Official Opening Date for Diagon Alley

[DizneyFreak2002]

Also, the problem I see with October is HHN. HHN did not interfere with the original WWOHP because it was in a different park. My concern is with Diagon Alley in US, HHN seriously cuts into your park time (and any kind of night time experience).

Diagon Alley will be closed during HHN...

[buzznwoodysmom]

Same here! I think my kids are more excited for Diagon Alley than when the original WWOHP opened ... probably because they just know how fabulous it will be ....
I would also love to pull off an October trip, but with my kids in different schools next year, our October breaks do not coordinate so I know it will not be possible .... maybe Mardi Gras???

Also, the problem I see with October is HHN. HHN did not interfere with the original WWOHP because it was in a different park. My concern is with Diagon Alley in US, HHN seriously cuts into your park time (and any kind of night time experience).

Hey Karen!

HHN is also a huge reason I don't know if an Oct. trip will happen for us. I don't like the idea of shorter evening hours, and I don't plan to spend the extra money on HHN tickets (would only have done that if DA were to remain open, but it's not).

I was wondering if you guys would have same fall break as us and if you were planning to go to Universal in Oct. Lol. My kids will be in different schools this year too, but have same fall break. I am actually considering Thanksgiving break and Christmas break as well. Just for a short Universal visit. We don't really have an interest in Disney at this time. As much as I love it we are committed to taking a year long break after our not so magical Thanksgiving trip last year.

If all else fails, maybe we'll see you guys there for Mardi Gras!

[MizMissy]

If all else fails, maybe we'll see you guys there for Mardi Gras!

The only trouble with Mardi Gras this year is that it is the day after Presidents Day. I think that historically makes it a busier week.

Sigh. Our Universal trips were week before Memorial Day 2011 and 2013 ... we may have to wait for May (although, again, my daughter's schedule may not allow it, I think they continue into the week of Memorial Day - she will be in public school whereas my son is still in private school).

We may have to attempt Mardi Gras and crowds because my kids (and, ok, me too!) really want to see the new additions.

You are a brave soul for even thinking about Thanksgiving or Christmas!!

[buzznwoodysmom]

The only trouble with Mardi Gras this year is that it is the day after Presidents Day. I think that historically makes it a busier week.

Sigh. Our Universal trips were week before Memorial Day 2011 and 2013 ... we may have to wait for May (although, again, my daughter's schedule may not allow it, I think they continue into the week of Memorial Day - she will be in public school whereas my son is still in private school).

We may have to attempt Mardi Gras and crowds because my kids (and, ok, me too!) really want to see the new additions.

You are a brave soul for even thinking about Thanksgiving or Christmas!!

Lol. We have actually been to Universal (and Disney) both Thanksgiving and Christmas week in the past and it wasn't as bad as you would think. Staying on site is the key!

We are in the same boat as you, wanting to go, having trouble figuring out when. I hadn't realized Mardi Gras was same week as President's Day weekend. Last year we were leaving from our MG trip as Pres. Day weekend crowds were coming in, and the line of cars going into MK was at least a mile long.

I am also considering the first week of summer break, leaving the day after their last day of school, which would be the weekend after Memorial Day.

One way or another I plan to get there within the year.....

[Christine]

I just got home from seeing Diagonal Alley and wow!!!! It's just breathtaking! The details, the charm, the immersion!! Bravo universal!!!
It's only in soft opening / "rehearsal" as today is still 5 days til it grand opens the 8th- so gringotts was not open. But I did get to ride Hogwarts Express both ways. I was almost moved to tears! It was just- perfection.
I see issues with guests that will need to be worked out. At Kings Cross the effect on the 9 3/4 platform is a hit and causes a huge traffic jam of photo snappers, which holds up the line.
Also just as expected there were guests begging pleading and complaining to ride the train without having dual park tickets.

But guys I tell ya- I moved 1000 miles to be here for disney, but I see my family pulling to go to universal more and more. That shocks me but universal has earned our business and respect. Hogsmeade, simpsons /Springfield, a flourishing city walk, and now diagon alley. Well done universal!!!

[DizneyFreak2002]

Gringotts did open... It has had some softs since they began... But the ride is still having technical issues which forces a quick shut down... I want to say, the longest it has been open for, so far, has been 30 minutes... Most of the guests entering Diagon are not getting a chance on Gringotts... Only a small percentage have had an opportunity... Hopefully they get everything worked out for July 8 or else I see long lines at Guest Relations... Especially those guests who have booked the Harry potter vacation packages...

A video has surfaced online but the quality is not so great... I watched 30 seconds and shut it off...

Also, some people have said about 80-85 percent of the guests already buy two park one day tickets (or Universal's version of the park hopper)... Since softs on Diagon/HE started, sales of two park/one day tickets have increased dramatically... Do I believe it? Yea sort of... Without official numbers though, it is hard to say for certain...

[Christine]

Yes I saw that Gringotts has tried to open here and there. Just saying that the entire time I was there, it was closed.
I've seen a few pictures with guests on it and the lights on as they're broken down. I sure hope it's ready for showtimes Tuesday!

I'm thinking their 2 park ticket sales will be the norm from now on for sure! How could anyone possibly choose, right?

I heard ppl at both train stations just begging and arguing shamelessly yesterday- "Please! We won't even get off the train! We just want to ride it and will ride right back!" (Which they can't allow of course bc there are guests at the other station waiting to board ) & then some arguing "I DO have a ticket for universal studios and this train is IN universal studios! I demand to be able to ride it!"

I'll be back on Sunday so let's see if they have any luck getting Gringotts working! I will also have time to stand in the long winding line for butterbeer ice cream!!!

[MNNHFLTX]

I heard ppl at both train stations just begging and arguing shamelessly yesterday- "Please! We won't even get off the train! We just want to ride it and will ride right back!" (Which they can't allow of course bc there are guests at the other station waiting to board ) & then some arguing "I DO have a ticket for universal studios and this train is IN universal studios! I demand to be able to ride it!"

See, this just bugs the heck out of me. If they knew enough about the attraction to know that there are special effects on the train (i.e. that is is an attraction and not just another way to get from one park to the other), then they knew that it would take a park-to-park pass to ride it. Universal has been very upfront about this and I hate to think of people acting all indignant. A park-to-park pass basically costs $40 more than a single-park pass, no matter how many days it is good for. If people really want to ride the Hogwarts Express and they're there for a few days they just need to ante up a little extra!

I have seen videos of both Platform 9-3/4 and Hogwarts Express and the effects are amazing. I really am thinking that another trip in March is in order. I have to see this!!

Based on what I've seen (and heard), the one disappointing feature of the train is that they were unable to have the original actors that portrayed Harry, Ron and Hermione reprise their voices for the ride. Hermione, in particular, just doesn't sound right.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Christine, did you get a chance to see the Celestina Warbeck show? Or the shows from Beetle The Bard? The puppets looks amazing, and the Celestina Warbeck show sounds great...

Hopefully they work out the bugs with Gringotts and you can get on it soon so we can have a first hand review... People who have had the fortune of riding it calls it the best theme park ride ever... Less thrilling than Forbidden Journey, but better...

Man, I wish I could get down there this year to experience this myself... 200 DVC points this year, but every DVC room looks booked... Hmm, bank over to next year and give myself 415 DVC points...

[Christine]

See, this just bugs the heck out of me. If they knew enough about the attraction to know that there are special effects on the train (i.e. that is is an attraction and not just another way to get from one park to the other), then they knew that it would take a park-to-park pass to ride it. Universal has been very upfront about this and I hate to think of people acting all indignant. A park-to-park pass basically costs $40 more than a single-park pass, no matter how many days it is good for. If people really want to ride the Hogwarts Express and they're there for a few days they just need to ante up a little extra!

I have seen videos of both Platform 9-3/4 and Hogwarts Express and the effects are amazing. I really am thinking that another trip in March is in order. I have to see this!!

Based on what I've seen (and heard), the one disappointing feature of the train is that they were unable to have the original actors that portrayed Harry, Ron and Hermione reprise their voices for the ride. Hermione, in particular, just doesn't sound right.

It is indeed annoying to hear ppl argue- and it holds up the lines to get in which is even worse!!! I hope they can fix this quickly.

The voices definitely don't sound right. It is really too bad- as perfect as every other detail is, I wish they'd have the voices too.

Christine, did you get a chance to see the Celestina Warbeck show? Or the shows from Beetle The Bard? The puppets looks amazing, and the Celestina Warbeck show sounds great...

Hopefully they work out the bugs with Gringotts and you can get on it soon so we can have a first hand review... People who have had the fortune of riding it calls it the best theme park ride ever... Less thrilling than Forbidden Journey, but better...

Man, I wish I could get down there this year to experience this myself... 200 DVC points this year, but every DVC room looks booked... Hmm, bank over to next year and give myself 415 DVC points...

I could hear the Celestina Warbeck show, but I couldn't get to it. It was jam packed. It sounded great!
I sure can't wait to get in Gringotts!! I hope you get to come down soon. No OKW or SSR available!? Dang! Time to wait list

[Melanie]

Wow with the folks arguing! Hadn't even considered that. I'll be there on Tuesday. Should be interesting!

[DizneyFreak2002]

I see issues with guests that will need to be worked out. At Kings Cross the effect on the 9 3/4 platform is a hit and causes a huge traffic jam of photo snappers, which holds up the line.

My understanding is they already started addressing this... They have stationed one or two Team Members by the brick wall asking people who are taking pictures to step aside and let others behind them through so the line can keep moving...

[DizneyFreak2002]

I sure can't wait to get in Gringotts!! I hope you get to come down soon. No OKW or SSR available!? Dang! Time to wait list

Nothing from what I can tell.. At least nothing with consecutive days...

Hotel occupancy in all Orlando area hotels are up this year, including WDW's hotels, which have been stagnant the last few... Orlando tourism has really picked up...

[DizneyFreak2002]

Some info:

Grand opening tomorrow is scheduled between 8:00 and 8:30 AM...

Guests can start arriving as early as 5:00 AM as Universal will start their transportation from the hotels at that time...

Park opens at 9:00 AM to guests...

[DizneyFreak2002]

People are reporting:

200 minutes to get into Diagon Alley...

300 minutes once inside Diagon for Gringotts...

[DizneyFreak2002]

Update:

Now it is being reported, apparently, there is a wait time of up to 4/5 hours just to get into Diagon Alley...

Yes, just as massive as Hogsmeade opening... And this on a weekday... Wonder what this weekend will look like...

[DizneyFreak2002]

Entrance line to Diagon Alley STARTS at Mel's... Team Members are telling guests that from the Kwik E-mart by Simpsons, the wait is 6 hours to just get into Diagon... Add in the wait all the way around to Mel's, and WOW...

Of course, not saying these are 100 percent accurate numbers... Just reporting what others who are there are saying...

However, there are pictures that do prove the massive line and queue just to get into Diagon... Those brave people...

[John]

Melanie is there - follow her on ICOT Social media (insta/twitter/fb)

[John]

Pics:

http://instagram.com/intercot

[MizMissy]

Pics:

http://instagram.com/intercot

Thank you for the pictures! (and for continuing to post on facebook since I don't do twitter).

The waits are expected but still WOW! I would not be in that mess, but I am trying to plan a trip to see it within the year.