The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[Ryan]

Personally asking, as it should;

With WWoHP starting softs presumably tomorrow, should there be a more..appropriate thread for Spoilers of their thoughts on WWoHP - Hogsmeade? I'd presume that it'd make some sense, considering forums like OU handled that for Diagon and Hogsmeade back then.

No. It's a cloned land. We're not going to cater to people who have purportedly stuck their heads in sand for over six years. If they've really put in that much effort, then they can stand to stay away from this thread until they go for themselves.

JPLA, how dead was the park and how many people stayed put in front of Potter in (ultimately a fruitless) hope for a soft opening?

 

[12th Man]

If going to the park, make sure to stay by the arch for a good amount of time. When I asked, no employee confirmed an opening tomorrow or this weekend. They did say that if the land does open, they will let in a kind of small amount of people into the land and mostly the people standing around the arch. So remember, maybe try getting food at Springfield and sitting in Duff Gardens or tables to the right of Lard Lads donuts. I did see Larry Kurzweil, the park president, at the park today and I feel like a saw Alan Gilmore in the land but it was hard to tell.

 

[k_peek_2000]

Is the soft opening all day or only certain hours?

It won't be open all day, 4 hours at most from what i'm hearing.

 

[Alexshow.]

No. It's a cloned land. We're not going to cater to people who have purportedly stuck their heads in sand for over six years. If they've really put in that much effort, then they can stand to stay away from this thread until they go for themselves.

I was just asking, as some people haven't experienced the damn thing from Orlando; That's all.


That said, i am excited to see what people think about Hogsmeade, and i am even more interested to hear peoples thoughts on FJ in the 3D state.

 

[12th Man]

No. It's a cloned land. We're not going to cater to people who have purportedly stuck their heads in sand for over six years. If they've really put in that much effort, then they can stand to stay away from this thread until they go for themselves.

JPLA, how dead was the park and how many people stayed put in front of Potter in (ultimately a fruitless) hope for a soft opening?

Wasn't that busy at the park but still some over 20 minute waits, but I guess that is really short now   There were tons of people around the arch, taking pictures, and just staring at it. They were actually installing a sign, so the sight of ladders and construction crew probably told people that "softs aren't happening today"

 

[chris.g]

God I can only hope Im lucky enough to enter Sunday. 

 

[Imdbman]

Fingers crossed that FJ runs smoothly tomorrow.  If the ride breaks down, I would at least see Hogsmeade and/or the Hogwarts queue.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Fingers crossed that FJ runs smoothly tomorrow.  If the ride breaks down, I would at least see Hogsmeade and/or the Hogwarts queue.

My two cents, if FJ is down the land doesn't open. Yes I know about Diagon's previews but that was an extreme special case.

My own speculation is once they turn on the area music around and inside the land then get ready. Be patient, polite, and get there early.

 

[JPLA]

No. It's a cloned land. We're not going to cater to people who have purportedly stuck their heads in sand for over six years. If they've really put in that much effort, then they can stand to stay away from this thread until they go for themselves.

JPLA, how dead was the park and how many people stayed put in front of Potter in (ultimately a fruitless) hope for a soft opening?

The park seemed relatively busy today.  Gorgeous weather, groups visiting for Lunar New Year, upcoming holiday weekend may have brought in more than some random Thursday.  People did clump in front of the arch taking photos but then they moved on.  When staff was asked when it's opening the answer was always April 7th.  The one I spoke with knew nothing about softs tomorrow or this weekend.  As of 6:15 tonight there was no evidence of any queue being set up.  But the land looks really good once all the signs were hung and the tooks and machines were put away.  I try to go back Friday morning and will report what I find.

 

[12th Man]

Probably no queues will be set up. Just take down the chains when they feel ready. Then put them back if they feel the land is too full. Then hopefully they'll repeat that throughout the day.

 

[JPLA]

Few more shots from today, these from this evening.  Late day lighting gives it a nice feel.

 

[12th Man]

Sorry HereWeGo, but you are going to have to live with partially rusted greenhouse panels...After you mentioned it, it sticks out like a sore thumb  Just wanted to add, all the TM's that work in Hogsmeade were very nice and very into theme. Answered all the questions I asked correctly!

 

[Davidisallright]

Here is a great article breaking down the differences between our version of Hogsmeade, and Orlandos (They were given a tour of the land BTW):

- Ollivanders has moved across the street in the Hollywood Hogsmeade, and features two rooms for guests to have their wand choosing experience. It also features an extended queue, the back of which leads to The Three Broomsticks patio dining area.

- While located in the same area as Hogwarts Castle in Orlando, Hogwarts in Hollywood has an upended flying Ford Anglia near its entrance – as though Harry and Ron had just unceremoniously crash landed there.

- (Unlike the other versions of Hogwarts) this Hogwarts is filled with actual props from the Harry Potter film sets.

Additionally, next to this Hogwarts Castle is the Forbidden Forest, while in Orlando there is bridge over a river. (Osaka, Japan has a lake.)

- A new street has been added behind the Owl Post featuring four facades – The Magic Neep (in front of which is a cart selling Pumpkin Juice, among other items), an as-yet-unnamed cauldron shop, Brews and Stews café and Dominic Maestro’s music shop. The scale and spacing on this side street offers a nice view of the Hogwarts Express train station and, as Alan Gilmore says, “It has a nice proper village feel.”

- In Orlando, next to the Hogwarts Express engine, is a ticket station containing lockers for guests riding the Dragon Challenge coaster. Since that ride doesn’t exist in Hollywood, the park creators have instead put in a Hogwarts Express train carriage in the ticket station as a photo opp for guests. (Like the one in Japan)

The seats are made from the same fabric that was used during filming, and the overhead luggage racks are actual props from the Harry Potter film sets. The window of the carriage contains a green screen, which presumably will show the English countryside, Forbidden Forest or some other Potteresque scenery.

- There are 11 interactive wand stations throughout the Hollywood Hogsmeade. While watching a wizard cast a spell, we noticed that his interactive wand wasn’t the plain Jane type we’d seen before. It was, well, cool-looking. He told us that guests now have several interactive varieties to choose from – including characters’ replica wands, as well as Ollivanders’ original 13 designs which correspond with the Celtic zodiac – so visitors can now get a wand that matches their birthdate. These custom interactive wands have been added to the Ollivanders shops in Orlando, as well.

- The back patio of The Three Broomsticks is larger than the one in Orlando and is completely covered with canvas tents to provide shade for guests (as seen in the photo below).

- As in Orlando, there is a performance stage for the Hogwarts choir, and Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students. However, there will be some new details added for guests in Hollywood. Universal is keeping just what they are under wraps for now though.

http://www.snitchseeker.com/harry-potter-news/snitchseeker-exclusive-tour-of-universal-hollywoods-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-103303/

 

[Wesker69]

Waiting for the music in the land to turn on is not exactly any sign to go by... because... well... as those of us that have been to the park recently know that they have been playing the area music within the land...

So just grab an overpriced snack from nearby... and then sit.... and wait... Honestly, I could see soft opening happening later in the day rather than earlier, but it just depends.

Only being open for about 4 hours sounds about right. Which is exactly what I said it would most likely be since that is how they handled Transformers in Orlando. With this being a land.. I expect only a few hours the first few days of soft opening... then the hours will gradually increase, especially with Ellen/AP/Employee previews being next month.

And most of the stuff from that article is stuff I posted about a few months ago. Go figure.

 

[Ryan]

I don't see that happening regularly. Starting tomorrow, if FJ is ready to go in the morning, so will the land.

 

[Freak]

It's time.

I'll be at the gates at eight. I'll be wearing a Captain America shirt with an HHN 25 lanyard. Say hi if you want.

 

[12th Man]

Won't be able to go until later today. I really hope it is still open, if it opens.

 

[Imdbman]

It's time.

I'll be at the gates at eight. I'll be wearing a Captain America shirt with an HHN 25 lanyard. Say hi if you want.

Haha, sweet.  I don't think the park actually opens until 9 though.  I won't be there with my friends until 10, but do you think that would be enough time?  

Although it did occur to me that thankfully, unlike Fast & the Furious where it was the first time they built it in Hollywood and the ride had multiple breakdowns, this is the third iteration of Forbidden Journey Universal is building, so that lessens the chances of ride breakdowns.  Once again, fingers crossed though.

 

[raven24]

It looks wonderful!!!

I saw an acquaintance of mine in one of those photos haha.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Just going to place this here...

https://instagram.com/p/BBsM4kNMOMV/