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| Hogsmeade at Harry Potter World |
Having just experienced Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) on Sunday, I thought I'd share a few things I learned that can help you better enjoy going there, if you ever want to. This post will be split in two.
First, some general tips for going to a theme park.
Go in the fall or spring
This applies to most theme parks just about anywhere in the world. Go to a theme park like Disneyland when kids are stuck at school and adults are stuck at work (that means not going on a national holiday either). If you can pull this off, you will be rewarded with shorter lines, discounts and weather you can handle.
Bring food
If the parks allow. Most theme park food is absolutely awful in terms of nutrition, and while I know you're on vacation and you deserve the junk food, you need food that will help you walk around the park, too. If you're on a budget, bringing food also helps in that department. To save the most money, either make and bring your own food or buy stuff at your nearest supermarket rather than a convenience store.
Bring a water bottle (or two)
Most theme parks will have drinking fountains where you can restock on water, that most precious of drinks. Bringing your own water bottles and filling up on water most of the day will also help you regain a pulse after you see how much drinks are going for inside the park.
Wear comfortable, walking shoes
Many people do not seem to realize just how much walking and standing is involved when going to a theme park. If you're keen on seeing and doing everything, then just expect to walk or stand for over eight hours. Wear serious shoes.
Prepare for weather
For rain: If the weather forecast calls for a 20 percent chance of rain or more, bring an umbrella or poncho with you just in case.
Spring: Bring a jacket, dress in layers.
Summer: If you can't avoid going during this season, then prepare for being overheated and surrounded by thousands of people feeling the same way. Bring extra sunscreen and ways to cool off. Most 100 yen stores sell portable fans around summertime. Unless you feel like getting an arm workout moving a fan or the brochure to the theme park all day long, a portable electric fan is heaven. Stock it with good batteries, and you're good to go. Also bring plenty of water with you and a sun umbrella (there is sometimes no shade while waiting in lines)
Fall: Bring a jacket for the evening and sunscreen.
Winter: Dress like you would before going to a football game outdoors. Just because you're moving around doesn't mean you won't freeze. Dress in layers since I'm sure most indoor areas of the theme park will have the heat cranked up. Bring kairo with you for every part of your body. Bring thermoses of hot drinks.
Prepare for lines
I don't understand people who seem genuinely shocked to see the wait times for places. This is a theme park, people. You will wait in a line unless you decided to go on a weekday during the off season and the weather is terrible out. Just accept it as part of the theme park experience, and prepare accordingly. Bring a light book to read, bring a video game console, bring some magazines. Treat waiting in line like you're in the back seat of a car about to go on a road trip. This is especially paramount if you're bringing little kids with you, because there is hardly anything to hold their interest while waiting.
Prepare for a dead cell phone
Bring a portable charger. Bring two if you only have your cell phone to keep you entertained while you wait in line.
