I was SO excited to explore the bathrooms in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Epic Universe.
And I had very high expectations.
Let me explain.
So far, the bathrooms at Epic Universe had been absolutely amazing.
Not necessarily because of the toilets themselves.
Although I do appreciate a good toilet.
But because the bathrooms actually felt like they belonged in their lands.
Dark Universe?
BLACK TOILETS!
Seriously. Black toilets.
How perfectly creepy is that?
Super Nintendo World?
An underwater Mario mural above the sinks!
I was washing my hands while admiring an entire underwater world.
How to Train Your Dragon?
Vikings. Vikings everywhere.
There was a baby Viking on the family restroom sign.
A Viking in a wheelchair on the accessible restroom sign.
And murals featuring Vikings doing all sorts of questionable things.
Including one poor Viking who apparently had to clean up dragon poop.
I still laugh thinking about that one.
But here's what made these bathrooms so special.
The moment I walked inside, I knew exactly which land I was in.
The bathrooms continued the story.
The theming didn't stop when you needed to pee.
And I LOVE that.
So naturally, I had some very high hopes for Harry Potter.
Would there be magical spells on the bathroom walls?
Would little wizards be hiding everywhere?
Would the toilets do something magical?
Would there be something creepy involving He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?
Actually, scratch that last one.
I don't need Voldemort appearing while I'm sitting on a toilet.
There are some experiences I can live without.
But the possibilities were ENDLESS!
Now, I knew this particular Harry Potter land was themed around the Ministry of Magic, with a 1920s Paris setting.
So I was leaning toward some sort of magical Ministry bathroom.
Maybe enchanted mirrors?
Moving pictures?
A little magic while washing my hands?
Was that really too much to ask?
Apparently.
Two Bathrooms. So Much Potential.
There are two public bathroom locations in the Harry Potter land.
One is near the portal entrance.
The other is near the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry attraction.
Excellent locations.
Very convenient.
And the bathrooms looked promising from the outside.
I absolutely LOVED the hanging restroom signs.
They were beautiful!
The decorative details were wonderful.
And the first restroom even had a sign in French!
FRENCH!
I was practically bouncing with excitement.
This was going to be good.
I just knew it.
And then I walked inside.
Oh.
Well.
That's disappointing.
Where was the magic?
Where were the wizards?
Where was ANYTHING that made me feel like I was in Harry Potter?
Don't get me wrong.
These are pretty bathrooms.
I absolutely LOVE the tile floors.
The sinks are cool.
Even the toilets have some interesting details.
And everything looks lovely.
But...
That's the problem.
They're just lovely bathrooms.
I guess Universal decided to go with a 1920s Parisian bathroom instead of a magical Harry Potter bathroom.
Which I understand.
Sort of.
But after seeing what Universal accomplished in Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and How to Train Your Dragon, I expected so much more.
Instead, we got two bathrooms that look almost identical.
Two pretty bathrooms.
Two perfectly nice bathrooms.
Two bathrooms that I can barely tell apart.
And that makes me sad.
Because Harry Potter is ANYTHING but boring.
This is a world filled with spells, magical creatures, moving portraits, enchanted objects, and toilets that have actually played a role in the stories!
HELLO!
Moaning Myrtle lived in a bathroom!
The Ministry of Magic even has a toilet-related entrance in the books!
THE MATERIAL WAS RIGHT THERE, UNIVERSAL!
I'm not saying I needed a ghost floating above my stall.
Actually, please don't do that.
But a little magical personality would have been wonderful.
I really think Universal missed an opportunity here.
Especially when the other Epic Universe lands proved that even a bathroom can be part of the adventure.
Let me show you exactly what I mean when I say these bathrooms are missing their magic.
Because we're about to explore both of them.
And I promise there are some beautiful details.
Just don't expect any spells.
The Restroom Signs: Now THIS Is What I'm Talking About!
Before we even get inside the bathrooms, can we please admire these signs?
Because they are BEAUTIFUL!
And so different from each other.
It's the little details that make me happy.
Take the first restroom sign.
At first glance, it's a lovely hanging sign.
But look closer.
SNAKES!
The metal surrounding the sign is actually made up of snakes!
You can see their little heads and their bodies coiling around the sign.
How cool is that?
I absolutely love that someone took the time to add those details.
And then there's the second sign.
THE HAND!
There is an actual hand pointing toward the bathroom.
Well, not an actual hand.
That would be disturbing.
But it looks so lifelike!
It's just sticking out there, pointing the way.
And I LOVE it.
Who thought of that?
Who decided that a regular arrow simply wasn't good enough?
Because I would like to thank that person.
These signs have personality.
They're interesting.
They're unexpected.
They're exactly the kind of details I was hoping to find in the Harry Potter bathrooms.
What a wonderful way to introduce the bathrooms!
Unfortunately, the magic seems to have stopped at the front door.
The first bathroom had some hanging signs.
Just regular restroom signs.
Well, at least the lettering was clear.
I'll give them that.
But can we talk about the little figure on the sign?
What is going on with that hat?
I'm assuming it's supposed to be a wizard.
But to me, it looks like a kid wearing a dunce cap.
Seriously.
That's what I see.
Not a powerful wizard.
Not a student at Hogwarts.
Just a poor kid who apparently got the wrong answer in math class.
And then there's the wording.
LADIES and GENTS.
Excuse me?
Why do the women get the lovely, formal title of Ladies, while the gentlemen get shortened to Gents?
Why not Ladies and Gentlemen?
Or Gals and Gents?
Why are we mixing formal and casual?
These are the things I think about while studying bathroom signs.
I know.
I need a hobby.
Actually, this IS my hobby.
But here's what really bothers me.
Look at the beautiful surroundings!
The colors are rich.
The details are vibrant.
Everything feels carefully designed to transport you into the Wizarding World.
And then there are these signs.
They just look so out of place!
It's almost as if someone spent hours creating this gorgeous setting and then remembered at the last minute that people needed to find the bathrooms.
Quick! Somebody make a sign!
After seeing the incredible hanging signs at the first bathroom, these were such a disappointment.
And unfortunately, the signs were only the beginning.
The Water Fountains: More of the Same
Both bathrooms have the exact same water fountains.
And they're pretty.
I will absolutely give Universal credit for that.
But here's my problem.
THIS IS THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER!
Not some random street corner.
We're surrounded by magic!
Couldn't the water fountains have a little personality?
Maybe something enchanted?
A tiny magical detail?
Anything?
Instead, we have two perfectly lovely, perfectly ordinary, perfectly identical water fountains.
Apparently, even magic has its limits when it comes to staying hydrated.
FINALLY! A Little Bathroom Magic!
NOW THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
This water bottle filling station is located near bathroom #2.
And I LOVE IT!
At first glance, it looks like a pretty, old-fashioned water fountain.
Lovely color.
Beautiful details.
Very fancy.
But look a little closer.
THERE'S A MONSTER!
A little monster with a big mouth, sharp teeth, and tentacles!
And he doesn't look particularly happy to see us.
Maybe he's thirsty.
Maybe he's guarding the water.
Maybe he just doesn't like people.
I have so many questions.
But I absolutely LOVE him!
Because THIS is what I was expecting from the Harry Potter bathrooms.
Those wonderful little surprises that you don't notice right away.
You walk past something, think it's pretty, and then suddenly realize there's a little monster staring at you.
SURPRISE!
That's the kind of detail that makes me stop, take a picture, and smile.
Because everyone needs to appreciate a monster guarding a water bottle filling station.
See, Universal? THIS is the magic I was looking for!
More little monsters, please.
The Restroom Signs: Something Is Just Not Right
I don't even know where to start with these signs.
They're fine.
Really.
There's nothing technically wrong with them.
But they're just so... blah.
When I think of Harry Potter, I think of magic, mystery, and wonderful little details.
When I think of Paris in the 1920s, I think of beautiful architecture, elegant designs, and old-fashioned charm.
You know what I DON'T think of?
BRIGHT BLUE AND NEON GREEN!
Seriously.
Where did these colors come from?
They just seem so out of place.
And the signs feel lifeless.
There's no personality.
No magic.
Nothing that makes me stop and think, "Wow! I'm in the Wizarding World!"
Well, except for that wizard hat.
THAT STUPID WIZARD HAT!
I'm sorry.
I know it's supposed to be a wizard.
But I still see a kid wearing a dunce cap.
And now I can't unsee it.
And while we're discussing the little figures, I have another question.
Why isn't there a wizard in the wheelchair?
Over in How to Train Your Dragon, Universal gave us a Viking in a wheelchair.
A VIKING!
And I absolutely loved that detail.
It was clever.
It was thoughtful.
And it made the accessible restroom sign feel like it belonged in the land.
So why couldn't we have a wizard in a wheelchair here?
A little wizard hat?
A robe?
Something?
Such a missed opportunity.
And then there's the wording.
Remember how I was questioning the whole Ladies and Gents situation?
Well, now I'm even more confused.
Because one bathroom says GENTS.
And the other says GENTLEMEN.
WHY?
They're practically the same signs!
Did one bathroom get the formal gentlemen while the other got the casual gents?
Is there a dress code?
Do I need to make a reservation for the gentlemen's bathroom?
I have questions, Universal.
So many questions.
But I do have a couple of positive things to say.
I really appreciate the Braille on the signs.
And I LOVE the little shoes on the figures!
Especially the women's heels.
They're adorable!
See?
It's those tiny details that make me happy.
I just wish the rest of the signs had that same personality.
Because when I look at these signs, I don't see Harry Potter.
I don't see magical Paris.
I see ordinary restroom signs wearing some very questionable colors.
And the poor wizards who really need better hats.
All I can say is I guess wizards don’t change diapers.
The Sinks: Beautiful! But Where's the Magic?
Now, I have to give Universal some credit here.
I LOVE THESE SINKS!
They're elegant.
They're unique.
And they remind me of Paris.
Not modern Paris.
I'm talking about fancy, old-fashioned Paris.
The kind of Paris where I imagine everyone wearing beautiful clothes and eating delicious pastries.
Mostly the pastries.
And the sinks really do fit that atmosphere.
But can we talk about the tiles?
Because I have some thoughts.
Bathroom #2?
LOVE the green tile!
It's beautiful!
It has personality.
It feels rich and elegant.
I could stand there admiring it while washing my hands.
And probably take way too many pictures.
Which, of course, I did.
Bathroom #1?
Well...
Hospital.
That's what I see.
A hospital bathroom.
Not magical Paris.
Not the Ministry of Magic.
A hospital.
And once again, I cannot unsee it.
Then there's the soap situation.
Which was a little confusing.
Apparently, even washing your hands requires some problem-solving in the Wizarding World.
But I will say this.
The sinks work!
They're pretty, they're functional, and they fit the Parisian theme.
So I understand what Universal was trying to accomplish.
But here's my problem.
They're Paris sinks. Not Harry Potter sinks.
Where's the magic?
Where's the little surprise?
Where's something that makes me smile and remember that I'm standing in the Wizarding World?
I don't need water shooting out of a wand.
Although...
That would be pretty amazing.
I just wanted one little magical detail.
Because these sinks could belong in any beautiful Parisian building.
And that's exactly my problem with these bathrooms.
Universal remembered Paris.
But I think they forgot Harry Potter.
The Bathrooms: Gorgeous! But Something Is Missing...
Here's where things get complicated.
Both bathrooms are GORGEOUS!
Seriously.
I absolutely love a checkerboard floor.
There's just something about those little squares that makes me happy.
And when you combine those beautiful floors with black bathroom stalls?
WOW!
It's such an eye-catching combination.
But, of course, I have thoughts.
Bathroom #1
Orange and black.
Do you know what I think of whenever I see orange and black together?
HALLOWEEN!
Every. Single. Time.
I can't help it.
I'm standing in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and my brain is thinking about pumpkins and trick-or-treating.
Not exactly what Universal was going for.
At least I don't think so.
Bathroom #2
Now THIS is a beautiful bathroom!
The gorgeous green tile.
The stylish decorative border.
Those fancy lights!
I LOVE IT ALL!
Everything works together so beautifully.
Bathroom #2 is the clear winner for me.
And here's something else I really appreciate.
Both bathrooms were extremely clean and well maintained.
Not just reasonably clean.
EXTREMELY CLEAN!
And you know how much that matters to me.
I also love that the two bathrooms have similar layouts and features but different decorative styles.
They're alike.
But they're not identical.
And I appreciate that Universal made the effort to give each bathroom its own look.
So here's my dilemma.
If these bathrooms were anywhere else, I would be jumping up and down with glee!
Okay, maybe not literally jumping.
My knees would have something to say about that.
But I would be VERY excited.
Because these bathrooms have almost everything I want.
Beautiful floors.
Gorgeous sinks.
Stylish stalls.
Lovely lighting.
And they're clean!
Especially Bathroom #2.
That one is dangerously close to being my perfect bathroom.
BUT...
And this is a very big BUT.
We're in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
And after seeing what Universal accomplished with the bathrooms in How to Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe, I expected the story to continue inside these bathrooms.
I wanted to walk through those doors and know immediately that I was somewhere magical.
Instead, I walked into two beautiful Parisian bathrooms.
And that's where Universal lost me.
They absolutely nailed the bathrooms.
They just forgot the magic.
And for a land built around Harry Potter?
That's a pretty big thing to forget.
The Toilets: Beautifully Old-Fashioned. But Still No Magic.
Now, I have to admit something.
I really like these toilets!
Look at that enormous tank!
The beautiful white porcelain.
The decorative black brackets.
Even the little blue lettering on the tank!
It's all so elegant and old-fashioned.
And I love that Universal didn't just throw in some ordinary toilets and call it a day.
These toilets have personality.
They look like they belong in a fancy Parisian building from another era.
BUT...
Here we go again.
Where is Harry Potter?
Where is the magic?
I appreciate a beautiful toilet.
Obviously.
I have an entire blog dedicated to bathrooms.
But these toilets could be in any beautifully themed Parisian restroom.
Nothing about them makes me think of wizards, spells, or the Ministry of Magic.
And that's what keeps bothering me.
Universal created a beautiful toilet.
They just forgot to make it a magical toilet.
Final Verdict: Beautiful Bathrooms. Boring Magic.
Here's the thing.
I actually LIKE these bathrooms.
Some parts of them I absolutely LOVE!
The checkerboard floors. The gorgeous sinks. The beautiful green tile in Bathroom #2.
And that little monster on the water bottle filling station?
PERFECTION!
But here's my problem.
THESE BATHROOMS ARE BORING!
There. I said it.
And I feel terrible saying it because Universal clearly put a lot of effort into making them beautiful.
But this is HARRY POTTER!
A world filled with magic, mysterious creatures, enchanted objects, and things that don't always make sense.
Instead, we got two pretty Parisian bathrooms.
With some very questionable restroom signs.
I'm still bothered by those strange wizard hats.
Why do the wizards look like children wearing dunce caps?
And can someone PLEASE explain why one bathroom says GENTS and the other says GENTLEMEN?
Are they different classes of wizards?
Do the gentlemen have better manners?
Do the gents get to wear their robes unbuttoned?
I NEED ANSWERS!
And why couldn't the accessible restroom signs have a wizard in a wheelchair?
The Vikings managed to figure that one out.
I'm just saying.
But I think the biggest problem is that these bathrooms are forgettable.
Even Dave forgot about them!
Seriously.
He couldn't remember them.
Now, I realize Dave doesn't spend nearly as much time thinking about bathrooms as I do.
Which is probably a good thing.
But still!
When you walk into a bathroom in Dark Universe and see black toilets, you remember it.
When you see Vikings cleaning up dragon poop, you remember it.
When you wash your hands by an underwater Mario mural, you remember it.
But Harry Potter?
Apparently, you remember the strange hats.
And the confusing Gents and Gentlemen situation.
Not exactly the magical memories I was hoping for.
