The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[black562]

Okay, first of all here is the text of the letter I was handed at check-in this morning:

Welcome,

We have exciting news for you!

You will be among the first guests to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort!

As on on-site hotel guest, you will be given Early Park Admission for an exclusive preview of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is scheduled to begin at 8:00AM each day during your stay. You must arrive at Islands of Adventure by 8:45AM (clearly that's a typo on their part, it should have read 7:45AM) and proceed directly to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to ensure access to the area.

You will need a valid theme park admission ticket to Islands of Adventure, your hotel room key and photo ID that will be validated for admission. And please remember that operating hours and availability of specific attractions and entertainment are always subject to change without notice.

The water taxis will begin running at 7:45AM each morning to accommodate your departure for the theme parks.

If you have any questions or need to purchase your theme park tickets, please visit the Attraction Ticket Center in the hotel lobby.

Thank you for choosing Universal Orlando Resort for your vacation destination!

We hope you enjoy your stay with us!

​

Nowhere in this letter, or in my package confirmation documents does it say "2 hours" - the first mention of the word "preview" only appears in the letter above, which we only received when we arrived, and after we'd paid for the package. Even still, "preview" doesn't mean "limited time" - if I'm invited to preview of movie, I expect to see the full movie, not just the first 10 minutes. If I had known this was only going to be a 2 hour preview, I would not have booked the package.

When this package was released in March, there were NO stipulations made that this would be a limited opening. They did say that ATTRACTIONS are subject to availability, and I fully expected that FJ might be down as they worked out the bugs. If that was the extent of it, I'd have no problem - but to charge a premium for this, and not communicate that it would be a '2 hour' preview - allowing those who booked the package to think they would get to be there all day is a classic bait and switch. The only reason it stayed open longer than 10am today was because of the number of people who were FUMING about this.

Sorry - this is just plain WRONG on every level.

Ya know, I guess I figured that Universal would do this right, but I guess I was overestimating them again. I've frequently went to Universal the day before my Disney package began and plan to do so again this September as well. These kinds of things is what Universal doesn't think about...limiting time on a package that was sold as a preview???? I was at Animal Kingdom on the first day of previews and had the entire day and no restrictions of any kind...why would one expect Wizarding World to be any different?

I'm sorry, but this is where Disney consistently kills Universal, its all in the details (and don't get me started on why I can see part of the show building on Hogwarts in the photos I've seen). So its only day one and already we're hearing of terribly narrow streets, tight spaces in shops, limited time for preview packages, etc...I'm not sure what to expect come September. I also was looking forward to getting a wand at Olivanders and now understand that only certain individuals will have their wand choose them. That's a huge personal letdown.

 

[bubba's mom]

they should have gotten rid of the Jurassic Park area, or maybe Toon Lagoon since there's already Seuss' landing.

Why? They are completely different lands/attractions

Ya know, I guess I figured that Universal would do this right, but I guess I was overestimating them again. I've frequently went to Universal the day before my Disney package began and plan to do so again this September as well. These kinds of things is what Universal doesn't think about...limiting time on a package that was sold as a preview???? I was at Animal Kingdom on the first day of previews and had the entire day and no restrictions of any kind...why would one expect Wizarding World to be any different?

I'm sorry, but this is where Disney consistently kills Universal, its all in the details (and don't get me started on why I can see part of the show building on Hogwarts in the photos I've seen). So its only day one and already we're hearing of terribly narrow streets, tight spaces in shops, limited time for preview packages, etc...I'm not sure what to expect come September. I also was looking forward to getting a wand at Olivanders and now understand that only certain individuals will have their wand choose them. That's a huge personal letdown.

I wouldn't worry....by September things will be rollin' along just fine

 

[spima3]

...I'm not sure what to expect come September. I also was looking forward to getting a wand at Olivanders and now understand that only certain individuals will have their wand choose them. That's a huge personal letdown.

Yeah, right there with you. It sounds like the area isn't going to be able to handle the crowds. I am so glad we didn't book a mid June trip after the Grand Opening, 'cause I think it is going to be a nightmare.
We are going in mid Sept, so I hope by then, things will slow down somewhat. I wasn't going to get a room w/ a hotel on site, but I am rethinking that.
Also, the prices of all the HP merchandise is CRAZY. I am really going to have to set a limit for my kids way ahead of time, so they know going in to chose wisely. It looks so cool though.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm not going to judge the size or prices or really anything until I actually see something myself. I have a lot of hope that this area will be amazing and I'm not letting go of that just based on hearsay from a few when so many others are saying good things.

 

[spima3]

I'm not going to judge the size or prices or really anything until I actually see something myself. I have a lot of hope that this area will be amazing and I'm not letting go of that just based on hearsay from a few when so many others are saying good things.

Well, of course it's going to be way cool, but from what I've read so far, it sounds like it's going to be tight. I think from the very beginning, the area itself wasn't huge.

Also, I've seen a price list from someone who was there, and a few other sites where prices are getting posted. My 3 kids want wands, and we're looking at $75.00 in all, just for the character wands. Might not be high to some people, but that's high for us, just saying.

 

[lildamo]

Well, of course it's going to be way cool, but from what I've read so far, it sounds like it's going to be tight. I think from the very beginning, the area itself wasn't huge.
Also, I've seen a price list from someone who was there, and a few other sites where prices are getting posted. All my kids want wands, and we're looking at $75.00 in all, just for the character wands. Might not be high to some people, but that's high for us, just saying.

If the character wands are the same as the Noble collection ones, they're gorgeous and really high quality -- definitely worth $25. They're not cheap or plastic by any means! I can definitely understand how everything adds up very quickly though...yikes.

 

[JuniorWizard]

.. Apparently I can't post links until I have 10 posts..

Well I had a list of my favorite WWoHP vids, but I can't.

But If you go to the ************** channel on youtube, they have:

Walkthrough of Hogsmeade,

Full Ollivanders Show,

Flight of the Hippogriff full queue and ride with Buckbeak animatronic,

Detailed Tour of the Hogsmeade shops: Zonko's, Honeydukes, Dervish and Banges, and Filches Emporium of Confiscated Goods,

Beauxbaton and Durmstrang Dancers,

And he told me that he will upload:

Frog Choir,

and

Dragon Challenge Queue

~JW

 

[MadeToLove]

Just a reminder for those who have ridden FJ already, your very detailed, spoilery reports of the ride would be greatly appreciated in the spoiler thread by those of us who won't get a chance to visit this ride in the near future.

I know I'm probably getting annoying right now by bringing this up every page but I'm on the verge of throwing a three year old temper tantrum and calling you all selfish meanies for keeping the details to yourselves.

<takes time out>

I'm better now, thank you.

 

[hugApug]

I booked a room at RPR last night at 11pm. Upon reading a post that onsite guests would likely be offered admission this am, ....

You got into WWOHP by booking a room the night before? I thought only people who booked prior to March 25th could get in?

 

[lildamo]

You got into WWOHP by booking a room the night before? I thought only people who booked prior to March 25th could get in?

That policy was changed to all on-site guests within the past few days.

 

[TwingleMum]

Phoenix tailfeather core, at that!

Do the wands "do" anything?? There was an unconfirmed rumor awhile ago that the wands would react with things around the park (like the wands at Great Wolf Lodge) ???

 

[hugApug]

That policy was changed to all on-site guests within the past few days.

Was this announced by Universal? Going next week to WDW, and will book a night at universal if it'll get me into WWOHP.

 

[FINFAN]

Do the wands "do" anything?? There was an unconfirmed rumor awhile ago that the wands would react with things around the park (like the wands at Great Wolf Lodge) ???[/QUOTE


I have no idea but how cool would THAT be?

 

[MadeToLove]

Do the wands "do" anything?? There was an unconfirmed rumor awhile ago that the wands would react with things around the park (like the wands at Great Wolf Lodge) ???

That plan got dropped due to budget and logistics. So, no wands will interact with anything around the park, and any magic that happens via a wand will be because the person weilding it is actually a wizard (cause wands don't do the magic they just channel it )

However, ALL the display windows for the stores in WWoHP have something magical happening, so you won't miss the whole Magiquest thing.

 

[heatherbelle]

Just a reminder for those who have ridden FJ already, your very detailed, spoilery reports of the ride would be greatly appreciated in the spoiler thread by those of us who won't get a chance to visit this ride in the near future.

I know I'm probably getting annoying right now by bringing this up every page but I'm on the verge of throwing a three year old temper tantrum and calling you all selfish meanies for keeping the details to yourselves.

<takes time out>

I'm better now, thank you.

Maybe they have all been cursed after taking the ride into silence LOL.

I'd love to report back, but not going until August!! Off to see if there is anything on the DIBB.

 

[Lucky4me]

The videos make it look absolutely claustrophobic.

From what I've seen so far, I'm underwhelmed. My Harry Potter crazed daughter will love it, but I have a feeling I'll be in other areas of UO while she's standing in line all day at WWOHP.

A few more predictions-
Enraged hover Mothers when they find out their little darlings won't be having a wand pick them.
TM's dropping from heat stroke from wearing those robes in 95% humidity all day.
Cola products being added to the beverage offerings within two weeks.

 

[Metro West]

TM's dropping from heat stroke from wearing those robes in 95% humidity all day.

No doubt about it.

 

[Maves Wife]

has there been any announcements as to a Annual Passholder preview as yet? We arrive on Friday and are hoping there will be a preview whilst we are there

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

I can;t watch any of the videos. I don;t want to ruin it for myself at all.

I think US is doing the best it can and people who wanted to be first should be happy that they are.

 

[lildamo]

has there been any announcements as to a Annual Passholder preview as yet? We arrive on Friday and are hoping there will be a preview whilst we are there

No announcements yet.