I spent the morning popping out the lenses of an old pair of sunglasses, Harry Potter style. I frizzed out my hair like old-school Hermione and drew a lightning bolt on my boyfriend’s forehead. A little mixing and matching and we were decked out in the best makeshift school uniforms our closets had to offer. We were off to Universal Studios Hollywood, ready for an experience we’ve dreamt of since the Sorcerer’s Stone. (We’re both living the Muggle life as wannabe wizards.)

 
As we walked into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in LA last month, we were shocked by how detailed and lifelike everything was. The sign that hangs above the entrance into Hogsmeade warns you to “Respect the spell limits” and a train conductor for the Hogwarts Express greets you as you enter. 

Downright giddy, and equally as excited as all the little ones running around spilling Butterbeer out of their frosty mugs, we darted from store to store. The staff at each location were completely submersed in their roles, some even talking in British accents. This is LA so basically everyone working here is a star-in-the-making and they really do treat you as if you’re a student at Hogwarts. Julie, who works at the candy store Honeydukes, informed us as she stood next to the Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans dispenser (yes, they do have the throw up flavor) that Manny looked like a “bad-boy Ravenclaw and me a cool-girl Gryffindor.” I walked out of there like I had just won the Triwizard Tournament. Best. Compliment. Ever. 

As we excitingly explored the Hogswarts Castle and Ollivanders Makers of Fine Wands, got the pants scared off us on “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and drank our fair share of Butterbeer, we snapped shots along the way. Below are 19 of our favorites.