Harry Potter Opening?

[itutorfortravel]

Hi all, I usually post to the WDW and DCL boards, but this year we find ourselves considering Universal since our DD will be a little older and she loves Harry Potter!

We are traveling to Orlando in mid-May. Does anyone know if the Harry Potter area of IOA will be open by then?

Our DD is turning 8 this month...she's not a thrill seeker at all, so Magic Kingdom has been great in years past. Of course she is a little bit more adventurous than she was a couple years ago when we last went to MK. I am wondering what is fun for a semi-conservative 8 year old at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?

We are totally newbies to these parks, so any inside info would be great appreciated!

 

[Metro West]

Hi all, I usually post to the WDW and DCL boards, but this year we find ourselves considering Universal since our DD will be a little older and she loves Harry Potter!

We are traveling to Orlando in mid-May. Does anyone know if the Harry Potter area of IOA will be open by then?

Our DD is turning 8 this month...she's not a thrill seeker at all, so Magic Kingdom has been great in years past. Of course she is a little bit more adventurous than she was a couple years ago when we last went to MK. I am wondering what is fun for a semi-conservative 8 year old at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?

We are totally newbies to these parks, so any inside info would be great appreciated!

While there has been no official date released by Universal, I think it's a good chance you might be able to explore WWoHP or at least part of it by mid-May. I don't think it will formally open until around Memorial Day weekend but there should be soft openings during early May.

 

[Claire-Bear]

They've basically officiated that the grand opening will have happened by 28th May. You may be lucky and the grand opening have already happened, but you will definately be there for soft opening. Of course, since its soft opening, it means the rides may not be open etc. since its a guest testing period.

Most up to date brochure so far that lists the rides in both parks: http://www.universalorlandovacations.com/pdf/2010_UNI_brochure.PDF

Keep your eye on this thread dedicated to Harry Potter on the board http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2219505
Just to add, of the three rides at Harry Potter, one is a tamer rollercoaster, one is a heavy duty roller coaster and the final is a moving-arm ride with height restriction of 48" (so described as a thrill ride)

 

[itutorfortravel]

What does a soft opening mean?

And is there more to do at Universal Studios for my 8 yo than at IOA? I was thinking maybe IOA only b/c of the Harry Potter area (and realizing it may just be us looking at things and not really riding anything)...the rest of IOA looks a little intense for a small child that is not a thrill-seeker. Or am I missing something?

 

[damo]

Check out the official website www.universalorlando.com

They have little videos of each ride and attraction that will give you an idea if it is appropriate for your daughter or not.

IMO, there are lots of things that 8 year old will love. Shrek, ET, Twister, Disaster, Men in Black, Animal Actors show, Jimmy Neutron, Woody Woodpecker coaster and play area, the whole Seuss area, Storm Force Acceletron, the play area at Jurassic Park, perhaps Spiderman, Pteranadon Flyers, Flying Hippogriff, Poseidan's Fury, Sinbad Show.

 

[Claire-Bear]

As I say, soft opening means its for guest testing i.e. they open the rides to guests from time to time to test how things go

It partly depends on her height as IOA has more height restrictions that US. I personally prefer IOA (which does have areas specifically catered to children such as Seuss Landing, Camp Jurassic), but US does have more simulators and shows that she would likely prefer as they are tamer than those at IOA (e.g. jimmy neutron, simpsons, E.T., M.I.B., Shrek and shows like Animal Planet Live).

If she is quite nervy about new rides, she'd probably enjoy US more

To be honest, for not much more money, you could get the 2-park 1-day ticket so that you can go between both parks. They're only a walk apart. That way you can pick and choose the rides that appeal to her the most from both parks (e.g. make US the main park you visit, but pay a trip to IOA to see its great theming, Seuss Land, Camp Jurassic, Harry Potter etc.)

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thanks to everyone for the input! It sounds like a lot of fun I hope the Harry Potter portion of IOA is open when we go, even if it is a "soft opening"....DD will probably just want to look around more than anything.

 

[armstrong80]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150158751370570&ref=mf

 

[Latel]

Universal will be releasing the official opening dates next week, on the 25th.