THEME PARKS

THEME PARKS

Theme parks, you’ve gotta love them! I just recently took my son along with some friends and their kids to Harry Potter World in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Three adults and three children aged 7, 6, and 2, where the oldest and the youngest both have autism. What an adventure it was! Honestly the kids did amazingly well, lasting several hours and keeping up. The only issue, which I should have foreseen, was the dragon at Diagon Alley. Harry Potter World has this huge lifelike dragon over Gringott’s Bank that roars and breathes fire. A lot of fun and very cool to look at, unless you’re a young child, and especially one with sensory issues. As soon as my son saw the dragon breathe fire while roaring loudly, he began crying his eyes and wouldnot calm down until he was in my arms and away from where we could see or hear the dragon. What surprised me was the way he was able to make the connection with Diagon Alley and the dragon. If we were anywhere that looked similar, my son would cry even when picked up and comforted. But as soon as we were somewhere that looked different, he was more than happy to look around and have fun! Aside from the dragon, we had a blast and would definitely go back!

Please note we have not received any endorsement from Harry Potter World, it was just a lot of fun and I wanted to share!