The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[xApril]

I love the photos, yaytez! I can't wait until I get the opportunity to see it at night!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

How was the crowd today? All day softs? Was it limited GP let in, or are the gate wide open now? I'm getting really excited!!

 

[ChrisFL]

A brief comment I saw on "Bay news 9" (Local Tampa news station) regarding Polk County rental houses, being now booked 2 years in advance for people coming to see the WWOHP.

They had one of the owners who said they've never had this many inquiries about rental properties before.

I still have a feeling that the amount of traffic could be overwhelming to the area they have and they might put some plans to have some other areas set up for the amount of guests that they have.

I also think more of the Lost Continent could be re-themed to more parts of WWOHP eventually

 

[Disney_Lover06]

A brief comment I saw on "Bay news 9" (Local Tampa news station) regarding Polk County rental houses, being now booked 2 years in advance for people coming to see the WWOHP.

Two years!? Wow! I thought it would draw a crowd but not a two year advance booking crowd.

 

[gdaysboi]

I went on the Forbidden Journey twice today and the second time was enough. Kudos to the person who rode it 15 times. Wow.

Loved the ride! Hope you all get to experience it soon as it is a blast. I also walked around Hogsmeade but was unable to get into Ollivander's Wand Shop
They need to shade that area and should offer 3 or 4 Wand masters to help you find the right wand. One is not enough!

I also took video of Hogsmeade & Hogwarts castle - check it out. http://orlando-vacation.us/Islands-of-Adventure/Harry-Potter.php

Can't wait until Friday when all the big stars arrive. It will be a fun but long day!

 

[gdaysboi]

I also think more of the Lost Continent could be re-themed to more parts of WWOHP eventually

There was an article about this - Early word is that if Harry Potter is successful Universal will phase out the Lost Continent in phases occuring 12 - 18 months apart with the goal of keeping Harry Potter fresh and new for up to 5 years. From what I have learn from various sources is that the first announcement (if this happens would occur in late Spring 2011 with construction to start in Sept 2011 and grand opening being in May - June of 2012 and then follow a similar roll out for the balance of the Lost Continent would then be converted for a complete Potter Island in 2014.

Other whispers include "Christmas in Hogsmeade" - Yes this sounds amazing and could be a really cool event!!!

 

[Albytaps]

Went twice, got queasy the second time. It depends on your constitution. If you can handle rides like Simpsons and Soarin, you'll do fine. This one I think I get queasy because the screen is awfully close.
At any rate, we were there last night. It was open until closing.
See many many pics. It's absolutely gorgeous at night.
It's also very cool seeing the billboards on the highways, especially the big one with the wand sticking out.

Here is a video walkthrough of Hogsmead at night, looks great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UejwgcoV0kA

 

[Lunchlady]

We arrived at the park today around 9am and were immediately able to get into Hogsmeade. By 10:15 my husband and daughter had been through Forbidden Journey twice. There was no real line for the ride all day; the sign outside said there was a 45 minute wait, but it only really took however long it took you to walk through the castle (longer for my daughter who was looking at EVERYTHING!)

Everybody needs to come and see this!!!!!

Also it should be noted that my Potter-nerd daughter that nitpicks at everything found NO flaws with the park or Forbidden Journey. She LOVES it!!

 

[bubba's mom]

Also it should be noted that my Potter-nerd daughter that nitpicks at everything found NO flaws with the park or Forbidden Journey. She LOVES it!!

good to know...taking our niece who is a Potterhead too!

 

[Lunchlady]

good to know...taking our niece who is a Potterhead too!

She will love it!!


Oh, one more thing I forgot. The stores are made completely to scale, so you may find them a biiiiiit small since everyone seems to want to cram into one tiny place all at once.

We bought postcards to send to my daughter's Potterhead friends back home that couldn't come and tried a frozen butterbeer (delicious, but really sweet!)

Going back tomorrow evening in hopes of seeing Hogsmeade at night!

 

[damo]

She will love it!!


Oh, one more thing I forgot. The stores are made completely to scale, so you may find them a biiiiiit small since everyone seems to want to cram into one tiny place all at once.

We bought postcards to send to my daughter's Potterhead friends back home that couldn't come and tried a frozen butterbeer (delicious, but really sweet!)

Going back tomorrow evening in hopes of seeing Hogsmeade at night!

I think with a few changes in the stores, they can maximize space a bit more. I felt that the cash registers in the wand area of Dervish and Bangs should be removed and things would move a lot better. Also moving some of the display stands in Filch's over closer to the photo area will help. The addition of a bunch of merchandise carts outside will also calm the crowds in the stores.

 

[disneyismyname]

Don't know if this has been posted...someone asked who was going to be at the grand opening of WWOHP..

I just saw on mugglenet.com that Rupert (Ron) and Dan (Harry) and Michael (Dumbledore) will be at the grand opening!!! Apparently they will be arriving via Knight Bus!!!
Can't wait! I will be there in the hysteria!!

 

[inkkognito]

Interesting that you post this. I can handle any ride except that I felt sick on Body Wars and Jimmy Neutron. All the rest are fine.

I guess that it's best to ride this for the first time on an empty stomach or after eating something mild?

I do better after I eat. I did 13 in a row on Sat. (had just eaten fish and chips) but halfway through I felt a bit weird. Don't know if I was dehydrated or needed sugar so I attacked both with a butterbeer and did fine for the second half of my FJ marathon.

 

[nodoubtrock]

There was an article about this - Early word is that if Harry Potter is successful Universal will phase out the Lost Continent in phases occuring 12 - 18 months apart with the goal of keeping Harry Potter fresh and new for up to 5 years. From what I have learn from various sources is that the first announcement (if this happens would occur in late Spring 2011 with construction to start in Sept 2011 and grand opening being in May - June of 2012 and then follow a similar roll out for the balance of the Lost Continent would then be converted for a complete Potter Island in 2014.

Other whispers include "Christmas in Hogsmeade" - Yes this sounds amazing and could be a really cool event!!!

They need to have at least one sit down potter show..Sinbad would be the perfect venue since its right next to hogsmeade. at least people that couldn't ride FJ or DC would have some more entertainment. also I agree completely about the shade aspect while waiting in line for the wand experience..I think they could make the shaded area of the owlry area twice as big and it still would be overflowing with people. The summer crowds haven't hit yet and it's still filled with people every time I've been there. Also The frog choir and dancers..even though this is a short show, I would like this to be shade somehow as well.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I do better after I eat. I did 13 in a row on Sat. (had just eaten fish and chips) but halfway through I felt a bit weird. Don't know if I was dehydrated or needed sugar so I attacked both with a butterbeer and did fine for the second half of my FJ marathon.

How long were your waits? Or did you just do single rider line? Are you afraid of burning yourself out on the ride?

 

[inkkognito]

How long were your waits? Or did you just do single rider line? Are you afraid of burning yourself out on the ride?

I did single rider, which pretty much had no wait. It will be a while before I burn myself out on it because now I'm in the process of noting details and as many mechanical things as I can. You're usually on the end as a single rider so much of the time I watch the other benches or the track...VERY fascinating. I also stopped for a while in front of one of the screens on that visit...I love getting stuck in different areas and seeing details in them.

 

[CLPClarinet]

inkkognito, you could probably answer this question well.

3rd day after GO is when I'll be there. What do you think a smart game plan would be? This will be my first time at IOA so I'd like to experience other parts of the park as well. Especially a plan that doesn't have any express passes. Also, single rider lines are OK fine. (just FYI for me, probably won't try to go to the wand show unless I have some down time and the line is short...don't think this'll happen).

Any help would be appreciated! ^_^ thanks!

 

[MrBryan]

I think with a few changes in the stores, they can maximize space a bit more. I felt that the cash registers in the wand area of Dervish and Bangs should be removed and things would move a lot better. Also moving some of the display stands in Filch's over closer to the photo area will help. The addition of a bunch of merchandise carts outside will also calm the crowds in the stores.

Those are great suggestions

I agree the cashier in the middle of the owl post is a big problem

also the photo area for filch's is kind of a dead spot ur right

 

[ChrisFL]

A brief comment I saw on "Bay news 9" (Local Tampa news station) regarding Polk County rental houses, being now booked 2 years in advance for people coming to see the WWOHP.

They had one of the owners who said they've never had this many inquiries about rental properties before.

I still have a feeling that the amount of traffic could be overwhelming to the area they have and they might put some plans to have some other areas set up for the amount of guests that they have.

I also think more of the Lost Continent could be re-themed to more parts of WWOHP eventually

Ok, I wanted to requote this and add some info I found specifically from the Bay News 9 website:

I was mistaken about the "booking" 2 years early quote, they actually just referred to people "saving' for 2 years. Sorry!

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010/6/12/629424.html

 

[OnceUponADream07]

Any suggestion for a game plan. Friends (2 adults/2 boys 13 & 15) are going to US/IOP for the time June 24th and 25th. They have 2 day/2park pass. What do you suggest as a game plan to get everything in with the HP crowds? Should they do HP first? Save for last?