The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[Momw/aplan]

Was the package sold as a "soft opening preview"...if so, then that tells me right there that I should expect issues with things...I would just be happy to be there...If I wanted to make sure I saw EVERYTHING..I would book for when it was supposed to be fully open..IE after June 18.

No it was not sold as a "soft opening preview". It was sold as exactly the same as the packages sold for after the GO. There was no differentiation at the time they went on sale.
As huge HP fans we took note (and got deliriously excited) way back when it was first announced a "Harry Potter Theme Park" was going to be built. But we didn't sit around scouring the web for information for three years--we figured we'd hear when it was nearing completion and advertisements for it began. (although we did hear enough to learn it wasn't a whole theme park unto itself as they initially made it out to be.

Several years pass and we see an advertisement stating "HP packages are now being sold for Universal Studios WWoHP". (we saw an ad on TV as well as a big announcement online on Yahoo's homepage). I looked at Universals website--sure enough 'buy your HP packages here!' I called Universal and told them I wanted to come and see WWoHP. They asked when we wanted to come; I asked what do you have available? They helped us book.

I had no idea they hadn't decided on a GO at the time. I had no idea we'd be there before it opened. (and besides, w/ restaurants, etc, they're usually good and fully open for a few weeks before the big GO celebration anyway, so even if I'd heard it was pre-GO I would not have in any way assumed it would only be a short preview.)

Forgive me for not being a theme park aficionado; I merely represent the general buying public who Universal by-and-large is selling to.

 

[WaltD4Me]

What I don't understand is why are the hours limited? Even with FJ shutting down, why are they closing the whole area? People seem to be pretty understanding about FJ, so why not leave the area open and if they get FJ back and running at 1pm people would be there to ride it. If not, they can still experience everything else.

 

[mom2aandj]

Forgive me for not being a theme park aficionado; I merely represent the general buying public who Universal by-and-large is selling to.

absolutely. You should not have to scour a theme park discussion board to know what is going on.

If it makes you feel any better, I do envy the extra exclusive time it seems that package holders and on site guests are getting now. Sure, we'll presumably have access to the HP section all day and evening when we go in October, but honestly, I bet we won't stay in it much past 2 or 3 hours that the people who are going now are getting. Once it's open to the general public it will be SO MOBBED in all those little streets and shops I can't imagine it would be pleasant to be there. NOT saying you weren't misled by Universal and you are completely entitled to feel upset. Just a silver lining to getting to be there now---much more exclusive and uncrowded.

 

[FINFAN]

We do not have a package, but if we did , I would be asking for an evening option to visit...and to be honest I am not sure why that has not happened. I am hoping after the Holiday weekend that they do try and open the area up for theevening atmosphere. To limit ot 2 early am hours ONLY is limiting, and I know since the package included breakfast at 3B and 1 hour early entry that it is obviousl why it is in the morning, but adding 2 hours from 7-9 would be nice.

 

[damo]

We do not have a package, but if we did , I would be asking for an evening option to visit...and to be honest I am not sure why that has not happened. I am hoping after the Holiday weekend that they do try and open the area up for theevening atmosphere. To limit ot 2 early am hours ONLY is limiting, and I know since the package included breakfast at 3B and 1 hour early entry that it is obviousl why it is in the morning, but adding 2 hours from 7-9 would be nice.

People who are there have said they are getting 4 hours. I guess because of the breakfast included part, they have kept it in the morning.

It will be interesting to see if things change tomorrow.

What I don't understand is why are the hours limited? Even with FJ shutting down, why are they closing the whole area? People seem to be pretty understanding about FJ, so why not leave the area open and if they get FJ back and running at 1pm people would be there to ride it. If not, they can still experience everything else.

One of the reasons they close down is because they have to open up the pathway to Dueling Dragons for the general public and that goes right through the middle of the Wizarding World.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

It seems that the issue here is not the ride breaking down or anything else US promised in their packages, but rather the fact that theres only a 2 hour window to enjoy the rides at WWoHP, something that was never clearly specified. To be honest, if I'd purchase the package I would be very unhappy now too. Luckly I didn't buy it, and I was so close to doing it, and decided to wait until my December WDW trip to go.

 

[Volunteer]

So, can anyone tell me if there are Marauders Maps available for sale? Price, if you know/can remember?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[FINFAN]

People who are there have said they are getting 4 hours. I guess because of the breakfast included part, they have kept it in the morning.

It will be interesting to see if things change tomorrow.



One of the reasons they close down is because they have to open up the pathway to Dueling Dragons for the general public and that goes right through the middle of the Wizarding World.

that explains it then, but what a shame. I know the GO is 3 weeks or so off, but just block off FJ then after the morning allowance, allow the gen public to see and spend $ and enjoy. I also understand the floodgates if word gets out about that, but it is going to be mahem in 3 weeks anyway. As others have stated, just rip that band-aid off and us every minute you have to practice for crowd control, etc. It will meake things far more crowded for our visit, but I htink it would be nice , especially since there is so much else to see do, and some things on other areas to be seen earlier in the day. I ahve faith that as you mention, as the days go by things will keep altering and hopefully for the better...like the new "rope drop" methos now for better crown control. Universal is no stranger to having massive crowds, they will get it right...I just feel bad for those who are there now..and we will be there by weeks end!

 

[DIZNUT57]

Speaking about the pathway to DD or I guess Dragon Challenge now, is it closed for regular park guests until everyone is done with their preview of WWOHP? And if so when have thet been opening it up?

 

[Preds]

I typed this on my iPhone, so I apologise in advance for any typos or spelling errors.

Universal did a much better job with crowd control this morning, allowing guests in about 10 minutes before 8 and controlling the flow with the turnstiles all the way to WWOHP. The end result was a much more peaceful entry with far less pushing and shoving. We actually met up with Disboard employees Walter and Max agaIn today (Pete decided not to get up for it) at the gates to IOA and went through the queue with them *We were in the queue for FJ by 8:07.*

Unfortunately, Universal royally ticked me off by pulling me from the line near the end of the queue just prior to the sorting hat, putting me in the test seat and saying sorry you can't ride. Now understand, I rode FJ yesterday and fit fine, and I told them that, but they didn't care. *They refused to push down on the safety bar to lock in the 3rd click stating they weren't allowed to, which was curious since we weren't allowed to push down on the saftey bar ourselves when loaded yesterday. * Be warned future guests, there are 3 different standards for fitting in the seats to ride. The test seat at the entrance is more generous than the test seat in the queue, and the actual seats themselves are a 3rd standard as the employees do push down to lock you in. Major fail Universal. Your employees were rude, insulting, humiliating, and insenitive *It was*NOT a pleasant guest experience.

Worse yet was walking into Filches out of the ride entrance and hearing one cast member snidly comment to another "he didn't get to ride.". Damn right I didn't and I was pissed off enough without the little pissants comment and I let him know it.*

Anyhow a word to the wise, you will not be riding FJ of you fall onto any of the following categories: too tall (6' 3" or taller), too short (under 48"), have wide shoulders (you won't fit width wise in the seats, partially my problem), have a belly (particularly beer bellies, which I don't have BTW). * I'm 5'8" and float between 235 and 240 and today I couldn't ride, but yesterday I could. *Granted I'm overweight, but not THAT bad and S Walter and Max said, in their opinions in no way should I be too big to ride.*

Again, major Fail Universal. As my skinny 14yo said, Universal segregated out and restricted away 20-30% (or more) of the US population. *

 

[WaltD4Me]

I typed this on my iPhone, so I apologise in advance for any typos or spelling errors.

Universal did a much better job with crowd control this morning, allowing guests in about 10 minutes before 8 and controlling the flow with the turnstiles all the way to WWOHP. The end result was a much more peaceful entry with far less pushing and shoving. We actually met up with Disboard employees Walter and Max agaIn today (Pete decided not to get up for it) at the gates to IOA and went through the queue with them *We were in the queue for FJ by 8:07.*

Unfortunately, Universal royally ticked me off by pulling me from the line near the end of the queue just prior to the sorting hat, putting me in the test seat and saying sorry you can't ride. Now understand, I rode FJ yesterday and fit fine, and I told them that, but they didn't care. *They refused to push down on the safety bar to lock in the 3rd click stating they weren't allowed to, which was curious since we weren't allowed to push down on the saftey bar ourselves when loaded yesterday. * Be warned future guests, there are 3 different standards for fitting in the seats to ride. The test seat at the entrance is more generous than the test seat in the queue, and the actual seats themselves are a 3rd standard as the employees do push down to lock you in. Major fail Universal. Your employees were rude, insulting, humiliating, and insenitive *It was*NOT a pleasant guest experience.

Worse yet was walking into Filches out of the ride entrance and hearing one cast member snidly comment to another "he didn't get to ride.". Damn right I didn't and I was pissed off enough without the little pissants comment and I let him know it.*

Anyhow a word to the wise, you will not be riding FJ of you fall onto any of the following categories: too tall (6' 3" or taller), too short (under 48"), have wide shoulders (you won't fit width wise in the seats, partially my problem), have a belly (particularly beer bellies, which I don't have BTW). * I'm 5'8" and float between 235 and 240 and today I couldn't ride, but yesterday I could. *Granted I'm overweight, but not THAT bad and S Walter and Max said, in their opinions in no way should I be too big to ride.*

Again, major Fail Universal. As my skinny 14yo said, Universal segregated out and restricted away 20-30% (or more) of the US population. *

Wow. I would be furious. I understand them doing things for safety, but if you fit yesterday......what? you weren't safe then?

So if they say you don't fit at the enterance do they not let you go through the que? And if you can still go through the que, how does the person at the front at the actual vehicle loading spot know the people at the test vehicles said you couldn't ride? If I ridden the day before and knew I fit then, I would have still went through the que and tried again...regardless of what the test people had said.

I also would be complaining big time to someone in management about the tester people being rude and insensitive.

 

[FINFAN]

I typed this on my iPhone, so I apologise in advance for any typos or spelling errors.

Universal did a much better job with crowd control this morning, allowing guests in about 10 minutes before 8 and controlling the flow with the turnstiles all the way to WWOHP. The end result was a much more peaceful entry with far less pushing and shoving. We actually met up with Disboard employees Walter and Max agaIn today (Pete decided not to get up for it) at the gates to IOA and went through the queue with them *We were in the queue for FJ by 8:07.*

Unfortunately, Universal royally ticked me off by pulling me from the line near the end of the queue just prior to the sorting hat, putting me in the test seat and saying sorry you can't ride. Now understand, I rode FJ yesterday and fit fine, and I told them that, but they didn't care. *They refused to push down on the safety bar to lock in the 3rd click stating they weren't allowed to, which was curious since we weren't allowed to push down on the saftey bar ourselves when loaded yesterday. * Be warned future guests, there are 3 different standards for fitting in the seats to ride. The test seat at the entrance is more generous than the test seat in the queue, and the actual seats themselves are a 3rd standard as the employees do push down to lock you in. Major fail Universal. Your employees were rude, insulting, humiliating, and insenitive *It was*NOT a pleasant guest experience.

Worse yet was walking into Filches out of the ride entrance and hearing one cast member snidly comment to another "he didn't get to ride.". Damn right I didn't and I was pissed off enough without the little pissants comment and I let him know it.*

Anyhow a word to the wise, you will not be riding FJ of you fall onto any of the following categories: too tall (6' 3" or taller), too short (under 48"), have wide shoulders (you won't fit width wise in the seats, partially my problem), have a belly (particularly beer bellies, which I don't have BTW). * I'm 5'8" and float between 235 and 240 and today I couldn't ride, but yesterday I could. *Granted I'm overweight, but not THAT bad and S Walter and Max said, in their opinions in no way should I be too big to ride.*

Again, major Fail Universal. As my skinny 14yo said, Universal segregated out and restricted away 20-30% (or more) of the US population. *

Oh Mike, that is TERRIBLE! I would not hesitate to contact the suits and inform them of this treatment, seriously...and thank you for posting height, my DH is 6'3", so they measure you in a different seat inside the que, but past the test seat outside...but not the REAL seat on the ride itself? He is not happy that he will more than likely not get to ride, but for sure I appreciate the heads up. Yesterday we dropped one day of our Universal portion of the trip and added it to the beginning of our WDW portion...we will still have 5 days at USO, I think that will still be plenty of fun and relaxation, AFTER the WWOHP portion!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I typed this on my iPhone, so I apologise in advance for any typos or spelling errors.

Universal did a much better job with crowd control this morning, allowing guests in about 10 minutes before 8 and controlling the flow with the turnstiles all the way to WWOHP. The end result was a much more peaceful entry with far less pushing and shoving. We actually met up with Disboard employees Walter and Max agaIn today (Pete decided not to get up for it) at the gates to IOA and went through the queue with them *We were in the queue for FJ by 8:07.*

Unfortunately, Universal royally ticked me off by pulling me from the line near the end of the queue just prior to the sorting hat, putting me in the test seat and saying sorry you can't ride. Now understand, I rode FJ yesterday and fit fine, and I told them that, but they didn't care. *They refused to push down on the safety bar to lock in the 3rd click stating they weren't allowed to, which was curious since we weren't allowed to push down on the saftey bar ourselves when loaded yesterday. * Be warned future guests, there are 3 different standards for fitting in the seats to ride. The test seat at the entrance is more generous than the test seat in the queue, and the actual seats themselves are a 3rd standard as the employees do push down to lock you in. Major fail Universal. Your employees were rude, insulting, humiliating, and insenitive *It was*NOT a pleasant guest experience.

Worse yet was walking into Filches out of the ride entrance and hearing one cast member snidly comment to another "he didn't get to ride.". Damn right I didn't and I was pissed off enough without the little pissants comment and I let him know it.*

Anyhow a word to the wise, you will not be riding FJ of you fall onto any of the following categories: too tall (6' 3" or taller), too short (under 48"), have wide shoulders (you won't fit width wise in the seats, partially my problem), have a belly (particularly beer bellies, which I don't have BTW). * I'm 5'8" and float between 235 and 240 and today I couldn't ride, but yesterday I could. *Granted I'm overweight, but not THAT bad and S Walter and Max said, in their opinions in no way should I be too big to ride.*

Again, major Fail Universal. As my skinny 14yo said, Universal segregated out and restricted away 20-30% (or more) of the US population. *

This has me worried about trying to ride now. I don't like the idea that the test vehicles are two different sizes and that they are pulling people out of the line to test fit. How humiliating will it be for someone that doesn't have the confidence to handle being pulled out like that and then not getting to ride even after they fit in the test vehicle out front. I'm a fairly confident person, but I would have a problem with this. Can't imagine someone who is struggling with their weight and confidence dealing well with this. Talk about a ruined vacation. I see this being a very bad move on Universal's part.

 

[cdepauli]

well it doesnt to be honest. There is still the issue of thinking they are getting one thing and actually getting another. As has already been stipulated a preview isnt a shortened view of something. It is an earlier view (ie pre-view = before view) of the full thing, much like in a movie you dont see the first 20 mins and thats it. Those people may not have paid more however they may have been enticed to somewhere they may not have been going had they not thought they were getting a full view.

Sorry, I didn't quote the other post. And based on the picture thread, I figured you'd keep bringing up the definition of a preview until someone actually posted the definition.

 

[Momw/aplan]

We do not have a package, but if we did , I would be asking for an evening option to visit...and to be honest I am not sure why that has not happened. I am hoping after the Holiday weekend that they do try and open the area up for theevening atmosphere. To limit ot 2 early am hours ONLY is limiting, and I know since the package included breakfast at 3B and 1 hour early entry that it is obviousl why it is in the morning, but adding 2 hours from 7-9 would be nice.

Oh I really wish they would do that! If by the time we get there they were allowing package people and on-site guests in 8-12 like they are now and then open up again from 7-9pm I would be extremely happy. It would give us more than one chance to get in each day, allow us to be a little more relaxed about our shopping and riding, and would allow us to take in the scenery at night. It still wouldn't be full access all day like we were expecting when we booked, but I think it would feel close enough. Even if they didn't open Three Broomsticks at night for dinner I think I would still feel very satisfied with my vacation.

We're only going to be in the parks for two days of our vacation and I just don't want to feel like we get two short chances at doing everything we want to do. And with the way it is right now, half of one of those short mornings will be spent at breakfast.

We're big fans of HP and we want to really take our time looking at all the details they have to offer, not running from attraction to attraction with very little time to stop and soak in the environment. And I think if there was more than one shot a day at getting on FJ everyone else would chill out a little too and fewer people would want to shove their way to the front of the line.

Edited to add: And okay, wow. That really sucks about the test seat thing. Yikes!

 

[mom2aandj]

Forgive me for not being a theme park aficionado; I merely represent the general buying public who Universal by-and-large is selling to.

absolutely. You should not have to scour a theme park discussion board to know what is going on.

If it makes you feel any better, I do envy the extra exclusive time it seems that package holders and on site guests are getting now. Sure, we'll presumably have access to the HP section all day and evening when we go in October, but honestly, I bet we won't stay in it much past 2 or 3 hours that the people who are going now are getting. Once it's open to the general public it will be SO MOBBED in all those little streets and shops I can't imagine it would be pleasant to be there. NOT saying you weren't misled by Universal and you are completely entitled to feel upset. Just a silver lining to getting to be there now---much more exclusive and uncrowded.

 

[tink1957]

I typed this on my iPhone, so I apologise in advance for any typos or spelling errors.

Universal did a much better job with crowd control this morning, allowing guests in about 10 minutes before 8 and controlling the flow with the turnstiles all the way to WWOHP. The end result was a much more peaceful entry with far less pushing and shoving. We actually met up with Disboard employees Walter and Max agaIn today (Pete decided not to get up for it) at the gates to IOA and went through the queue with them *We were in the queue for FJ by 8:07.*

Unfortunately, Universal royally ticked me off by pulling me from the line near the end of the queue just prior to the sorting hat, putting me in the test seat and saying sorry you can't ride. Now understand, I rode FJ yesterday and fit fine, and I told them that, but they didn't care. *They refused to push down on the safety bar to lock in the 3rd click stating they weren't allowed to, which was curious since we weren't allowed to push down on the saftey bar ourselves when loaded yesterday. * Be warned future guests, there are 3 different standards for fitting in the seats to ride. The test seat at the entrance is more generous than the test seat in the queue, and the actual seats themselves are a 3rd standard as the employees do push down to lock you in. Major fail Universal. Your employees were rude, insulting, humiliating, and insenitive *It was*NOT a pleasant guest experience.

Worse yet was walking into Filches out of the ride entrance and hearing one cast member snidly comment to another "he didn't get to ride.". Damn right I didn't and I was pissed off enough without the little pissants comment and I let him know it.*

Anyhow a word to the wise, you will not be riding FJ of you fall onto any of the following categories: too tall (6' 3" or taller), too short (under 48"), have wide shoulders (you won't fit width wise in the seats, partially my problem), have a belly (particularly beer bellies, which I don't have BTW). * I'm 5'8" and float between 235 and 240 and today I couldn't ride, but yesterday I could. *Granted I'm overweight, but not THAT bad and S Walter and Max said, in their opinions in no way should I be too big to ride.*

Again, major Fail Universal. As my skinny 14yo said, Universal segregated out and restricted away 20-30% (or more) of the US population. *

I can't believe they did that to you, they must be crazy. It was nice meeting you in line yesterday and I'm sorry that happened to you today...I would be majorly ticked off. My son is 6'3" and around 245 lbs, he rode comfortably with no problems. It seems that who gets to ride is a matter of TM interpretation.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Preds, I'm really sorry that happened to you. How horrible. Even more horrible that the employees weren't even nice about it.

 

[Planogirl]

CALL Universal. Head straight to Guest Services. Demand a manager. I would expect an apology and maybe some kind of head of the line to make up for it.

You can come here and rant all you want to but no one here can do anything. I wish that Universal would get their act together.

ETA: I do disagree that a lot of people have been posting in anger. I've scoured everywhere and it's very few (so far) and mostly here.

 

[Dax]

CALL Universal. Head straight to Guest Services. Demand a manager. I would expect an apology and maybe some kind of head of the line to make up for it.

You can come here and rant all you want to but no one here can do anything. I wish that Universal would get their act together.

ETA: I do disagree that a lot of people have been posting in anger. I've scoured everywhere and it's very few (so far) and mostly here.

I agree, head to Guest Relations ASAP...DO NOT let this go...make sure you explain how humiliated you were made to feel