Diagon Alley July 8th Grand Opening

[Bluer101]

It's announced on today show.

 

[macraven]

you are always the first to report the new stuff for us!

many thanx homie

 

[rcraw45425]

Oh Lawd, IDK if it's a good thing that it's our last full day there or a bad thing...... wondering if I should try to extend our reservation by one day, although I don't think it'll make a difference, packed is packed!

 

[macraven]

Oh Lawd, IDK if it's a good thing that it's our last full day there or a bad thing...... wondering if I should try to extend our reservation by one day, although I don't think it'll make a difference, packed is packed!

if you are going to extend your stay, do it soon.
now that the date of opening has been released, many will start booking or changing their reservation dates around.

 

[mike the canuck]

Oh man. I was planning to go there on the 8th and 9th. Any strategy on how to make the most of the days? I won't be disappointed if we can't do Diagonal Alley because of the crowds.

 

[Bluer101]

if you are going to extend your stay, do it soon. now that the date of opening has been released, many will start booking or changing their reservation dates around.

The room rates before announcement this morning ( I always check ) were reasonable. Now I check and they are through the roof.

 

[macraven]

Oh man. I was planning to go there on the 8th and 9th. Any strategy on how to make the most of the days? I won't be disappointed if we can't do Diagonal Alley because of the crowds.

i don't know how early you will be allowed to "camp out" for the line.

that would be my one and only suggestion.

 

[RMulieri]

The room rates before announcement this morning ( I always check ) were reasonable. Now I check and they are through the roof.

Yup..I went yesterday to check even though we are going in Jan, but our friends are going in July and I wanted to price it out to see if we could swing a short trip...Now the prices are thru the roof

 

[macraven]

i checked the prices also, 3rd on a match.........


it is still cheaper to go July than the dates i have for October........



doing the grand opening on a Tuesday for ph2 might be a good thing.
stay for 4 nights and not end up paying the higher weekend rates.

 

[hermionesnape]

Curling in a ball and crying! I have zero luck with picking vacation package dates. Last time (2010) I booked a package that had the last full day as opening day. This time it's our 2 full day. Gerrrrr

Can't change the dates due to time off work, just hoping it's not as crazy as last time. Also that Cabana Bay will only get early entry to Hogsmead and the Deluxe hotels will get early entry to Diagon Alley. I fear if everyone gets early entry to Diagon Alley it will not be a benefit at all.

 

[xmansmom]

I cringed when they said the date. It's the day we arrive. I assumed it would open earlier because the HP package was available beginning 6/29. I'd be mad if I booked it for the first of July and DA wasn't open.

 

[mjohnson96]

I hope they do some soft openings while we are there since it will be the 28th thru the 2nd this trip but always a good excuse to come back with the AP

 

[acciobrain]

I cringed when they said the date. It's the day we arrive. I assumed it would open earlier because the HP package was available beginning 6/29. I'd be mad if I booked it for the first of July and DA wasn't open.

After years of lurking the DIS, I created an account to reply to this.

I have a nonrefundable trip booked to be at UO on July 1st only. I booked on the presumption that UO would never be so insensitive as to offer packages that include a breakfast that is specifically inside DA if DA wasn't going to be open. I can't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now and I have no choice but to hold on to hope that they will at least have it partially opened while we're there.

 

[Cielei]

Thank goodness we are already booked (and not headed down until late August), but my parents decided to join us and I have been getting information for them. The Universal site is really, really slow this morning. Lots of people must be booking or changing their reservations.

 

[xmansmom]

I booked on the presumption that UO would never be so insensitive

I think it was just plain wrong for them to do that. They never said it would be open but had to know people would assume that. Do you think they will open DA for the first hour for those staying on property?

 

[Metro West]

I think it was just plain wrong for them to do that. They never said it would be open but had to know people would assume that. Do you think they will open DA for the first hour for those staying on property?

We don't know if they did do that now do we? If Universal sold a package for breakfast inside DA then they will need to deliver on that package or offer some sort of refund.

After years of lurking the DIS, I created an account to reply to this.

I have a nonrefundable trip booked to be at UO on July 1st only. I booked on the presumption that UO would never be so insensitive as to offer packages that include a breakfast that is specifically inside DA if DA wasn't going to be open. I can't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now and I have no choice but to hold on to hope that they will at least have it partially opened while we're there.

Again...if Universal sold the package and took your money, they will need to deliver on said package. Why don't you call and see what they say instead of getting all upset about it.

 

[Portugal1000]

Curling in a ball and crying! I have zero luck with picking vacation package dates. Last time (2010) I booked a package that had the last full day as opening day. This time it's our 2 full day. Gerrrrr Can't change the dates due to time off work, just hoping it's not as crazy as last time. Also that Cabana Bay will only get early entry to Hogsmead and the Deluxe hotels will get early entry to Diagon Alley. I fear if everyone gets early entry to Diagon Alley it will not be a benefit at all.

Where does it say that cabana bay only has early entry to Hogsmead. We are booked for one night at RPH on 20th August but I was thinking we might book another night right at the end of our trip say 27th just for the early entry and as cabana bay was a lot cheaper though I would do this but guess no point if you don't get access to diagon alley.

Thanks

 

[Magpie]

After years of lurking the DIS, I created an account to reply to this.

I have a nonrefundable trip booked to be at UO on July 1st only. I booked on the presumption that UO would never be so insensitive as to offer packages that include a breakfast that is specifically inside DA if DA wasn't going to be open. I can't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now and I have no choice but to hold on to hope that they will at least have it partially opened while we're there.

If I recall correctly, back in 2010 they also sold Harry Potter packages with the breakfast for dates starting before the grand opening. I remember people describing being led behind the construction walls.

Here's the thing - these folks, by and large, considered themselves LUCKY. They got an exclusive preview of the area, and avoided the post-opening crowds entirely. Yes, the Forbidden Journey was a bit rough - apparently the smoke effects kept setting off the automatic safety shut down. But they could get back on and ride again if it broke down while they were on it. And they had the shops and Ollivanders to themselves.

So, I don't think you have much to worry about if your HP package is for the first week of July. You're one of the fortunate ones.

 

[acciobrain]

Again...if Universal sold the package and took your money, they will need to deliver on said package. Why don't you call and see what they say instead of getting all upset about it.

Unfortunately I don't think I have that option here. I didn't book the package because it required more nights than I intended on staying. I booked my trip separately based on the knowledge that this package existed with the features and dates it did. At this point, I will have to hope that they either do a standard soft opening or one that at least includes shops and restaurants. I'll be happy to have some butterbeer regardless, but I'm disappointed in the situation.

 

[Metro West]

Unfortunately I don't think I have that option here. I didn't book the package because it required more nights than I intended on staying. I booked my trip separately based on the knowledge that this package existed with the features and dates it did. At this point, I will have to hope that they either do a standard soft opening or one that at least includes shops and restaurants. I'll be happy to have some butterbeer regardless, but I'm disappointed in the situation.

OIC...so there is no package booked right now? You were just hoping DA would be open when you were there?

This is the problem theme parks have when opening a new attraction and the main reason why an actual date is not given...dates can change and mess people's plans up but there's nothing that can be done. I would imagine there will be a good chance of soft openings starting this weekend and continuing through grand opening. Don't give up all hope!