Calling any past HP event attendees! NEED HELP!

[bobbie68]

Hi

I have a package for the HP event this month. In regards to the reserved seating that we have. Do I need to wait in line to get a good seat or do they assign seats and I can show up right before the event?

Can anybody tell me what the gala event is like? What I can expect?

We have a special needs DD going and it helps me to know in advance what I might expect.

Thanks for any help! Have a great day!

 

[snoopboop]

I went to the 2011 event, so I'll answer your questions based on that experience... though I'm not certain they'll do this one exactly the same way!

For our Q&A sessions, which took place in the Toon Lagoon Amphitheater, we were admitted into a line outside the theater by presenting our paper tickets that displayed the correct date/time, and then we were ushered into the theater, where there were no assigned seats or anything - we just went and found seats.

For the gala, there was a red carpet event where we were arranged on both sides of the red carpet and the stars came by and talked to us and signed autographs. Then we spent a few hours in the Wizarding World, where they had food carts set up (YUMMY food - prime rib, mashed potatoes, things like that, IIRC), and they brought around baskets with candy from Honeydukes that we could help ourselves to... and of course the rides were running! It was AMAZING.

I hope you have a MAGICAL time!!!!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi

Thank you for the answers. I understand they may do things differently and that is fine.

I would like to know how long before the Q & A sessions and the gala event should I get in line to get a good seat?

Thanks again for your help. It is so hard planning with my DD. I try and make things go smooth. We can't wait! She is a huge Harry Potter fan!

Have a great day!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi

I thought of another question. Where did they hold the gala event? How do they keep the public from coming in?

Thanks

 

[snoopboop]

We got to our Q&A sessions about a half hour in advance, I think... but there were already a LOT of people in line and we sat way near the back.

The gala was held in the Wizarding World. It was after the park had closed for the night, so the only people in the park were people with the special event tickets. The Wizarding World was the only part of IOA that was open... everything else was closed down!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi thanks again the information was helpful.

I will plan to be at the Q&A sessions quite a bit earlier to try and get a better seat.

The gala event sounds really cool. I hope they do it the same way this year.

Have a great day!

 

[Tramp68]

Hi thanks again the information was helpful.

I will plan to be at the Q&A sessions quite a bit earlier to try and get a better seat.

The gala event sounds really cool. I hope they do it the same way this year.

Have a great day!

Wasn't the gala only open to VIP holders? I do not think the gala will be anywhere near what the 2011 event was. I have only seen 3 stars confirmed for attendance (George and Oliver Phelps and Evanna Lynch), or have I missed something? 2011 had a minimum of 16 plus David Yates, and David Barron and David Heyman.

Guests were: Krum, Fred, George, Bill, Ron and Mr. Weasley, Luna, Lavender, Cho, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Flitwick, Filch, Seamus, Dean Thomas, Lucius, and Scabior. I also think I am leaving someone out...

I also do not see ANY mention of there being a gala this year or autograph sessions...

I would reccomend an hour before the Q&A sessions for decent seats. more for prime and less if you din't mind sitting in the back. They did have big video screens, so you were able to see without being close. The huge frenzy only really happened when people found out that Rupert Grint would be at a specific session. That line was insane. The rest were reasonable.

Personally, I skipped this one. It does not look like they are taking this seriously....

 

[GlendaO]

I'm considering taking my daughters. We don't have hard tickets though so would just be able to do the standard events as try for some things with waiting. The exhibits sound good though.

 

[fairyprincess88]

The Potter event this time seems to be a lot less then the one we went to in 2011. Of course that was also to celebrate the final DVD release of the movies so it was also a huge publicity event for WB and Harry Potter.

As for the Q&A session, we got in line about 2 hours before our scheduled Q&A and we ended up front row, which was luckily the one Rubert Grint did. They also had standby lines for those without Q&A tickets. Using the standby we were able to attend a total of 5 Q&A sessions. However, as a PP said there were a lot of guests in comparison to what is scheduled for this event.

I decided not to do the celebration event this time because it is not offering anything like the last.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi

Thank you for your responses. I have a better idea of what we need to do.

Yes It will be on a much smaller scale but there is still some cool things to do. My daughter is just happy meeting a few of the stars from the movies.

There is also a chance they will get some more last minute. We will have a great time no matter who shows up. Were Harry Potter fans and just being there is awesome.

 

[TaylorsDad]

I think you will have a great time. Although we got the Premier package last event this one seems to have more of a mix between what was the basic and deluxe- at a very good price for what is offered. We had a great time just at the Q&A sessions. Just go with reasonable expectations an I think you will have an amazing trip.