Is trying for the grand opening of Diagon worth it?

dustindh

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
12
Long time lurker and a first time poster. I didn't have the pleasure of going to Hogsmeade until about a month after it opened but I remember all too well the swell of people and wait times to get in from reports of the grand opening. I understand that Universal has enacted a system to keep this from happening but I'm sure the crowd push on the 8th is still going to understandably be huge.

I've been a Harry Potter fan for over 10 years and make regular visits to Universal as such, but was wondering if anyone on the inside or someone with experience can shed some light on if going on opening day will prove to be fruitful visit or if it's better to give it a few days before venturing over to the park.

Thanks!
 
Long time lurker and a first time poster. I didn't have the pleasure of going to Hogsmeade until about a month after it opened but I remember all too well the swell of people and wait times to get in from reports of the grand opening. I understand that Universal has enacted a system to keep this from happening but I'm sure the crowd push on the 8th is still going to understandably be huge.

I've been a Harry Potter fan for over 10 years and make regular visits to Universal as such, but was wondering if anyone on the inside or someone with experience can shed some light on if going on opening day will prove to be fruitful visit or if it's better to give it a few days before venturing over to the park.

Thanks!

I think it depends on your definition of "fruitful". If you want the excitement of being there at the grand opening, and if you'd like a chance to bond with other Harry Potter fans at a unique event, then it could be very fruitful.

If you want to ride Gringott's over and over and browse the shops without having to fight crowds, then you'll probably be disappointed.

How much do you mind standing in lines?
 
I think it depends on your definition of "fruitful". If you want the excitement of being there at the grand opening, and if you'd like a chance to bond with other Harry Potter fans at a unique event, then it could be very fruitful.

If you want to ride Gringott's over and over and browse the shops without having to fight crowds, then you'll probably be disappointed.

How much do you mind standing in lines?
That's what I'm thinking. Personally...you won't catch me over there until sometime in September but if you want to tell your friends you were there during the grand opening then it would probably be worth it. Otherwise...not so much.
 
I think it depends on your definition of "fruitful". If you want the excitement of being there at the grand opening, and if you'd like a chance to bond with other Harry Potter fans at a unique event, then it could be very fruitful.

If you want to ride Gringott's over and over and browse the shops without having to fight crowds, then you'll probably be disappointed.

How much do you mind standing in lines?

I'm not worried about the lines, just more so putting the money into a park ticket and then say, not being able to get in? I know the return time is in place but just curious if that's really going to be all that effective until they work out the kinks.
 

I'm not worried about the lines, just more so putting the money into a park ticket and then say, not being able to get in? I know the return time is in place but just curious if that's really going to be all that effective until they work out the kinks.

If your goal is just to get in through the gates, then you should be fine - as long as you show up before official park open.

If you're staying on-site, your odds will undoubtedly be better, too.

Basically, approach this as if it was the busiest day of the year (which it likely will be), and use all the standard touring tips.
 
If your goal is just to get in through the gates, then you should be fine - as long as you show up before official park open.

If you're staying on-site, your odds will undoubtedly be better, too.

Basically, approach this as if it was the busiest day of the year (which it likely will be), and use all the standard touring tips.

For the original wizarding world, the line was all the way back to Thunder Falls Terrance in Jurassic Park when we showed up around 7AM. (They let people in the park early to queue up) By 9-10 it was outside the park and lines up all the way the long way around citywalk to the movie theater.

I'm not sure how parking was for that, since we walked in from outside the park.
 
For the original wizarding world, the line was all the way back to Thunder Falls Terrance in Jurassic Park when we showed up around 7AM. (They let people in the park early to queue up) By 9-10 it was outside the park and lines up all the way the long way around citywalk to the movie theater. I'm not sure how parking was for that, since we walked in from outside the park.

Actually they allowed only those staying onsite in to queue up early inside the gates (we jumped in front of a very large crowd waiting outside for regular park opening).

Once we entered and walk to the back of the line which was already really long we got out of line and went to the port of entry where they had a giant screen set up to watch the official opening ceremony. Once they cut the ribbon and the park actually opened, those not staying onsite were allowed in. The mad wave of people rushing to get in line was insane to watch.

Long story short, of you want to attend opening day stay onsite if at all possible. ;)
 
For the original wizarding world, the line was all the way back to Thunder Falls Terrance in Jurassic Park when we showed up around 7AM. (They let people in the park early to queue up) By 9-10 it was outside the park and lines up all the way the long way around citywalk to the movie theater.

I'm not sure how parking was for that, since we walked in from outside the park.


At this point, I'm considering dropping the car at a public parking lot somewhere and just walking into the park. I won't be at a hotel because I'm staying with friends and I can only imagine what getting parked is going to be like that day.
 
Actually they allowed only those staying onsite in to queue up early inside the gates (we jumped in front of a very large crowd waiting outside for regular park opening).

Once we entered and walk to the back of the line which was already really long we got out of line and went to the port of entry where they had a giant screen set up to watch the official opening ceremony. Once they cut the ribbon and the park actually opened, those not staying onsite were allowed in. The mad wave of people rushing to get in line was insane to watch.

Long story short, of you want to attend opening day stay onsite if at all possible. ;)

We weren't staying on site and made it to Jurassic park around 7. I've got a bunch of photos from it But it was just the grand opening date. They did stop letting the general public in not too long after that, though.
 
Maybe they were letting non onsite guest in for a while then stopped. We got there at 7:45/8 and the line was outside back between US and HRH area. We thought that was the line for onsite guest too get in as well. Once inside the back of the line stopped around the water rides. We had already seen DA the 4 days pervious and decided to go to the port of entry instead of waiting. We were able to watch the opening ceremonies on the giant screen and people rushing in at opening to join the already long line that was approaching Spider-Man by then.
 





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