Diagon Alley July 8th Grand Opening

[Braque]

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.

Please let us know what you find out! Would you have to change the full reservation to the package or just a few days? Is that package even available anymore?

 

[acciobrain]

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.

As someone that didn't book the package, does anyone think it's worth my time to call and ask them about soft openings related to this package's dates, or would it be better for me to just wait and watch things here?

 

[dsdeleon]

Well we put the house on openings after the Media Preview so have 5 nights booked onsite at RPR from June 24th-June 29th. We will still be in Orlando through July 9th but man, really hoping for some kinda soft opening or something. All this media blitz, then nothing for weeks? Then an attempt at more blitz?!? Seems like there was a snag in the master plan. If they fix the snag, maybe they can throw us onsiters/AP holders/public a bone.

 

[Poly-Anna]

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.

I just called because we are booked, room reservation only not a package, for June 28 - July 5 and was wondering the same thing. The CM I spoke to stated that again that those who have a package reserved (as advertised from June 29 on) will be honored before July 8 and able to access Diagon Alley as promised. She could not confirm the same for onsite regular reservations.

We may go anyway hoping for a soft opening because we were in the same situation when HP opened years ago. Back then we had onsite reservations only booked about 6 months in advance for the end of May before they began selling package reservations and they changed the opening date then. Universal allowed all onsite guests to enter HP land as well as those who booked packages. We were allowed to experience the entire Harry Potter area before it ever opened to the public. I can't tell you how awesome that was!

I am going to keep calling every few days before we leave to check to see if things change. I encourage anyone booked during the same time period to do the same. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

 

[freediverdude]

I just called because we are booked, room reservation only not a package, for June 28 - July 5 and was wondering the same thing. The CM I spoke to stated that again that those who have a package reserved (as advertised from June 29 on) will be honored before July 8 and able to access Diagon Alley as promised. She could not confirm the same for onsite regular reservations.

We may go anyway hoping for a soft opening because we were in the same situation when HP opened years ago. Back then we had onsite reservations only booked about 6 months in advance for the end of May before they began selling package reservations and they changed the opening date then. Universal allowed all onsite guests to enter HP land as well as those who booked packages. We were allowed to experience the entire Harry Potter area before it ever opened to the public. I can't tell you how awesome that was!


I am going to keep calling every few days before we leave to check to see if things change. I encourage anyone booked during the same time period to do the same. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Yes! I experienced the same thing back in 2010, and I was hoping to do that same sort of preview again this time for hotel guests. I guess we'll see, but there's not much time to find out between now and the 29th, and then grand opening is the 8th, so it's kind of a narrow window. I guess the clue will be if softs start next week for either hotel guests or just general public.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Yes! I experienced the same thing back in 2010, and I was hoping to do that same sort of preview again this time for hotel guests. I guess we'll see, but there's not much time to find out between now and the 29th, and then grand opening is the 8th, so it's kind of a narrow window. I guess the clue will be if softs start next week for either hotel guests or just general public.

I know, I only have until Monday, June 23 to cancel. So I am hoping that there will be soft openings before I need to decide.

I did just check online to see if packages were still able to be booked starting June 29 and yes they can. However you must keep the tickets included in the package price in order to book the package. We are annual pass holders so I won't book the package. I got APH room only rates and won't switch.

Again, I'll let you know if I hear anything more.

 

[kneedeep]

We have one APH night booked at RPH for 6/28 prior to our week at WDW. We were hoping Diagon Alley would be opened by then. I also have to cancel by 6/23 and will probably do that and rebook for sometime in the fall.

 

[damo]

Rumour is softs as early as Monday.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Rumour is softs as early as Monday.

I trust your judgment. That's my plan; I'd rather keep my reservation as booked and chance it with a soft opening. I can't rebook for about 6 months anyway as we have a cruise planned in October.

Keeping my fingers crossed for soft openings soon!

 

[damo]

I trust your judgment. That's my plan; I'd rather keep my reservation as booked and chance it with a soft opening. I can't rebook for about 6 months anyway as we have a cruise planned in October.

Keeping my fingers crossed for soft openings soon!

I'm just going by info I read on other boards with a good track record. Apparently, media is supposed to be riding both new rides tonight or tomorrow. If that is the case, there really is no reason that softs wouldn't be soon.

When Hogsmeade soft-opened we had onsite reservations but no package and got to enjoy early admission before it was opened to the general public. It was absolutely fantastic.

 

[andyman8]

There's no way this won't be in softs by July 4. They'll probably be limited but June 30 is most likely very close to the soft opening date. Whether those softs be only available for package guests or the general public is yet to be known.

 

[lizzytizzy]

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.

I sincerely hope the different set of turnstiles is true! I booked the package and, of course, the grand opening will be on our first day there! I will be calling first thing tomorrow morning!

 

[istone100]

Here's to hoping my birthday button provides a little bit of magic for our Jun 26 - July 6th trips.

 

[damo]

Media were all riding the rides yesterday.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Since media got to ride Escape From Gringotts yesterday, any word on whether it has a single rider line or not?

 

[2dogmom]

We are there June 29-30 and hoping for a soft opening. It is my first visit since before HP opened so I am just excited to see the original HP, but DA would be awesome too.

 

[Bluer101]

Since media got to ride Escape From Gringotts yesterday, any word on whether it has a single rider line or not?

There is a sign but don't know if it will be functional.

 

[sscheier]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly would a "soft opening" be as compared to just opening the gates up?

 

[Bluer101]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly would a "soft opening" be as compared to just opening the gates up?

Soft opening is a spontaneous real world trial with real guests. At that time it can have break downs, closures and such. As quick as it opened it can close for no reason. They normally put out signs explaining this so there is no hard feelings.

 

[Metro West]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly would a "soft opening" be as compared to just opening the gates up?

Think of a soft opening as a technical rehearsal...the attraction isn't quite ready to be turned loose on the public but kinks and details need to be worked out. So softs are done to try and get everything in perfect working order before a public opening. If a new attraction is just opened to the public and no tests were done, people might possibly get the ride bad reviews because the kinks weren't addressed prior to opening.