The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[roomthreeseventeen]

Total FAIL on Universal's part.

 

[giant4203]

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?

Remember: the package deal only promises these things:

This EXCLUSIVE vacation package includes:
Early Park Admission◊ to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks™ - one per person
Commemorative ticket – one per person
Hotel accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel
3-Day Base Ticket^ to both Universal Orlando® theme parks – one theme park, per day
Access to live entertainment◊◊ at Universal CityWalk®

Nowhere there is listed exclusive, special access to package holders only. The only time package holders would be in the park "alone" would be the early breakfast. After 9, it's fair game. They need bodies in there so they can work out crowd control to make it less of a madhouse when they throw those gates open on June 18

 

[atricks]

We got let into wwohp at 9:55AM, whoever happened to be around the gate at that time. Rand to forbidden journey and did butterbeer.

 

[Claire-Bear]

People seem to forget the area is only SOFT open at the moment...and with package holders they do have the area from 8am to around 12pm (based on several peoples reports)

 

[scottmel]

Remember: the package deal only promises these things:

This EXCLUSIVE vacation package includes:
Early Park Admission◊ to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks™ - one per person
Commemorative ticket – one per person
Hotel accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel
3-Day Base Ticket^ to both Universal Orlando® theme parks – one theme park, per day
Access to live entertainment◊◊ at Universal CityWalk®

Nowhere there is listed exclusive, special access to package holders only. The only time package holders would be in the park "alone" would be the early breakfast. After 9, it's fair game. They need bodies in there so they can work out crowd control to make it less of a madhouse when they throw those gates open on June 18

Yes but nowhere does it say "limited admission time to harry potter' area

 

[Momw/aplan]

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.

No. To be very clear I am not there. I've been up front about that in every post I have made about it and have prefaced everything I've said on the matter. I simply answered a question that no one else had answered at that point with the knowledge that was available to me at the time, and I said as much. I never stated it as a fact. (the 'swung open at 9am' part was almost verbatim from the source I got the information from.)

I try very hard to differentiate in my posts between what is fact, speculation or opinion. But people need to realize that very little of what gets posted in these forums can be taken as true unwavering fact. It is a grapevine, albeit a relatively well informed one.

And yet, sadly, it has been a far better source of information than Universal has been on this whole WW thing.

But hey, at least when you go as a pkg holder in December you'll get to stay in all day. Unless of course they change it on you before you get there and are told on arrival they've decided to limit it to only a couple of hours. If they do that, remember you're not supposed get upset and God forbid if you complain. Just be a good little vacationer and nevermind what you thought you were paying for; just be happy for the fact that the vacation you bought allows you to get in for any length of time. They very well could have taken your money and then not let you in at all--they're doing you a favor. (This is what I've been told many times on here anyway. So it must be true right?)

 

[tttessa]

No. To be very clear I am not there. I've been up front about that in every post I have made about it and have prefaced everything I've said on the matter. I simply answered a question that no one else had answered at that point with the knowledge that was available to me at the time, and I said as much. I never stated it as a fact. (the 'swung open at 9am' part was almost verbatim from the source I got the information from.)

I try very hard to differentiate in my posts between what is fact, speculation or opinion. But people need to realize that very little of what gets posted in these forums can be taken as true unwavering fact. It is a grapevine, albeit a relatively well informed one.

And yet, sadly, it has been a far better source of information than Universal has been on this whole WW thing.

But hey, at least when you go as a pkg holder in December you'll get to stay in all day. Unless of course they change it on you before you get there and are told on arrival they've decided to limit it to only a couple of hours. If they do that, remember you're not supposed get upset and God forbid if you complain. Just be a good little vacationer and nevermind what you thought you were paying for; just be happy for the fact that the vacation you bought allows you to get in for any length of time. They very well could have taken your money and then not let you in at all--they're doing you a favor. (This is what I've been told many times on here anyway. So it must be true right?)

As far as I was aware, any theme park can close any ride as it sees fit, you are never guaranteed a particular ride will be open.

 

[Magpie]

No. To be very clear I am not there. I've been up front about that in every post I have made about it and have prefaced everything I've said on the matter. I simply answered a question that no one else had answered at that point with the knowledge that was available to me at the time, and I said as much. I never stated it as a fact. (the 'swung open at 9am' part was almost verbatim from the source I got the information from.)

I try very hard to differentiate in my posts between what is fact, speculation or opinion. But people need to realize that very little of what gets posted in these forums can be taken as true unwavering fact. It is a grapevine, albeit a relatively well informed one.

And yet, sadly, it has been a far better source of information than Universal has been on this whole WW thing.

But hey, at least when you go as a pkg holder in December you'll get to stay in all day. Unless of course they change it on you before you get there and are told on arrival they've decided to limit it to only a couple of hours. If they do that, remember you're not supposed get upset and God forbid if you complain. Just be a good little vacationer and nevermind what you thought you were paying for; just be happy for the fact that the vacation you bought allows you to get in for any length of time. They very well could have taken your money and then not let you in at all--they're doing you a favor. (This is what I've been told many times on here anyway. So it must be true right?)

I wouldn't WANT to spend 10 hours a day stuck inside a few square metres of land. Four hours is plenty.

If I was told that I could have an exclusive preview, with limited access to everyone else, for several hours every morning, I'd personally be thrilled. No crowds, a chance to wander around and see things before everyone else, what's the downside?

Have you considered actually quoting your sources verbatim in the future? Then no one would think it was actually your description, and you couldn't be accused of rumour-mongering. Merely of passing on rumours, from clearly-not-so-well-informed sources.

(BTW - I hope you'll be writing a trip report, if you're still going!)

 

[Dax]

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!

Ya know, this sums it up how I feel right now...well stated!

 

[Dax]

I've got a question to ponder..

How different do you think things would be if this was say 10yrs ago...BEFORE the age of internet, cell phones and the like. None of this negative info would be passed so freely. You would have booked the package when you saw it available, you would have gone to the soft opening preview, and you would have been THRILLED with what you got no matter how much or how little...

Its safe to say, the internet/always connected world has ruined the small joys in life..its now a I WANT IT NOW world...I for one, would LOVE to go back

 

[Momw/aplan]

As far as I was aware, any theme park can close any ride as it sees fit, you are never guaranteed a particular ride will be open.

So if you bought a full price admission ticket to IOA but then were told to get out at 10am you wouldn't be upset? After all they can close any rides at any time.

 

[FINFAN]

It looks like this (Shoulder and lap restraint):

I have a question on the thigh/leg room....very hard to tell in the photo for me, amybe because the length of the harness area looks long...but if anyone can comment on if the restraint is tight, pressing on top of their legs....not nit-picking, just curious and I know everyone is all different shapes and sizes..to me it looks as if the seat sort of dips down in back giving more seat area for the legs...I am curious because for motion , to me, having more support under the leg vs dangling makes me feel more secure..anyone?
ETA..is it also a "bladder-buster"...if I am in line for a while...

 

[Dax]

So if you bought a full price admission ticket to IOA but then were told to get out at 10am you wouldn't be upset? After all they can close any rides at any time.

I think the differnece is in this case is that IOA is normally open everyday...WWoHP is still in SOFT openings, that meaning they can close it at anytime, without having to explain. Once the area is in full operational mode on June 18, then people have more reason to complain if they competly blocked off...

But again, you can walk into MK any given day and Splash Mt may be closed for unknown reasons, or any other ride for that matter...parks reserve the right to close rides if they see fit..

 

[Momw/aplan]

I think the differnece is in this case is that IOA is normally open everyday...WWoHP is still in SOFT openings, that meaning they can close it at anytime, without having to explain. Once the area is in full operational mode on June 18, then people have more reason to complain if they competly blocked off...

But again, you can walk into MK any given day and Splash Mt may be closed for unknown reasons, or any other ride for that matter...parks reserve the right to close rides if they see fit..

Yes. But when I bought my package there was no differentiation made between pre-go and post-go. It was sold to me as a full price vacation pkg to visit WWoHP, PERIOD. It was not sold as a preview or as a soft opening. They screwed up.

IF when I get there they are still keeping the crowds very limited then I will probably be accepting of the 4 hour limitation. But that's just it. They seem to be at liberty to change the rules at any given time. For all I know by the time I get there they will be open to everyone, it will be packed to the gills, and they will STILL make us get out after 3 or 4 hours. Who knows? They apparently don't even know yet.

The whole source of my frustration is I shouldn't be left to guessing and speculation as to whether or not I am going to get what I paid for when it is only one week until my vacation.

If they could promise me it is going to be 4 hours BUT during those four hours it is going to be VERY low crowds, I'd be okay with that even though it wasn't what I was initially sold. They're not going to promise me anything though.

EDIT: okay, so I'm not going to respond to these things in this thread anymore--let this thread be for WW happy talk only. If anyone wants to debate the validity of my frustration further I'll be in the PreGrandOpening Package Holders Unite! thread.

 

[Magpie]

So if you bought a full price admission ticket to IOA but then were told to get out at 10am you wouldn't be upset? After all they can close any rides at any time.

Well... if the park was closed due to a hurricane bearing down on us, then no, I wouldn't be upset at Universal.

Here's what I want to do on my vacation:

1. Stay in a real honest-to-goodness resort hotel - we've never stayed in anything fancier than a Best Western.

2. See the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and buy some souvenirs.

3. See all the other lands and rides in IOA and US. I'm particularly keen on the Spiderman and Mummy rides, but they all look great.

4. Swim (though that's dependent on weather, of course).

5. Eat in a different themed restaurant every day. I get a real kick out of seeing cool decor!

6. Hang with the family.

This will be our first trip to Universal, but we've been to Disney a few times. And every time we've gone there's been a few rides that are not operational. We wanted to ride Ellen's Energy Adventure, but sadly it was never running. We never got to finish the Great Movie Ride because it broke down in the Tarzan room, and we had to sit there with him swinging and yodelling over and over and over again for half an hour. We got stuck once on Small World, and that's a whole different definition of hell. Oh, and we once waited over two hours in line to ride Goofy's Barnstormer (when the wait time said 20 minutes!) and it was SO not worth it.

Oh yeah, and our first day at Expedition Everest we stood in line but didn't get to ride because some poor guy went and died on the coaster, and they shut the whole ride down. We had to come back the next day.

But we still loved each and every trip, and we don't feel that we were ever ripped off or that Disney didn't deliver. I never went to the parks just to see one ride. I went to see everything!

I'm not going to let rumours and speculation ruin my trip, before I even get there. I'm going to go and have a great time. (Assuming my plane isn't grounded in a snowstorm... man, that's the kind of adventure I can do without!)

 

[inkkognito]

In theory there are other times they can shut down early and abruptly without giving you a reason. FL is the lightning capital of the U.S. and most of the IOA rides are outdoors (and lots of water rides too) so there are plenty of times they shut it down due to bad storms. Same at Uni but not as bad of an effect because there are inside things to do.

Interestingly, Busch Gardens actually has a rain policy. It's the only park I know of offhand that does.

I still feel your pain with the whole package mess tho'. That's exactly why I scarfed a room on Memorial Day weekend. I had a feeling they would do softs some time after that, and then I would never have gotten four FJ rides in a two hour period. I'll liken it to Disney Cruise Line: Many times the adult pool is empty, but I still don't want them letting kids in even if the kiddie pool is crowded. I am paying a premium to sail on a ship that has those reserved areas (just as parents are paying a premium to have the kids clubs, which I don't use). If I was shelling out big bucks for a HP package, I would expect the crowd to be limited even if that meant everything was walk-on because that's what I'm paying for. There needed to be a buffer period between the packages and the softs, or else close it down after the morning then reopen later for GP softs.

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of Screamscape
http://screamscape.com

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - (6/2/10) Well the big news yesterday was that for the first time the Wizarding World of Harry Potter did indeed open briefly to the general public… early in the morning… and only for a few hours. But it did open… which is a good sign that we could seen daily soft openings from now on. Still, our sources tell us everything is still moving ahead, baby steps, one day at a time, as they work to make the Forbidden Journey ride more stable and less prone to lengthy breakdowns. I’ve heard from several sources now that one major factor in why the break-downs take so long is that the riders in the Flying Benches each have to be evacuated one bench at a time as the Kuka arms will pretty much just “freeze” in whatever position they were in when the ride’s system stops. It’s estimated that it’s been taking anywhere from 45-60 minutes on average to perform a complete evacuation of the ride before they can even think about attempting a restart.
You can read and see a bit more from yesterday morning’s soft open preview of the Potter-Verse over at Behind the Thrills.

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[Dax]

Dumb question...arent the "soft openings" to the unwashed masses (aka the general public) only LIMITED? I could have sworn they were only letting in a few based on how many were in there for packages...

If thats the case...then its not like IOA dropped the walls and letting in everyone...they still keeping it monitored...

I am a passholder, yes I am bummed I am not getting a preview like we have for EVERYTHING else that has been done there, including HHN..but that does not mean I am any less interested..I will be there on 6/18 with the rest of the crowds..mainly star watching..LOL..!

 

[inkkognito]

I am a passholder, yes I am bummed I am not getting a preview like we have for EVERYTHING else that has been done there, including HHN..but that does not mean I am any less interested..I will be there on 6/18 with the rest of the crowds..mainly star watching..LOL..!

There was no passholder preview for Rip Ride Rockit either.

But honestly, all the passholder events I've attended have been major fiascoes anyway. No crowd control, insane numbers of people...ugh. For HHN I just do Stay & Scream with the unwashed masses and get a lot moe done. For HP I would venture to say booking a hotel room night was much better and more uncrowded than any passholder preview would be. Sad but true since passholders are a mainstay for Uni.

 

[Dax]

There was no passholder preview for Rip Ride Rockit either.

But honestly, all the passholder events I've attended have been major fiascoes anyway. No crowd control, insane numbers of people...ugh. For HHN I just do Stay & Scream with the unwashed masses and get a lot moe done. For HP I would venture to say booking a hotel room night was much better and more uncrowded than any passholder preview would be. Sad but true since passholders are a mainstay for Uni.

I was without passes for a bit, due to job loss, I only just got them again, but I had them for MANY years, and I agree, some of there events are a mess..LOL..but my fav event was the King Kong sendoff! I miss those days