The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[...]

Orlando is too fast and Japan was too slow. We're somewhere in the middle so about a year and 3 months.

 

[b4ben24]

I wonder if the people on the backlot sets, can see Hogwarts? 

 

[William]

Most definitely. Especially if you can see it on the freeway. The FJ show building is positioned higher than the Studio Tour loading area, so it overlooks the Backlot too.

 

[Allen The Actor]

You can see this beast over a very wide radius. Very clear view from Warner Brothers Studios, it's very cool!

 

[b4ben24]

This video seems very similar to how our construction is going.           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5wtCfy_sI8#t=39

 

[William]

That video was taken over a year before the land opened, and we haven't completely reached the progress shown in the video. Spring or Summer of 2016 seems like a fair prediction.

 

[...]

I'm thinking April 2016 with soft openings in March.

 

[Alexshow.]

I agree with Daniel here. I have a strong feeling Late April/early-May would be the opening timeline with Late-March/Early-April being softs.

 

[Inspire2_Ride]

I think it all depends how the weather is the rest of this year. It's cold right now, but not like freezing or snowing so they'll probably get a lot more work done than they thought they would this winter. I'm not even worried about spring or summer. The only thing that would stop them during those times are like extreme heat (but that hasn't stopped construction really before). Anyways, my guess would be, judging by the progress now, soft opening in mid March offical opening in April. The work on Hogsmeade has been pretty good. The only thing that really needs to get going is the castle, and the interior of everything.

 

[Park Man]

It's hard to use Japan as a guide for when Wizarding World in California will open. Japan has a little thing called Winter and it rains there a lot. The weather will simply not allow them to move as quickly as they can here. 

Also I can't help but notice how much father along Hogsmead is here than it was in Japan at the time that video was shot. Here it looks like it could be done in six months. At the time of that video, they've barely even started it. I begin to wonder if maybe they will open Hogsmead before Forbidden Journey is ready.

Personally, I'm with the group that thinks we'll see soft openings of FJ in March 2016. But I'm starting to think we may get to visit Hogsmead in time for those 2015 Holiday shoppers to pick up plenty of Harry Potter Merchandise.

 

[Aaron]

I doubt it will soft open in 2015. The front half of Hogsmead is further along becuase Three Broomsticks had to be fully enclosed since it shares Kitchen facilities with Springfield. The new structures are almost finished since they're literally a few steps from Shrek 4D and they probably wanted to get those done early so Shrek can recieve its new Entrance/berm.

 

[Freak]

I could very easily see FJ start testing in December, but soft opening by then? Remember, we're in regulation-crazy California.

 

[...]

It's not going to soft open without FJ and that's pretty on-track for a March 2016 preview period. I can see the land doing softs with Hippogriff being finished up though.

The only reason the front half of Hogsmeade is so finished is that it's all connected to Springfield so they're basically on the same timeline. However, you still have the Owlery on the right side and the entire left side of the street from the restrooms to Wiseacre's that is barely getting DensGlass sheathing. Also remember that we have paving to do which can take long along with the interior work.

Short version: March 2016 seems like the earliest we could see it.

 

[Alexshow.]

The Most Likely thing you might see done is the Entrance arch during December to ease Grinchmas-flow.

 

[...]

Real concern: Butterbeer Ice Cream.

 

[Alexshow.]

I have a feeling Three Broomsticks will have that available the first day the area opens but then gets sold out for two weeks. I heard the butterbeer ice cream is perfection and I am not even doubting its coming here.

 

[Chris]

I would not be surprised if Hogsmead and Hippogriff soft open before FJ.  Diagon Alley did they same thing.  I can imagine FJ will need a lot of bugs shaken to get that thing to run at this park.  Who knows, they may surprise us!

But yes, with traffic concerns in the park and the only real reason to add this IP in the first place was for the merchandise.  I doubt they would leave it closed when they can make money!!!

I expect a week or two soft opening without FJ.  Or we will get a full soft opening in Spring 2016.

 

[JPLA]

To me, the butterbeer ice cream (actually soft serve) is too syrupy sweet.  I advise keeping expectations low until you try it for yourself.  I don't think the frozen butterbeer is so great, either.  The regular chilled is good but the best, by far, is hot butterbeer.  It is terrific!

 

[...]

The Butterbeer ice cream is fantastic imo. I find it less sickly than the liquid versions.


The Butterbeer ice cream is fantastic imo. I find it less sickly than the liquid versions.

 

[Alexshow.]

I'm going to disagree on that Chris just so-slightly for a Without FJ opening. Look, lets remember also that the interiors are far from done and that its going to take a while till they are wrapped up. It would work more for the Spring break times of Late March-April due to you can get a higher amount of reviews for during this time from one of the big demographics of Potter, young adults and teenagers.