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

[Teebin]

That's kind of ridiculous. Did they not realize how fast the merchandise would be selling out? Seems like they didn't prepare very well for that.

You know what. I think they DID think this through and were WAY overstocked in many items in THEIR opinion. I think they were stocked up to the point of ridiculous... That said, sales of all this junk is merely over the top to the point of absolute lunacy. It is beyond anyone's wildest and educated guesses and expectations.

Think about it... there are people on here saying that they are taking upwards of $2000.00 just for HP merchandise. That is absolutely NUTS!

 

[AcidPop]

Think about it... there are people on here saying that they are taking upwards of $2000.00 just for HP merchandise. That is absolutely NUTS!

It's not nuts or unusual for hardcore fans of massive, global fandoms like HP (and Star Wars, Star Trek, LOTR, etc). I think they should have expected lunacy, especially given that the shops are a main aspect and attraction in the WWOHP. They're not just a side thing, you know?

 

[gaz lear]

Hi guys Ive been a longtime lurker on this site and I was lucky enough to get into HP on the Monday before it opened when they did the full soft opening. Ive been reading peoples reports on this and other sites and one thing that keeps coming up is a 2hr+ queue to get into Ollivanders. I only queued for 10 minutes and that queue was most of the way up the exit of Dragon Challenge. Has anyone got a picture of one of these massive queues I'd love to see where the queue actually stretches to!!!

 

[rinacee]

Hi guys Ive been a longtime lurker on this site and I was lucky enough to get into HP on the Monday before it opened when they did the full soft opening. Ive been reading peoples reports on this and other sites and one thing that keeps coming up is a 2hr+ queue to get into Ollivanders. I only queued for 10 minutes and that queue was most of the way up the exit of Dragon Challenge. Has anyone got a picture of one of these massive queues I'd love to see where the queue actually stretches to!!!

When I was in line, I started near the entrance of FotH. It was an hour and forty-five minute wait at that point.

--- Update ---

At least have a pink and blue.

Ok, I don't know if it has been mentioned before. I have the Lego Harry Potter game. In the first movie of Year 4 (GoF) when they go to the Quidditch World Cup, they show a shot of a Pumpkin Juice stand. On the shelves of the stand is the bottles like we get in the WWoHP. I spotted those and geeked out a little. I'm thinking its another one of those, WWoHP had it first and they got it from there because all the times I've seen pumpkin juice in the movies, its been in a mug.

I want that game pretty bad. I played the demo and it seems cool, and I don't game much! The only games I've ever really liked are Mario Kart, the Crash Bandicoot series, and Star Wars Battlefront II.

 

[soyouthinkyouknow]

24000 is ******* awesome! Whow... I think we can say MARC to SYTYK, right ?? )

:happy::happy::happy::happy:

 

[atigeg]

Hi guys Ive been a longtime lurker on this site and I was lucky enough to get into HP on the Monday before it opened when they did the full soft opening. Ive been reading peoples reports on this and other sites and one thing that keeps coming up is a 2hr+ queue to get into Ollivanders. I only queued for 10 minutes and that queue was most of the way up the exit of Dragon Challenge. Has anyone got a picture of one of these massive queues I'd love to see where the queue actually stretches to!!!

The third pic. down in this article is the mass waiting to get into Ollivanders:

http://www.examiner.com/x-2200-Orla...landos-Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter-photos

The line was actually longer but it's hard to get a big perspective shot. Note the other line pics like Butterbeer and Honeydukes. Ridonkulous. We were there for two days of hotel only and two or three soft openings and the experience is not even close to being there with the masses (pics. were taken on a regular day before we ran in horror...scarier than anything I've seen at HHN).

 

[TSSD]

At least have a pink and blue.

Ok, I don't know if it has been mentioned before. I have the Lego Harry Potter game. In the first movie of Year 4 (GoF) when they go to the Quidditch World Cup, they show a shot of a Pumpkin Juice stand. On the shelves of the stand is the bottles like we get in the WWoHP. I spotted those and geeked out a little. I'm thinking its another one of those, WWoHP had it first and they got it from there because all the times I've seen pumpkin juice in the movies, its been in a mug.

Also when you go into Eeylop's Owl Emporium you can see the owl post logo next to the door.

 

[Cwoolboy]

A. Glad to have the Teebinator back on *somebody barricade the doors before he decides to leave again*
B. Great photos to all that took some...some pretty iconic shots of IOA and USF are in there. THANKS!!!
C. For my August trip I'll be staying on-site so I get front of the line passes and early admission to WWoHP. YAY!!!

 

[Rock'nRoller]

As expected. Check out the wait time on FJ:

HHnRumors:

http://www.hhnrumors.com/?x=ioa-wait

MobileWeb:

http://66.77.171.132/MobileWeb/IOA_WaitTimes.aspx

 

[IzzyB]

You know what. I think they DID think this through and were WAY overstocked in many items in THEIR opinion. I think they were stocked up to the point of ridiculous... That said, sales of all this junk is merely over the top to the point of absolute lunacy. It is beyond anyone's wildest and educated guesses and expectations.

Think about it... there are people on here saying that they are taking upwards of $2000.00 just for HP merchandise. That is absolutely NUTS!

I agree, I have worked in the logistics field and I think they were well stocked. You also have to remember that sometimes they may order product, but the manufacture is not able to produce it on time. From what I saw, they were well stocked, its just the objects have flown off the shelves faster than anyone could imagine. I mean think about this, the rides for the stores are sometimes LONGER than FJ and almost always longer than the other two ride lines. I don't think anyone could have predicted that.

 

[Jmaff]

Back from the vacation, kind of depressed but I took quite a few pictures. I'm going to get right to it. I have to say that my experience at the WWoHP was an amazing one that my family and I won't ever forget. I literally got chills upon my first viewing of the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.

--- Update ---

And here they are!

This thing was scary in person lol.

Not too good quality wise but I think this was neat.

The iconic shot!

The iconic Three Broomsticks shot!

 

[emily7793]

Back from the vacation, kind of depressed but I took quite a few pictures. I'm going to get right to it. I have to say that my experience at the WWoHP was an amazing one that my family and I won't ever forget. I literally got chills upon my first viewing of the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts

Awesome pictures! Sorry about the vacation blues, but everyone gets them! My Dad always says, every time we leave means our next trip is even closer and we have to leave so some one else can come! Hope that helps you out because I'll be going through those blues too soon :/

 

[Jmaff]

I'm rid of the blues...almost lol. Thanks for cheering me up!

 

[Hatetofly]

Great pictures and thanks for taking the time to share them:rep:. What did you think of FJ, Butterbeer, and the crowds?

 

[Jmaff]

I gave a little review last Friday night from the Royal Pacific but I could specify again. I thought the FJ was the best dark ride if not THE best ride I've ever ridden. My 1st of 2 times on it was a great experience and I was screaming of fear from the first AA on. The only flaw would be that I could see the bench to the left of me a couple times darkening the illusion of the ride...but the flaw is minor. All the sets were great, the AAs were great, and the ride is an emotional roller coaster and very thrilling!

Butterbeer was amazing! I had a jug of it(the jug rests near me now lol) and it had a great original taste. I regret not getting it again during my 3 days and 1 morning there because I really did enjoy it. Knowing that I won't taste it again for at least 1 year and a half sucks. The drink itself is an experience on its own.

My family and I walked into the park on June 25th and walked right through Hogsmeade and waited a decent hour and one half for the FJ. We were there Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning. Friday crowds weren't bad at all. Saturday was extremely horrifying with an opening line going all the way through Toon Lagoon. Seeing that line was terrifying! If my family and I hadn't waited for FJ on Friday...we would have been screwed. Sunday was bad too but not horrible. And Monday morning had a surprisingly big crowd! My brother and I were going to wait for one last time for FJ but it was a 75 minute wait. We were limited on time before getting to our cruise lol.


Overall, our experience was unforgettable. Universal deserves the crowds and all the praise & glory.

 

[G8rBucsgirl]

Great pics!

 

[avadakedavra]

Photos, as promised since someone wanted them:

(Sorry this one is a bit soft.)

(Can I just say how HARD it is to get a photo of these?)

(I gather this is supposed to be a second room of requirement?)

(LOOK AT ALL THAT FOAM. The bartender chick was rad to me.)

Note: Night shots were all hand-held so they're a bit soft and somewhat grainy, but it gives you an idea for what it feels like.

 

[mantaguy]

^ Amazing pics! :rep:

 

[honeybee8200]

Great pics you two!

When it comes to merchandise, the one thing to keep in mind is the lack of Potter merch we had up until this point. We didn't have much. Usually with Star Wars or other big movies with large followings, you can go to your local Walmart and find toys of all kinds and other stuff with your favorite characters on it. I think the only things I've seen in stores personally is a few tshirts. Online, you are pretty limited to Noble Collection, which can be outrageous and the WB Shop. And there are many people who don't shop online. So for people spending hundreds or thousands of dollars, its only because we haven't been able to get much of anything until now. If the movies had huge amounts of merchandise available at almost every retail store you could think of, stuff wouldn't be flying off the shelves like it is at the WWoHP. This proves that JK/WB has been missing out big time when it comes to marketing for this. For example, if they even released little plastic figurines like Star Wars characters, I know I would have been collecting them all along.

 

[Frogki]

Never mind lol...

I'm just going to say, I can not wait to go here. I'm hoping to go in October (before the Halloween season starts) and I really can't wait! I've dreamed of this since I was very young, actually entering Hogwarts gates...