Harry potter expansion... Nooooo

[me23xx]

Let me start by saying I LOVE Harry potter and are visiting universal for the purpose of going, we're coming from the UK for two weeks on 24th July great and mainly going to disney but bought tickets for universal because I really want to go to wwohp!! However..... Now this expansion is coming and time wise it's looking like it will have just opened.... So I'm now thinking it's going to be so busy that I'm not actually going to see anything... What are your thoughts??

 

[KeroKero]

I would suggest staying at a Universal resort for the days you will be going there. That way you'll get to the park early without having to deal with the regular crowd.

 

[AJ1983]

I would suggest staying at a Universal resort for the days you will be going there. That way you'll get to the park early without having to deal with the regular crowd.

Ditto. We are going next October and would have stayed onsite for the Express Pass regardless, but now with the expansion, it looks like EP will be all but necessary. Book yourself a room there for a night and you'll get 2 full days of Unlimited Express Pass, plus early entry for WWOHP. DEFINITELY worth it.

 

[damo]

Ditto. We are going next October and would have stayed onsite for the Express Pass regardless, but now with the expansion, it looks like EP will be all but necessary. Book yourself a room there for a night and you'll get 2 full days of Unlimited Express Pass, plus early entry for WWOHP. DEFINITELY worth it.

They probably won't have the Express Pass for the new Gringott's ride, just like they don't have it for the Forbidden JOurney.

 

[RMulieri]

No doubt it will be insane crowds.I would still stay onsite if you can , since though the new rides wont likely have express pass ( Forbidden journey doesnt and it has been over 3 yrs).Being onsite will likely give you early entry and that can be valuable to beating some of the large crowds.Keep in mind though, that the new ( and very large) onsite resort will be opening too, and though they will not get the resort guest express pass privelage, they WILL have the early entry privelage too.You will still be wall to wall people, especially in those sections of the 2 parks .

 

[patster734]

They probably won't have the Express Pass for the new Gringott's ride, just like they don't have it for the Forbidden JOurney.

I agree with this, but they might have early entry for onsite hotel guests.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm curious to see how early entry will work with the train between the two parks. Or for those without park to park passes. It should be an interesting grand opening to say the least.

 

[Lawgos26]

I definitely agree! Like can you still ride the train if you don't have a park to park pass, or if you can will they just have it set up like the front entry?

 

[Metro West]

I definitely agree! Like can you still ride the train if you don't have a park to park pass, or if you can will they just have it set up like the front entry?

I'm curious about this too. I can't imagine you could ride the train w/o park to park access unless the train station has a separate entrance which I doubt it would. My guess is you're going to have to have park to park access since they would letting a lot of people from IOA into the Studios for free and that won't work.

 

[RMulieri]

I definitely agree! Like can you still ride the train if you don't have a park to park pass, or if you can will they just have it set up like the front entry?

3 different sources (one is on Orlando United the other is Universals travel agent site another can't be mentioned) are all confirming that a Park to Park ticket will be required to ride the Hogwarts express.
http://universaltravelagents.com/hp.asp

It is listed under Diagon Alley

 

[Metro West]

3 different sources (one is on Orlando United the other is Universals travel agent site another can't be mentioned) are all confirming that a Park to Park ticket will be required to ride the Hogwarts express.
http://universaltravelagents.com/hp.asp

It is listed under Diagon Alley

I wouldn't expect anything less...thanks for sharing the link.

 

[hpriamson]

I wouldn't expect anything less...thanks for sharing the link.

The big question is, will JK Rowling let Universal put a ticket booth up at either end of the Hogwarts Express, so you can upgrade your ticket on the spot?

 

[Metro West]

The big question is, will JK Rowling let Universal put a ticket booth up at either end of the Hogwarts Express, so you can upgrade your ticket on the spot?

In the beginning I can see scanners being used instead of actual ticket booths to see who can ride and who can't. I think the single park ticket is going to be eliminated pretty soon after HP2 opens. If the people traffic for the train ends up being what's anticipated, there will be no need for a one day ticket any longer.

 

[Lawgos26]

That does make sense, but i don't think they would get rid of the one park pass completely. Because what if you only had one day to spend at universal. It's pretty hard to get through just one park in one day and trying to get through two, especially with the lines would be insane. I think they will keep the one park pass, but It would be very nice to have a chance to upgrade your ticket before loading the train at either end.

 

[damo]

Sounds like they will have ticket booths at the train stations to upgrade your pass if necessary.

 

[glocon]

I'm guessing two separate lines, one for those with a one park pass, and another for park to park passes....

 

[Rip]

Sounds like they will have ticket booths at the train stations to upgrade your pass if necessary.

This. They could easily theme the ticket booths.