The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[MadeToLove]

I just wanted to say that HP package people did NOT pay more for their vacations than non package holders.

When I booked in those first weeks the package was available, the hotel and ticket portions of the package were exactly the same as those for a Stay More, Play More package. The difference in cost was HP package holders paid an extra $15.95 (if memory is correct) per person for the breakfast at Three Broomsticks. When they first offered the packages, you could buy extra breakfasts for $15.95 per person. Also HP package holders get a commemorative ticket, (although no one has posted a picture yet, so I'm not sure what that is), for free.

Not trying to start something, just wanting to clear that up.

 

[Planogirl]

I just wanted to say that HP package people did NOT pay more for their vacations than non package holders.

When I booked in those first weeks the package was available, the hotel and ticket portions of the package were exactly the same as those for a Stay More, Play More package. The difference in cost was HP package holders paid an extra $15.95 (if memory is correct) per person for the breakfast at Three Broomsticks. When they first offered the packages, you could buy extra breakfasts for $15.95 per person. Also HP package holders get a commemorative ticket, (although no one has posted a picture yet, so I'm not sure what that is), for free.

Not trying to start something, just wanting to clear that up.

Interesting.... This puts a whole new twist on the complaints about the two hours IMO.

 

[melly]

Interesting.... This puts a whole new twist on the complaints about the two hours IMO.

well it doesnt to be honest. There is still the issue of thinking they are getting one thing and actually getting another. As has already been stipulated a preview isnt a shortened view of something. It is an earlier view (ie pre-view = before view) of the full thing, much like in a movie you dont see the first 20 mins and thats it. Those people may not have paid more however they may have been enticed to somewhere they may not have been going had they not thought they were getting a full view.

 

[atigeg]

This is inkkognito posting from hubby's phone. They aren't nearly ready for soft openings. Heck, they can't even keep FJ running for the whole 2 hours preview, And softs would have to be spontaneous or the galloping mob would be more uncontrollable than it is already. This morning they nearly pulled the ropes out of the TMs hands to the point of being warned that everyone would be stopped and the culprits would be sent to the back of ther crowd. I am not kidding when I say I told a few people whp were trying to push me back that they'd get an elbow to the face if they did it one more time. They backed off because of my nasty "raised on the south side of Chicago vibes, but less assertive people were bodily shoved out of the way. Of course, HHN is proof Uni can't controll belligerent crowdsso I'm not surprised.

The Virgin people seem to have a few more perks than regular Uni package and hotel guests but I still see why they're ticked about the 2 hours as I feel it was truly misrepresented. They actually let us shop till about noon and we got in Ollivanders with almost no wait. The TMs working the area are great but I pity them in those costumes.

Just be prepared for the whole area (not just the store interiors) to be smaller than you imagine. It doesn't feel crowded on the previews but I can't imagine it after opening.

 

[ChrisFL]

^^And yet I'm reading on some of the other message boards and facebook about AP holders who are really mad they haven't gotten a preview yet, and are planning to complain loudly to guest services about it

AP privileges do NOT guarantee any previews for any attractions.

I don't see why they can't be a bit more patient and just let them actually get all of the kinks, training, etc. worked out before demanding to get in...it really makes me sick for those people who are working so hard to keep everything going smoothly.

I fully understand for those people who are spending thousands of dollars and hopes to get in, and I'm glad that Universal is trying to keep things going even if they aren't entirely perfect...but AP holders have all year to go visit and are usually pretty local.

 

[Clifton]

I'm gonna wait til my bday in July and/or the day before HHN starts to ride it. Crowds shouldn't be as bad then. Not worth killing yourself just to ride a half operational boy wizard attraction. It's only worthy since it's a new ride at my favorate park and will still be there for years to come.

 

[atigeg]

To follow up on what Chris said, AP holder locals can easily book a FL resident room for one night, which gives them two days at HP. Yes, there are FL resident rates right now cause that's what I'm on. Yeah, it costs some $$ but you'll skip a few restaurnt meals or Wii games if itLs important to you.

 

[petals]

I'm sorry, but I have respectfully disagree with the part about the previews. They did not just pop up out of nowhere this week. Universal advertised and sold Harry Potter packages for these dates. I'm sure they didn't think people were booking the package to come and peer over the fence. I thought about booking the HP package as I usually take a week's vacation in May and am a big Potter fan and can't wait to see WWofHP. I wasn't able to take this week off due to a work conflict, but if I had, I would have been pretty upset. I get two weeks vacation and when I plan and pay for a trip, I want to make an informed decision about how to use my precious vacation time. Universal definitely should have been upfront with people at the very least who were buying the HP Package so they could decide if they wanted to make the trip knowing about the 2 open time frame or at another time when the area would be open all day. Had these days just been random soft openings where all of a sudden they allow park guests in and then shut it down in an hour or two, then I would say those people were lucky to get a preview, but I would not felt at all lucky booking an HP package only to find out upon arrival that I would only be allowed in for 2 hours a day to test everything for them.

I think people will complain regardless of what they are offered *** some people seem to be like that. I think regardless of what package was offered where they should be grateful for a chance to see it if even for 2 hours just in the day. They're still getting in ahead of the official opening and experiencing part of WOHP before anyone that goes when it's open all the time.

Good to know btw that ya can walk through Hogwarts that's like the main attraction there and defo want merchandaise but gosh it's so expensive

 

[petals]

We love water! It's free, and thirst-quenching. And as I tell my kids, "If you don't want water, then you're obviously not thirsty!"

Slightly off topic but isn't it a proven fact that water is the only thing that will actually quench thirst?

Also I kinda agree to keep it authentic they should only sell the drinks mentioned in the books/films. Can't imagine a bunch of wizards having a big container of Coca Cola with their feasts

 

[Mickey Fliers]

We were thinking of taking the kids this September and I had a few questions....that is if you all don't mind a side track from debate.

1. What is the height requirement for FJ?

2. I am hearing that FJ will not have EP for the foreseeable future. Will on-site guests have an perks after GO? ie: early entry?

3. When EP is initiated, does anyone know if that means that guests will not be able to experience the Hogwarts queue?

TIA!

 

[Ron Burgundy]

i'm there from sept 9 to 17th and my mate is lame when it comes to rides..........gimme the low down as i'm too lazy to search the whole thread.........group hug

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We were thinking of taking the kids this September and I had a few questions....that is if you all don't mind a side track from debate.

1. What is the height requirement for FJ?

2. I am hearing that FJ will not have EP for the foreseeable future. Will on-site guests have an perks after GO? ie: early entry?

3. When EP is initiated, does anyone know if that means that guests will not be able to experience the Hogwarts queue?

TIA!

1) 48 inches.
2) I don't think anyone knows yet.
3) At this point, I don't think the EP line area is even designated yet, so there's no answer to this.

 

[Claire-Bear]

We were thinking of taking the kids this September and I had a few questions....that is if you all don't mind a side track from debate.

1. What is the height requirement for FJ?

2. I am hearing that FJ will not have EP for the foreseeable future. Will on-site guests have an perks after GO? ie: early entry?

3. When EP is initiated, does anyone know if that means that guests will not be able to experience the Hogwarts queue?

TIA!

1. The restriction is 48"

2. That's what TMs have been telling people. To be honest, it does make sense if they are envisioning potential 6hour queues WITHOUT express - if you add express to that, it would make the normal queue much much longer!

 

[MrBryan]

We were thinking of taking the kids this September and I had a few questions....that is if you all don't mind a side track from debate.

1. What is the height requirement for FJ?

2. I am hearing that FJ will not have EP for the foreseeable future. Will on-site guests have an perks after GO? ie: early entry?

3. When EP is initiated, does anyone know if that means that guests will not be able to experience the Hogwarts queue?

TIA!

1. 4 Feet, aka 48 inches, aka about goblin size

2. Yes there probably wont be Express for a while, but early entry will continue from 8-9a

3. The Express queue skips the dungeons the greenhouse and the first corridor with the gryffin statue. It will join alongside the regular queue in dumbledore's office

 

[melly]

I think regardless of what package was offered where they should be grateful for a chance to see it if even for 2 hours just in the day.

w
hy should they be gratefull. They are a paying customer. Universal isnt doing them a favour and many quite rightly feel that they have been herded there under false pretences.

 

[freediverdude]

Well I'm going Thursday and Friday with an onsite ressie, hoping to get to ride. But hearing these stories of the pushing and shoving and so on, I guess I will be at the back of the initial mob. I just don't do elbowing and shoving in a crowd. If I did that, I know I could never feel good about getting on the ride, knowing that I shoved a bunch of people to get there. I would rather not get to ride than to get on that way. Did the Harry Potter stories teach people nothing? This isn't food for survival, this is a theme park ride, lol.

 

[Metro West]

^^And yet I'm reading on some of the other message boards and facebook about AP holders who are really mad they haven't gotten a preview yet, and are planning to complain loudly to guest services about it

AP privileges do NOT guarantee any previews for any attractions.

I don't see why they can't be a bit more patient and just let them actually get all of the kinks, training, etc. worked out before demanding to get in...it really makes me sick for those people who are working so hard to keep everything going smoothly.

I fully understand for those people who are spending thousands of dollars and hopes to get in, and I'm glad that Universal is trying to keep things going even if they aren't entirely perfect...but AP holders have all year to go visit and are usually pretty local.

Guilty as charged.

I was one of those people who were upset AP holders haven't had a preview yet. But after reading the DIS and other boards, I can say that I completely agree with what Chris and Barb have said. Universal needs to fulfill a responsibility to the people they sold packages to but otherwise....I'll wait until the bugs and kinks are worked out before attempting to venture over. Let the package people go and enjoy what they can now and hopefully by the time GO comes around, everything will be working as planned.

Hey...I can hope can't I?

 

[petals]

Never been to Disneyland huh?

I've been to wdw three times and disneyland paris twice why?? We danced in both parks and in Universal as a matter of interested.. Danced in Hard Rock Cafe there twice! But that's besides the point

w
hy should they be gratefull. They are a paying customer. Universal isnt doing them a favour and many quite rightly feel that they have been herded there under false pretences.

They are paying customers yes but they are still being offered a chance to see something that's not officially opened yet. And as other people pointed out these attractions are going to be there for a long long time yet so what's the rush with everything. Obviously as well it being brand new attractions things aren't going to be working 100% yet especially when it's not officially opened yet. People need to excerise patience.

Well I'm going Thursday and Friday with an onsite ressie, hoping to get to ride. But hearing these stories of the pushing and shoving and so on, I guess I will be at the back of the initial mob. I just don't do elbowing and shoving in a crowd. If I did that, I know I could never feel good about getting on the ride, knowing that I shoved a bunch of people to get there. I would rather not get to ride than to get on that way. Did the Harry Potter stories teach people nothing? This isn't food for survival, this is a theme park ride, lol.

Here here!! People push and shove everywhere it's just rudeness! I've seen parents attempt to reserve their seats for disney parades with park strollers. There's no excuse for rudeness new park attractions or not! Thses things aren't going to be taken away tomorrow so no rush?!

 

[melly]

They are paying customers yes but they are still being offered a chance to see something that's not officially opened yet. And as other people pointed out these attractions are going to be there for a long long time yet so what's the rush with everything.

Whats the rush? What if this is the only time they get to go? Not everyone goes all the time, not everyone can afford to. This was advertised to them as something else. They had every right to expect a day or the best part of a day there.

You can defend Universal all you want but there has been numerous misleading things here. They created the initial perception that it was a theme park to hype it up and now this whole scene is another example of bending the truth or omitting key detail out.

Obviously as well it being brand new attractions things aren't going to be working 100% yet especially when it's not officially opened yet. People need to excerise patience.

To be fair there appears to be very few if any people at all complaining about the ride breaking. They seem very tolerant to this, it is expected. What they wont tolerate is being given the impression that they are getting one thing when actually getting another.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

I've been to wdw three times and disneyland paris twice why??

I think the original poster was referencing that the Disneyland CA castle is small by most current standards. I'm sure on July 17, 1955 it was impressive. Today, not so much.