Hogwarts express? Only 1 per day?

[MightyGitis]

This doesnt really bother us.We stay several days at Universal.I understand that for the vast majority they see Unviersal as an ADD ON to a Disney trip and for them it is going to be unfair, but it is what it is.Universal is no longer content with being an add on .They are becoming ( and for many ,have been for awhile) a multi-day destination trip.

It's not that it's an add on for us. We do them separately. They have HP events at universal that we love and will book packages for and stay multiple days. (On these trips a day at Disney is the add on) This coming trip is a Disney trip though my sister and I were going to pop over for one day JUST to see the new HP stuff. The original plan was to arrive in IOS and ride the train to US. Check out the new area. Ride the new ride. Then hop in the line and take the train back. That way we got to see both ways.

Since we go often enough we don't need to ride any of the other stuff in universal that day. But as it's likely very close after the opening it will definitely be considered high demand.

So it goes though. We will just have to leave US on foot when we are done and not ride back to IOA.

 

[agavegirl1]

I really like the thought of different views each way. This would kind of make it seem like two different rides. Even if I only get a one way ticket each day it would just leave something to look forward to next day or next trip.

I've read the detailed descriptions of the ride experience both ways. The ride from London to Hogsmeade has a more intense story line than the ride from Hogsmeade to London. Both rides are very different as far as story line and effects, so it will kind of be like two different rides.

 

[MightyGitis]

I've read the detailed descriptions of the ride experience both ways. The ride from London to Hogsmeade has a more intense story line than the ride from Hogsmeade to London. Both rides are very different as far as story line and effects, so it will kind of be like two different rides.

So it's like two different rides but you only get one. Fabulous. *sighs*

 

[TaylorsDad]

Just thought of something. I wonder how this would work with those that require a wheelchair, ECV, or that have some disability that prohibits extended periods of walking. My daughter uses a wheelchair and although they may have a place for a wheelchair to fit on a train, if they do not I cannot see them telling a disabled person they must walk back on their own. I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[johde]

Well maybe it will be that you can only RESERVE one ride per day but you can wait in a standby line however many times a day you want and they'll have two lines...one for reservations and one for standby.

A ticket to ride system I think would make a lot of since for this ride. When Hogmead opened, they used the old free Universal Express machines to give people a return time to enter the land. The Hogwarts Express being a railway theme, this could be a "permanent" part of the attraction. Upon entering Kings Cross Station, you go to a "ticket kiosk" it could check to see if you have the proper ticket type and offers you a choice of "boarding times". If you don't have park to park tickets, the screen would direct you to go to a live ticketing agent to upgrade your tickets.

People with tickets could use the express pass entrance the rumor has it won't be in use initially.

 

[disneymac000]

Just thought of something. I wonder how this would work with those that require a wheelchair, ECV, or that have some disability that prohibits extended periods of walking. My daughter uses a wheelchair and although they may have a place for a wheelchair to fit on a train, if they do not I cannot see them telling a disabled person they must walk back on their own. I guess we will have to wait and see.

They already have a system worked out for that is rumoured with an extra car with all the wheelchairs that get transferred over to the other station...however people can not be seated in a wheelchair on the ride.

 

[MightyGitis]

A ticket to ride system I think would make a lot of since for this ride. When Hogmead opened, they used the old free Universal Express machines to give people a return time to enter the land. The Hogwarts Express being a railway theme, this could be a "permanent" part of the attraction. Upon entering Kings Cross Station, you go to a "ticket kiosk" it could check to see if you have the proper ticket type and offers you a choice of "boarding times". If you don't have park to park tickets, the screen would direct you to go to a live ticketing agent to upgrade your tickets. People with tickets could use the express pass entrance the rumor has it won't be in use initially.

Did they ever add express pass to Forbidden journey? They still had not in January. There's a chance there will never be.

 

[RMulieri]

Did they ever add express pass to Forbidden journey? They still had not in January. There's a chance there will never be.

nope.It would involve closing the castle tour only line IIRC and they wont do that

 

[RMulieri]

Did they ever add express pass to Forbidden journey? They still had not in January. There's a chance there will never be.

nope.The line they use for the castle-tour only line is what would be the express line, I don't see them adding express anytime soon, but who knows

 

[damo]

They already have a system worked out for that is rumoured with an extra car with all the wheelchairs that get transferred over to the other station...however people can not be seated in a wheelchair on the ride.

Haven't heard that rumoured anywhere. I can't see them using an entire car just for wheelchairs when there probably is only a small number of wheelchairs in an entire day. I think there are only 3 cars on each train with 56 passengers per car. To use an entire car for wheelchairs doesn't seem practical.

 

[RMulieri]

Haven't heard that rumoured anywhere. I can't see them using an entire car just for wheelchairs when there probably is only a small number of wheelchairs in an entire day. I think there are only 3 cars on each train with 56 passengers per car. To use an entire car for wheelchairs doesn't seem practical.

I am not sure its a whole car , but one of the Universal Tms on another forum said that both wheelchairs and strollers will be transported by the train to the other park.

 

[hermionesnape]

I've read the detailed descriptions of the ride experience both ways. The ride from London to Hogsmeade has a more intense story line than the ride from Hogsmeade to London. Both rides are very different as far as story line and effects, so it will kind of be like two different rides.

And the scenes have different views and angles depending on you location on the train. So you can have 2 completely different trips (to and from Hogsmead) with 3 variations on each one. (One variation per car).

 

[DrHfuhruhurr]

And the scenes have different views and angles depending on you location on the train. So you can have 2 completely different trips (to and from Hogsmead) with 3 variations on each one. (One variation per car).

Well, clearly then, everyone should be entitled to ride it six times a day. Guaranteed.

 

[TaylorsDad]

I am not sure its a whole car , but one of the Universal Tms on another forum said that both wheelchairs and strollers will be transported by the train to the other park.

Hopefully something like this will be in place. Normally a transfer from wheelchair to seat is fine but with the crowds on the other park being just as large or larger the thought of having to make our way back to the other park on foot is troubling. I have faith though that they will have something acceptable in place. Universal has always done a wonderful job for us.

 

[damo]

I am not sure its a whole car , but one of the Universal Tms on another forum said that both wheelchairs and strollers will be transported by the train to the other park.

I read that if they are fold up ones, you can take them with you. Otherwise you will pick up a new wheelchair/stroller at the other park (provided you rented them).

 

[TaylorsDad]

I read that if they are fold up ones, you can take them with you. Otherwise you will pick up a new wheelchair/stroller at the other park (provided you rented them).

Makes sense for those that rent although it would probably be difficult to manage unless Universal had someone at each end awaiting guests who are in an assigned section awaiting wheelchairs. I was really worried for a moment, then realized Taylor(my daughter) has another wheelchair that is able to fold up.

 

[jerseygirl82]

I apologize if this has been covered on another thread, but how would this work during EE? IIRC, only one park does EE, right? So if I was at USO and rode HE to ISO, how would I get back to USO?

 

[damo]

I apologize if this has been covered on another thread, but how would this work during EE? IIRC, only one park does EE, right? So if I was at USO and rode HE to ISO, how would I get back to USO?

It might not run during EE or both parks may be open for EE. Nobody really knows yet.

 

[macraven]

we will find out later when it opens.




maybe during soft openings, it will be known.

 

[MightyGitis]

we will find out later when it opens. maybe during soft openings, it will be known.

I will hopefully be spending June 30th at Universal to visit Diagon Alley provided it is open. So I can report back if we don't have answers before then.

One month out and we still don't know if it will be open.