Back from Harry Potter and never again.

[EvangelineG]

Yes, there is a dedicated castle tour line. Just make sure you ask.

Wonderful! That's what I thought. Thank you very much.

 

[Lycaon]

Given that they haven't come back to their thread after posting something inflammatory (all the "unlike DISNEY" comments), I'm calling troll on this one. And even if they aren't, it's their own fault for not doing some research before going

 

[Tink2Day]

I was a last minute fill in for someone else who decided not to go and I didn't have much planning time. However the person I went with has been many times and even so printed off some hints from an 'insider' site.

I also googled and found some info on both WDW and IOA/Universal mainly by going to their own sites I was able to be somewhat prepared after finding out I was going just 10 days before we left.

We hustled through the ticket process and I read a few sites like this one, but just was able to get through a small amount of personal experiences.

We did buy our IOA tickets when we got to the park. But like I said it wasn't busy so we were very lucky.

Thing is I saw ads on TV and they show all of the various adventures at IOA and Universal and frankly if you were going to a theme park wouldn't you at the very least look it up to see what they have to offer???

 

[tinydancer09]

Given that they haven't come back to their thread after posting something inflammatory (all the "unlike DISNEY" comments), I'm calling troll on this one. And even if they aren't, it's their own fault for not doing some research before going

I was thinking that the moment they posted it. I think I looked at her profile yesterday. Member since 2002 and only like 90 posts. I'm all for lurking but I just don't think she really cared about others opinions.

 

[wtfFlag180]

Maybe...But I can't tell you how many posts on the other boards( I hang there too) really think Harry Potter is a PARK and not a section of IOA..And when they realize it is only a section they get ticked..I don't get it Doesn't anybody research anything?

To be fair, Universal Orlando doesn't exactly help things the way they've been advertising the expansion. Go watch the commercial in circulation about WWoHP, they never once mention Islands of Adventure. You can't blame them for overselling the scale of the expansion but I'm not surprised when people get confused.

But if you're going to drop the money it takes to make an Orlando trip some research wouldn't kill you. Especially when you're a member of a forum dedicated to Theme Parks.

 

[phamton]

Just got back from 7 wonderful days and nights at Disney and one very disapointing day in the Harry Potter park at Universal.

My guess if you had spent 7 days at Universal and one day at Disney, then your experience would have been much different. Trying to rush through the park in one day is hardly ever rewarding.

There were 9 of us altogether, 7 children crazy about Harry Potter and 2 adults. It cost almost $800.00 for a one day park ticket.

A one day ticket is just as expensive at Disney. The really good deals are on multi-day tickets.

The kids really did not want any part of the park except for Harry Potter

That is really sad since the parks have some exceptional rides and shows, not just Harry Potter.

and when we got there we were turned a way and given a ticket for a specific time to come back. About an hour. So the kids went on a few other rides.

Why didn't you read these boards before you went? We could have given you lots of help on how to get in with little wait. You found the board here after you went so you could post this but we could have given you many tips if you would have posted here before your trip. I am sure you planned your Disney trip. Planning makes things go smoother. You need a plan to venture into the Harry Potter area since it is the most popular attraction area in Orlando right now.

Wow, you can really notice the difference between the Disney parks and Universal. The place looked a bit run down. Paint peeling off the rides, unahppy faces behind the counters, not really friendly at all. The people that work there do not seem to want to be there, unlike at Disney.

Didn't you see this at Disney? Just last week, the trash was overflowing inside of Mickey's Philharmagic. There were drinks pouring over onto the carpet. As far as friendly employees, I would say the parks are the same between Disney and Universal. Some people want to be working there and others don't.

So, finally we get into the Harry Potter park after about an hour. It turns out half of the country was visiting the park at the same time. Could barely move.

Why am I hearing the Yogi Berra quote on why he no longer went to Ruggeri's, a St. Louis restaurant: "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

If you stop to lookaround at all the details (that was obviously built for our enjoyment) you are immediately pushed through by one or more of the line monitors who are strategically placed throughout the castle preventing you from admiring the very thing you paid to see. REALLY disapointing...

If you had come here before your trip we would have told you about the castle tour.

The ride itself was fun but a very fast and sometimes nauseating. One lady came off the ride and I thought they were going to have to call 911.

Yeah, I see that at Mission Space and Primeval Whirl also.

So in summary, we spend $800.00 to rush through the castle, go on one ride, and drink one glass of Butterbeer. I really am not one to complain, but I was very disapointed this one day.

Most of this can be blamed on lack of planning. If you go during peak times, like Spring Break, you must plan. During off-season, you can usually wing it. I would suggest you re-read Bumbershoot's post. She is a diehard Disney fan who took a chance on Universal. She planned her trip, asked questions, and ended up having a fabulous time. We would love to help you plan your next trip. You may be surprised how friendly the employees look when you go into the parks prepared.

 

[Bluer101]

Why complain after the fact, you should have complained to guest services when you were there. We can't fix anything for you , but they could have tried to rectify some problems and try to accommodate you, maybe.

 

[Miche_503]

Seven kids? How easy was it getting through the airports?

 

[2tink4u]

WOW, Some of us are being pretty harsh.
This family simply made the mistake many,many people make. Not fully prepared for the serious crowds that are in the parks, hyped themselves and their kids up about how great it would be, and then was astounded and angry so just left.
People don't realize simple things, like how long it would take to get from your door to entering the park, and forget it if you're taking a shared bus.

I'm really sorry you had such a bad trip. I know how frustrating it is when everyone in your group is miserable.

Please be encouraged it happens all the time. Try it again during slow season and you'll have a different experience. I love that you had a great time at Disney! It's Iconic!

We don't do crowds well and when we go in the Summer we go a little commando. You have to be prepared for the crowds and the heat and the time it will take to do things.

Everyone on the forum is really nice, they're protecting their little bit of heaven. We can be judge mental when guests don't hear all the things we're saying. I try very hard to impart happiness and reality.

Reality is harder to impart!

 

[Timmy Boy]

I love that you had a great time at Disney! It's Iconic!

Of course they had a good time at Disney. I have read on another message board that a family went to Epcot, the place was crowded, it was hot, lots of rides broke down, but they still had a good time. If that exact same scenario happened anywhere else, it would immediately cause for a boycott of that place, with a "this never happens at Disney" chant as they're exiting. It's like people feel "bad" for not enjoying themselves at Disney, so they put on fake smiles and think "Must. Enjoy. Must. Enjoy."

 

[Berlioz70]

Wow - what a disappointing post.

I'm a Disney Cast Member and I know how hard we work to make everything perfect.

BUT

I'm ALSO a Universal Team Member and guess what - we work just as hard.

Great Guest Service is an expectation of both locations and both equally repair/repaint. But let's be honest, we're human and not perfect.

I love both resorts, for very different reasons. While I'm Full Time at Disney and Seasonal at Universal, I would have no problem switching those statuses if the right opportunity presented itself.

It's hard that everyone is always trying to compare the two. We are one Central Florida community, we are one giant family, and a lot of us work at both resorts. There is a greater Disney/Universal feud among the Guests than among the people who actually work there.

Yes, there is a dedicated castle tour line. Just make sure you ask.

Quick note - technically it's the Express Pass line, but they let you into the line without the pass. At the other end (where they request to see the pass), if you do not have it then your tour ends.

Because it's the Express Pass line, certain areas of the castle are not included, such as the House Scoring System and the Herbology classroom. The line also ends before the Sorting Hat.

 

[cigar95]

Quick note - technically it's the Express Pass line, but they let you into the line without the pass. At the other end (where they request to see the pass), if you do not have it then your tour ends.

Is there ever such a thing as an Express Pass for HPFJ?

 

[Don Disney]

We went to WDW in July of 2002,and it was very crowded,hot as fish grease,and my wife was pregnant,my mom had a scooter(which she couldn't drive very well),my stepfather was as slow as molassess,and we had 3 teenagers with us!!! I planned ahead,figured out what was "must see/do",and had at it with no great expectations.My wife still marvels at how much we got to see and do during this vacation.We all had a very nice time.As others have already said,a little planning goes a long way.We'll be going to US/IOA in June-already planning,and intend on having a good time.We plan on having 2 days at each park,and if that's not enough,we'll have Flex tickets,so we can come and go as we please.We don't vacation ANYWHERE for less than 10 nights-My motto is "If we're going,we're really gonna go"! Did I mention,that when everyone and their mother is racing to WWOHP,we'll be heading in the OPPOSITE direction?We love HP too,but that will be the last place on our list,because there is so much more to see and do!It's our first trip to US/IOA-decided to take a break from our annual WDW vacation-we're waiting for all the new stuff to be ready, hopefully in 2013!!!

 

[Sehsun]

Is there ever such a thing as an Express Pass for HPFJ?

The Express Pass is not officially available for FJ. However.....one time I waited in line for FJ for ~30-45 minutes (ride was down). The TM eventually gave out Express Passes (to be used later in the day, when FJ was running again) to those who were still in the queue.

 

[Berlioz70]

Yes to what Sehsun mentioned. It's not a normal express pass line, but I have had people in front of me and behind me with the pass and have had to step out of the way to let them through.

I also know there are numerous accounts were the Team Members create a little extra magic and give out the express passes to Guests as a surprise gift. So you can't purchase it, but it may be gifted to you!

 

[tinydancer09]

Yes to what Sehsun mentioned. It's not a normal express pass line, but I have had people in front of me and behind me with the pass and have had to step out of the way to let them through.

I also know there are numerous accounts were the Team Members create a little extra magic and give out the express passes to Guests as a surprise gift. So you can't purchase it, but it may be gifted to you!

Magic you say? I sure hope you put on your right pouch today and are giving us mummy dust!

 

[donaldduck352]

WOW, Some of us are being pretty harsh.

This is'nt harsh,repetitive yes.Everyone saying PLAN PLAN PLAN ahead of time,but its true.

Now you want to see some real harsh posts?Try posting on a DW thread that you will never return becuase it took forever in line to get on EE and found out the Yeti don"t work anymore.You want to talk about bieng flamed.This thread is docile in comparison.

I just hope the OP would try it again.

 

[sm4987]

Well when I read the title I got all freaked out. Then I read the whole post and calmed down a bit.

I am going for the first time to Universal this summer after years of doing nothing but Disney. I'm not going to Disney at all because I want to experience the other side of Orlando for once. We are staying on property have multi-day tickets and tickets to Sea World also.

I am not expecting it to be anything like Disney. Don't get me wrong boy do I love Disney but I am looking forward to another experience and hopefully a different experience so that when we do make it back to Orlando again, I won't feel like Disney is the only thing my family can do and have fun.

 

[tinydancer09]

Well when I read the title I got all freaked out. Then I read the whole post and calmed down a bit.

I am going for the first time to Universal this summer after years of doing nothing but Disney. I'm not going to Disney at all because I want to experience the other side of Orlando for once. We are staying on property have multi-day tickets and tickets to Sea World also.

I am not expecting it to be anything like Disney. Don't get me wrong boy do I love Disney but I am looking forward to another experience and hopefully a different experience so that when we do make it back to Orlando again, I won't feel like Disney is the only thing my family can do and have fun.

Welcome to the darkside.

 

[bumbershoot]

Maybe...But I can't tell you how many posts on the other boards( I hang there too) really think Harry Potter is a PARK and not a section of IOA..And when they realize it is only a section they get ticked..I don't get it Doesn't anybody research anything?

My own brother...a VERY intelligent man...didn't realize that WWoHP was part of IOA until I told him the other week. And he and his wife (his wife especially) are BIG HP fans! Luckily they've been to IOA and enjoyed it, but they were disappointed that the ads led them to believe (and his wife is a lawyer, tsk tsk for her for believing advertising...) that it was its own park.

I am going for the first time to Universal this summer after years of doing nothing but Disney. I'm not going to Disney at all because I want to experience the other side of Orlando for once. We are staying on property have multi-day tickets and tickets to Sea World also.

I am not expecting it to be anything like Disney. Don't get me wrong boy do I love Disney but I am looking forward to another experience and hopefully a different experience so that when we do make it back to Orlando again, I won't feel like Disney is the only thing my family can do and have fun.

Feel free to read the Universal portion of my trip report. it's linked in my sig ("we didn't even see Wishes" or something like that) and the table of contents should link you right to the Universal days. Like Phamton mentioned we took a chance that we'd like the place, and we just fell in love with the place (even though we rode NO "big" rides...FJ was the biggest and only I did it, and it made me SO sick! but we still LOVED it!).