The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[MrBryan]

I was one of the lucky GP's that got in. It was very nice to preview the world with such a light crowd.

 

[Disney Padawan]

We were there today until about 11. It was never in any way crowded, no long lines for Olivanders (we just walked in, no waiting). We did FJ twice. If any GP got in it wasn't many.
It was a fantastic ride.
Doug

Hi Doug. If you remember any details from the ride could you please post them in the spoilers thread? Thanks.

 

[Planogirl]

I was one of the lucky GP's that got in. It was very nice to preview the world with such a light crowd.

What did you think of it?

 

[MrBryan]

It was very pleasant. Walked on all the rides, easily manuevared through the shops and casually observed the windows outside.

I don't think I want to be anywhere near the place when it's crowded, I imagine it will be a nightmare and not pleasant at all

 

[Figment22]

A question:
We were thinking of heading down to USF/IOA sometime in August and staying offsite. Will it still be worth it to stay onsite after the grand opening in terms of early morning entry? I'm making the assumption that FOTL access may not yet be available at that time but I'd consider staying onsite if they would still be allowing hotel guests to enter the park an hour before the general public. We have APs so I wouldn't need a package. Anyone know?

 

[inkkognito]

I would recommend staying on site for that Golden Hour based on our preview experience. Granted, we had two hours because they weren't doing the soft opening yet but you could easily do the main stuff in an hour. It was Memorial Day weekend so the hotels were pretty packed and it still didn't feel crowded. You will have the chance to high tail it to FJ and maybe even ride it a couple of times (granted, FOTL might be in place by then but there's no guarantee and I heard rumors in the past it would be limited to only one use for that one...not sure if that's true tho'). You can do Ollivanders too since that's another thing likely to get a long line. Then enjoy the shops at food at your leisure once the crowds descend.

 

[Figment22]

I would recommend staying on site for that Golden Hour based on our preview experience.

Oh, I completely agree with you. What I'm trying to find out is if onsite hotel guests will still be getting that Golden Hour in August after WWoHP has been officially open for almost two months.

 

[spima3]

Oh, I completely agree with you. What I'm trying to find out is if onsite hotel guests will still be getting that Golden Hour in August after WWoHP has been officially open for almost two months.

We are headed down in Sept, and I am wondering the same thing. I am ONLY interested in WWoHP, it's the only reason we are going to US/IOA. We may enjoy the other areas, but if it wasn't for WW we wouldn't be going. So if I have to get a room on site to make sure we aren't in a nightmare, as it sounds like it's going to be once the crowds hit, I'll do it.

But if on site guests don't get early entry, staying there would be, to me, a waste of money.

I am glad we didn't buy the package though, I debated about it, but because of the dis, and the lack of info coming from US, I didn't trust it. It just seems so chaotic, it would have driven me batty! And everyone insisting I should be happy would have pushed me right over the edge.

 

[scottmel]

We are headed down in Sept, and I am wondering the same thing. I am ONLY interested in WWoHP, it's the only reason we are going to US/IOA. We may enjoy the other areas, but if it wasn't for WW we wouldn't be going. So if I have to get a room on site to make sure we aren't in a nightmare, as it sounds like it's going to be once the crowds hit, I'll do it.

But if on site guests don't get early entry, staying there would be, to me, a waste of money.

I am glad we didn't buy the package though, I debated about it, but because of the dis, and the lack of info coming from US, I didn't trust it. It just seems so chaotic, it would have driven me batty! And everyone insisting I should be happy would have pushed me right over the edge.

We are there for opening weekend 6/18 - 6/21 andI was told NO fotla for FJ but 1 hour early for resort guests....(hence you could do fj first, etc)

 

[msminniemouse]

Oh, I completely agree with you. What I'm trying to find out is if onsite hotel guests will still be getting that Golden Hour in August after WWoHP has been officially open for almost two months.

Yeah, I'm wondering about that too. I wonder if you will need the package for the 1 hour early entry or just being onsite hotel guest is enough for the early entry. I will be there end of Aug and have package booked, but if I can get early entry with just the hotel room then I will cancel the package, because it is not worth $150 extra if it's only for the breakfast. There has been so much miscommunication on Universal's part, so I won't know what to believe until it actually happens.

 

[spima3]

I'm looking for the picture of the merchandise with the cauldron, choc frog, wands, etc. I think it was posted by someone who actually bought the stuff.

Is that picture on this thread? I can't find it anywhere, and want to show my kids, so they can't start saving their money!

 

[lildamo]

I'm looking for the picture of the merchandise with the cauldron, choc frog, wands, etc. I think it was posted by someone who actually bought the stuff.

Is that picture on this thread? I can't find it anywhere, and want to show my kids, so they can't start saving their money!

There are a few different galleries with some.

Try this one from Attractions Magazine: http://www.**************.net/photos/album/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/page/9/
Or this one from Orlando United user Felipe: http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Felipe89/WWoHP 05-29-2010/WWoHP Purchases/

 

[DisneyGerry]

I'm looking for the picture of the merchandise with the cauldron, choc frog, wands, etc. I think it was posted by someone who actually bought the stuff.

Is that picture on this thread? I can't find it anywhere, and want to show my kids, so they can't start saving their money!

 

[DisneyGerry]

I'm looking for the picture of the merchandise with the cauldron, choc frog, wands, etc. I think it was posted by someone who actually bought the stuff.

Is that picture on this thread? I can't find it anywhere, and want to show my kids, so they can't start saving their money!

 

[toonaspie]

I'm kinda glad that it will take me months (or even years) before I get to go back to Florida.

I prefer waiting until after all the grand opening business dies down so I can enjoy WWOHP peacefully and stress free

 

[Disney Padawan]

Yeah, I'm wondering about that too. I wonder if you will need the package for the 1 hour early entry or just being onsite hotel guest is enough for the early entry. I will be there end of Aug and have package booked, but if I can get early entry with just the hotel room then I will cancel the package, because it is not worth $150 extra if it's only for the breakfast. There has been so much miscommunication on Universal's part, so I won't know what to believe until it actually happens.

I too am wondering this. I'm not sure if I should book a package or room only. If someone knows for sure please post. Thanks.

 

[FINFAN]

I'm kinda glad that it will take me months (or even years) before I get to go back to Florida.

I prefer waiting until after all the grand opening business dies down so I can enjoy WWOHP peacefully and stress free

That's what WE thought about Toy Story Mania..and that ride is STILL nuts! I mean, it's a fun ride, but I do not get the hype! From what I understand, FJ is a quicker loading ride ( altho longer to evac if needed)

 

[PrincessKara22]

Is there (or will there be) a separate line at FJ for people who just want to see inside hogwarts (but not actually ride the ride)? B/C from all of the descriptions of the ride itself I know that I don't want to ride it. I DO want to experience Hogwarts and the see the holagrams but I want to experience Hogwarts as it's own "walk through" attraction.

 

[MrBryan]

Nope

you'd go through the queue with everyone else and then exit before loading

 

[Dougweller]

I too am wondering this. I'm not sure if I should book a package or room only. If someone knows for sure please post. Thanks.

I can't see any reason for them to continue to do this for onsite only guests after the grand opening. After that, it's just an ordinary part of the park although the newest and best obviously!