Diagon Alley July 8th Grand Opening

[Lynzer4]

When I first planned this trip I figured DA would be open sometime in June and I figured it would be crazy (why I'm staying onsite) but not grand opening crazy! I didn't figure I would be there the first week(end) of opening. We arrive July 10 and leave the 13th.

Nothing I can do but just join in the crazy and take it in. Lol. Bragging rights as one of the first people to experience DA is a what I keep telling myself.

 

[taliategan]

I was hoping for an opening a week or two before we arrive on 7/9. I guess that will make our two days in the park pretty crazy. At least I already have my hotel reservation through cheaptickets.com at RPR.

 

[EMom]

On crap. We were booked for late June, but rescheduled when they kept dragging their rear. Now we arrive on the 12 for a few days at Cabana Bay (so only early entry) and then 3 nights at PBH from the 14-17.

I thought I was giving myself enough cushion that DA would have been open for about two weeks and the lines wouldn't be out of the park. Now I am worried it will be a wall of people.

Was anyone at WWOHP within 6-12 days of it opening? What was it like? I know it was crowded, but were the first few days about the same or much worse than once a week had passed?

 

[Threeboysandachickie]

Universal has sold Potter-themed hotel packages that kick in June 29, and the spokesman said those guests would have a full Diagon Alley experience despite having reservations before the grand-opening date.

 

[hpfan100]

On crap. We were booked for late June, but rescheduled when they kept dragging their rear. Now we arrive on the 12 for a few days at Cabana Bay (so only early entry) and then 3 nights at PBH from the 14-17. I thought I was giving myself enough cushion that DA would have been open for about two weeks and the lines wouldn't be out of the park. Now I am worried it will be a wall of people. Was anyone at WWOHP within 6-12 days of it opening? What was it like? I know it was crowded, but were the first few days about the same or much worse than once a week had passed?

I was at HP1 on the Monday after opening without early entry and express pass and managed to get in and see/ride everything. On Monday I stood in a line for about 45 minutes to just into the potter area. Everyone was in that line. A few days later they were given return time tickets for entry to keep the numbers down. It was crowded but no different than every other summer. I would suggest getting there early. I know FJ was constantly stopping after lunch that first summer.

 

[3kids1cat]

we will be there for 5 nights starting july 13th staying at the rpr , what do you think the wait times for the attractions not harry potter related would be with express passes ? .... have a 1st timer going with us , lol

 

[zebsterama]

When I first planned this trip I figured DA would be open sometime in June and I figured it would be crazy (why I'm staying onsite) but not grand opening crazy! I didn't figure I would be there the first week(end) of opening. We arrive July 10 and leave the 13th.

Nothing I can do but just join in the crazy and take it in. Lol. Bragging rights as one of the first people to experience DA is a what I keep telling myself.

I hear you ....

We're there at the end of July (first trip), staying at HRH, and I am just freaking out a little, going through a range of emotions .... .

I also thought May soft opening / June grand opening ---- July, crazy - but not too crazy.

Now I'm just thinking CRAZYNESS!!!! Oh well.

WISH US LUCK!!

At least we're there for 8 night - should be able to see most of it.

Cheers & have a great trip!

 

[sonofanarchy]

You guys got nothing on me - We're at Universal July 3-9. Our last full park day is the 8th.

Just praying for Early Admission on the 8th or 9th.

 

[Lynzer4]

You guys got nothing on me - We're at Universal July 3-9. Our last full park day is the 8th. Just praying for Early Admission on the 8th or 9th.

.

That actually might be the best as you can see everything but DA and then focus just in HP world your last day.

I would think most people would not arrive for DA until the 7th so they have it the whole time they are there. (I could be wrong but that is my logic lol)

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Didn't US just make an announcement that IOA would not be opening an hour earlier than US for the summer? Does that mean no early park admission for those on site due to the change and grand opening masses? A little confused, I am (as Yoda would say lol)! TIA!

 

[Braque]

We are at RPR 7/3-7/6, hoping for a soft opening while we are there

 

[Metro West]

We are at RPR 7/3-7/6, hoping for a soft opening while we are there

I would think there is an excellent chance of that happening.

 

[hermionesnape]

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

It doesn't one of the working theories is that Cabana Bay and off site partner hotel would get EE to one park while onsite Deluxe guest would get EE to the other. Just theories nothing is known yet. It just seems like not much of a perk anymore it the EE crowds are huge.

 

[Bluer101]

You guys got nothing on me - We're at Universal July 3-9. Our last full park day is the 8th. Just praying for Early Admission on the 8th or 9th.

I'm there the almost the same time. I might be booking more days.

Just got this email.

 

[zebsterama]

Didn't US just make an announcement that IOA would not be opening an hour earlier than US for the summer? Does that mean no early park admission for those on site due to the change and grand opening masses? A little confused, I am (as Yoda would say lol)! TIA!

I'm curious about this as well .... this is the first I've heard of it.

Does anyone know the answer?

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[Bluer101]

I'm curious about this as well .... this is the first I've heard of it. Does anyone know the answer? Cheers, Zebsterama

I believe it means both park hours are 9 am - 10 pm. EE would be at 8 am.


This is still on their website.

†Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to one (1) Universal Orlando theme park as determined by Universal Orlando. Valid at select attractions at each park. Universal Orlando Resort reserves the right to open alternative attractions in the event that a technical problem arises or an attraction opening is delayed.

 

[zebsterama]

I'm curious about this as well .... this is the first I've heard of it.

Does anyone know the answer?

Cheers,
Zebsterama

If you go by the Universal website, it states that for all of the onsite Hotels, you get EE for "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" - it does not specify Hogsmead or DA.

Link:
https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Hotel-Guest-Benefits.aspx

I would have to assume it's for both? ........

But who knows?? Does anyone have any more information?

Thanks!

 

[Bluer101]

If you go by the Universal website, it states that for all of the onsite Hotels, you get EE for "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" - it does not specify Hogsmead or DA. Link: https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Hotel-Guest-Benefits.aspx I would have to assume it's for both? ........ But who knows?? Does anyone have any more information? Thanks!

If you read my post above it states 1 theme park at their decision.

 

[hermionesnape]

If you go by the Universal website, it states that for all of the onsite Hotels, you get EE for "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" - it does not specify Hogsmead or DA. Link: https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Hotel-Guest-Benefits.aspx I would have to assume it's for both? ........ But who knows?? Does anyone have any more information? Thanks!

All I know is with my Harry Potter package I get breakfast at 8am Monday the 7th of July at Leaky Cauldron and on Wednesday the 9th at Three Broomsticks. I choose those dates. I had the option for any of my 4 days, anytime between 8 and 9:30 on the 1/2 hours for reservations. So you will at least be able to get in if you have the breakfast with the HP package at either park.

No clue if you will be able to ride rides or anything beyond breakfast but I am assuming the area would be open to make as much money as possible.

Don't know who this early access applies to beyond the exclusive breakfast just for package guest. They could allow some or all onsite hotels in or none. Until the dates come or universal announces something there is no way of knowing.

 

[freediverdude]

According to some posts over on another board (don't know if I am allowed to post links to other boards here), people who are calling in today are being told that if they purchased a Diagon Alley package (the one with the Leaky Cauldron breakfast), that they would have access to ALL of Diagon Alley during the days of their stay (not just the breakfast day). They're being told that their tickets will have a special code on them, and that there will be another set of turnstyles to the Diagon area.

What I'm trying to find out is if, as a passholder with a resort reservation for those same days, if I will be able to get in as well, or if I need to change my ressie to a passholder Diagon package or something like that.