I've been trying to take in as much of this weekend as possible through various Twitter/Facebook/Message boards. It's really an amazing time we live in where we can pretty much get "real time" reporting and pictures of everything within minutes.
What stands out to me the most though is the huge difference of opinion between Pete's updates and everything else I've been reading. Everyone has the right to their opinion, and I can't WAIT to listen to the Universal podcast tomorrow, but to-a-person everything I've read/watched about this past weekend has been extrememly positive. Other boards have people desperately trying to book a hotel room hoping to get a chance to experience the few hours they are letting people in. I understand all of Pete's frustrations (at least the one's he has made public so far), but SO many other people are just raving about the WWOHP and outside of Pete the only negative remarks I have seen are from people who haven't gone.
Everyone should look at both the pros and cons on WWOHP before spending the money to go, but it's interesting to see the reactions of The Dis compared to Inside the Magic, Attractions Magazine or even Harry Potter sites like Pottercast. We're talking 180 degrees apart.
We actually met Pete in line this morning (along with Walter and an intern lugging around a big camera for the podcast). We also talked with them after we rode FJ. He's rightfully frustrated with the customer service end of things (or lack thereof). *Universal has bungled the soft opening quite a bit. *I was disappointed and frustrated in how they handled things as just an onsite guest. *I can't imagine how angry or frustrated I'd be had I paid for the HP package. * I will say we had a couple very interesting talks with them. *I hope we run into them tomorrow as well.
As for FJ, after yesterdays fiasco of getting 3/4 through the queue and then getting stopped for 20 minutes or so before they shut it all down and had everyone leave, Universal almost outdid themselves today. This morning it was worse than yesterday with the rude people running, shoving, throwing elbows, etc as hundreds made a mad dash for the FJ queue, only to be stopped at the castle gates because the ride wasn't operational. After 20-25 minutes they finally allowed entry into the castle only to get 2/3 through the queue where we then waited 30 minutes without moving (and no announcements as to why we were stopped). *A Team Member finally came around after 30 minutes or so stating FJ was not yet operational this morning, that "not even the engineers had been able to test ride it today, and they didn't know when or if it would be operational today." *their words not mine! *Amazingly, after another15 minutes later or so, an overhead announcement came on stating that FJ was operational, resulting in huge cheers in the queue. * FINALLY, 10 or so minutes later we actually boarded FJ and rode without incident! *I have know idea how long it ran today as we weren't impressed enough to consider waiting in the now 90 minute line to ride it again. *
Honestly, all 4 of us were a bit underwhelmed, and we're all big HP fans. Maybe it's that all the frustration ruined it for us, but none of us came off with that "WOW we HAVE to ride it again" feeling. *Further, I thought graphically it was pretty weak, particularly in today's HD world. I found the graphics to be muted and hazy.
I'll hold off on any specifics of the ride itself for the spoiler thread and once I get home and have acwss to an actual keyboard (typing this on my iPhone), but mark us down as one family that were slightly underwelmed.
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We'll give FJ another shot tomorrow, and see if our opinions change on FJ. Maybe without the frustrations and the worry we wont be able ti ride before our trip ends, we'll actually enjoy it a bit more.*
I do have a couple further comments on the overall WWOHP experience. *IMO Universal made the ride seats way to small. Tall people, or those with large bellies and or big shoulders won't be able to ride FJ as they simply will not fit in the seats and have the safety bar close. I bearly fit at 5' 8" and 240lbs.
We also didn't see any merchandise for plus sized guests. Not a single XXL to be found anywhere in WWOHP, and the XL's tend to be in the small size, particularly in the womens clothing. * * * * **
Overall, we've found the WWOHP *theming to be great. Loved the Butterbeer and Hogs Head Ale. *And while the shops are small, they're not too bad after the crowds thin out. That said, we werent wowed by any of the merchandise. *Aside from an Ollivander's wand for our son, and the souvenier Butterbeer and Higs Head Ale cups, we didnt find anything that we had to have. *
I also think plus sized guests are going to feel a bit disappointed in being shut out io FJ as well as the shop merchandise.
Finally, I think Universal really screwed the package holders (and to a lessor degree onsite guests) with the limited morning only access. *It'd have been much more enjoyable to experience at our lesiure throughout the day. *They have olenty of security guardin the entrance that could easily check guests credentials to enter or not. *Heck they already had a sign out stating it was a private event, it really wouldn't be that hard for them to manage keeping it open all day for the palate holders, onsite guest, and maybe annual passholders. I think they'd be better off going the all day route, even if it meant no Dragon Challange so that the regular park guests could ride it as Dueling Dragons. There was no demand for the coasters anyhow (we were able to walk on front row seating for both coasters with zero wait yesterday, and less than 5 minutes today). *I also didn't like that nobody could try 3 Broomsticks for lunch as they shut the place down as soon as the package holders finished breakfest.***
