WDW Fans: Will you go see Harry Potter?

[DisneyGerry]

was at IOA yesterday and all looking great

 

[Kumquatmelon]

I'm planning on going, I am not a huge HP fan, but I do want to see how Universal is doing for themselves.
When I was younger, US was apart of my Disney vacation. But, as I have grown to love Disney a bit more, Universal has gone down one on my list. We did go 3 years ago, and it was great. IoA was tons of fun, and I enjoyed it because I was in that stage where kiddie rides were so not cool. But, if I want a vacation that will truly make me cry and laugh and make me feel like a kid inside, it's Disney all the way.
But, from the pictures that I have seen, I think that WWoHP will help boost up US's reputation of theming. US/IoA is known for their thrill rides, not their "WOW" factor. But, I'm not hating on US lovers, it's just that I know there is better. US was never really a competition in my mind. It's just like Six Flags, it's an amusement park... not a magical getaway.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

I am dying to go check it out. Until the kiddos came along Dh & I would take a few mini trips to IoA each year-we are both coaster junkies. That being said I just can't justify the ticket cost since my boys are too short to ride most of the rides there, same reason we haven't gone to sixflags with them yet-what is the point if you can't ride..


But for those who are going-have fun!!

 

[Planogirl]

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!

I've been mulling over possible crowd levels and I expect IOA to be a complete madhouse. Those who visit to see HP will probably go ahead and see the rest of the park since they paid for it. I'm undecided about the Studios and since it's my favorite park...

 

[Planogirl]

I'm planning on going, I am not a huge HP fan, but I do want to see how Universal is doing for themselves.
When I was younger, US was apart of my Disney vacation. But, as I have grown to love Disney a bit more, Universal has gone down one on my list. We did go 3 years ago, and it was great. IoA was tons of fun, and I enjoyed it because I was in that stage where kiddie rides were so not cool. But, if I want a vacation that will truly make me cry and laugh and make me feel like a kid inside, it's Disney all the way.
But, from the pictures that I have seen, I think that WWoHP will help boost up US's reputation of theming. US/IoA is known for their thrill rides, not their "WOW" factor. But, I'm not hating on US lovers, it's just that I know there is better. US was never really a competition in my mind. It's just like Six Flags, it's an amusement park... not a magical getaway.

I was with you even if I didn't agree until you compared Universal to Six Flags. Um, no.

 

[jade1]

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!

True, but for us not relevant. We will go for 3 things. Ride the reworked D Dragons (soo good), ride the new robo ride in Hogwarts, tour/walk around and take pics. Then back to WDW-should take about 4 hours tops at IOA.

 

[Rip]

True, but for us not relevant. We will go for 3 things. Ride the reworked D Dragons (soo good), ride the new robo ride in Hogwarts, tour/walk around and take pics. Then back to WDW-should take about 4 hours tops at IOA.

I have a feeling that 3 of those hours are going to be spent in line for the new ride.

 

[Rip]

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?

First, I would highly recommend staying onsite at the Royal Pacific. It's a deluxe hotel generally around the price of a Disney moderate. Second, you need to look at AAA, Undercover Tourist, Kroger (if you have one), etc. RIGHT NOW for the 7-day unlimited park tickets for $99. They were discontinued from UO last week, but you can still find them if you hurry.

 

[Planogirl]

First, I would highly recommend staying onsite at the Royal Pacific. It's a deluxe hotel generally around the price of a Disney moderate. Second, you need to look at AAA, Undercover Tourist, Kroger (if you have one), etc. RIGHT NOW for the 7-day unlimited park tickets for $99. They were discontinued from UO last week, but you can still find them if you hurry.

Yes, do rush and get these passes! The prices have already gone up a lot on the Universal website which won't matter to those who go for one day. But otherwise you save a ton of money if you get the old passes.

Undercover Tourist is a great ticket source.

 

[parkers218]

First, I would highly recommend staying onsite at the Royal Pacific. It's a deluxe hotel generally around the price of a Disney moderate. Second, you need to look at AAA, Undercover Tourist, Kroger (if you have one), etc. RIGHT NOW for the 7-day unlimited park tickets for $99. They were discontinued from UO last week, but you can still find them if you hurry.

Thanks!! I'm on it

 

[smidgy]

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?

First, I would highly recommend staying onsite at the Royal Pacific. It's a deluxe hotel generally around the price of a Disney moderate. Second, you need to look at AAA, Undercover Tourist, Kroger (if you have one), etc. RIGHT NOW for the 7-day unlimited park tickets for $99. They were discontinued from UO last week, but you can still find them if you hurry.

In response to Parkers:....what Rip said! RRRPR is the cheapest of the 3 onsite resorts. did you know, if you are a universwal guest, pool hopping is allowed? there is a water lay area at RPR, but you can take the boat (or wlak) to Hard Rock , or Portofino, and use their pools. HRH has the BEST slide, ever! and you get to use the expressline.

that being said, it is doubtful if the HP rides, will be included in the express, at first (which is why we are waiting, till it is, as wwell as rip tide Rocket (for DH, not me!)
all you moms and dads.. you just HAVE to see Dr. Suess land at IOA! magical? hubby Nebo gets tears in his eyes! we love the cat in the hat, tho goofy animal carousel, one fish two fisn, and the trolly (even though we got stuck on it for 45 minutes last trip!) the land is SO colorful, all pastels! look for hortons egg, get green eggs and ham, explore "If a Ran the Zoo". and take the little know short cut, and see those 2 guys (north going and south going" guys who won't budge!.
the kids would love the dinosaur discovery center. the Popeye and Blutos, bilg boats is the BEST water tub ride ever (beats Kali river rapids hands down!).
the Studios is much better than Hollywood studios.
yes, the whole area does lack that "magic", which is why when we Do go to UNI, we do it BEFORE disney.
city walk is great for teens and adults. Pat obriens has dueling pianos, much cheaper than Jellyrolls.
try uni just once, you'll like it!

 

[twinklebug]

We love HP and will be going, but not when it's brand new. Not that crazy Thinking late summer 2011.

 

[Art 1]

Yes, can't wait.

 

[AnnaS]

We have not been to Universal in years (my sons have) and Seaworld for that matter. HP will be the right excuse to get us to go back. Not sure if we will attempt it for our next trip. Don't want to go if HP more or less "just opened".

 

[Tiffany]

I'm curious:

For those of you who usually stay on-site at WDW and do not normally venture off property, how many of you plan to spend a day at Universal on your next vacation to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

It will be interesting to see what impact (if any) it has on Central Florida theme park attendance and if it impacts WDW in any way.

We are planning on going to IOA when the WWofHP opens.

 

[disneylovin24]

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!

YES, I bet for the whole first year it will be more crowded then usual. Harry Potter may actually make me want to stay away from universal more because it will only attract more crowds.

 

[wehavesix]

Yes, we will be going but not until next year. Probably will go after our May 2011 cruise for a day or 2.

 

[LeahA]

I will 100% go see it when it opens. We always used to do a split stay, 5 days at Disney and 3 days at Universal. We are now DVC owners so the last couple of years we've been solo to Disney. But, we are so excited for Harry Potter to open up. When it opens we do plan to visit. If it's not open by our March trip, we will do a split stay next year and go for 3 nights to Universal!

 

[GSDRescuer]

Waiting a few years til DGD(5) will appreciate US/IOA Harry Potter, Busch Gardens and Sea World more. Right now she is still very much into the Princesses and WDW. When we do go, we will stay on-grounds at US/IOA and work from there. That year we will not go to WDW.

 

[palavra]

That's smart! When we went to Universal/IOA a couple years back, our youngest son who was 6 spent most of the day sitting on a bench with me while his brother's rode rides. It was a LONG day!

We took our daughter, who was not quite 5 at the time, and she had a ball at IOA and US. She loved the ET ride, Barney's Show, The Curious George water play and ball area, the Fievel play area with waterslide, the Woody Woodpecker rollercoaster and the Shrek and Jimmy Neutron rides at Universal. At IOA, the whole Dr. Suess area was great. She also loved the Jurrasic play area, Popeye's boat and Primeval Whirl. There are lots of things for young kids to do at these parks.