The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[petals]

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.

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.

I know people dont' get the chance to go all the time. Live in Ireland myself obviously can't be flying over every week to see it. But at the end of the day it's still going to be there be it in the next year two or more years that you can come back.
They had every right to expect whatever they wanted but Universal have every right not to open it for the full day outside of it's official opening.
They're getting a preview as the section of the park isn't open yet. I think they're getting exactly that. Two hours every day for as many days of their vacation! Preview.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

That picture is actually the MOST impressive one I've seen of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

 

[petals]

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.

Not been to CA yet. The Florida castle and Paris castles ain't that small but isn't CA Sleeping beauty and others Cinderella as well maybe that's why? I dunno I'm only guessing there..

Slightly off topic but anyways

Also bumping if anyone finds out if that grey jumper Emma Watson had on at the end of the HP Cast in IOA vid is sold in park can yee let moi know and how much as well ta a million

 

[ChrisFL]

That picture is actually the MOST impressive one I've seen of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

lol, you're right!

I've been to DL in Anaheim and Hong Kong and both times looking down Main Street, wondering where the castle is...all I see is a big souvenir.

 

[ChrisFL]

BTW, sorry for de-railing the thread. Back to the Wizarding World!

 

[ashleybea]

Also bumping if anyone finds out if that grey jumper Emma Watson had on at the end of the HP Cast in IOA vid is sold in park can yee let moi know and how much as well ta a million

I would also like to know if it's sold there too. It's high up on my to buy list

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I'd hate to complain, but although the park will still be there in a few years or so, I do believe it's unfair that people can just book an on-site hotel and still be allowed into the park. Judging from the videos, the park is already crowded as is. First I hear that the park will be open just to those with the special package, next that the park is open to those with the package and on-sites who book before March 25th, now the park is open to anyone staying on-site? This means that anyone living within the area can book an on-site hotel for tonight and get into the HP park tomorrow. For those of us who booked the package way early, this means more people in the park that was promised to ourselves. I understand it's selfish, and that there will be a ton more people during GO, but it's just unfair to those of us who planned months in advance for this.

Anyways, even though I'm frustrated, I refuse to let it spoil my vacation

 

[PrincessOp]

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.

I've heard it described by some as, about the size of a garden shed...

Still a garden shed I'd like to visit, though.

 

[melly]

They had every right to expect whatever they wanted.

They didnt choose to expect this. They expected it because Universal hinted at something then didnt deliver.

They're getting a preview as the section of the park isn't open yet. I think they're getting exactly that. .

As described earlier, no they are not. Or not at least unless you are changing the dictionary definition of preview. You can dance around this all you want but it is an inescapable fact.

A preview is a full viewing before regular attendees get to view it. Had Universal stated that they would getv "limited viewing" then this would have been different. By stating preview they are hinting at a full viewing before everyone else, they have not delivered that hence the anger of many people.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Oh. I looked at the video for the HP cast in IoA and it looks like it's a grey sweater that she's wearing. I don't remember where I read it (maybe it was on this site, if so, sorry xD) but I heard that she was borrowing a sweater because it's pretty chilly there. From what it looks like, there's a shield on it, so I would imagine that it would be sold in the parks. Sorry that I can't say officially, but I would want one too. Judging from the prices of shirts at the park ($35 and up I think?), I would say that the sweater would be between $50-70, kind of out of my price range :/.

 

[CLPClarinet]

after seeing a video.....anyone else really not like the frog choir? I'm a music major in college and it just kind of makes me cringe. They're not bad singers or anything, just seems a bit too.....poppish (and they seem too old) for it to be Harry Potterish. I just find it on the highly cheesy and annoying side. Hopefully others like it though.

 

[yaytezIOA]

after seeing a video.....anyone else really not like the frog choir? I'm a music major in college and it just kind of makes me cringe. They're not bad singers or anything, just seems a bit too.....poppish (and they seem too old) for it to be Harry Potterish. I just find it on the highly cheesy and annoying side. Hopefully others like it though.

It's amusing but it is cliche theme park singing group. The other two acts seem good though.

 

[CLPClarinet]

It's amusing but it is cliche theme park singing group. The other two acts seem good though.

Yeah, come to think of it...there's never been a theme-park live singing group that I've ever liked. Good point.

 

[damo]

Yeah, come to think of it...there's never been a theme-park live singing group that I've ever liked. Good point.

Simon Cowell is that you?

 

[lildamo]

I'd hate to complain, but although the park will still be there in a few years or so, I do believe it's unfair that people can just book an on-site hotel and still be allowed into the park. Judging from the videos, the park is already crowded as is. First I hear that the park will be open just to those with the special package, next that the park is open to those with the package and on-sites who book before March 25th, now the park is open to anyone staying on-site? This means that anyone living within the area can book an on-site hotel for tonight and get into the HP park tomorrow. For those of us who booked the package way early, this means more people in the park that was promised to ourselves. I understand it's selfish, and that there will be a ton more people during GO, but it's just unfair to those of us who planned months in advance for this.

Anyways, even though I'm frustrated, I refuse to let it spoil my vacation

It may just have been that they didn't have the numbers with package-only people to let staff get a feel for running the place with any kind of crowd. It makes little sense for them to have a full staff working for what may not have been a lot of package guests. They waited until they had a better idea of numbers before deciding to let all on-site guests in.

 

[MadeToLove]

It may just have been that they didn't have the numbers with package-only people to let staff get a feel for running the place with any kind of crowd. It makes little sense for them to have a full staff working for what may not have been a lot of package guests. They waited until they had a better idea of numbers before deciding to let all on-site guests in.

I think you may be right. Remember, although Univ. website may say that HP packages for May 28-June 17 were "sold out", they didn't really sell that many packages for those dates during that first month before the GO date was announced. They merely stopped selling the packages for those dates so they didn't have more people to have to accomodate. If you look at the various videos when they go into the Three Broomsticks, there don't seem to be many people there for breakfast. I'm sure there were more than we saw, but still, didn't look like a lot of packages were sold before the GO announcement, for this weekend.

 

[freediverdude]

It may just have been that they didn't have the numbers with package-only people to let staff get a feel for running the place with any kind of crowd. It makes little sense for them to have a full staff working for what may not have been a lot of package guests. They waited until they had a better idea of numbers before deciding to let all on-site guests in.

And I'm guessing the reasoning behind not bothering to differentiate between the people who booked before March 25th and after is because logistically it's probably more difficult than it's worth, plus the bad PR over some hotel guests getting in and others discovering they can't. Plus those letters handed out at check-in would just get shared by people.

 

[CLPClarinet]

Simon Cowell is that you?

how'd you know!?

 

[Sun Lover]

Just to be clear, the preview lasted much more than two hours. They did tell people it would be from 8 - 10 a.m. but we were there at 11:30 and there were still quite a few people in there, so they did not rush people out. I'm not sure how long they actually stayed in there but I'm guessing it was at least until 12:00. Since the area isn't very large, it really was enough time to see everything. They might have extended it because people waited quite some time in line for FJ and then it was closed, so they didn't want them to feel they had wasted too much time waiting in line for nothing. We had no trouble getting into Olivander's for the wand choosing and the rest of it didn't take up that much time, so I think the amount of time for the preview was okay -- at least the day we were there. I do think when they open up the park to the general public, it will get very crowded and there isn't much room to fit all the people who will be in line for FJ, Olivander's and Butter Beer.

 

[Graciesmom77]

It blows my mind that people are saying they can't understand why people are upset with Universal for only letting them in for 2 hours a day! Are you kidding? I keep reading that we should expect it for soft openings. These packages were NOT sold as soft opening, previews or anything else, other than a Harry Potter package, they same sold from May 28th and on. Trust me, my package starts before the Grand Opening and goes through it, so I can be there on both sides, but I paid the same for the days that I can get it for 2 hours, versus the day I can get in for the full day. How is that ok?

Universal at NO point said that they would allow limited access, until recently. Nothing on my emails said anything being different between my tickets for the 17th to the 18th.

If I went on and on about an amazing full service dinner with all the trimmings and great delicious food on Sunday and Monday for 50 bucks, and the people who get there Sunday get an appitezer and told to leave and the people on Monday get a 7 course meal, trust me, the people who came Sunday would be mad. As they well should be.

Disney is not selling tickets to the new fantasyland expansion starting next week, why? Because its not available. Duhhhh!


Universal should admit they screwed up, apologize, refund people's money and be done with it. I would rather be told the truth and be done with it all. I hate feeling like someone is getting something over on me and thats exactly what they are doing. I can't wait to see WWoHP, but I am NOT happy with Universal. I guess thats why I am a Disney girl at Heart.