeling ALIVE, from new offerings being provided in GE to limited-time characters appearing in AC, thus allowing flexibility with guest experience rather than rigid accuracy. Even this year, when my mom and I went to Super Nintendo World for my birthday, even I was telling my mom how I preferred the new land over Wizarding World at this point.
So my first trip to any Universal park was Summer 2017 in Orlando and I had a blast in the Harry Potter areas, which I actually found more impressive than anything I experienced at WDW. Then I went to Hollywood for the first time in 2018 (despite a dozen trips to Disneyland) and at that time I was able to ride Forbidden Journey with no issue (my friends and I actually rode it like 3-4 times in a row first thing in the morning) before venturing out to other attractions. That said the pandemic lockdown kept me home for too long and therefore far less exercise which unfortunately meant weight gain that I haven’t been able to shed. I’m about 5 inches shorter than you but heavier and given that Forbidden Journey and Mario Kart are easily the main reason I am tacking on a day to Universal for my upcoming Disneyland trip, I’m genuinely nervous that I’ll be turned away from both rides which is also why the Universal day is near the beginning of the trip rather than the end. I can understand that there are certain sizes that would be difficult to allow on all rides that have any kind of restraint system, but my biggest criticism of Universal is that they continue to make new rides that even moderately large people won’t be able to ride. Like, did they not realize that there are larger teens and adults who love Harry Potter and Mario, but won’t be able to ride and not even necessarily because of things they have direct control of (your metabolism can suck compared to your friends and family, add insult to injury hurt here, my brother exercises less than me, and orders larger meals than me, yet he’s a perfectly acceptable weight while I’m the one with the weight issue). I really hope that in the (near) future Universal decides to at least retrofit some of the ride vehicles to be more accommodating (like what Tron did) so that more guests can experience the magic and wonder of these rides.
“We listened to The Pagemaster for once” - how awesome would a cosplay of The Pagemaster be at a convention now that certain boy wizards have fallen out of vogue?
Hot take: Forbidden Journey has a technologically impressive ride system and a fantastic queue, but is otherwise underwhelming in many important areas. The transitions from physical sets to screens are often lazy and nonsensical (the womping willow can change night into day and is hovering in space above the Quittitch pitch, apparently) the spiders and dementors are static figures that wiggle around on sticks, and the ride points you directly at its own mechanics several times. Escape From Gringotts is a far better Harry Potter attraction. I still really enjoy FJ of course, but it just doesn't hold up the way older "greatest ride ever" contenders do (Indy, Spider-Man, Pirates & Mansion, etc).
WW was huge for me as a kid when it first opened, I would've been in the early double digits. I haven't been to a Universal park since 2018 due to a mix of Pandemic and wanting to spend my money on the place with a Haunted Mansion instead, but I definitely want to go back someday to see the areas with fresh, more mature eyes. And that includes WW, probably the only form of HP I'll ever feel comfortable consuming from now on, making a conscious effort not to spend any money in the land. Great work on the video Charlie, I always value your input on what happens at Universal as someone who pays infinitely more attention to what the Mouse is doing.
Congratulations 🎉 You've made it all the way to Potter, Charlie. This series has always been so amazing and i can't wait to see your next episode on whatever it may be. Aloha
Great review as always, and the bit with the skeleton hands legitimately had me laugh so hard I cried. Something about perfectly timed screams just gets me.
Okay, I will now admit that I am the nerd who reversed the footage of the wand talking just to see if there were any hidden Easter eggs and I just gotta say…Respect lol I knew you wouldn’t run around or desert me Charlie! 😂
Keep in mind people that 2016 was a completely different era when it comes with the Harry Potter hype. Nowadays it’s complicated to talk about the Wizardly universe without mentioning that individual that stands for Just Kidding. She can go f**k herself. But as for the Wizardly World area itself, I still think it’s well detailed and that frozen Butterbeer is superb every time I’m there. But… Galaxy’s Edge did surpassed everything for me when it comes to theme lands. Also Trans Life Matter!
agreed in every way possible. I'm usually conflicted when it comes to the Death of the Author concept, but... I feel like in this case, we would be okay with a "real" death of the author... or just have her shut the F*#K up and get off 'The platform formally known as Twitter' at the very least. Also, Trans Rights are Human Rights!
If I had a nickel for every time Pompei by Bastille played in a theme park video, I’d have 2 nickels, which isn’t a lot but both references made total sense
I was initially worried about going to Universal studios due to my weight, but thanks to weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, I'm slowly getting less worried about it (I was around 260 lbs earlier this year, and now I'm around 230 lbs).....but I really shouldn't have to go on that sort of journey and expense just to ride Universal rides. Nobody should. Weight loss is something the individual decides to do if it will benefit them, not because some places refuse to modify their infrastructure for bigger bodies in a country where a lot of people are obese. It's degrading and humiliating.
5:34 I am very much enjoying this video, but I had to pause to write this comment in! I love that you also have that hoverboard shirt! I wear mine almost every week to work!
Except Tokyo Disney was funded and still owned by the Oriental land company, who spared no expense mentality when building it🙂 But I get what you’re saying.
Another great video! I’m a cook over at 3 Broomsticks for the last 5 years, yeah…this video connected with me a lot. My favorite part was the TMs speaking breaking the illusion of the land because this was my major concern when I transferred from Springfield: I was afraid that I have to have a British accent to work in the area. Luckily, it’s not a requirement unless you’re the train conductor or the other performers of the land. Though I do know there’s one stand attendant at 3 Broomstick who goes all in with a British accent, but he’s a jerk and claims he’s actually British(The dude is from Kentucky), and he lets it slip out every once in a while.
I've never been the biggest fan of Harry Potter, that would be my sister, but I liked it well enough... or at least until you know who turned out to be a real...well, he who must not be named. That said, The wizarding world is probably my favorite place in both Disney and Universal Parks... 'Least until I get to see Nintendo World, that might change it (yes I am a Mario fan why do you ask?). It's got the atmosphere down way better than anything Disney had pre Star Wars Land (Which is also very good.) It's just too bad the franchise connected to THIS property has so much baggage because the Author refuses to get off Twitter and touch whatever counts as grass in Hogwarts. Trans Rights Is Civil Rights Is Human Rights!
@@VinluvAntonHandesbukia the series has some unfortunate implications, and the writer is a noted hater of trans people to the point of supporting claims supported by the Nazis.
@@VinluvAntonHandesbukia I don’t know why. She’s just transphobic and believes in holocaust denial and Nazi views on gender. Sad really, despite this no one’s boycotting harry potter in bulk to stop her.
Like, as much as I don't like JKR, I will admit, without the immense success of the Harry Potter films, I probably wouldn't have discovered one of my favorite American musical theatre groups companies, Team Starkid. They got tons of popularity on the Internet simply because they released their Harry Potter parody musicals online for free at the exact peak of the franchise's popularity, and they've been able to do a lot more interesting stuff since then.
It might be because I watched Daves Tolkien month vida but i just wish that we were getting a LotR themed area in Epic Universe and not more Potter stuff.
I missed this upload, because I've been in a finals fugue state, I'm excited to watch and appreciate the disclaimer at the beginning. I cannot stress how much it's not your fault that JKR is a garbage person. As a trans fan I've always felt supported by you. Honestly I appreciate the sentiment of donating the revenue, but also I think it's okay for you to make money instead of her :P
I would love to go to the Wizarding World in Orlando... if only there wasn't a stigma... Look, I'm all for trans rights, but as a long time fan of the Harry Potter books, I'm tired of feeling like I'm being punched in the childhood.
Congratulations on getting this out. It’s clear this was a labor of love and it really shows on the screen. You’ve done a great job. Oh, and also 🏳️⚧️Rights, Joking Karen Rowling needs to grow the hell up, and the importance of the land and it’s history shouldn’t be held back by the cruelty of it’s creator. Also, thanks for the shout out in the credits. I really appreciate it.
This is such a cool themed area based on the property. I hope whoever made that property isn’t a garbage person
Hatsune Miku wrote Harry Potter back in the 1900s. I believe history remembers her well.
@@ChucksterOcean11 Then George Lucas stole the idea for Willow or something.
Nah it’s pretty obvious Chris Columbus’ pen name is J.K. Rowling. The TERF woman with the same name has no relation.
@@ThemeSnark which was then stolen by Charles Dickens for A Christmas Carol in 2038.
INSPIRATION. What a review. The opening text, the passion, the history, the perfect portrayal of a triple spliced conflict of being a theme parks fan, former potter fan, and a fan of humans who don't hurt other humans being treated as humans, and the entertainment value alone, this is one for the books.
Putting this up there with Defunctland's Lines video or Tony's Escape From Tomorrow or Theme Snark's Universal Retrospective.
Your shotlist and datelist must have been insane to go through THE WALKING DEAD BEFORE AND AFTER CLOSURE MATCH-CUT ARE YOU KIDDING?!
Thanks for helping keep this TH-cam subgenre alive and keeping the bar THIS high.
Thanks for this extremely entertaining video, thanks for creating a safe and positive community, and thanks for just being awesome.
Congratulations, Charlie! You did the thing! No sarcasm, I'm genuinely happy for you finishing this project after so long. Ya done good, kid. Now get Hailey to take you out for the really good Big Mac. You've earned it.
You’re a wizard in more ways than one, Charlie.
“Lot of magical stick shaking here” PHRASING
A month late, but I’m glad I finally got around to watching this video. There’s really no other channel that dives into Universal rides in the fascinatingly detailed and twisted way that you do.
46:29 this could have been perfect for the Don’t Do It Dolphin to appear.
Also The Black Sabbath intro in this video…man that’s some vibes.
This was a great video but it was a nice surprise to see you mention the dragons from Dragon Tales during the dragon montage.
What a Winter Solstice miracle! And just in time for finals finally ending!
Okay, but here's my personal thoughts on the Wizarding World. When I first came to the Wizarding World in 2016, then later in 2017 for my 23rd birthday, I was excited because me being autistic and having grown up with the movies, I was looking forward to experiencing the land for the first time. I got myself an interactive wand and a Hufflepuff scarf because I wanted to have that experience. But then 2019 rolled around with the author's rather controversial views, and those views unfortunately changed my viewpoint on Wizarding World. The last time I was in Wizarding World was in 2022, and that excitement was just gone. In its place was guilt and shame to the point where, when I visited Universal this year for my 29th birthday, I didn't have the heart to visit Wizarding World at all because I genuinely felt ashamed.
However, it was 2019 when Galaxy's Edge rolled around that my excitement was fully placed on that and then shared starting in 2021 with the opening of Avengers Campus, where both lands were able to recapture that lost wonder that Wizarding World once had yet also exceed where even Wizarding World fell short-- and that was feeling ALIVE, from new offerings being provided in GE to limited-time characters appearing in AC, thus allowing flexibility with guest experience rather than rigid accuracy. Even this year, when my mom and I went to Super Nintendo World for my birthday, even I was telling my mom how I preferred the new land over Wizarding World at this point.
So my first trip to any Universal park was Summer 2017 in Orlando and I had a blast in the Harry Potter areas, which I actually found more impressive than anything I experienced at WDW. Then I went to Hollywood for the first time in 2018 (despite a dozen trips to Disneyland) and at that time I was able to ride Forbidden Journey with no issue (my friends and I actually rode it like 3-4 times in a row first thing in the morning) before venturing out to other attractions. That said the pandemic lockdown kept me home for too long and therefore far less exercise which unfortunately meant weight gain that I haven’t been able to shed. I’m about 5 inches shorter than you but heavier and given that Forbidden Journey and Mario Kart are easily the main reason I am tacking on a day to Universal for my upcoming Disneyland trip, I’m genuinely nervous that I’ll be turned away from both rides which is also why the Universal day is near the beginning of the trip rather than the end. I can understand that there are certain sizes that would be difficult to allow on all rides that have any kind of restraint system, but my biggest criticism of Universal is that they continue to make new rides that even moderately large people won’t be able to ride. Like, did they not realize that there are larger teens and adults who love Harry Potter and Mario, but won’t be able to ride and not even necessarily because of things they have direct control of (your metabolism can suck compared to your friends and family, add insult to injury hurt here, my brother exercises less than me, and orders larger meals than me, yet he’s a perfectly acceptable weight while I’m the one with the weight issue). I really hope that in the (near) future Universal decides to at least retrofit some of the ride vehicles to be more accommodating (like what Tron did) so that more guests can experience the magic and wonder of these rides.
What a magical holiday gift this is.
“We listened to The Pagemaster for once” - how awesome would a cosplay of The Pagemaster be at a convention now that certain boy wizards have fallen out of vogue?
Hot take: Forbidden Journey has a technologically impressive ride system and a fantastic queue, but is otherwise underwhelming in many important areas. The transitions from physical sets to screens are often lazy and nonsensical (the womping willow can change night into day and is hovering in space above the Quittitch pitch, apparently) the spiders and dementors are static figures that wiggle around on sticks, and the ride points you directly at its own mechanics several times. Escape From Gringotts is a far better Harry Potter attraction.
I still really enjoy FJ of course, but it just doesn't hold up the way older "greatest ride ever" contenders do (Indy, Spider-Man, Pirates & Mansion, etc).
WW was huge for me as a kid when it first opened, I would've been in the early double digits. I haven't been to a Universal park since 2018 due to a mix of Pandemic and wanting to spend my money on the place with a Haunted Mansion instead, but I definitely want to go back someday to see the areas with fresh, more mature eyes. And that includes WW, probably the only form of HP I'll ever feel comfortable consuming from now on, making a conscious effort not to spend any money in the land. Great work on the video Charlie, I always value your input on what happens at Universal as someone who pays infinitely more attention to what the Mouse is doing.
Congratulations 🎉
You've made it all the way to Potter, Charlie.
This series has always been so amazing and i can't wait to see your next episode on whatever it may be. Aloha
Great review as always, and the bit with the skeleton hands legitimately had me laugh so hard I cried. Something about perfectly timed screams just gets me.
This video was absolutely incredibly phenomenal and magical! This was so worth the wait! You really outdid yourself Charlie! Keep up the good work!
A spaz master masterpiece
This was a really cool video, completely worth the wait :D
Okay, I will now admit that I am the nerd who reversed the footage of the wand talking just to see if there were any hidden Easter eggs and I just gotta say…Respect lol I knew you wouldn’t run around or desert me Charlie! 😂
HA! 👏 GOT EM!
I'm so glad i got to visit it with my dad. He loved it
“Hisssss…hissss….snake tahlk.”
Brilliant 😂
Also the Walking Dead shirt transition is exquisite!
Love this bro, great work! I wanna see a video on that Marvel Restaraunt you mentioned 👀
Underrated channel
Damn dude this might be your best video yet. Well done sir.
Keep in mind people that 2016 was a completely different era when it comes with the Harry Potter hype. Nowadays it’s complicated to talk about the Wizardly universe without mentioning that individual that stands for Just Kidding. She can go f**k herself. But as for the Wizardly World area itself, I still think it’s well detailed and that frozen Butterbeer is superb every time I’m there. But… Galaxy’s Edge did surpassed everything for me when it comes to theme lands.
Also Trans Life Matter!
agreed in every way possible. I'm usually conflicted when it comes to the Death of the Author concept, but... I feel like in this case, we would be okay with a "real" death of the author... or just have her shut the F*#K up and get off 'The platform formally known as Twitter' at the very least.
Also, Trans Rights are Human Rights!
From Minions to Magic. Great work. I tip my hat to you good sir. #NothingsGonnaChangeMyWorld 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
If I had a nickel for every time Pompei by Bastille played in a theme park video, I’d have 2 nickels, which isn’t a lot but both references made total sense
Incredible video! I love you! I'm obsessed! You have an amazing voice!
@ThemeSnark going to be honest The Flood from The Halo Trilogy are scarier than Walkers
If anything, the forbidden journey is the trek to my 8:30am on the days I DONT ditch
I was initially worried about going to Universal studios due to my weight, but thanks to weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, I'm slowly getting less worried about it (I was around 260 lbs earlier this year, and now I'm around 230 lbs).....but I really shouldn't have to go on that sort of journey and expense just to ride Universal rides. Nobody should. Weight loss is something the individual decides to do if it will benefit them, not because some places refuse to modify their infrastructure for bigger bodies in a country where a lot of people are obese. It's degrading and humiliating.
IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Congratulations on finishing this video❤❤
(11:15)
Thanks, Charlie! Now I know that it’ll take starting your pick-up lines with “Yo, GORL” in order to find my true love…
Fantastic video, tough Rathalos is classified as Flying Wyvern
But is a wyvern not a dragon?
This was worth the wait 💙
Oh hey, i have an Alder wood wand too! I call the skull Morty.
So glad i caught the premiere
19:44 the Slytherin Girl is what anime fans call a Yandere
Cue Black Sabbath...
5:34 I am very much enjoying this video, but I had to pause to write this comment in! I love that you also have that hoverboard shirt! I wear mine almost every week to work!
Yah, it’s finally here! 🎉❤
I want to climb the castle so badly....
Except Tokyo Disney was funded and still owned by the Oriental land company, who spared no expense mentality when building it🙂
But I get what you’re saying.
I will bot take the hufflepuff slamder as a fellow huffle myself 😂😂😂 also congratulations on the video very enjoyable
Another great video! I’m a cook over at 3 Broomsticks for the last 5 years, yeah…this video connected with me a lot. My favorite part was the TMs speaking breaking the illusion of the land because this was my major concern when I transferred from Springfield: I was afraid that I have to have a British accent to work in the area. Luckily, it’s not a requirement unless you’re the train conductor or the other performers of the land. Though I do know there’s one stand attendant at 3 Broomstick who goes all in with a British accent, but he’s a jerk and claims he’s actually British(The dude is from Kentucky), and he lets it slip out every once in a while.
Fantastic job on this!
An hour and 15+ minutes? WOW
1:14:30 oh god, I just NOW got what the joke was here lol
"Happy Daddy T̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶t̶s̶ Thots" is the name of my Weird Sisters cover band.
I've never been the biggest fan of Harry Potter, that would be my sister, but I liked it well enough... or at least until you know who turned out to be a real...well, he who must not be named. That said, The wizarding world is probably my favorite place in both Disney and Universal Parks... 'Least until I get to see Nintendo World, that might change it (yes I am a Mario fan why do you ask?). It's got the atmosphere down way better than anything Disney had pre Star Wars Land (Which is also very good.)
It's just too bad the franchise connected to THIS property has so much baggage because the Author refuses to get off Twitter and touch whatever counts as grass in Hogwarts.
Trans Rights Is Civil Rights Is Human Rights!
Thanks!
I remember when Harry Potter was the reason I went to Universal instead of Disney. Now it's the reason I'll NEVER go to Universal instead of Disney.
Do elaborate?
@@VinluvAntonHandesbukia J.K. Rowling is a vile TERF. Simple as that.
@@VinluvAntonHandesbukia the series has some unfortunate implications, and the writer is a noted hater of trans people to the point of supporting claims supported by the Nazis.
@@carsonsmith7314 why so?
@@VinluvAntonHandesbukia I don’t know why. She’s just transphobic and believes in holocaust denial and Nazi views on gender. Sad really, despite this no one’s boycotting harry potter in bulk to stop her.
Like, as much as I don't like JKR, I will admit, without the immense success of the Harry Potter films, I probably wouldn't have discovered one of my favorite American musical theatre groups companies, Team Starkid. They got tons of popularity on the Internet simply because they released their Harry Potter parody musicals online for free at the exact peak of the franchise's popularity, and they've been able to do a lot more interesting stuff since then.
28:52 The dragon's name isn't Eragon. It's Saphira. #nerdpedantry
It might be because I watched Daves Tolkien month vida but i just wish that we were getting a LotR themed area in Epic Universe and not more Potter stuff.
Figment!!!
OOO LONG VIDEO 🍿
Buckle up!
Yeah, 6'3" 240lbs and i cannot fit on that ride
I missed this upload, because I've been in a finals fugue state, I'm excited to watch and appreciate the disclaimer at the beginning. I cannot stress how much it's not your fault that JKR is a garbage person. As a trans fan I've always felt supported by you.
Honestly I appreciate the sentiment of donating the revenue, but also I think it's okay for you to make money instead of her :P
TRANS RIGHTS 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🫶
I love the video otherwise except there’s so many joke breaks that sort of interrupted from the interest of your adventure.
I would love to go to the Wizarding World in Orlando... if only there wasn't a stigma... Look, I'm all for trans rights, but as a long time fan of the Harry Potter books, I'm tired of feeling like I'm being punched in the childhood.
A JK Rowling disclaimer. So gay
Congratulations on getting this out.
It’s clear this was a labor of love and it really shows on the screen. You’ve done a great job.
Oh, and also 🏳️⚧️Rights, Joking Karen Rowling needs to grow the hell up, and the importance of the land and it’s history shouldn’t be held back by the cruelty of it’s creator.
Also, thanks for the shout out in the credits. I really appreciate it.