Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens today

[adsrtw]

I hope this isn't a failure for Universal, but I appears o be that way. There is no way that I would be in that hot mess today.

 

[cathie1327]

I think so many people are going to disappointed...not because WWOHP isn't something great, but because it's not what they were expecting...people really believe this is a whole new theme park. And if it's closed to capacity already I can only imagine how many angry people there are. The heat doesn't usually make angry people any nicer, either lol.

No way you'd get me out in that heat with those crowds!

 

[cazzie]

Interesting that the BBC is reporting it as a theme park as well http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10352816.stm

 

[BriarRosie]

Wow. Saw the picture of the crowds waiting to enter. Makes the wait on Disneyland's 50th birthday 5 years ago seem tame by comparison!

But I didn't camp overnight to be the first one in the park. I think for this you would need to! But I wouldn't want to. These are scary crowds.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

If I was Disney I'd be pushing advertizing $$$ to these disgruntled people big time. Come see a REAL magical theme park, without the 7 hour lines or disappointments.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Orlando Sentinel is putting out pictures of the line now. They are crazy! Unreal! I can't imagine standing in that crowd, in that heat, for that size of an attraction.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/orl-universalharrypotter-pg,0,2369550.photogallery

Best line photos are #1, 20, 21, 23, 25... you get the idea after that

 

[safetymom]

The afternoon thunderstorms have arrived. I am sure there are lots of very wet people waiting now at IOA.

 

[ADP]

The opening of WWoHP will pass and be a distant memory. Crowds won't be like this forever. The true success of the park will be in it's longevity not just this weekend or even 6 months from now. Just my opinion.

 

[ADP]

The afternoon thunderstorms have arrived. I am sure there are lots of very wet people waiting now at IOA.

You're right Kathy. It's started to rain. Glad we are indoors for now. It looks like some people are headed for the exits.

 

[WaltD4Me]

The opening of WWoHP will pass and be a distant memory. Crowds won't be like this forever. The true success of the park will be in it's longevity not just this weekend or even 6 months from now. Just my opinion.

ITA. I wouldn't count today. If you are there today you had to expect massive crowds. I'm sure most people going on Opening Day know it's going to be packed. I'm sure it's going to be packed all weekend, the massive crowds will probably die down by Monday, it'll still be crowded, but nothing like we are seeing today I'm sure. I'm most curious what it'll be like next summer to be honest.

 

[DisneyKevin]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...niversalharrypotter-pg,0,2369550.photogallery

To get an idea of the breadth and scope of WWOHP....check out photos 166 and 170

They will give you an idea of the size of this "theme park".

 

[safetymom]

The opening of WWoHP will pass and be a distant memory. Crowds won't be like this forever. The true success of the park will be in it's longevity not just this weekend or even 6 months from now. Just my opinion.

They will be able to measure success when they have people coming back for repeat visits. I hope it isn't a one time visit addition to the park.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Orlando Sentinel is putting out pictures of the line now. They are crazy! Unreal! I can't imagine standing in that crowd, in that heat, for that size of an attraction.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/orl-universalharrypotter-pg,0,2369550.photogallery

Best line photos are #1, 20, 21, 23, 25... you get the idea after that

That looks like a nightmare!

 

[mommyceratops]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...niversalharrypotter-pg,0,2369550.photogallery

To get an idea of the breadth and scope of WWOHP....check out photos 166 and 170

They will give you an idea of the size of this "theme park".

It is smaller than the roller coaster!!

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful island
That started from this butterbear port
Aboard this tiny island.....

 

[cathie1327]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...niversalharrypotter-pg,0,2369550.photogallery

To get an idea of the breadth and scope of WWOHP....check out photos 166 and 170

They will give you an idea of the size of this "theme park".

Wow.....no wonder it closed down due to capacity!!!!!!

 

[MercoBear]

I was there this morning, and didn't really have a good experience. I was parked and in line with my ticket by around 7:30, which I admit was kind of late. But my goal for the day was just to get in and see Hogwarts and have a butterbeer.

From Citywalk, we were directed, to the right, to a line that started at IOA and went down by the Studios, where we ended up waiting. After it snaked around back to Citywalk and they started letting people in we noticed that there was now a second line that was allowed to go to the left from Citywalkt, and they were letting people in from that line before us. We had been waiting for over an hour at that point.

Once in the park, Universal employees directed us to the right towards Suess Landing if we wanted to see Harry Potter. After being turned back around the Lost Continent area we ended up in a line in Suess Landing and were told that after the line on the other side of the park was let in to HP we would be let in - estimated 6-8 hour wait. We decided to stay.

After waiting in Suess Landing for maybe 1 1/2 hours the word started to be passed through the line that we were actually not in a line at all and would not be let into HP. No employee ever came down the line to tell us anything. But the employees that had been keeping us in line were now gone. Eventually we got to the front of the line as security closed the gate right in from of us and blocked the way over to the Lost Continent.

All we were told is to go wait in the other line, which would be at least an 8 hour wait or go to guest services and complain, and that was only when people corned Universal employees. There were loads of unhappy people. And really upset, crying teenage girls. We went to guest services from there, and the line for that was over an hour, and we made it before it was too long.

 

[HawkeyeThad]

I hope this isn't a failure for Universal, but I appears o be that way. There is no way that I would be in that hot mess today.

Kind of hard to make that decision based off of one day, isn't it? Disneyland had an opening day much like this, and it's done pretty well.

I've also been following the "size" issues with FJ, and people are killing Universal for it. I'm a big guy, and I've started losing weight in hopes of being able to ride when I'm down there in October. Let's not forget the issues with Expedition Everest when it first opened. Many people were sent away from the ride. Disney made changes, though, and Universal might be working on some changes as well.

I guess I'm just sick of the negativity that everyone has had towards Universal without even going and seeing the new addition. I love Disney, but I'm always amused by the anti-Universal crowd on these boards. The biggest detractors have never even set foot on property, so it seems unwarranted.

Sorry for the rant... I'm a lurker on these boards, and I've been getting more and more frustrated with some of the threads on here lately.

Also, to adsrtw, this post isn't directed at you, so I hope you don't take it that way.

/end rant

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

All we were told is to go wait in the other line, which would be at least an 8 hour wait or go to guest services and complain, and that was only when people corned Universal employees. There were loads of unhappy people. And really upset, crying teenage girls. We went to guest services from there, and the line for that was over an hour, and we made it before it was too long.

What happened once you got to the front of the line at Guest services?

 

[DisneyKevin]

I've also been following the "size" issues with FJ, and people are killing Universal for it. I'm a big guy, and I've started losing weight in hopes of being able to ride when I'm down there in October. Let's not forget the issues with Expedition Everest when it first opened. Many people were sent away from the ride. Disney made changes, though, and Universal might be working on some changes as well.

There are some size restrictions that people just cant make adjustments for.

I'm 6'5" and the limit is 6'3". No matter what I do, I'm not going to lose the 2 extra inches which preclude me from riding.

I'm not a "hater" of Universal, but I've never been told I'm too tall for anything at Disney.

I think the thing that's bothering me (and I'd guess most people) is that this is being touted as a "game changer" and "a new theme park" and "something that's going to have a bigger impact on Orlando than the Magic Kingdom."

My issue is that it's one new ride and a handfull of shops. It might be the best themed area in any theme park, but it's still one new ride and that ride has limitations that might keep almost a quarter of the population from participating.

I think this is going to make a lot of people angry.

Look at some of the reactions on the thread where I posted a link to the photos of the actual size of WWOHP. someone said "it's smaller than the rollercoaster". Even regulars who read these boards all the time are a bit taken back by the fact that it's a rather small area being touted as a "game changing theme park."

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

There are some size restrictions that people just cant make adjustments for.

I'm 6'5" and the limit is 6'3". No matter what I do, I'm not going to lose the 2 extra inches which preclude me from riding.

Kevin, over on the Universal boards, a number of people who are 6'4" and 6'5" claim to have been on the ride.