Aime Abroad

The goal was to grab a drink at every country located in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

The reality: It is possible, but not enjoyable. You will be mixing different types of alcohol and food and walking miles in between stops. You will feel unwell by the time you finish.

Epcot is aware of this challenge. They took steps to prevent alcohol poisoning, which is respectable and appreciated.

After attempting it, I do not recommend it. Plan ahead and visit your favorite countries. Your liver and wallet will thank you.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Epcot does not serve shots. Drinks are between 6 to 12 oz. each.

2. Drinks are priced between $9-16.

3. Most drink offerings include beer or wine.

4. Not every country offers a wide variety of drink selections. You get what you get.

5. Plan your restroom stops accordingly. You will be full of liquid.

6. Hydrate!

7. Snack in between each drink.

8. There are 11 countries to visit. Spread them out throughout your day. Do not sprint through each country.

9. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is fun and the visuals are exceptional, but the standby line is not worth the wait. Pay for the individual lightning lane so you can enjoy the rest of the park.

The last time I was at Universal Orlando, I was about 7 years old. I don’t remember much, except my favorite movie was 101 Dalmatians and I found out that all of the dogs were animatronic and not real dogs. I also thought I was going to get eaten by Jaws on that ride, which perpetuated into a reason I’m  not able to swim well today (pieces of the former Jaws ride are hidden in Diagon Alley/the park if you look closely). Let’s just say that that specific trip had a lot of screaming and tears. 

This time, I went with a mission. After attempting to read the Harry Potter book series several times as a kid and failing to get from cover to cover, jumping around and not totally comprehending everything, I made it my mission to read books one through seven and visit Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando.  

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is absolutely fantastic. There is detail everywhere you look that you’d never expect to be in a theme park. Knowing that the author had a hand in every single aspect of the construction of this park just maximizes the potential for success. 

Here are some tips if you’re a Potter-Head and are interested in visiting the WWOHP.

1. Read the books first. The movies are great but the books are better. It really seals the deal for the experience because the park is designed as if you are stepping into the pages of the book. 

2. Follow the books. It will make the experience better. Imagine getting your letter to Hogwarts in the mail by owl. Hagrid knocks on your door and takes you to Diagon Alley to get supplies for school. (hint, start in Diagon Alley). Once you have your supplies, take the Hogwarts Express to the castle in Hogsmeade. 

3. Exchange money at Gringotts. The Gringotts Exchange, separate from the bank with the dragon on top, is very interactive. You can exchange cash for any denomination of Gringotts branded bills which work as a gift certificate throughout the Harry Potter sections of the park.

4. Get a wand. Visit Ollivander’s and participate in the wand ceremony. I was selected by the wand maker and was able to let the wand choose me. It was one of the best experiences and I was chosen at random in a group full of all ages, from five year old kids up to teenagers, parents, and grandparents. I am ~30, so it felt extremely magical to be chosen over a child. The interactive wands work in both parks (Islands of Adventure - Hogsmeade and Universal Studios - Diagon Alley). They also sell collectible replicas of EVERY character and unique interactive non-character wands, which is the wand that selected me. The interactive wands come with a map. The map identifies locations of where you can cast a spell in the park. The secret is that each interactive wand has an RFID chip in them, which is the “magic.” The chip functions with a small black box with four red dots. Stand on the gold circle identifying the spell, point your wand at the box with the dots, move your wrist (not arm, this is very important) according to the gold plate you’re standing on, and wait for the magic to happen. There are several staff members who are able to help if you are having trouble performing a spell, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

5. Wear robes. It makes the experience more fun when you come in costume. Of course, Orlando is HOT in the summer, but wear your robes in the morning and take them off by noon when the sun is at its hottest. There are a lot of air conditioned, indoor spots, so you won’t completely melt. I highly recommend purchasing a robe in advance because it is more affordable. A robe in the park (at Madame Malkins) can run near $100. But they are beautiful!

6. Ride everything. The rides in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are top notch. I do have to say that they dominate all of the other rides in all of Universal-- so if that is any indication of where you should devote your time, be warned because I rode about 80% of the rides in both parks. The best is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. It opened in the summer of 2019 and I visited in August 2019. The line was LONG. Up to 4 hour wait times. Pro tip: Get to the park EARLY. Wait in line just to get into the park at least an hour before gates open, then once the gates open, speed walk (running is prohibited) to the ride in Hogsmeade. There will be several staff members directing you to the line. I got there at opening and waited just an hour. 

Each line in the WWOHP is interactive. There is something to see just by queuing. Walk through the castle and line up in the greenhouse, see the dueling club’s wall writings, Dumbledore’s pensieve, talking photos in Gringotts, etc. Even if you aren’t riding the rides, walk through the line just for the experience. 

The Hogwarts Express is a different experience going both directions. Ride it twice and save on walking from park to park. There is a part in the queue where you can see people running (walking) through the brick wall that leads to Platform 9 3/4. You won’t notice it unless you’re looking for it. 

7. Eat ALL the food. The food is INCREDIBLE. If you think it is just expensive theme park food, WRONG. Everything I tasted was beyond what I could have expected. Yes, the price for some things is high, but you will be happy and less cranky if you eat a solid meal. 

One year flew by since my study abroad experience in France and I miss traveling each day. Looking back, it was not all fun and games: the application process before studying abroad seemed like endless paperwork and obtaining a visa is no walk in the park, running through airport terminals with large carryon luggage, fumbling with my Franco-American accent when I first arrived (and I thought that no one could understand me); but when it is all said and done, I made the best of my experience. Here are the top five tips to keep in mind before and during your adventure abroad!

1. SPEAK UP! Whether you are traveling to a country with a new language that you are learning, or it is your native tongue in a foreign dialect, don't be shy and learn from those around you. When I studied abroad, I left America as a shy introvert; I came back excited and willing to share what I had learned and much better at speaking, writing, and reading in French. During my courses, I participated, I learned from my peers, and I got good grades because I was interested in every aspect of the class.  -The student population in my courses were from all over the world, but mostly from China. The more that I got to know the Chinese students, we would share our cultures together over meals outside of the classroom. They didn't know English, and I didn't know Chinese, so French was our only way to communicate. Speaking more with the students and getting to know my classmates was such a memorable experience that always brings a smile to my face. -I also lived with a native French speaker. She was trying to learn English and I was trying to learn French. When we would have conversations, she would speak to me in English and I would respond to her in French. By doing this, we were helping each other learn the new languages and also learn more about each other and the cultures that we were sharing.

2. TRY NEW THINGS! Gastronomy is one of the most important ways that cultures connect. Try something new on the menu. Whatever you order may look back at you or have an odd smell, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to cherish your taste buds and have a memory that is as deep as your stomach. If you are ever in the Savoie (les Alpes) region of France try the Raclette! It is a traditional cheese dish that melts a regional cheese onto potatoes and fresh slices of meat via a Raclette burner. It is incredible! For more French foods to try, check out my article at Go Overseas! -Trying new things does not have to be restricted to food. Climb the Alpes, go kayaking, join a sports team at the university, the possibilities are endless. The adventure is waiting for you. Don't let the opportunities pass you by because you never know when they will arise again.

3. GET TO KNOW THE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION! Unlike American transportation, where you most likely need a car to get around to where you need to go unless you are in a major city, transportation in Europe is efficient and affordable.  -The bus or metro route is one of the best maps to first pick up when you enter a new city. They are free and will point you in the most convenient direction, affordably. When taking the metro in a city that you are not staying in for more than a few days, but you need to ride the metro a few times a day, I suggest buying a "Carnet" of tickets. This gives you a larger number of tickets at a discounted rate. -If you are planning on seeing the sites in France, I would suggest a Carte Jeune from the SNCF (Train discount card for ages 12-25). This discount card is a one time payment of € 50 that gives you major discounts on your train tickets (between 25% and 60%). Make sure you have this card with you and your ticket when you are riding the train! -Two airlines are available throughout Europe if you are looking to explore other countries or cities. Fly the airbus from EasyJet and RyanAir. When flying these airlines, make sure your bag fits the size requirement, because if it is too large, you will have to check it (which costs extra fees). It is much smaller than flying US Airways or Air France. 

4. PACK LIGHT! Before you leave, you may be panicking about whether or not you brought enough clothes to wear for the duration of your stay abroad. Tip: YOU DON'T NEED MORE THAN ONE SUITCASE. It is completely reasonable to re-wear clothes and there are always laundry facilities to use wherever you stay. If you know that you are planning on bringing back a lot of souvenirs, it is okay to bring a second suitcase, but be prepared to pay the airline fees. It is a good idea to bring a luggage weight with you before you get to the airport, that way, you can mail the extra items, or you can choose not to pack them.  -When I was packing, I chose solid colors or prints that would match any combination of the items that I was bringing. Two strong pairs of jeans, two tee shirts, one sweater, one blouse, etc. If I needed anything, I was never too far away from a store where I could purchase what I needed, and I still had room to take it back home with me.  -Do not bring large bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you in your suitcase. It takes up a lot of room and weight and you can buy that once you are settled in your new home abroad. Travel sizes are all that you need until you are settled. **BRING EXTRA, IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED FOR PAPERWORK. This does not apply for clothing. If you plan on opening a bank account or obtaining a student ID from your host university (student IDs get you into museums for free and give you major discounts! get one and always bring it with you!), you will always need extra copies of your passport and visa, a recent bank statement from a US bank wouldn't hurt, copies of insurance, university acceptance letters, etc. Compile a folder of all of the necessities and keep it in a safe place in your suitcase because you never know what documents might be valuable to you until you are there.

5. BE SAFE! Remember when your mother and father held your hand when you were crossing the street and told you to look both ways, not to "take candy" from strangers, to travel in groups? Those rules apply now more than ever. You are abroad and you want to have a good time, but you do not want to put yourself in danger. When traveling, you will have a passport, credit cards, money, etc. with you at all times. Be smart about where those items are located. Put a lock on your backpack to be extremely cautious in large cities that are notorious for pick pocketers. Make sure you don't leave your bags unattended. Be aware of your surroundings, stay with a group, and USE YOUR COMMON SENSE! 

5.5 How To Keep In Contact: If you have a smart phone, do not use global coverage. I only used global coverage on my iPhone for a week incase of an emergency, but I found that it is very very expensive and not worth it. Turn off your roaming and data on your US mobile device. Turn on WIFI and use that when you can (trust me, there are a lot of WIFI hotspots). -Try purchasing a local Sim Card or a pay-as-you-go phone at a local phone company (I would suggest Orange). Minutes for pay-as-you-go phones are reasonable and not expensive. This is a great way to communicate with your landlord, your roommates, and the other members of the group that you are traveling with, although this will not work internationally (ex: France to US = NO). -Skype is a great resource that you can use to talk with your family and friends back home (France to US = YES!). This way, they can see you and they know that you are alive and well and safe. -Always keep in contact by using email, or start a blog (Tumblr, Wordpress, Blogger; they are all user friendly if you are new to blogging!) to send pictures to your friends and family to keep them updated on your adventures!