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

[Tbad556]

From @MagicCityMayhem:

House specific Quidditch Jerseys will be available in [HASHTAG]#WWoHP[/HASHTAG] I saw a few walking around the park. Mustve attended preview.

He also posted a few live pictures from the park on his Twitter.

 

[Jymmymack]

I wouldn't count too fast on only one person getting to experience wand selection per group. That guy sounded like he didn't even go into Ollivander's. He said "Sounds neat." He might have just heard it wrong. Not saying the 1 per group is not true, just saying he didn't actually participate.

 

[Claymax]

Good chance that during POW WOW..they realized just how impossible it would be to give everyone that same experience. I think someone from POW WOW even mentioned the line for the shop was huge. It may have been a "special" occasion situation. There is no way this would have worked once the flood gates of people opens.

Like the tweet mentions..it's a "mini-show" and then everyone is carted off to the gift shop where they can buy wands..or not buy wands.

This was a big mystery to me, finally solved.

Yeah I think we were all wondering about the logistics. But it does make sense. They might have advertised this a bit differently though. They sure seem to have implied it was going to be a personal experience over a show. Hopefully it will be a few at least per group.

I can see people now waiting in line, seeing the show, not getting picked and getting right back in line again in hopes of being a 'chosen one'. I think it will be a crazy scene around Olly's for quite some time. Poor old Hulk and Spidey will be walk ons.

 

[Jymmymack]

Any TM's on here that confirm the 1 per group rumor?

 

[Gambit]

All I know is that if I have to wait 30min in the sun to get into Olivanders and then only get to watch someone else get a wand, I will not be a happy camper.

 

[Vyrus]

Its been confirmed that each person can have a wand choose them. That wouldn't be fair for one person to experience this and everyone else gets to watch.

The line WILL be long for this because this is a UNIQUE experience, so when the gates open you need to decide, WAND or FJ?

 

[freediverdude]

I would still go in to watch the show, because I'm curious about the effects of the wand choosing them. But yes I probably would not purchase a wand then if I'm not the one chosen.

 

[miaballaa]

Its been confirmed that each person can have a wand choose them. That wouldn't be fair for one person to experience this and everyone else gets to watch.

The line WILL be long for this because this is a UNIQUE experience, so when the gates open you need to decide, WAND or FJ?

Where was it confirmed that each person has a wand choose them...I only read what people said and people said only one gets to have the wand pick them

 

[Colleendoll]

i went on that guys twitter fromt he post above and i heard the same thing i read somewhere else. ollivanders is a show type thing where 25 people go in and 1 gets chosen to pick a wand. so does that mean that we all will not get a chance to get the wand.

You be beat me...does make more sense as it should move way quicker than i thought

I really hope this is not true. I have three children going to WWOHP for their birthday on Grand Opening day and the weekend. Each has their heart set on purchasing the wand that chooses them. Can you imagine me spending an entire day going through the line until each of the three children are picked??

I would hope there would be a line for people to purchasing a certificate/token or something that shows they prepaid for a wand and exchange it after the "experience". Guarantee of retail gain and not just an on looker? How about taking in 2 or three people with the token then 17-18 who just want to watch or purchase without the "experience"?

Does this make any sence to anyone but me?

 

[Jymmymack]

Where was it confirmed that each person has a wand choose them...I only read what people said and people said only one gets to have the wand pick them

Besides Mikey's twitter where else did you hear that is was one per group?

 

[Latveria]

1 per group.

 

[rhino4evr]

Its been confirmed that each person can have a wand choose them. That wouldn't be fair for one person to experience this and everyone else gets to watch.

The line WILL be long for this because this is a UNIQUE experience, so when the gates open you need to decide, WAND or FJ?

Really confirmed? By who?
Like I said you have to think of the logistics here.
This makes much more sense, and I'm pretty sure it's the only way it will work.

 

[Vyrus]

Where was it confirmed that each person has a wand choose them...I only read what people said and people said only one gets to have the wand pick them

If you read what it says under Ollivanders on the UO HP site it says where a wand chooses "YOU", not one of you, but you, meaning each and every person who wants a wand can have one that chose you.

 

[Latveria]

marketing tends to words things a bit differently then ops.

 

[VacationTalkRocks!]

All I know is that if I have to wait 30min in the sun to get into Olivanders and then only get to watch someone else get a wand, I will not be a happy camper.

Same here. My kids would be crushed if they didn't get to participate. And if one of them got chosen and the other didn't...shudder...I don't even want to think about it. It was sad enough at Epcot in Japan when they stood around hoping to get chosen by the candy making lady and then didn't, and that's not Harry Potter.

My kids are not the kind of kids who feel entitled to everything they see, but seriously, who could expect any child to stand in line hoping to get the full Olivander experience just to end up standing there and watching while some one else got to do it instead; there would be enough tears flowing in the streets of Hogsmead to make Moaning Myrtle feel right at home.

 

[Vyrus]

From the UO Press Release:

Ollivanders Wand Shop To Deliver An Interactive Magical Experience At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Chance To Experience The Enchantment of Harry Potter Begins Spring 2010



ORLANDO, Fla. (January 28, 2010) - Visitors to the Ollivanders wand shop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will step into one of the most iconic scenes from the bestselling Harry Potter books and blockbuster feature films. With the assistance of a live actor, along with amazing special effects, guests of Ollivanders will get to experience the same type of magical moment Harry had in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" when a wand "chooses them."



Universal Orlando Resort has worked closely with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team to make this moment as authentic, magical and immersive as possible for guests - a theme carried throughout the entire experience at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.



"When guests visit Ollivanders, they will instantly feel like they're in the shop from the films. It's an intimate, single-windowed building, with the same signs, colors and other details read about in the books and seen in the films," said Alan Gilmore, art director of the Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. "But more importantly, visitors to Ollivanders will experience for themselves the magical moment that forever changed Harry's life."



Inside Ollivanders, visitors will be surrounded by thousands of multi-colored dusty wand boxes stacked on shelves from floor to ceiling. They will be welcomed by an inquisitive Wandkeeper, who will guide them through an enchanting experience to find their very own wand. First the Wandkeeper will ask the guest a few special questions and then select the first wand for them to try. Just like Harry, the guest will be prompted by the Wandkeeper to give the wand a wave, and a series of magical mishaps will occur until the right fit is found.



In addition to the magic featured in Ollivanders, guests will experience many other magical happenings at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including a Howler featured in the Owl Post shop front window whose ranting can be heard by guests as they pass by; The Monster Book of Monsters in Dervish and Banges that will snarl and growl at anyone who tries to get too close, and the Hog's Head which can be seen puffing his jowls at visitors who visit the Hog's Head pub.



Inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters - and faithful to the visual landscapes of the Warner Bros.' films - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple themed attractions, shops and an eating establishment. This completely immersive environment will transcend generations and bring the wonder and magic of the amazingly detailed Harry Potter books and films to life.



Universal Orlando Resort

There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation - but there is only one Universal Orlando Resort. It is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. It's the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained - you are part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, help Shrek save Princess Fiona and create mischief with Bart Simpson.



Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.



Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. The series of books by author J.K. Rowling has been translated into 68 languages with more than 400 million copies sold in over 200 territories around the world. The films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $5.3 billion at the box office worldwide, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.



# # #



HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

 

[rhino4evr]

1 per group.

Thanks for clearing that up. That makes sense, but is sure to piss off the collctive potter fanatics on this board.

 

[Latveria]

Yeah, well, this is a theme park where unless they build 10 ollivanders to handle the crowd one person at a time, it's just unrealistic to think one at a time in one shop.

 

[miaballaa]

i read it on that twitter, another twitter that was posted, and a review that was posted on here...dnt get me wrong, i have been planning on getting in the gates at opening time and going right there so my wand chooses me but it does make sense and would be a lot better as far as crowd control goes. i guess we will see on the 28th

 

[rhino4evr]

Possible the press release is just that press.

It's also possible that this was the original idea before they realized how there was no possible way they could do it.

Think about it 25 people all 25 spend 5 minutes choosing a wand..anyone care to do the math? That's almost 2 hours per group. Now think to your self...how in the world could this actually work?

Just think about it...like I said before a theme park is and always will be a business first.