The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[poppers620]

Who knows. I am not even going to start speculating until the first day of AP previews passes

 

[12th Man]

So we also have nothing on the schedule this Friday, right? And most of the events take place in the evening. I am hoping to get a Butterbeer!

 

[Chris]

I'm on a short list for Friday as well. 

 

[nimsaj]

Hey guys! I've been following this thread for a while & decided I wanted to join & ask some questions. I'm going to the AP preview on the 21st...after the preview, are we allowed to stay in the park? Also, what are the chances of it being open to the public afterwards? I'm planning on taking my parents & brothers and they wanted to see WWOHP. Hopefully, chances are good

 

[12th Man]

Welcome to the forums @nimsaj!! Yes, I don't see why you couldn't be in the park after your preview. I am also going to the 21st and am also hoping for the land to be open to the public afterwards too, so I can bring some of my friends that will be here from out of town. We will most likely see if they are doing soft opening after the previews, this weekend. We can see what they do this weekend to predict what they will do on Mon. It would be very smart of them to have it open because it is spring break and you want a place to put all of those extra people! (and make lots more money too)

 

[nimsaj]

Thanks @GoHawks!!!  Okay, just making sure. I've never had an annual pass to any park before, so I didn't know how these events worked out with the blackout dates, etc. I really hope they are open...my family really wants to see it & since spring break is next week, it's the only time we can go together. I attended the Kaiser preview event last Saturday..I didn't stay late since it was open to the public during the morning/afternoon and I was tired by 7pm (waste of a preview pass lol). I fell in love with the world and I know my brothers will love it  crossing my fingers!

 

[eivega]

I had asked customer service how long the AP preview would run and they didn't give me a straight answer.  They just said you'll have enough time to see everything.  You only need a few hours.  They also said something about the last group going on around 11.  That makes me think it won't open up to the public until noon or later.  I asked if it would switch to technical rehearsals after the previews and they only said possibly.  I think they just can't guarantee things in case something changes but it is highly likely.  I'd keep an eye on [HASHTAG]#PotterWatch[/HASHTAG] this Saturday to see how it plays out but remember every day may be handled slightly differently based on the crowds.

 

[12th Man]

Thanks @GoHawks!!!  Okay, just making sure. I've never had an annual pass to any park before, so I didn't know how these events worked out with the blackout dates, etc. I really hope they are open...my family really wants to see it & since spring break is next week, it's the only time we can go together. I attended the Kaiser preview event last Saturday..I didn't stay late since it was open to the public during the morning/afternoon and I was tired by 7pm (waste of a preview pass lol). I fell in love with the world and I know my brothers will love it  crossing my fingers!

Have fun!! It is always fun to go on FJ and explore the land with first timers. I love to go on FJ with friends and family that don't really know about the ride and are just screaming and having a good time when the ride lifts off. Magical!!

 

[poppers620]

I just spoke to a Universal rep on their customer service line (800-864-8377, press 0) and asked when the WB previews were taking place tomorrow. She said they are happening tomorrow and Thursday (though I'm not sure if the rest of the info she gave applies only to tomorrow, since that was the day I first asked about, or to both days). She said the times are 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm, depending on which slot you are assigned to. WB guests will be "mixed in with park guests" in Wizarding World, but will get a wristband to identify them as part of WB. I'm not sure if the wristband grants priority or exclusive access to any of the attractions, meaning others would have a harder time getting in. She did say that WB guests are likely to face "a bit of a crowd" due to Wizarding World being open to others, so it seems pretty likely that non-WB guests are allowed in, assuming her info was correct (she did have to check a couple times with another person to answer my questions).


I'm hoping to go tomorrow and I can't decide if this is good (open to public) or bad (big crowds and wristbands) news!

I was debating going on Thursday also.  Hopefully "poppers620" can give us an update on what the crowds were like, how long the ride wait times were, and if indeed regular park goers were being allowed into the land (at certain times or all day long).  Thanks in advance poppers620.


 

Hmm, I wonder if they'll treat it like Kaiser previews.  It seemed like Saturday went okay and you could stay around and enjoy Hogsmeade freely but Sunday it got pretty crowded so they closed the gates earlier and didn't allow non-Kaiser visitors to go on the rides.  Being a weekday, hopefully it won't be too crowded, although it is Spring Break season, plus, St. Patrick's Day.  Do people visit theme parks on St. Patrick's day?  I'm hoping the crowds will be at Mulligan's instead.

I'm not at the park yet but disappointed guests are reporting on twitter through [HASHTAG]#Potterwatch[/HASHTAG] that signage is up saying HP closed to regular guests today and tomorrow. Open for WB employee previews only.

 

[eivega]

So the Twitter account @PotterwatchCA is claiming that AP previews are an all day event and won't open to the public.  They said they got the info from Customer Service.  The thing is the representative I spoke to on the phone gave me completely different info.  Do we think that they don't know what they're talking about or as suggested earlier are actually giving out misinformation.  Or are they just trying to discourage crowds on those days? I doubt they would close the Wizarding World ALL DAY exclusively for passholders, unless there really are that many of us.  None of the other previews lasted all day.  I'm thinking that they honestly cannot confirm if the area will open to the public.  If the AP crowd eventually tires out and leaves I think they would consider allowing regular guests in.  It's probably on a case by case basis.  Do we have any idea how many total APs there are  and how many would be attending Saturday?  The vibe I got from the TM's is that weekends are usually always have tech rehearsals. So far that has been true, even if the hours are limited.  My gut says it'll open eventually.  What do you guys think?

 

[upsidown]

Yes, I saw that too, won't be risking the trip Thursday.  Might try to go next Thursday instead.  Does anyone know what Spring Break week crowds at Uni are typically like?

 

[poppers620]

Yes, I saw that too, won't be risking the trip Thursday.  Might try to go next Thursday instead.  Does anyone know what Spring Break week crowds at Uni are typically like?

Just remember there is no guarantee of entry due to AP previews

 

[upsidown]

The e-mail that went out to AP holders said that AP previews were from the 19th - 23rd and 29 - 30, so Thursday the 24th seems possible.....for now.

 

[eivega]

Well, currently there are no Thursday AP previews that I know of so it might work.  Does anyone have any info that can help fill in these gaps?

Weds 3/16: WB Previews 9am-5pm
Thurs 3/17: WB Previews 9am-5pm
Fri  3/18: Anything?
Sat 3/19: AP Preview 9am
Sun 3/20: AP Preview 9am
Mon 3/21: AP Preview 9am
Tues 3/22: AP Preview 9am
Wed 3/23: AP Preview 9am
Thurs-Mon 3/24-3/28: ??? Anything??
Tues 3/29: AP Preview 9am
Wed 3/30: AP Preview 9am
Thurs-Mon 3/31-4/4...??? Anything???
Tues 4/5 Evening Red Carpet Premiere
Weds  4/6 Media Day?
Thurs 4/7: Grand Opening!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Waaaay up thread, someone mentioned that they were asked to try the test seat on Forbidden Journey then directed to the THIRD seat.  Can anyone who has been confirm that there is a modified (or in this case, just larger) seat?  I am looking forward to my first visit this summer, but I needed the modified seat for FJ during my last trip to Orlando.  I've lost a little weight since that trip and am headed in the right direction on that front, but I'll can stop worrying if I am sure there is a modified seat.  The third seat would be different than the ride vehicle in Orlando where the end seats are the modified ones.

 

[Jon Fu]

So the Twitter account @PotterwatchCA is claiming that AP previews are an all day event and won't open to the public.  They said they got the info from Customer Service.  The thing is the representative I spoke to on the phone gave me completely different info.  Do we think that they don't know what they're talking about or as suggested earlier are actually giving out misinformation.  Or are they just trying to discourage crowds on those days? I doubt they would close the Wizarding World ALL DAY exclusively for passholders, unless there really are that many of us.  None of the other previews lasted all day.  I'm thinking that they honestly cannot confirm if the area will open to the public.  If the AP crowd eventually tires out and leaves I think they would consider allowing regular guests in.  It's probably on a case by case basis.  Do we have any idea how many total APs there are  and how many would be attending Saturday?  The vibe I got from the TM's is that weekends are usually always have tech rehearsals. So far that has been true, even if the hours are limited.  My gut says it'll open eventually.  What do you guys think?

I don't doubt that this information was handed out with good intention, but like all previews so far, many people (including team members) simply don't know. We'll get a decent idea of what their plan is once they start the first annual pass preview.

 

[DonRaf]

Waaaay up thread, someone mentioned that they were asked to try the test seat on Forbidden Journey then directed to the THIRD seat.  Can anyone who has been confirm that there is a modified (or in this case, just larger) seat?  I am looking forward to my first visit this summer, but I needed the modified seat for FJ during my last trip to Orlando.  I've lost a little weight since that trip and am headed in the right direction on that front, but I'll can stop worrying if I am sure there is a modified seat.  The third seat would be different than the ride vehicle in Orlando where the end seats are the modified ones.

I have been fat checked 10 out of the 12 times I have gone one the ride in hollywood, I have been told that the 3rd seat is bigger by more then one cast member, but I have seated on the "end" seats of the bench and fit, I am on the very edge of fitting on the ride as a cast member almost always asks if I can pull the harness down more when checking my seat.


I get asked to try the test seat almost every time I try to get in line, I really wish they had a sticker or something for repeat rides so they don't have to shame you every time. The last time I was asked in such a awkward way "you are not thinking of riding the forbidden journey are you?!" "ohhhhh hmmmmmmmmmm, I think you should try the test seat, mmmmmmmmm yea that way you know if it will be comfortable for you......" I tuned beet red, and just walked away.

 

[Jon Fu]

The last time I was asked in such a awkward way "you are not thinking of riding the forbidden journey are you?!" "ohhhhh hmmmmmmmmmm, I think you should try the test seat, mmmmmmmmm yea that way you know if it will be comfortable for you......" I tuned beet red, and just walked away.

Well that's not very nice of them.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I have been fat checked 10 out of the 12 times I have gone one the ride in hollywood, I have been told that the 3rd seat is bigger by more then one cast member, but I have seated on the "end" seats of the bench and fit, I am on the very edge of fitting on the ride as a cast member almost always asks if I can pull the harness down more when checking my seat.


I get asked to try the test seat almost every time I try to get in line, I really wish they had a sticker or something for repeat rides so they don't have to shame you every time. The last time I was asked in such a awkward way "you are not thinking of riding the forbidden journey are you?!" "ohhhhh hmmmmmmmmmm, I think you should try the test seat, mmmmmmmmm yea that way you know if it will be comfortable for you......" I tuned beet red, and just walked away.

Excellent information - thank you!  The 3rd seat is interesting, especially since we do the single rider line a lot.  It is easy to file in as the single rider to the last seat.  It seems like it might be awkward to break up a family to sit in the 3rd seat. 


Hopefully, they will get better at visually judging sizes with time.  I'm not self-conscious about trying the seat, but I wouldn't like getting a bad attitude about it either! It would get annoying to try it over and over though. 

 

[DonRaf]

Excellent information - thank you!  The 3rd seat is interesting, especially since we do the single rider line a lot.  It is easy to file in as the single rider to the last seat.  It seems like it might be awkward to break up a family to sit in the 3rd seat. 


Hopefully, they will get better at visually judging sizes with time.  I'm not self-conscious about trying the seat, but I wouldn't like getting a bad attitude about it either! It would get annoying to try it over and over though. 

I also do single rider, and I really hate how I have to break up a group for the 3rd seat, or they give me a whole bench.....


I don't mind trying out the test seat, but after trying the test seat in front of TFJ they ask me to do it again in the line right before you get on the ride, its kinda harsh getting double fat checked EVERY time I try the ride. 


The rude cast members made me feel so bad I end up leaving the wizzarding world to go to Simpsons land to drink my sadness. 


Don't let them make you feel bad, big people are people too!