Really Really Angry

[wijkowski]

Other then their newest coaster disappointment and lack of AP holders event I have few negative things to say about Universal and never understood the negativity towards them from some ppl.

I don't understand how this is a disappointing announcement...They announced the date 3 months ahead of time giving ppl the opportunity to make travel plans or change any dates they may have previously had. This is more then I can say for the last coaster that just randomly started running someday.

I actually am fairly satisfied with their timeframe they have announced and its still in Spring like they promised and are having cool vacation packages for those interested in an added bonus experience.

Jonny,

As I said, we loved Universal/Islands of Adventure years ago, but we feel there have been issues since then regarding rides, lack of security, and a few other issues. In 1999, we attended the soft opening of Islands of Adventure and were amazed at the level of detail and thought that went into the park. In addition, we believe Spiderman has been and is today the best theme park ride we ever rode.

You are correct, they announced the grand opening three months ahead of time so that people can change their vacation plans. As a professional, it is very difficult, if not impossible to change my vacation schedule once determined. I have meetings, a conference, etc. that simply cannot be changed. I would assume a fair number of people have the same time constraints.

Ron

 

[gigimom4]

I know this doesn't help anyone else but I am actually a little relieved-we planned our late May/early June trip awhile back for a WDW/US trip and then found out about the opening and decided to skip Universal because of the crowds. I am hoping that maybe they won't be so bad now. Although from the sounds of it, it will still be very crowed-with very mad people!

Being able to see HP would be a bonus but isn't a deal breaker for us but all in all I really hope that everyone is happy with whatever happens!

 

[phamton]

See I don't think it is right to only accommodate guests who purchased the package. I think it is right to accommodate the people who have supported the parks throughout the year...the annual pass holders. Hopefully they just don't have a one or two night party that most people won't be able to attend like they usually do. I think if they are making the area available to package holders for three weeks, it should also be available for passholders.

I may be reading this wrong but no where have I seen that only those who have purchased the package can see it for 3 weeks. Everything I have heard and read is just referring to early entry into the park for those who purchased the package. During soft openings, anyone who is in the park during regular park hours should be able to enjoy WWoHP. But it will still be soft opening and as such, there is no guarantee which parts will be open on any given day.

 

[wijkowski]

I wonder if something did not go as planned? Maybe a ride or building issue that must be addressed.

From the outside, it does look like it is ready to go. June 18th is three months away and Universal needs all the guests it can get through the gates right now. Why not open if the land is operational?

Ron

 

[damo]

I may be reading this wrong but no where have I seen that only those who have purchased the package can see it for 3 weeks. Everything I have heard and read is just referring to early entry into the park for those who purchased the package. During soft openings, anyone who is in the park during regular park hours should be able to enjoy WWoHP. But it will still be soft opening and as such, there is no guarantee which parts will be open on any given day.

See that would be exactly what I would expect but people who called were told that they would not get in the area at all...not just for early entry...unless they had purchased the package.

That's what caused all the problems. It really makes no sense.

 

[damo]

I wonder if something did not go as planned? Maybe a ride or building issue that must be addressed.

From the outside, it does look like it is ready to go. June 18th is three months away and Universal needs all the guests it can get through the gates right now. Why not open if the land is operational?

Ron

I can see why they can't have the opening ceremonies until mid June. Emma Watson attends Brown which has exams until mid May. Apparently there is still some filming that needs to be done for the movie. That easily puts them into mid June for everyone to get back to the US for the opening ceremony.

 

[dizcrazee]

I may be reading this wrong but no where have I seen that only those who have purchased the package can see it for 3 weeks. Everything I have heard and read is just referring to early entry into the park for those who purchased the package. During soft openings, anyone who is in the park during regular park hours should be able to enjoy WWoHP. But it will still be soft opening and as such, there is no guarantee which parts will be open on any given day.

The reservationist told me that we would not be allowed in WWoHP - period. Nothing about early opening or FOTL - not allowed to go in at all because we don't have the package (onsite hotel ressies only). I'm not saying she told me correctly, but that's definitely what I was told. I questioned her thoroughly to make sure I understood what she was saying. Hopefully, they are backing down on this decision or she just had it all wrong.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I wonder if something did not go as planned? Maybe a ride or building issue that must be addressed.

From the outside, it does look like it is ready to go. June 18th is three months away and Universal needs all the guests it can get through the gates right now. Why not open if the land is operational?

Ron

Well...I haven't been since Dec but my guess is there is still a lot of work with theme'ing to be done. Just cuz they have the new ride operational doesn't rly mean its rdy. In fact I would think many would be unhappy if they had to climb through a bunch of rubble to get to the ride.

I will also say even though I am sure Universal is not in the best financial state they have ever been they are most likely still viable and can deal with the current volume they have.

Again just my opinion but there seemed like a lot more to do in Dec....The coaster had not even gone down for remodeling yet so idk if thats done.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

The reservationist told me that we would not be allowed in WWoHP - period. Nothing about early opening or FOTL - not allowed to go in at all because we don't have the package (onsite hotel ressies only). I'm not saying she told me correctly, but that's definitely what I was told. I questioned her thoroughly to make sure I understood what she was saying. Hopefully, they are backing down on this decision or she just had it all wrong.

I suppose its possible they can block off this area but I don't think they are going to block off part of the park. My understanding is the package is what it is and gives a cpl special benefits. It doesn't say they have exclusive access to the land.

But thats my speculation and I think that reservationist was wrong.

 

[Disney_Jill]

Its said opening in the Spring 2010. How is June 18th Spring? I wasn't planning on going, we went in January, but still. June is summer, not spring. Just saying.

 

[damo]

Its said opening in the Spring 2010. How is June 18th Spring? I wasn't planning on going, we went in January, but still. June is summer, not spring. Just saying.

Nope, it is still officially spring.

 

[LJF]

Technically, with less than 72 hours to spare, June 18th is still Spring. Didn't think they'd pull something like that, but they can and they did.

 

[Lou Holtz]

Here's what's happening: Only people who booked the package are GUARANTEED admittance to Harry Potter. The soft openings will begin well before the package dates anyway. There are so many things that go into this ride that the soft opening period should be lengthy to get them all ironed out. When they tell you that you won't get access, it's because the ride won't technically be "open" even though it will be running, when possible. If they start telling people they'll be able to ride and then the ride shuts down (which happens frequently in soft openings), people are livid.

If you really think that the only people who will be able to ride this ride before the grand opening are a few hundred people who booked a package for three weeks prior, I don't know what to tell you. There is NO way the ride would be ready for grand opening if those are the only people who could ride it. You need to practice running full capacity. This is not going to be a fly by the seat of your pants opening for Universal.

 

[sammielynn]

We are staying off-site and if they have the area open and will not let us in just because we are not in one of their hotels, I don't think I will ever go to Universal again. Even if I can't ride the ride let me walk the streets, that I can deal with. Sorry I can't afford one of their hotels.

 

[wijkowski]

Well...I haven't been since Dec but my guess is there is still a lot of work with theme'ing to be done. Just cuz they have the new ride operational doesn't rly mean its rdy. In fact I would think many would be unhappy if they had to climb through a bunch of rubble to get to the ride.

I will also say even though I am sure Universal is not in the best financial state they have ever been they are most likely still viable and can deal with the current volume they have.

Again just my opinion but there seemed like a lot more to do in Dec....The coaster had not even gone down for remodeling yet so idk if thats done.

"Can deal with the current volume they have", please explain?

Universal Orlando is a business and like any other business, a 12% decline in year over year business is a substantial hit. You can bet it's parent company has/will be asking questions of the parks executives. Assume the news on the front page of the DIS is correct in that attendance will be down 1.3 million visitors. That is an estimated loss of roughly 40-60 million dollars in tickets sales. Add in the loss of merchandise and food sales and we are looking at a possible 100 million dollar gap. In today's world, if you are not showing a profit, you are not viable.

As sad as it may seem, profit drives this world even in this down economic environment.

Ron

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Lesson learned.... don't book a vacation based on something opening until an official date has been released.

Good luck OP.

THIS!

 

[Magpie]

We are staying off-site and if they have the area open and will not let us in just because we are not in one of their hotels, I don't think I will ever go to Universal again. Even if I can't ride the ride let me walk the streets, that I can deal with. Sorry I can't afford one of their hotels.

There are HP packages available at "partner hotels" starting at very low prices. So you could still have the package and stay off-site, too.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

"Can deal with the current volume they have", please explain?

Universal Orlando is a business and like any other business, a 12% decline in year over year business is a substantial hit. You can bet it's parent company has/will be asking questions of the parks executives. Assume the news on the front page of the DIS is correct in that attendance will be down 1.3 million visitors. That is an estimated loss of roughly 40-60 million dollars in tickets sales. Add in the loss of merchandise and food sales and we are looking at a possible 100 million dollar gap. In today's world, if you are not showing a profit, you are not viable.

As sad as it may seem, profit drives this world even in this down economic environment.

Ron

Well these guys have been at this a long time...I highly doubt they will pump 200+ mill into these arrangements and another iirc 32 mil? maybe on a new coaster just to fold 3 months before it opens.

You are right the income has to be down but idk if that necessarily means a loss. My point is that the powers at play aren't gonna let the park fold within 3 months of this opening just because attendance may be down. They will put more cutbacks in to make it through.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Also travel itself is down across the nation. It's not a big deal because the economy sucks right now. It would be a big deal if the economy was doing well and the parks weren't.

 

[damo]

There are HP packages available at "partner hotels" starting at very low prices. So you could still have the package and stay off-site, too.

No packages are available until starting at June 18 now anyways.