DESTINATIONS — THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
all around – even those who’ve seen it happen several times already. Once inside, visitors enter a glorious entrance hall and are treated to the intense stares of the incredibly lifelike animatronic goblins who work in the bank. As they queue they’ll walk past copies of the Daily Prophet newspaper, complete with magical moving pictures. The ride itself is a slightly less extreme experience than Forbidden Journey, the ride in Hogsmeade, but it has a lower height requirement, which allows more children to be able to enjoy the experience, while the effects and clever use of 3D mean it’s still extremely exciting. Where Forbidden Journey has you swooping around sweeping vistas, the new attraction casts the rider deep into the claustrophobic vaults of Gringotts Bank, with events taking place parallel to the actions of Harry, Ron and Hermione in the stories. Guided
Cabana Bay Beach Resort
The best way to arrive at Cabana Bay would surely be in a time- travelling DeLorean. Driving up to the lobby past the Cadillacs and Pontiacs parked up outside, you certainly feel like you’ve been transported back to 1950s America. Cabana Bay, Universal’s fourth
on-site hotel, is its first ‘value’ offering and is geared towards families. Standard rooms contain two queen-size beds, a pull-out sofabed, flatscreen TVs and a kitchenette with a fridge. There are two pools, a water slide, a lazy river, a 10-lane bowling alley and a retro games arcade – plenty to keep youngsters occupied. The food is standard American
diner fare – low on vegetables but fuss-free and sensible given the family feel and retro vibe. One of my biggest hotel gripes is paid-for
or inadequate Wi-Fi, but here it’s free and strong across the whole complex, so it’s easy to show off to friends back home as you laze by the pool.
A major benefit of staying at a
Universal hotel is that guests get early-bird access to Diagon Alley one hour before the public. The Cabana Bay site is within walking distance of the park, but it’s not the most scenic of routes so guests should take advantage of the free shuttle buses available.
TRIED & TESTED
21 August 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 43
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Deep underground: Escape from Gringotts ride
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