WDW Fans: Will you go see Harry Potter?

[nooneshome]

DW is going to insist we see HP. I plan to wait a year or so.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

ABSOLUTELY!!!! We're going to spend at least 3 days there in August and can't wait. I don't understand all the haters ,

 

[Scurvy]

I wonder if there's somewhere from where one can see the Castle without being in a moving car. I'll be at WDW next week, and driving past Universal next Sunday morning. I know my wife would love a photo or video of some sort.

We're planning on being there just about a year from now. That should give the opening crowds a chance to cool off a bit. Plus, Universal sees much bigger downswings in the off-season than WDW does.

There's a bridge where Universal Blvd. goes over I-4, as you are driving from the direction of International Drive toward Universal Studios. Ahead and to your left as you are at the stop sign just before the bridge, you can see the top of the Great Hall and Gryffindor Tower at Hogwarts. I tried to get pictures with my camera phone but they didn't turn out, but if you've seen the movies then the castle is very recognizable. I suspect you can see it well from the sidewalk along there also. It isn't the whole castle, but it's enough to be exciting for a big Harry Potter fan. As you drive along Universal Blvd. there are several points where you can see it fairly well.

 

[mmafan]

Yes. I'm looking foward to seeing it.

 

[Hallowishes]

i will definitely check out the wizarding world of harry potter ... but ill wait till the hype dies down a bit. probably next january, ill take a trip to wdw and spend a day at universal.

 

[Echo queen]

For August I have 7 nights booked for disney and 1 night 2 days for universal. We did the same thing in December 2008, HP was under construction, at that time we decided that we would not go back until it was open. We did go to disney the last week of 2009 and did not visit universal. There are many great places to visit in Orlando, take the blinders off. If time allows and it has in the past we visit and do many other things while there.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm going..we'll be there for 10 days so we can take one day out to see the Harry Potter park..it's supposed to be really cool.

 

[goldwest]

We did not get to US on our trip in 08. Plan to hit it in Jan 11. Having trouble deciding if we will stay at US for front of line privleges or stay whole time at POR. Hate to give up ME but costs for dining and resort would be premium when we arrive (plan on Dec 28) so had thoughts of doing universal first for 4 nights, then heading to POR for the rest of our stay (would have 8 more nights). Budget wise I will have to figure out the cost/benefit!

 

[Ashes8380]

ABSOLUTELY!!!! We're going to spend at least 3 days there in August and can't wait. I don't understand all the haters ,

Some people just don't like Harry Potter. I wasn't going to read any of them until I had to read the 1st one for a children's literature class. I honestly went into it with an open mind and could barely finish it. I just don't like fantasy books, the fact that it's Harry Potter isn't going to make me like a genre I don't enjoy reading. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but I'd hardly consider that hating on people who are excited.

I get a LOT of crap from people for being a children's librarian who does not enjoy Harry Potter It's just not for everyone, although I do love what it has done in getting children to read

 

[aubriee]

I'll use Mears to get there. That allows me to eat at Emerils and Tchoup Chop and get wine pairings. (Another reason I don't do the Disney dining plan)

I've never been to Universal and have never even had any interest in checking it out. However, last week I took advantage of the $99.00 unlimited admission 2 parks for seven day tickets and bought three tickets. I plan to be there for at least two days during my May 1st-9th trip (if HP is open) and again for our Oct 23rd-31st trip. If I decide I do like Universal I'll probably upgrade the ticket I use in May to an AP and save the others for another year. The only problem I'm having is if Harry Potter's World is not open by my May trip, then I'm thinking about doing the DxDDP for that trip, but if it is, I'll stay with my basic DDP. I'd need to change my ADRs completely around though if I go with the DxDDP (change to mostly Signature meals). Harry Potter is messing up my ADR planning. If it wasn't for Harry Potter I'd never consider going over to the dark side (US).lol I've always been perfectly happy at WDW.

Nala please tell me how to use Mears to get from CSR to Univiersal. Do they pick you up at your resort or the TTC? How late do they pick you up at Universal? How much is it? Phone number?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

DH and I NEVER go to Universal but we are so excited to go to Harry Potter. BUT there is no way we are going on our trip this summer! Has anyone mentioned the fact that everyone and their mother wil most likely be there, especially in the first few months? It's not going to be crowded...it's going to be a MADHOUSE!!! I just don't think it'll be worth it, in my opinion. Not yet, anyway.

BUT I bet people who are visiting the REST of Universal Studios will have empty parks!

 

[arielmomma]

We are planning on going over there in September during our adult only trip. It will be our first time at IoA. We've never gone b/c our kids are so little it was just easier to stay at WDW.

 

[Docwoods]

Going in October-RPR-can't wait!Actual hotel with real restaurants.Harry here we come!

 

[SabbyR]

We are going in December. It's one of the reasons we are going!!! My family can't wait to see the HP theme park. We are really excited about Ollivander's!We are staying at Disney and Taking one day to go over to IoA, just to see Harry Potter!

 

[KatMark]

Some people just don't like Harry Potter. I wasn't going to read any of them until I had to read the 1st one for a children's literature class. I honestly went into it with an open mind and could barely finish it. I just don't like fantasy books, the fact that it's Harry Potter isn't going to make me like a genre I don't enjoy reading. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but I'd hardly consider that hating on people who are excited.

I get a LOT of crap from people for being a children's librarian who does not enjoy Harry Potter It's just not for everyone, although I do love what it has done in getting children to read

Agreed. It is not my genre either. I don't think it makes me a hater. I love country music and others don't. I don't consider them haters for it.

 

[diskids2]

Been to WDW nine times and never been to Universal...usually go for 7-11 days. This summer our trip of 10 days will include 4 nights at the Royal Pacific Resort and we will be there for WWoHP!

 

[wdwfan16]

Absolutely. We even bought our tickets already. We will most likely get there in late 2010.

 

[khertz]

Absolutely!! For us, Universal is always a part of our "Disney" vacation! I have never been to one without the other. Usually it is just two days, but this last trip, DH and I spent 7 days in Disney parks and 3 in Universal. We stayed at Bonnet Creek, so we were able to spread our Universal days out through the week. Next time we go back (which may not be for a few years), we'll probably do the same thing and spend 3 days at Universal. This past trip, we found we didn't really need 3 days to see & do everything we wanted, but with HP opening, we may need/want the extra time to explore. We are both big Universal & Harry Potter fans, so this is just another reason why our "Disney vacations" are so exciting!

I'm kind of surprised by how many people are hating on Universal/IoA. If you love thrill rides, you are missing out. If you love great theming, you are missing out. Yes, it's Disney's competition, but really...loving one doesn't mean you have to hate the other! And more often than not, people who choose to visit both parks during their vacations are still going to spend a bulk of their time & money at Disney compared to Universal.

 

[rstamm]

DS and I like Universal, DW does not.

We try and go one day during our Disney trip but not excited at all about 1 new ride for HP.

I was expecting at least 3 new rides since they are putting so much money into HP.

We will ride it like all the other rides they have, I am hoping it will be good but for what they spent it should be the greatest ride of all time.

 

[parkers218]

Hey we always go to disney..never paid attention to US/IoA because our kids were too short to ride anything...but we are planning to go see Harry Potter World. SO My question is any tips?? Places to stay-- Nick hotel? Royal Palm Resort? Best tix to buy for a 1-2 day stay? Any input would be appreciated. I am not familiar with US or that area. I am very excited!! We are going to Disney in Aug so we will take 1 or 2 days to go take a look. Don't know when we will be in FL again and I don't want to wait 5+ years b4 I go. I just hope ther is enough for my 5 and 2.5 year old to do Maybe we'll just do 1 day there and do sea world the other day?..what do you guys think?