Universal Rep advised EE for Diagon Alley is only temporary

[Luckybee]

Dh and I are trying to decide whether to stay on site at U for a night or two in the fall. Since we are not huge ride people the bigger attraction for us is Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Because of all the uncertainty regarding early entry II went to the horses mouth today to try to get clarification. Im obviously not sure if Universal reps are notorious for misinformation like the Disney CM's. This is what I was told:

Starting July 9th "some of the resorts" will have EE for Diagon Alley. That WILL NOT continue, and they haven't been told yet what day it will stop . When I asked which resorts she asked me where I was looking at staying, I indicated Portofino, and she said yes it would be avail starting July 9th, but cautioned me that they didn't know whether it would still be available in Oct because it definitely was being discontinued at some point.

Im not sure if this assists in clarifying, or causes more confusion, or if she was even correct but just thought I'd pass it along.

 

[macraven]

Dh and I are trying to decide whether to stay on site at U for a night or two in the fall. Since we are not huge ride people the bigger attraction for us is Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Because of all the uncertainty regarding early entry II went to the horses mouth today to try to get clarification. Im obviously not sure if Universal reps are notorious for misinformation like the Disney CM's. This is what I was told:

Starting July 9th "some of the resorts" will have EE for Diagon Alley. That WILL NOT continue, and they haven't been told yet what day it will stop . When I asked which resorts she asked me where I was looking at staying, I indicated Portofino, and she said yes it would be avail starting July 9th, but cautioned me that they didn't know whether it would still be available in Oct because it definitely was being discontinued at some point.

Im not sure if this assists in clarifying, or causes more confusion, or if she was even correct but just thought I'd pass it along.

i can't imagine that
EE for the deluxe hotels would be discontinued in october.

 

[disneymac000]

Maybe they want y'all to take the train in from IOA?

 

[Bluer101]

Maybe they want y'all to take the train in from IOA?

Maybe, but I would not trust anything from a basic rep. If it came from Mark Woodbury I might believe it.

 

[Rip]

Maybe, but I would not trust anything from a basic rep. If it came from Mark Woodbury I might believe it.

This.

Aren't they still (4 years later) doing EE for Hogsmead? They were last year when I was there, so there is NO WAY they are going to discontinue it to this anytime soon.

 

[damo]

Maybe, but I would not trust anything from a basic rep. If it came from Mark Woodbury I might believe it.

Agreed. Usually, we know more than the phone reps know.

 

[zebsterama]

As part of our confirmation email - when booking online with Loews for HRH, there was a benefits/perks statement included. I have to assume when currently booking for October trips, something similar would be attached.

I don't know the "subject to change" rules in Florida/USA - but I would have to assume that for these reservations, that these benefits would have to be honored.

Here is a copy / paste from my email reservation confirmation for HRH Club for late July:

Don't Forget You Enjoy Exclusive Theme Park Benefits:

SKIP THE REGULAR LINES* in both Universal Orlando® theme parks - a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day^ (theme park admission required)

As an On-site hotel guest you can enjoy Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, one hour before the park opens (theme park admission required).

That being said the fine print does state:
"Additional restrictions may apply and the foregoing benefits are subject to change without notice."

So I guess the answer is a proverbial "MAYBE", although it would be a PUBLIC RELATIONS NIGHTMARE IMO if Universal / Loews pulled such a stunt on its (arguably higher end / full of disposable income ) patrons.

Just a thought.

 

[dedex13]

My reservation for October 6 says the same thing, with the fine print:

"†Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to one (1) Universal Orlando theme park as determined by Universal Orlando. Valid at select attractions at each park. Universal Orlando Resort reserves the right to open alternative attractions in the event that a technical problem arises or an attraction opening is delayed."

My take on the whole thing... Early entry may be to one park, but both areas of the Wizarding World will be accessible using the Hogwart's Express. I've seen someone post elsewhere that EE will be available to both parks during peak times, but only one during non-peak times, which may explain why the rep is stating EE to DA will "end".

 

[Bluer101]

As part of our confirmation email - when booking online with Loews for HRH, there was a benefits/perks statement included. I have to assume when currently booking for October trips, something similar would be attached. I don't know the "subject to change" rules in Florida/USA - but I would have to assume that for these reservations, that these benefits would have to be honored. Here is a copy / paste from my email reservation confirmation for HRH Club for late July: Don't Forget You Enjoy Exclusive Theme Park Benefits: SKIP THE REGULAR LINES* in both Universal Orlando® theme parks - a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day^ (theme park admission required) As an On-site hotel guest you can enjoy Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, one hour before the park opens (theme park admission required). That being said the fine print does state: "Additional restrictions may apply and the foregoing benefits are subject to change without notice." So I guess the answer is a proverbial "MAYBE", although it would be a PUBLIC RELATIONS NIGHTMARE IMO if Universal / Loews pulled such a stunt on its (arguably higher end / full of disposable income ) patrons. Just a thought.

I can paste my reservations but they can change at anytime. I have reservations saying $18 for parking before they changed to $20. Now do you think they would honor the $18, nope.

There is a clause somewhere stating they can do whatever they wish.

 

[zebsterama]

I can paste my reservations but they can change at anytime. I have reservations saying $18 for parking before they changed to $20. Now do you think they would honor the $18, nope.

There is a clause somewhere stating they can do whatever they wish.

You're right .... hence the rest of my statement, after the quote noted above.

 

[Luckybee]

Well as much as we do want to see The Harry Potter stuff we're going to hold off making our ressies until we see how all of this washes out. I am not spending hours waiting in line...I don't want to see it that bad. We would only be doing 1 night at Portofino, and we'd be doing so in order to gain EE to Diagon/Hogsmeade.

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to when things might be more carved in stone ? Perhaps after July 8 ?

 

[macraven]

things will be tweaked for a couple of months after the opening.