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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

  • Thread starter Thread starter Drew
  • Start date Start date Mar 25, 2010
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C

cincinmouse

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,201
Chris said:
It's difficult to keep up with threads that sprout five new pages every 40 seconds, but skimming through, a few points to clear up-

*No soft opening Friday to regular park guests.
*No admittance to the land for anyone but the vacation package breakfast guests.
*No guarantee that those guess will or will not get on Forbidden Journey.
*Walls WILL be put back up after the breakfast. Dueling Dragons (not Dragon Challenge) will open late because of it all.
*No intention for the ride to not run for the duration of the employee preview. New rides have bugs that cause downtimes. Never planned as some sort of training procedure.
*No right for anyone to be upset that something officially announced to open on June 18 is not available on May 28.
Click to expand...

I understand and appreciate your post but there are a people out there who do not live in FL but made travel plans once the packages were announce for sale back(in Feb I believe) and continued to be sold up to the moment the official announcement of June 18th was made. I believe eveyone assumed that since they were selling packages the area would be open. For various reasons not everyone bought the package but figure they still could get in and made travel plans based on this. My wife is a GE employee and we get discounted tickets and have a timeshare in orlando so the package did not make sense for us. So I do feel upset that something that looked like it would be open is not. Is it the end of the world No. Believe me there are many worse things that can happen in life and this is not one of them. Its just very FRUSTRATING how they have handle this by not giving out straight information of what is happening. I believe that is where a lot of the blame can be laid. If they would have come out a month ago and said OOPS we never should have sold those packages and now we will not be ready this is what we are going to do etc. etc. etc I belive people would be upset still but there might be a little less drama since we would know the FACTS!
 
Last edited: May 28, 2010
H

hotboyluke

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  • May 28, 2010
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Back up plan. Lets get together in groups of 4's and purchase a nights stay. It would only be $40 a piece with our Annual Pass Discount. From reading that letter it seems that anyone staying in the hotels will be let in. As long as you have a room key.
 
Brian G.

Brian G.

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,203
From Screamscape.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey opened for Universal Team Members yesterday briefly it seems… very very briefly. Like… maybe around 15 minutes before it was shut down due to technical problems. While it’s a good sign that they were ready to let humans on the ride, don’t’ expect to see it opened to the general public at all.
As of today, there will be early morning breakfast groups going in early… but only if you booked one of those exclusive hotel packages that included the breakfast at 3 Broomsticks. Those people will be let into the land… and there is a very very very small chance they may even get to ride… if the ride feels like behaving itself. Beyond that however, the general public who are starting to wait outside the construction walls really have almost no chance of getting in at this point in time. I believe they would still like some time to test run the ride for team members a bit more before opening to the general public.
That said, this whole thing is being played out on a day to day basis… as they have the intention to open it as soon as it’s ready… but not until it is ready. And at this point, it’s an all or nothing approach. Unless they have the intention to open Forbidden Journey on a given day, they will not open any part of the Wizarding World to anyone other than for those special breakfast groups. Stay tuned and when I know more, I’ll let everyone know. Keep an eye on the official Screamscape Twitter as well as I’ve been frequently updating it with soft-opening updates as I get them throughout the day.
One final note... please don’t go to Guest Relations and start to moan and complain about why it isn’t open yet. Even worse... don’t go and complain as a passholder as if your entitled to the first ride on it. The teams at Universal at working hard to get it open as soon as possible. Trust me... they want to open it... badly... but they are not going to if it is not ready. It will open when they thing it is ready, and not before.
Click to expand...
 
Chris

Chris

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,204
cincinmouse said:
I understand and appreciate your post but there are a people out there who do not live in FL but made travel plans once the packages were announce for sale back(in Feb I believe) and continued to be sold up to the moment the official announcement of June 18th was made. I believe eveyone assumed that since they were selling packages the area would be open. For various reasons not everyone bought the package but figure they still could get in and made travel plans based on this. My wife is a GE employee and we get discounted tickets and have a timeshare in orlando so the package did not make sense for us. So I do feel upset that something that looked like it would be open is not. Is it the end of the world No. Believe me there are many worse things that can happen in life and this is not one of them. Its just very FRUSTRATING how they have handle this by not giving out straight information of what is happening. I believe that is where a lot of the blame can be laid. If they would have come out a month ago and said OOPS we never should have sold those packages and now we will not be ready this is what we are going to do etc. etc. etc I belive people would be upset still but there might be a little less drama since we would know the FACTS!
Click to expand...


You have no right to be upset. Those packages offered breakfast at Three Broomsticks and access to the land to reach it. They never, ever, ever said you would get to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. That was an assumption made by people that are eager to ride it and nothing more. They also publically announced an opening date that is weeks later. Quite frankly, I'm not trying to be a jerk but if you (a general you, not specifically directed AT you) booked travel knowing it was before it was announced to be open, that was your poor planning and no one else's. As it stands no one even knows if the fabled breakfast heros will even get to ride Forbidden Journey tomorrow.

I can't believe with as long as this site is arouind that we even have to be having the "never assume on a soft opening and don't book non-refundable travel arrangements until after grand opening because things can and do change at any time" talk but obviously that is the case. I'm disappointed it's not ready yet too. We're on the same side of that fence. But you need to be rational and look at this - they're not letting you down. Only if June 18 comes and goes and it's still not ready - THEN you have grounds to say I booked such and such and it's not ready. But not May 28, twenty-one days prior to opening day of the land.

--- Update ---

speckles said:
"No intention for the ride to not run for the duration of the employee preview. New rides have bugs that cause downtimes. Never planned as some sort of training procedure."

If I take that as read....it may be a while before FJ is ready for a full day operation.....
Click to expand...

Honestly - being 100% open with you, don't take it for ANY more than what it is. New rides have bugs. There's always growing pains. Some days they work, other days they like to be more challenging. Don't over-analyze this at all. It's what a lot of the confusion and frustration has stemmed from.
 
N

Nightmare

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  • May 28, 2010
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Long time lurker, 1st post. I've been following since page 1 of the 1st thread. As a passholder of almost 10 years I am really beginning to get a little bothered at how they are doing nothing for us. 1st the mention of no discounts and as of now no previews. I have asked politely at guest relations 4 times now if they have anything planned. All I ever get is the same "we know nothing" reply. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to ride the FJ due to seat/harness size. Hasn't this ride been planned for over 3 years? But they still have no larger seats? By the way, preferred pass renewal is now $159. It went up $50 since last year when I renewed. Guess they have to make their money somewhere if we are so cheap.
 
Chris

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,206
Nightmare said:
Long time lurker, 1st post. I've been following since page 1 of the 1st thread. As a passholder of almost 10 years I am really beginning to get a little bothered at how they are doing nothing for us. 1st the mention of no discounts and as of now no previews. I have asked politely at guest relations 4 times now if they have anything planned. All I ever get is the same "we know nothing" reply. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to ride the FJ due to seat/harness size. Hasn't this ride been planned for over 3 years? But they still have no larger seats? By the way, preferred pass renewal is now $159. It went up $50 since last year when I renewed. Guess they have to make their money somewhere if we are so cheap.
Click to expand...

:rolls eyes:

If you've been reading, you'd already know that being a passholder doesn't mean they owe you anything more than admission into the theme park. Why do some people get this idea that they need special treatment?

In the interest of continue to being blunt and not beat around the bush like a lot of other people online have been- you were told they know nothing because currently, they probably do know nothing. This sort of business - especially with a new major one of a kind attraction - lives in a day to day world. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's the only true answer there is.
 
gecko

gecko

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,207
hotboyluke said:
Back up plan. Lets get together in groups of 4's and purchase a nights stay. It would only be $40 a piece with our Annual Pass Discount. From reading that letter it seems that anyone staying in the hotels will be let in. As long as you have a room key.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what my friends and I are planing on doing, it's 4 of us and we were thinking of purchasing express for two days for both parks which would be 60dls each, instead we're trying to book a room for just one night which is 300dls. we get express and entrance to HP for just 75 dls each, just a 15dl surcharge to experience the potter-verse, that is of course if they allow all of the on site hotel guests in and not just package holders. I'm going crazy!!!
 
Felipe

Felipe

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,208
Chris, the packages aren't for breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, they include it, they are not it. The packages are for a vacation including a visit to the WWoHP, and what is in the WWoHP? HP & the Forbidden Journey. Don't say that it's only an assumption that people with a package could ride FJ; it's been sold that way.

About annual passes, they don't just owe us park admission. They promise special benefits when you purchase, and it has always included discounts and special previews. It is implied.
 
C

cincinmouse

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,209
Chris said:
You have no right to be upset. Those packages offered breakfast at Three Broomsticks and access to the land to reach it. They never, ever, ever said you would get to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. That was an assumption made by people that are eager to ride it and nothing more. They also publically announced an opening date that is weeks later. Quite frankly, I'm not trying to be a jerk but if you (a general you, not specifically directed AT you) booked travel knowing it was before it was announced to be open, that was your poor planning and no one else's. As it stands no one even knows if the fabled breakfast heros will even get to ride Forbidden Journey tomorrow.

I can't believe with as long as this site is arouind that we even have to be having the "never assume on a soft opening and don't book non-refundable travel arrangements until after grand opening because things can and do change at any time" talk but obviously that is the case. I'm disappointed it's not ready yet too. We're on the same side of that fence. But you need to be rational and look at this - they're not letting you down. Only if June 18 comes and goes and it's still not ready - THEN you have grounds to say I booked such and such and it's not ready. But not May 28, twenty-one days prior to opening day of the land.
Click to expand...
Chris said:




I just say one last thing and then I will go away back to my Disney boards since that is where I spend most of my money but notice in my post I said AREA. I cannot go back a print what the packages said you get with it becuase it different. There was a big disclaimer about some rides not being open due to malfunctions or other issues and with FJ being such a new ride I would expect that. At this point If we could just explore and shop at WWOHP I would be happy with that even if FJ was not running becuase that is what the package holders are getting. Let face it Universal was smart. Normally a new atttraction goes through some soft openings with AP previews that it doesnt make any "extra" money. They have created a way to have controlled softs and make extra money. Its brilliant. Look for Disney to do this with the opening of the new Fantasyland.
Click to expand...
 
dreamcat

dreamcat

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  • May 28, 2010
  • #8,210
Chris said:
:rolls eyes:
Click to expand...

way to welcome a new member dude...


cincinmouse, I totally see what youre saying but they have to open it all or nothing. We dont want you to leave us either. :'(
 
Last edited: May 28, 2010
N

Nightmare

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Never said I was entitled to anything. Usually they have some type of preview for passholders. I didn't argue and I wasn't rude. No reason to roll your eyes either. I guess you think it's fair if AAA gets a discount and passholders don't? And it's evident that they know nothing at this point. Thanks for your great welcome.:rolleyes:
 
Last edited: May 28, 2010
Chris

Chris

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  • May 28, 2010
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Felipe said:
Chris, the packages aren't for breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, they include it, they are not it. The packages are for a vacation including a visit to the WWoHP, and what is in the WWoHP? HP & the Forbidden Journey. Don't say that it's only an assumption that people with a package could ride FJ; it's been sold that way.

About annual passes, they don't just owe us park admission. They promise special benefits when you purchase, and it has always included discounts and special previews. It is implied.
Click to expand...

Thing is, breakfast and access *to the land* is all they ever committed to. They never even committed to Dragon Challenge or Flight of the Hippogriph. Just breakfast and the land will be available - which, logically, it would have to be to get to a restuarant in the center of it. They were very cautious in their wording.

About annual passes, they do just owe us park admission. They in no way are required to give a preview event for every new attrraction. It's certainly nice when they do, but they in no way need to. The implication is one drawn by the passholder and not provided by the park. It's one of those "it is what it is" situations.
 
dreamcat

dreamcat

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  • May 28, 2010
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welcome to the board nightmare!
I can totally understand the frustration people are experiencing and how some people may have booked vacations thinking that may 28th is a garauntee because way back (waasnt it january?) when they first announced these deals people read "grand opening ticket" and thought, yes! thats it. It does not make those people "poor planners" or stupid by any means. Some were quick to jump the gun because they didnt want to loose out. And by saying they were poor planners, the package people coming today were too I guess... and yet they are getting in... the only difference between those mad right now and the ones entering the land today is that one group needed a hotel, were coming from out of state, or wanted the things included while the other group didnt need or want those things.
 
Felipe

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First off, welcome Nightmare! I hope you stay around. I totally feel you and I feel the same way. I know Universal isn't legally obligated to give us anything, but it is so frustrating to feel left out as a passholder. They can make us guinea pigs for their new attraction too! I'd fill out a 10 page survey if they wanted me to! I'd even pay a separate fee to get a special preview! I just wish they'd throw us a bone here... :-(

--- Update ---

Chris said:
Thing is, breakfast and access *to the land* is all they ever committed to. They never even committed to Dragon Challenge or Flight of the Hippogriph. Just breakfast and the land will be available - which, logically, it would have to be to get to a restuarant in the center of it. They were very cautious in their wording.

About annual passes, they do just owe us park admission. They in no way are required to give a preview event for every new attrraction. It's certainly nice when they do, but they in no way need to. The implication is one drawn by the passholder and not provided by the park. It's one of those "it is what it is" situations.
Click to expand...

Yes, the land, not PART OF the land... FJ is what makes the land! Shops are a nice new complement, and Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge aren't new rides, just new theming. The main draw and main selling point is FJ. When people buy these packages it's for the HP experience, and the number one thing is FJ. Universal knows this. They made disclaimers saying that if FJ, Hippo, DC or Cat in the Hat were not functioning they'd open another attraction. That right there shows clearly that FJ and the other 2 re-themed rides are part of it. Whether they work or not, that's the issue, but they are selling the "package" not a "bundle of most of the WWoHP." There's no way around it.

About annual passes, they might not specify everything when they sell this to you, but it's understood. It's usual, it's tradition, and it's a selling point.

This applies to both my arguments: Not everything might be written and specified. Certain things don't need to be because it's known that it will be a certain way. FJ is the WWoHP. Annual passes have special benefits and annual passholder previews. These things are understood and obvious enough that they don't need to be explained in small print. And Universal knows these things are expected.
 
Chris

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Yes, the land, not PART OF the land... FJ is what makes the land! Shops are a nice new complement, and Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge aren't new rides, just new theming. The main draw and main selling point is FJ. When people buy these packages it's for the HP experience, and the number one thing is FJ. Universal knows this. They made disclaimers saying that if FJ, Hippo, DC or Cat in the Hat were not functioning they'd open another attraction. That right there shows clearly that FJ and the other 2 re-themed rides are part of it. Whether they work or not, that's the issue, but they are selling the "package" not a "bundle of most of the WWoHP." There's no way around it.

About annual passes, they might not specify everything when they sell this to you, but it's understood. It's usual, it's tradition, and it's a selling point.

This applies to both my arguments: Not everything might be written and specified. Certain things don't need to be because it's known that it will be a certain way. FJ is the WWoHP. Annual passes have special benefits and annual passholder previews. These things are understood and obvious enough that they don't need to be explained in small print. And Universal knows these things are expected.
Click to expand...


Ok, you obviously know more than I do about the situation.
 
Felipe

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Whatever, we can agree to disagree. Welcome back to the boards anyways!
 
UniversalObsessed

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The thing I'm most baffled about is why vacationers as test dummies? Why not us? We can always go back if we go. They on the other hand can not. We should go in just to okay the stuff and then let other people who pay lots of money to get in. Pluss most of us ap holders have been going since opening day or like me in 1998. We deserve to get in!
 
Last edited: May 28, 2010
N

Nightmare

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Thanks everyone for the welcome. The package mentioned substituting an attraction if FOH, FJ, DC are not open for any reason. Universal pretty much covered themselves by adding that disclaimer. Now how resort guests were suppose to have breakfast and enjoy the rides in an hour, who knows? It's pretty evident that everything was suppose to be open by now and it isn't. I really doubt FJ will be open in the next few days if it only ran for an hour or less today.
 
Last edited: May 28, 2010
TheDecemberists

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  • May 28, 2010
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Good grief.

Can we all shut up about who thinks they deserve a preview the most?

Patience.

Breathe in . . . Breathe out . . . Breathe in . . . Breathe out . . .

-- edit --

Just making it clear this isn't directed at anyone specific, just the general vibe.

Welcome to the boards, Nightmare.
 
C

Colleendoll

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gecko said:
Well what really intrigues me about all of this is DD/DC, they didn't close the ride except when they really really had to, because it takes two great rides away from the park(which has relatively few), so how is uni going to handle that??? My bet is that starting Saturday ( yes Saturday, because even if package holders arrive tomorrow the check in is not till 1or 3pm in most hotels so, they can't really take advantage of the early acces and the first night you could book was Friday night not today) they will just open the area to all guests. THey may close the shops restaurants and FH and FJ but leave the area open. The other solution may be to close the entire place for a couple of hours and then roll back the fake walls to make the passage to dueling dragons, but I personally don't see the point.
Click to expand...

TheLastAshen said:
I do agree that it is very unfair that people who paid universal more money through this package deal get to see this thing first. Thats so rediculous. So the really big fans of this kind of thing have to sit back and watch these families with their spoiled kids enjoy something that we have probably been waiting for a lot longer. They really should have made it a priority for their AP holders to see this thing first. When and if they do finally have passholder previews its probably going to feel like a second hand garmet at that point. Universal sucks when it comes to equal oportunities, first with thier express pass and now this, just because the rich folks can dish out more money first, they are the first to see behind the curtain? Damn this sucks, I don't think I'm going to make the trip tomorrow. I'm not going to spend another 3 hours driving and spend $30 on gas again for nothing...
Click to expand...

Oh my gosh! You really think any kid going in as a package holder is a spoilded rich kid? What makes you thinik that? How about Harry Potter has been around for YEARS. The age span of fans is vast. I am really offended by your comment and my children wont be there until the grand opening and we don't have the HP package. Still, we will be there and they are Far from spoiled! I have been a single mother all their lives, continuted my education, working full time, providing for them. Early on they thought a Happy Meal was a great luxuary! We as a family, my children and I, have reached a place in life where we finally saved up enough to do this fantastic trip. How dare you assume kids who attend previews and such are spoiled brats. You need to realize not everything in life is fair. Goodness, my children already know this. Sorry, don't mean to sound rude but Goodness!
 
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