The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[Slacking]

Yes, you can absolutely experience the entire queue and pre-show! In fact, it's set up so you can easily bypass the ride portion. It sounds really nifty.

Also, there's a test seat outside which may give you at least some idea whether you have a chance of fitting on the ride. The only glitch seems to be that the operators are no longer allowed to push the seats closed on people (some folks complained?), so if it can't close by itself, you might not be able to ride when you get inside, even if you could squeeze into the test seat.

Thanks! That's too bad, I don't mind the TMs closing the device for me. Now, is the device just an OST restraint or is there a seat belt involved (I can barely close those seat belts when I do fit fine!)

 

[Slacking]

I've learned that when dealing with TMs/CMs during soft openings, take what they say with a grain of salt. Most of the time they're just saying what they told to say (since it is a soft opening, nothing is guaranteed to be open), so IMO, it's always best to wait it out and discover the answer for yourself.

 

[Claire-Bear]

Thanks! That's too bad, I don't mind the TMs closing the device for me. Now, is the device just an OST restraint or is there a seat belt involved (I can barely close those seat belts when I do fit fine!)

It looks like this (Shoulder and lap restraint):

 

[Magpie]

That's not true.

Source, please?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Source, please?

Upthread, somewhere, they said GP was told they would have no access today, and then walked in at 9am.

 

[lildamo]

Upthread, somewhere, they said GP was told they would have no access today, and then walked in at 9am.

The reason the GP didn't have access right at 9 today was due to a fire drill at Forbidden Journey. A limited amount of GP people were let in right before 10 and everything seems to still be going smoothly (Twitter reports of FJ being a walk-on despite 30 minute posted wait times).

 

[Magpie]

Upthread, somewhere, they said GP was told they would have no access today, and then walked in at 9am.

Yes, but that person wasn't there. She said she didn't know for sure, just that she'd heard something somewhere.

One of the people who WAS actually there, left at 9:05 after being informed by a staff member that the general public would not be getting in today.

Clearly if the gates DID open to the general public, it was not at 9am.

Edit: Thanks, lildamo! Evidently a few of the public got in at 10am. Aren't soft openings exciting?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Yes, but that person wasn't there. She said she didn't know for sure, just that she'd heard something somewhere.

One of the people who WAS actually there, left at 9:05 after being informed by a staff member that the general public would not be getting in today.

Clearly if the gates DID open to the general public, it was not at 9am.

See the post RIGHT before yours. GP is in WWoHP.

 

[Momw/aplan]

Upthread, somewhere, they said GP was told they would have no access today, and then walked in at 9am.

That was me earlier. I don't know it for a fact was just stating what I had heard.

I just took a look at #potterwatch on twitter and it seems there were some GP let in (some reports say at 9 others say at 10) but it appears it was only a limited number of people let in. Others were apparently turned away.

 

[Magpie]

Don't know how true it is, but initial reports are saying the GP was told this morning at the gate that there was no-how no-way they were getting in there today, but then at 9am the doors swung open for them and they are in now.

Yet another example of how you can't really believe anything people at Universal tell you even if they tell it to your face while you're standing there at the entrance.

I haven't heard any reports yet as to how long they are supposedly staying open for today.

The problem is, when you write something like this, no one really notices the "don't know how true it is" part of your message. All they read is "the doors swung open", "they are in now", and the "yet another example" editorial.

So your story gets passed along from one poster to the next, and the next thing you know sme folks are completely convinced that the gates are being thrown wide open at 9am sharp and all the non-package, non-hotel park goers are flooding in and packing the place elbow to elbow, and ruining everything for the folks who bought packages.

But at the same time other folks are saying, "No, only limited numbers got in, and only at 10, and the FJ ride is a walk-on." What's the truth? I don't know, I'm not there and neither are you.

Of course, as a package holder travelling in December, I won't get anything other than an hour early entry and breakfast, as indicated on my e-ticket.

 

[Jason71]

Yes, but that person wasn't there. She said she didn't know for sure, just that she'd heard something somewhere.

One of the people who WAS actually there, left at 9:05 after being informed by a staff member that the general public would not be getting in today.

Clearly if the gates DID open to the general public, it was not at 9am.

Edit: Thanks, lildamo! Evidently a few of the public got in at 10am. Aren't soft openings exciting?

I was there. Lines at opening were comparable only to HHN. At 9:05ish, the TM was quite adamant--no opening today, the crowd (which was swelling) needed to disperse. Rumor is a few people got in just before 10 despite this. Bad, bad PR move on Universal's part. Way to flip a bird to your passholders.

FWIW, the HP section is open in Island Trading Co. Wands, shirts, stuffed owls, pins, Quidditch gear, some of the Zonkos gags. Notably no Pumpkin Juice and no specialty candy.

 

[Magpie]

See the post RIGHT before yours. GP is in WWoHP.

Yup, notice my edit. And I'll just point out that it was NOT at 9am, according to that post.

Also, that unlike the "gates thrown open" comment earlier, only limited numbers were allowed in, at 10 am.

So, it would appear, in order to test the ride at reasonable capacity, they're letting a few lucky folks in the doors. I think that's wonderful! It's a treat for them, and it makes the ride safer for all of the rest of us.

 

[Cielei]

Wow, it has been a prolific couple of days.

I have been reading this thread basically since it's inception, posting only occasionally. I'm going to take a break from this thread for a while because I can't get through the negativity and complaints to actually see information that I have been patiently waiting to hear. The tone of the thread seems to have changed and the snark factor from some seems exceptionally high to me (maybe this is not intended as text rarely translates or I am wrong).

I really do sympathize with all of the jilted feelings that people have about their experiences, but it really seems to be taking over everything for the last couple of days. I am not saying that you shouldn't complain on the boards, but maybe a separate thread to handle that would be the better option. I really do hope that you can get past your negative experiences to relive some happy experiences that you had at some point. I also hope that all of you anticipating problems end up having a wonderful vacation!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Yup, notice my edit. And I'll just point out that it was NOT at 9am, according to that post.

Also, that unlike the "gates thrown open" comment earlier, only limited numbers were allowed in, at 10 am.

So, it would appear, in order to test the ride at reasonable capacity, they're letting a few lucky folks in the doors. I think that's wonderful! It's a treat for them, and it makes the ride safer for all of the rest of us.

You think it's "wonderful" that Universal treats its guests with such disrespect that there's no rhyme or reason to who they let into the soft open?

 

[Magpie]

I was there. Lines at opening were comparable only to HHN. At 9:05ish, the TM was quite adamant--no opening today, the crowd (which was swelling) needed to disperse. Rumor is a few people got in just before 10 despite this. Bad, bad PR move on Universal's part. Way to flip a bird to your passholders.

FWIW, the HP section is open in Island Trading Co. Wands, shirts, stuffed owls, pins, Quidditch gear, some of the Zonkos gags. Notably no Pumpkin Juice and no specialty candy.

How few is a few?

I absolutely do agree with you that Universal should have had an passholders' preview. After all, most of you folks are local and not likely to buy packages or rent hotel rooms. This would have been a good way to make you feel special, and encourage you to renew your passes for next year.

On the other hand, since you have an annual pass and presumably visit a lot, won't you be able to come back all summer and fall and into the winter? (I think I'm jealous... )

 

[Slacking]

It looks like this (Shoulder and lap restraint):

Those seats look quite cozy, lol.

Again, not sure what my chances are that I'll fit, but I'm glad to not see any seatbelts.

Thanks for posting that!

 

[Magpie]

You think it's "wonderful" that Universal treats its guests with such disrespect that there's no rhyme or reason to who they let into the soft open?

How are the GUESTS being treated with disrespect? I agree that passholders have a legitimate complaint. I also agree that Universal seems to be flying by the seat of its pants during this initial test phase, and thus the inconsistent and contradictory information.

But package holders and hotel guests are getting guaranteed access to the Wizarding World for hours every day. And they're getting to enjoy this area without having to fight the crowds.

Why would package holders and hotel guests be offended that a few other random people also get to enjoy this privilege, to a somewhat lesser degree (getting in an hour or two later)? Does the fact that *they're* having a good time somehow sour it for you?

After the grand opening, it's going to be open to everyone and wall-to-wall people. All package holders and hotel guest will get after that is an hour's early access.

Yeah, I think Universal's giving their guests a pretty good deal right now. I wish I was there!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

How are the GUESTS being treated with disrespect? I agree that passholders have a legitimate complaint. I also agree that Universal seems to be flying by the seat of its pants during this initial test phase.

But package holders and hotel guests are getting guaranteed access to the Wizarding World for hours every day. And they're getting to enjoy this area without having to fight the crowds.

Why would package holders and hotel guests be offended that a few other random people also get to enjoy this privilege? Does the fact that *they're* having a good time somehow sour it for you?

After the grand opening, it's going to be open to everyone and wall-to-wall people. All package holders and hotel guest will get after that is an hour's early access.

Yeah, I think Universal's giving their guests a pretty good deal right now. I wish I was there!

I don't know what the passholder situation is, but if you're letting one member of the GP in, and not another, with NO discernible explanation, why is that fair?

 

[lildamo]

I don't know what the passholder situation is, but if you're letting one member of the GP in, and not another, with NO discernible explanation, why is that fair?

That's how a soft opening works. It's all about being in the right place at the right time.

 

[Magpie]

I don't know what the passholder situation is, but if you're letting one member of the GP in, and not another, with NO discernible explanation, why is that fair?

That's called a soft opening!

I was lucky enough to walk by Spaceship Earth during a soft opening. They ushered a few dozen of us inside, and by the time we got off they'd closed the gate again, and there were no other rides that day.

We were lucky!

If we'd gotten there 15 minutes later, we wouldn't have been lucky.

I'm assuming they decide, based on how many package holders and hotel guests are in the land, how many of the general public they can allow in. Then they open the gates, count that number, and close the gates. Some people are allowed in, some are not.

As for why the folks at the gate at nine were turned away - I personally suspect it's because someone knew that it'd be another hour or more before anyone could be let in, and they didn't want a stampede or people getting hurt. Especially if there were far more people waiting than were likely to be let in.

Someone somewhere may have made up the story about "no public allowed in today" to get people to disperse quiety, or it may have been a misunderstanding, or a sudden change in plans, but whatever the reason, that doesn't mean the fellow at the gate was lying. He was almost certainly just passing on exactly what he'd been told.