Diagon Alley July 8th Grand Opening

[damo]

I was told on the phone that the 29th of June - the 8th of July (opening day) ONLY package guest get early entry to Diagon Alley. Starting the 9th of July onsite hotel guest and package guest will be allowed early entry to both parks.

I spoke to two different TMs and one TM manager on two different cells and got the exact same information.

On both calls I had to give my reservation number before they would answer any questions. I assume it was to verify I had a package.

They said the same thing last time but there weren't enough package people to warrant it.

 

[freediverdude]

Ahhh, so that's why they gave in and started letting all the onsite hotel guests in last time. I thought it was probably because they might be getting complaints from hotel guests without the packages, as in "I'm staying in a club room at the Hard Rock and I can't get in there, why is this person who booked some package with the Holiday Inn down the street getting in??" lol I can just hear it.

 

[hermionesnape]

They said the same thing last time but there weren't enough package people to warrant it.

They did make a point of bringing up that they "learned their lesson" from unhappy package people last time. We were promised an exclusive thing with the package and it wasn't exclusive when you allow non package guest in as well.

Doesn't matter to me that much I just am glad I have the package and won't have to worry if I'll get in or not.

 

[eeudj]

Do you know if you can make breakfast reservations at LC if you did not buy the package? If so who would I call? Is there a dining number like Disney has?

 

[damo]

Do you know if you can make breakfast reservations at LC if you did not buy the package? If so who would I call? Is there a dining number like Disney has?

Are you staying onsite? Last time, you could ask concierge at the hotels to check and see if there was any space left.

 

[zebsterama]

Are you staying onsite? Last time, you could ask concierge at the hotels to check and see if there was any space left.

Thanks for the idea, I didn't know such a thing was possible. I will have to ask when we arrive at the end of July.

 

[eeudj]

Yes at cabana bay.... Do not know if they have concierge service but will ask. Thanks!!!

 

[CEO]

I was lucky to be at HRH for two nights, checking out the day of the original WWOHP.

We were NOT given early entry into WWOHP on 6/18/10, but we had access to it in the days leading up to the grand opening. That's a good thing because things were insane that day at IOA.

One great thing about IOA on 6/18 -- and it should apply to USF on 7/8 -- is that because the park is shut down at capacity, and because a good chunk of that capacity will be in the hours-long line to get into Diagon Alley and the attractions, that the rest of the rides were walk on.

This may not be such a big deal to folks at PBH, RPH, or HRH with Universal Express, but it may be something to consider for others that have been lucky to check out a soft opening by then and can then stomach the long initial wait to get into the park. I was so stunned at the line to get into WWOHP four years ago that I decided to use my phone's flimsy camera to shoot the 8-hour line on the way out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge1fIuH2qVs

Unless you're a diehard Potter fan that's patient and are traveling with folks that have the mettle to wait for hours in a sea of bodies you will want to stay away on July 8.

 

[RMulieri]

I was lucky to be at HRH for two nights, checking out the day of the original WWOHP.

We were NOT given early entry into WWOHP on 6/18/10, but we had access to it in the days leading up to the grand opening. That's a good thing because things were insane that day at IOA.

One great thing about IOA on 6/18 -- and it should apply to USF on 7/8 -- is that because the park is shut down at capacity, and because a good chunk of that capacity will be in the hours-long line to get into Diagon Alley and the attractions, that the rest of the rides were walk on.

This may not be such a big deal to folks at PBH, RPH, or HRH with Universal Express, but it may be something to consider for others that have been lucky to check out a soft opening by then and can then stomach the long initial wait to get into the park. I was so stunned at the line to get into WWOHP four years ago that I decided to use my phone's flimsy camera to shoot the 8-hour line on the way out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge1fIuH2qVs

Unless you're a diehard Potter fan that's patient and are traveling with folks that have the mettle to wait for hours in a sea of bodies you will want to stay away on July 8.

That is completely insane.

 

[jfelcie]

Thank you, good to know. We are staying at Royal Pacific and July 8th. will be our check out date. We have a night flight back to CT and plan to be in the parks that day.

 

[MightyGitis]

They did make a point of bringing up that they "learned their lesson" from unhappy package people last time. We were promised an exclusive thing with the package and it wasn't exclusive when you allow non package guest in as well. Doesn't matter to me that much I just am glad I have the package and won't have to worry if I'll get in or not.

As someone who had the package last time and went in two weeks early we were not
Promised exclusive access. And this time neither was the new package. The new package is a package that runs from June 29 to December 30. It promises you access. But not exclusive.

I suspect it will be done similar to last
Time. Some days it was just package holders. Some days package holders and hotel
Guests. And some days EVERYONE. As early as June 1 (17 days before opening) there were reports of non resort guests gaining entry at regular park opening time.

 

[Selket]

I planned to be there on July 1st and we are staying at one of their major resorts....so I really need to know if they are going to allow resort guests into any soft openings. If any of you have a crystal ball can you get it out please? lol!

I have to cancel the hotel by Wednesday. I have tickets that don't expire until the end of next year so although I really want to go this year....I'll hold on to them and go next year to insure I can see the new HP area if I need to. I realize that is the ONLY way I'd know for sure I'd get in ... but I'm willing to take a chance this year if it is being reported that all hotel guests are getting into soft openings.

Any idea on how soon we can know about soft openings and whether hotel guests (and not just package holders) are being allowed in?

 

[damo]

I planned to be there on July 1st and we are staying at one of their major resorts....so I really need to know if they are going to allow resort guests into any soft openings. If any of you have a crystal ball can you get it out please? lol!

I have to cancel the hotel by Wednesday. I have tickets that don't expire until the end of next year so although I really want to go this year....I'll hold on to them and go next year to insure I can see the new HP area if I need to. I realize that is the ONLY way I'd know for sure I'd get in ... but I'm willing to take a chance this year if it is being reported that all hotel guests are getting into soft openings.

Any idea on how soon we can know about soft openings and whether hotel guests (and not just package holders) are being allowed in?

Follow this thread.... http://www.orlandounited.com/forums...-Alley-Soft-Opening-Watch?p=376013#post376013

 

[Selket]

Follow this thread.... http://www.orlandounited.com/forums...-Alley-Soft-Opening-Watch?p=376013#post376013

Thanks....just what I needed! Looks like the speculation is the soft openings would not be before 6/29. I doubt I'm going to know by the 25th.

I'm probably going to cancel and go next year so I'm sure to be able to see it.