The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[Poohbeck]

A great article in the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2011038123_trharrypotter14.html

We had the same exact article in the Hartford Courant here in Connecticut. There was not news in there for me, these boards keep me very well informed!

 

[Sophie2501]

Do you guys have any idea if WWoA will be included on the Express Pass Plus tickets? I'm in Orlando from June 3-13th.. Booked EPP for the 8th.. Figure they were a good investment if the park is going to be crazy busy if Harry Potter meets its target and is open. My guess is that it will only be available for onsite guests?!

 

[TraceyL]

Do you guys have any idea if WWoA will be included on the Express Pass Plus tickets? I'm in Orlando from June 3-13th.. Booked EPP for the 8th.. Figure they were a good investment if the park is going to be crazy busy if Harry Potter meets its target and is open. My guess is that it will only be available for onsite guests?!

Nobody knows for sure, some have been told that it will be limited to once per day for hotel guests, others that there will be no express line until the hype has died down & Virgin Holidays advertising early entry - who knows what will happen with the EPPs

sorry

 

[unionville]

When we called to make our reservations at Portofino last week, the reservation lady (without us even asking) told us that it would be limited to one FOTL ride per day for hotel guests.

 

[dale62676]

First time checking out this thread, the WWoHP looks really cool. I work at Harry Potter: The Exhibition, currently at the Boston Museum of Science. We've had record attendance for this, so I can only imagine what a crowd there will be when WWoHP opens. We've had so many guests come as their favorite HP characters, I sure hope Universal allows folks in if they're in their own costume, I know Disney only allows small children to do so in their parks. We had a whole family come in as the Malfoys! Besides the exhibition showing props and costumes from the films, we also sort guests before they enter with the sorting hat. I wonder if this will happen inside the Forbidden Journey / Hogwarts somewhere?
Also, has anyone seen the new robot arm ride in Innoventions at EPCOT, where you design your own rollercoaster and then ride it on the robot arm? There were four arms each holding 2 guests. I didn't ride it, but it seems this will be the basis for the FJ. I guess there must be a whole lot of them inside the Hogwarts FJ show building, otherwise the line would take forever!
For folks in the Boston area who'd like to see the Harry Potter Exhibition, it'll only be here for 2 more weeks!

 

[heidi8]

I was over at IoA for a site visit in advance of Infinitus (the Harry Potter fan-run con taking place at the Royal Pacific from July 15 - 18 (and yes, we're having a special add-on exclusive event at the WWoHP after hours on July 16)) and got a photo of Hogwarts on my cam-phone on a very Scotland-like day.

We peeked through the wall over by Sinbad's Theater and Hogsmeade looks spectacular - but nothing yet compares to standing at the base of Hogwarts over by Jurassic Park and looking up at its magnificence. The architecture of the place is just spectacular and clever in so many nuanced ways. Can't wait to walk around there!

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of mantaguy, Orlando United
http://www.orlandounited.com

Ok here's an "update" from today. I do that because there's not a whole lot new. Also I was with others and wasn't able to get all the angles I would've liked but, well, here ya go.

As you can see in the last picture, the gap in the railing is being filled in. Otherwise, nothing much else, besides a crack in the wall in the DD queue that gives an incredible view of the Hogwarts/FJ entrance. Nothing new though.

 

[pmdeve]

We will be in Orlando the second week of July. Do you think the lines will be incredibly long and hot even with a fast pass?

 

[damo]

We will be in Orlando the second week of July. Do you think the lines will be incredibly long and hot even with a fast pass?

Are you staying onsite? It is sounding like onsite guests will have one time access to the express line each day. Those people staying offsite will not have access to the express line. So yes, I think the lines will be long. The lines are generally long in the summer and at any new attraction they are extra long.

 

[Emiems20]

The FOTL pass is one time per day for harry potter and the forbiden journey ONLY! FOTL will opperate the same for all other rides.

 

[TraceyL]

If visitors who book through a specific tour operator get early entry & onsite guests don't then I'm going to be a bit miffed

..... and receive a range of exclusive benefits within Universal's Islands of Adventure:

* Free Parking at Universal Orlando Resort for a full day
* Complimentary breakfast refreshments at the Three Broomsticks within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
* Complimentary keepsake from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
* A head start on rides and attractions at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Are any US operators offering this freebie?

 

[Rip]

FWIW, the latest rumor is that the Dueling Dragons will be closed for refurbishment from 2/27-3/16.

 

[Howellsy]

FWIW, the latest rumor is that the Dueling Dragons will be closed for refurbishment from 2/27-3/16.

Surely if it's opening on 3/16 then that's an opening date of sorts? They couldn't just reopen it as Dragon Challenge without the rest of the land.

 

[Rip]

Surely if it's opening on 3/16 then that's an opening date of sorts? They couldn't just reopen it as Dragon Challenge without the rest of the land.

That would be the logical implication, but at this point that is only a rumor. I'm sure one could call and ask about any upcoming scheduled ride closings if one were so inclined, but even then they could be planning to open part of the area before all of it is completely finished. I would hope they are smarter than that.

 

[rpbert1]

If visitors who book through a specific tour operator get early entry & onsite guests don't then I'm going to be a bit miffed




Are any US operators offering this freebie?

there have been a few posts , where people who are staying onsite, have been told they will have 1hr access to the parks before official opening

 

[TraceyL]

there have been a few posts , where people who are staying onsite, have been told they will have 1hr access to the parks before official opening

Yes, I know - keeping my fingers crossed

Just wondering if it's exclusive to Virgin ?

 

[rpbert1]

Yes, I know - keeping my fingers crossed

Just wondering if it's exclusive to Virgin ?

yes Virgin say booking with them you get early access, but if you book to stay onsite yourself you will get early morning access as well

 

[GoofysOnlyGirl]

So I recently just received a seasonal job working on dragon challenge. My training is in a month. I thought I would post here and just see all the updates that you all know.

As far as dragons being closed, a friend of mine who works there now says it is scheduled to go down from April 1-May 1. Not sure how accurate this is though.

 

[pixeegrl]

So I recently just received a seasonal job working on dragon challenge. My training is in a month. I thought I would post here and just see all the updates that you all know.

As far as dragons being closed, a friend of mine who works there now says it is scheduled to go down from April 1-May 1. Not sure how accurate this is though.

Thanks for the info...we're always looking for anything about HP!

 

[scottmel]

Sorry if this is old news but I just hung up with US modifiying a hotel ressie and she told me a memo came across her desk today regarding the grand opening of potter in March. She didn't say when, nor did I ask, but said definately March.I go in June so I was thrilled with this info...