Hello everyone, I don't post that often but I love reading what everyone else thinks. As much as I love going to theme parks myself, I really enjoy seeing how others react to being in the parks. I attended the TM preview on thursday and I would like to give my comments and address some other concerns that have come up.
Firstly... as many have said already I must confirm that TWWHP is amazing. the level of detail is unlike anything any theme park, at least state side, has ever achieved. Hogwarts castle dwarfs cindy's shack down the street. while there will always be the magic of mainstreet with a castle at the end.. entering Hogsmead with the castle back there is unlike any feeling you will get at disney. I know many many pages ago we were all giggling at the people who said they could spend all day in just TWWHP, and while 9 am to 10 pm (or however long they will have to keep this place open) would be to long I can def see a minimum of 5 hours will be needed for the first time visitor, and those true fans will likley spend the majority of there day here. they have really created a place you want to sit down and just hang out in.
Butterbeer- amazing, had 2 glasses. I liked the frozen better. you will have to try both. I was expecting the frozen to be like an icee, but it is more like regular BB just... super cold with frozen bits and refreshing.
Shops- though they are, as others have reported, much smaller then the normal theme park shop, they are spectacular. the shops are attractions unto themselves. even the people I was with who were not HP fans or even knew the stores were from the books etc. were still enchanted and blown away. the shopkeepers are in full wizard robes and feel like hogsmead town folk. not once did I feel like I was in a souvenear shop or that an employee behind the counter was just a cashier.
Olivanders- not everyone will get picked, not everyone will want to. if you want to be picked and you are a teenager and above you may have to mature a bit and enjoy the show and go buy your wand of choice. it is a great show to see and you will not understand how not disappointed you will be until you see it. I understand I family with multiple children. I guess you will have to be the adult and prepare your children for what they will see rather then to be winy brats who think the universe is about them (sorry that was a rant)
The ONLY let down for me from the entire experience was DC. The Que started great the path is themed great, the first few rooms are awesome, then... miles of hallway with no themeing at all, new rock work over all of the bones from DD. as the que is so long and the cool stuff is at the beginning most people will be waiting in line among barren walls, this was confusing to me.
there really is so much to see and do I didn't get through everything in the 3 hours. HPTFJ que- stellar. FOTH- don't pass up at night, its the only way to see buckbeak and hagrids and it has amazing views of the castle (esp all lit up) the re themeing here as turned a kiddie coaster into a gentle ride for all hp fans!
there is so much more to say but I'll leave it there, let me know if you have any specific questions!