The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[William]

I'm gonna try to visit this Saturday. Fingers crossed it'll be open that day..

 

[Jonathan]

I guess my question is...what's the better bet at this point? Do you think softs will more likely stay open more hours on Saturday (13th) or Monday (15th)? I'm leaning towards Monday for less crowds.

Monday is Presidents' Day so my guess is it'll be just as crowded as Saturday.

 

[Aaron]

I am aiming for Friday and Saturday. Fingers crossed since this will be the only time I will have to check the Land out before opening!

 

[Imdbman]

Woohoo!  So excited!

Would they have it open to the public at a certain time Friday?

 

[chris.g]

Interesting to note, no idea yet if WWoHP will be open during HHN this year. 

 

[Freak]

Interesting to note, no idea yet if WWoHP will be open during HHN this year.

I'd venture to say it won't. Wasn't for DA in HHN 24

 

[Ryan]

I think it will be, yes.

 

[Wesker69]

Don't judge Potter here by Orlando... especially when it comes to not being open. Orlando had rented out DA for private events because it was "new" & due to HE being able to connect to IOA. All private events that happen during HHN are held in IOA. Last year they couldn't get away with NOT having Gringotts open to guests. USH can't afford to NOT have Potter (specifically FJ) open during HHN.

FJ will obviously be open because it will help with crowds. Hippo may or may not be open (I know Flying Unicorn was open during HHN when it was in IOA) Ollivander's won't be open. The shops may or may not be.

 

[12th Man]

Several weeks ago, HereWeGo was saying that the rusted panels on the green house weren't finished and, errr, I don't think they finished them. Does anyone have a recent picture of it? The land is supposed to be completed now, so if they aren't finished the probably will never be for several months of years!

 

[12th Man]

HaHa, great. Good to know they actually finished them.

 

[raven24]

Do you know how she accessed the land? Walter's Gate or is there a way inside the park. Then do you just show your badge? Thanks.

The land can be accessed from backstage. Not exactly sure how they got there on that day. I'll ask her.Employee previews will take place over the course of three days, starting March 2nd or 3rd, can't exactly remember. Employees are allowed to bring three guests, according to my sister. If everything works out, I should be there! I plan on writing a small trip report.

 

[William]

So softs will take place before employee previews? Interesting.

 

[Ryan]

Don't judge Potter here by Orlando... especially when it comes to not being open. Orlando had rented out DA for private events because it was "new" & due to HE being able to connect to IOA. All private events that happen during HHN are held in IOA. Last year they couldn't get away with NOT having Gringotts open to guests. USH can't afford to NOT have Potter (specifically FJ) open during HHN.

FJ will obviously be open because it will help with crowds. Hippo may or may not be open (I know Flying Unicorn was open during HHN when it was in IOA) Ollivander's won't be open. The shops may or may not be.

It's all or none. Diagon's misbegotten headache of a tiered opening had to get last minute approval by JK pending Gringotts would be ready for the media/grand opening.

You'd be surprised on how many people would be upset if Hogsmeade wasn't open during HHN. In LA this is how many experience new atttactions for the first time. Plus of course it'll eat up capacity like crazy. Like you said, they can't afford not to.

The land can be accessed from backstage. Not exactly sure how they got there on that day. I'll ask her.

Employee previews will take place over the course of three days, starting March 2nd or 3rd, can't exactly remember. Employees are allowed to bring three guests, according to my sister. If everything works out, I should be there! I plan on writing a small trip report.

Must be an all-day thing then... I don't even think Disney's done something like this. I understand the reason but this is not an employee preview anymore... it's just a "insider access only" day. The Ellen thing is right after, so yeah... don't come the first week of March I guess.

 

[HereWeGo]

And then I would guess that the AP preview will be shortly after the Ellen preview.

 

[Brandonshah97]

Ok hold up.. Are we getting softs before employee and Ellen preview?? Or are they just going to take place after the beginning of March? Also how did we even know that softs would take place in February?

 

[HalfGlass]

Ok hold up.. Are we getting softs before employee and Ellen preview?? Or are they just going to take place after the beginning of March? Also how did we even know that softs would take place in February?

It's been mostly here-say about this weekend. I don't think we will have official confirmation until the day before opening apparently.

 

[LADougQ8]

Is there a precedent for soft openings to happen before employee previews or AP previews?

 

[k_peek_2000]

Is there a precedent for soft openings to happen before employee previews or AP previews?

Transformers opened almost a month before the AP preview.

 

[Imdbman]

Transformers opened almost a month before the AP preview.

Springfield opened almost 2 months before it officially "opened."

 

[William]

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem also soft opened before AP previews took place.

What I find interesting is that it looks like soft openings for Hogsmeade may take place before employee previews do.