Wizarding World of Harry Potter Opens!

[BrerGnat]

It opened today!

My cousin lives in Orlando (she's 17). She and some friends tried to go today. They changed their mind when they got there and found a SIX HOUR line just to get into that part of the park!!! The line goes from the PARKING LOT all the way around City Walk, and through IOA...

Holy cow...

Looks like a *few* people decided to go today...

[Goofy Pluto]

Yeah, this doesn't surprise me. I just hope hope it's not too crazy when we go in August.

I'm curious to see people's reports from the park, tho. Hopefully people will post something here soon to let us know what it's like.

[EmmMOM2]

The Orlando Sentinel newspaper has pictures of the lines online.

It looks INSANE!!!!

I bet it wont have died down too much by August, I think it will take at least a year...

I wouldn't think of going until next year...

Then again, I wont wait over 60 minutes for anything.

The line is now 7 hours to get into that park of the park and then if you want to go on the rides in HP part of park you need to wait an additional 2 HOURS!!!!!

[tazlikesrobots]

WOW! I think I'll wait till next summer to go

[DVC2004]

They were doing a segment on the Today show this morning- park wasn't open yet I think. They had some performers and the cast from the movies. Wow, we plan to go in August and I wonder if it will be compeletly crazy!

[joanna71985]

I was at the grand opening (arriving around 5:15). It was an absolute ZOO!! But I had fun

[WDWfanatic742]

Just think of TSM and how crazy it's lines still get. Multiply that by 100 and triple the length, and thats how bad the crowds will be for this

[forever a child]

I bet it wont have died down too much by August, I think it will take at least a year...

I wouldn't think of going until next year...

Same here, waiting until fall of next year...when it's old news!

I was at the grand opening (arriving around 5:15). It was an absolute ZOO!! But I had fun

Can you tell us what it was like? Did you actually get into that part of the park? Were you able to ride any of the HP rides?

[Tekneek]

From what I understand, it is not quite living up to the hype because of some (possibly) poor design choices. The thematic elements to the area are supposed to be fantastic (can see that from photos and videos as well). The main problems are likely to be the size of the area (very small compared to the other lands in Islands of Adventure), and the wait times involved with the rides.

I suspect that for those who want a participatory involvement by going on rides, getting a wand, etc, many will end up frustrated/disappointed. If you don't mind being unable to do more than just enjoy the look/feel of the area, you may be able to expect to have a good time.

[joanna71985]

Can you tell us what it was like? Did you actually get into that part of the park? Were you able to ride any of the HP rides?

I have to say, WWoHP is amazing. The theming is incredible (so many tiny details everywhere, especially in the shops), and Forbidden Journey is one of the best rides I have ridden...in any park. As for the grand opening, it was a madhouse. Like I mentioned, I got there around 5:15am, and there was still around a couple hundred people in front of me. Luckily, I got into WWoHP around 9am, so I just waited from 5:30-9am to get in. And I rode all 3 rides. I did Forbidden Journey 4 times (all via single rider, which will be a lifesaver for me), and the other 2 once each.

[Daisy'sMom]

DS and friends ventured over and said it did not live up to the hype. They were disappointed and said it was a waste. Then again, the aren't Potter fans.

[Bethanymouse]

I expected HUGE lines for the first day. We are going in mid July. We have early access to the park because we are staying in Universal Hotel. Just hoping to hit the Forbidden Journey and get some butterbeer. If we get to do the other coasters than great, if not so be it. I think things will start to die down by the end of summer and even out a bit.

[John]

Here's the scoop straight from the guy who owns the site...

IOA now has 2 of the best amusement park rides in the world. Between Spiderman and the Forbidden Jouney of Harry Potter, no serious theme park junkee can skip it.

The ride is unlike anything Disney has done and really ups the level of competition.

Simply fantastic.

Those who want to nit pick are simply looking thru mouse shaped glasses. If Disney corportate isn't thinking of how to one up universal - they should be. This ride is a game changer and should be on every Orlando vaction visitors MUST DO list - PERIOD.

BTW, 75 minute wait on Saturday nite - and it was worth it.

Oh, and Butterbeer is every bit as good as you imagined it to be.

My hope is that Universal will expand that portion of the park and include another new ride or two.

[TheVBs]

We're hoping to go in Nov. if we can get there just prior or after the Thanksgiving break (because I'm assuming it will be packed during the break).

[Tekneek]

If Disney corportate isn't thinking of how to one up universal - they should be. This ride is a game changer and should be on every Orlando vaction visitors MUST DO list - PERIOD.

I don't agree. Disney needs to keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Does Disney need to be aware? Yes. Do they need to respond to it directly? No. Keep in mind that Animal Kingdom still drew more visitors in 2009 than any Universal park on the planet (and over 4 million more than Islands of Adventure). Time will tell how much of a "game changer" this is. 2011-2012 will say a lot more for it than this summer will.

Having said all that, Blackstone has really set itself up to be a big player in the theme park business. That is the long play to watch here.

[John]

I don't agree. Disney needs to keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Does Disney need to be aware? Yes. Do they need to respond to it directly? No. Keep in mind that Animal Kingdom still drew more visitors in 2009 than any Universal park on the planet (and over 4 million more than Islands of Adventure). Time will tell how much of a "game changer" this is. 2011-2012 will say a lot more for it than this summer will.

Having said all that, Blackstone has really set itself up to be a big player in the theme park business. That is the long play to watch here.

You can disagree (this is a discussion board after all and one sided opinions make for dull reading) but this is a huge deal and people I keep contact with at Disney know it.

Universal has really geared up the PR machine and they have a solid product that can definately steal vacation days from Disney visitors.

Indeed, we'll see in the months and year ahead.

Just as an example however, my wife has INSISTED we go to Universal this summer specifically because of the Harry Potter attraction - and in fact is leaning towards us staying at a Universal Resort for the first time ever.

Now, I can't imagine she's the only one.....

[DixieBelle]

I agree with John.
I have never been to Universal but I have read every Harry Potter book many times over, and I can't wait to go to see this attraction. My family will be staying at a Universal Resort and will probably go to WDW during our visit. See how one attraction can change things. This from die hard Disney fans. lol

[John]

I agree with John.
I have never been to Universal but I have read every Harry Potter book many times over, and I can't wait to go to see this attraction. My family will be staying at a Universal Resort and will probably go to WDW during our visit. See how one attraction can change things. This from from die hard Disney fans. lol

That's exactly what I am talking about. Cool attraction, makes you want to go, changes where you stay and *IF* you have a good time - will alter future vacations as well. Game changer...

[Tekneek]

Just as an example however, my wife has INSISTED we go to Universal this summer specifically because of the Harry Potter attraction - and in fact is leaning towards us staying at a Universal Resort for the first time ever.

We may be the atypical family then. It is the revival of two long-time extinct WDW attractions this summer that caused us to make a booking. My children have loved watching a copy of the EO film for years. They have also loved videos of the Main Street Electrical Parade and audio recordings as well. The opportunity to see both, in person, at the price of going to WDW (instead of crossing the country to Disneyland) was too compelling.

The Harry Potter stuff was not even on the radar for this summer. My son, 9 years old, read all but the last book so far (and he is reading that one right now), and seen all the movies that are out, has expressed zero desire to run over to see that (although he has watched web videos of the land and listened to podcasts talking about it). The opportunity to see EO and MSEP excited him far more.

[Tekneek]

That's exactly what I am talking about. Cool attraction, makes you want to go, changes where you stay and *IF* you have a good time - will alter future vacations as well. Game changer...

It is the kind of thing I don't mind waiting for. I don't feel the need to get down there immediately for it, nor does anyone in my family. Personally, it is no more compelling than Seuss Landing. I may not represent the typical park goer, of course.

I am not anti-Universal either. I have put up quite the pro-Universal argument against those who think you have to be anti-Universal if you are pro-Disney in the past. I really do like Islands of Adventure, but it has never been enough to get me down to Orlando by itself and likely never will be. Being a Jay Ward fan, the way they have minimized those properties over the years (compared to when there was a lot of merchandise and characters on site) has irked me, but overall it is a good park and I am glad it is there.