Harry Potter Opening confusion

[Commando2319]

I am seeing the news that Universal announced that the Harry Potter area will open on June 18th.

What about the special Harry Potter package they are selling starting May 28th?

So if you booked the special Harry Potter package for the earliest dates, you don't even get to see Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Is it a misprint? Did they mean May 18th?

 

[NedsTJ]

According to the blogs and press releases (from what I read this morning), people that purchased the packages will get exactly what is promised with the packages. Personally...I'd read the fine print very carefully!

We are going to be in Disney early May. We're hoping there's a "soft" opening of WWOHP, in which case we're renting a car and heading over, LOL.

 

[ADP]

I am seeing the news that Universal announced that the Harry Potter area will open on June 18th.

What about the special Harry Potter package they are selling starting May 28th?

So if you booked the special Harry Potter package for the earliest dates, you don't even get to see Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Is it a misprint? Did they mean May 18th?

I'm right there with you. There's a lot of word of mouth speculation going on right now. The information Universal released seems meager in my opinion. They announced the grand opening date and details about HPatFJ. That's about it. It's left a lot of other questions to be answered.

Folks on the Universal board have been told by reservationists at Universal that you will only be able to access Harry Potter Island if you have the Harry Potter package before June 18th. General resort guests without the package and AP holders would not have access. I'm finding that hard to believe since this hasn't been Universal's philosophy over the years. They've always treated AP holders and resort guests at a high esteem.

Hopefully, more information will be released in the coming days to clear up the other questions fans have about access, soft openings, and other special events.

 

[Commando2319]

Folks on the Universal board have been told by reservationists at Universal that you will only be able to access Harry Potter Island if you have the Harry Potter package before June 18th. General resort guests without the package and AP holders would not have access.

Amazing. This seems like Universal's big chance to pull some business from Disney and gain some market share. But from the looks of it, they are screwing it up big time.

Makes me wonder if the whole HP experience will be filled with these problems and if it will just be a complete let down.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm right there with you. There's a lot of word of mouth speculation going on right now. The information Universal released seems meager in my opinion. The announced the grand opening date and details about HPatFJ. That's about it. It's left a lot of other questions to be answered.

Folks on the Universal board have been told by reservationists at Universal that you will only be able to access Harry Potter Island if you have the Harry Potter package before June 18th. General resort guests without the package and AP holders would not have access. I'm finding that hard to believe since this hasn't been Universal's philosophy over the years. They've always treated AP holders and resort guests at a high esteem.

Hopefully, more information will be released in the coming days to clear up the other questions fans have about access, soft openings, and other special events.

Wow! I'm going to keep an eye on this. I've got a room only booked just after Memorial Weekend since we already had 3 of the 4 tickets we needed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will not be true.

At the very least, they should let in folks with the HP package, AP holders and resort guests.

 

[ADP]

Found this on the Universal board and posting it here.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22952060/index.html

 

[dpuck1998]

Found this on the Universal board and posting it here.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22952060/index.html

Cool Vid! Can't wait to go in December!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Found this on the Universal board and posting it here.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22952060/index.html

Wow. It looks absolutely amazing!!!!!! Thanks for the link!

 

[Metro West]

I'm right there with you. There's a lot of word of mouth speculation going on right now. The information Universal released seems meager in my opinion. The announced the grand opening date and details about HPatFJ. That's about it. It's left a lot of other questions to be answered.

Folks on the Universal board have been told by reservationists at Universal that you will only be able to access Harry Potter Island if you have the Harry Potter package before June 18th. General resort guests without the package and AP holders would not have access. I'm finding that hard to believe since this hasn't been Universal's philosophy over the years. They've always treated AP holders and resort guests at a high esteem.

Hopefully, more information will be released in the coming days to clear up the other questions fans have about access, soft openings, and other special events.

Yeah...Universal really needs to clarify what's going on for hotel guests, AP holders and the general public. This has turned into one BIG mess.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Yeah...Universal really needs to clarify what's going on for hotel guests, AP holders and the general public. This has turned into one BIG mess.

Have they not had months and months to figure this out? Wasn't this a planned announcement? Why wouldn't you make everything clear so you don't put people off before it even opens???

Now, Disney is also known for making announcements and running promotions that are as clear as mud, but HPW is HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE for Universal, you would think they would want to come off looking better than Disney at rolling out something this big.

 

[LMO429]

I am just guessing here but I look at the June 18th date to the equivalent of a show's opening night on broadway. Typically they have previews weeks before and people who buy tickets to watch the performance are paying to see mistakes/errors. So just because Universal stated that it's the "grand opening" on June 18th does not necessarily mean that Harry Potter land will not be open before hand. I would guess that those individuals who bought the "harry potter" package before june 18th will be entitled to some sort of exclusive access to that area of the theme park.

 

[dizneedoll]

There is a thread on the Universal boards where folks are discussing the opening day dates dilemma. Apparently if you booked the HP package before June 18, it will be honored. But all the packages as of today have a travel window of June 18-Dec 31, no longer May 28. Hopefully, people who booked travel before June 18 will be able to get in. It's a bit unclear however, if anyone will be able to get in before June 18 if they do not have one of the special packages booked. I think it would be a huge nightmare for Universal if those anyone who booked those packages were denied entry.

 

[Metro West]

Have they not had months and months to figure this out? Wasn't this a planned announcement? Why wouldn't you make everything clear so you don't put people off before it even opens???

Now, Disney is also known for making announcements and running promotions that are as clear as mud, but HPW is HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE for Universal, you would think they would want to come off looking better than Disney at rolling out something this big.

Yup...I agree.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

I saw a TV commercial last night that had the June opening date.

 

[WebmasterPete]

Okay, we have 'official' word from Universal on this...

Unless you booked the HP package with arrival between 5/28 and 6/18, your out of luck. Only those with HP packages will be allowed into that area of the park during those dates. It will open to the general public after 6/18.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.

Pete

 

[dpuck1998]

Okay, we have 'official' word from Universal on this...

Unless you booked the HP package with arrival between 5/28 and 6/18, your out of luck. Only those with HP packages will be allowed into that area of the park during those dates. It will open to the general public after 6/18.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.

Pete

WOW, that is a huge break for those people though, they get it all to themselves!!

 

[wishspirit]

Okay, we have 'official' word from Universal on this...

Unless you booked the HP package with arrival between 5/28 and 6/18, your out of luck. Only those with HP packages will be allowed into that area of the park during those dates. It will open to the general public after 6/18.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.

Pete

Damn, I was just about to change my package!

Nevermind, stick with the old one!

 

[dpuck1998]

Okay, we have 'official' word from Universal on this...

Unless you booked the HP package with arrival between 5/28 and 6/18, your out of luck. Only those with HP packages will be allowed into that area of the park during those dates. It will open to the general public after 6/18.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.

Pete

Pete,

Is it correct that several off-site hotels are offering this package also? So even those off-site get FOTL access to just the Harry Potter attractions? Are on-site guest going to get access to HP attractions also (more than just once per day)?

 

[WebmasterPete]

No, off site hotels DO NOT get the FOTL perk - but yes, if you have the HP package booked, even at an off site hotel, and are arriving between 5/28 and 6/18 you will be given access to WWOHP - but it must be the HP package (breakfast at Three Broomsticks, Commemerative ticket, etc).

Pete

 

[Michele]

Have they not had months and months to figure this out? Wasn't this a planned announcement? Why wouldn't you make everything clear so you don't put people off before it even opens???

Now, Disney is also known for making announcements and running promotions that are as clear as mud, but HPW is HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE for Universal, you would think they would want to come off looking better than Disney at rolling out something this big.

More like years....I'm listening to old podcasts now.... it was announced late 2007/early 2008(can't remember exactly). The original opening was supposed to be Spring 2009.