Really Really Angry

[rjvose17]

I just seen the announcment for the Harry Potter Park at Universal!! It's grand opening is set for June 18th!! I called and booked our trip for Orlando around the opening of this park...when I talked with Universal they told me that my dates won't be a problem that it will definatly be open. My dates are May 16th thru 30th....so I called today and if you booked through Universals Harry Potter package then you can get in, otherwise you are S.O.L. Basically my trip is now a waste of time...I know this isn't the only park we are going to and love disney but we just went in Nov 09 and planned this trip to hit the opening...Im really really upset and disapointed. I can't change my dates because of the kids schools, and my husbands work...I'm really frustrated.

 

[KellyNY]

I just seen the announcment for the Harry Potter Park at Universal!! It's grand opening is set for June 18th!! I called and booked our trip for Orlando around the opening of this park...when I talked with Universal they told me that my dates won't be a problem that it will definatly be open. My dates are May 16th thru 30th....so I called today and if you booked through Universals Harry Potter package then you can get in, otherwise you are S.O.L. Basically my trip is now a waste of time...I know this isn't the only park we are going to and love disney but we just went in Nov 09 and planned this trip to hit the opening...Im really really upset and disapointed. I can't change my dates because of the kids schools, and my husbands work...I'm really frustrated.

Then cancel trip, you still can do it. Or move dates to Summer, November, any time your kids off school and your husband can take vacation. If HP was a huge reason for your vacation and you do not feel doing it without HP worth money, change or cancel. Really.

 

[rjvose17]

Then cancel trip, you still can do it. Or move dates to Summer, November, any time your kids off school and your husband can take vacation. If HP was a huge reason for your vacation and you do not feel doing it without HP worth money, change or cancel. Really.

I would but can't it's all non refundable....the condo is a exchange, the plane ticks, all would be lost, and I can't afford that. Also this IS my husbands vacation time, his job doesn't allow summer vacations.

 

[Metro West]

I just seen the announcment for the Harry Potter Park at Universal!! It's grand opening is set for June 18th!! I called and booked our trip for Orlando around the opening of this park...when I talked with Universal they told me that my dates won't be a problem that it will definatly be open. My dates are May 16th thru 30th....so I called today and if you booked through Universals Harry Potter package then you can get in, otherwise you are S.O.L. Basically my trip is now a waste of time...I know this isn't the only park we are going to and love disney but we just went in Nov 09 and planned this trip to hit the opening...Im really really upset and disapointed. I can't change my dates because of the kids schools, and my husbands work...I'm really frustrated.

I think there will be soft openings well before the official opening date of 6/18 and the article I read said if you booked one of the packages starting on May 28th, you would still be fine.

If you staying offsite, I would be willing to bet there will be soft openings in May. My guess is everything will be open during the soft opening periods except Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I think they will wait and open that on 6/18 but I could be wrong. I think you still have a very good chance of at least being able to walk around, eat and shop at WWoHP.

 

[KellyNY]

I would but can't it's all non refundable....the condo is a exchange, the plane ticks, all would be lost, and I can't afford that. Also this IS my husbands vacation time, his job doesn't allow summer vacations.

Ouch, Plane tickets can be changed for a fee but condo, ouch. Maybe as PP said you still will be able to do some staff during soft opening. What other parks you go, Disney, Sea World. Can you skip US and keep tickets for another trip, if you plan one in a future. US tickets are pretty pricy, I would not want to use them unless what you want to see is open.

 

[rjvose17]

Yeah I called and asked about soft openings and they wouldn't tell me. I would be ok with being able to go in...a little disapointed about the ride part but at least the kids would get to see it. We may just keep our tickets for the next trip...when ever that may be. We are still going to all four disney parks, Busch Gardens, Seaworld, Aquatica so we will be busy, but basically since we've done all those I was looking forward to HP. I emailed guest services in hopes they will give me some insight...I doubt it, but it's worth a shot. I will continue to try different routes until the trip. Thanks for the advice and understanding...it's just frustrating...and I needed a place to vent.

 

[sjs314]

You did not mention how many children you have, but would it be possible to book a room on property at Universal for one of your nites so you could gain admisssion to Harry Potter? Just a thought

 

[Metro West]

Yeah I called and asked about soft openings and they wouldn't tell me. I would be ok with being able to go in...a little disapointed about the ride part but at least the kids would get to see it. We may just keep our tickets for the next trip...when ever that may be. We are still going to all four disney parks, Busch Gardens, Seaworld, Aquatica so we will be busy, but basically since we've done all those I was looking forward to HP. I emailed guest services in hopes they will give me some insight...I doubt it, but it's worth a shot. I will continue to try different routes until the trip. Thanks for the advice and understanding...it's just frustrating...and I needed a place to vent.

Soft openings aren't often publicized...they are not really planned...they just happen...there is really no way to plan around a soft opening.

 

[rjvose17]

Thanks, I will have to remember that...I may have to resort to that. Good idea.

<a href='http://www.mickeypath.com/'>
<img src='http://www.mickeypath.com/id/1273993257.jpg'>
</a>

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am going to move this to the Universal Board.

 

[TagsMissy]

Lesson learned.... don't book a vacation based on something opening until an official date has been released.

Good luck OP.

 

[damo]

I'm surprised they told you that the Wizarding World would be open before May 28. Who did you speak with since nobody other than the bigwigs knew the dates until the last couple of days.

 

[ADP]

So, I'm trying to understand this. You can't get into the Harry Potter Island unless you have a package booked before June 18th? Something about that doesn't sound right.

Let's wait until Noon today...That is when a lot of information will be released about openings, etc.

 

[rjvose17]

They have been taking reservtions for the HP packages starting on May 28th for a few months now. So when I called (just now) the guest services rep told me that if I had booked the package and my dates started on the 28th that we can get in, however if I bought just tickets, I wasn't able to get in. I know that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, unless they are giving "special" tickets that come with the packages. I would think the tickets would look the same as all other tickets. I hope you are right about more information coming at Noon.

And YES, I understood the risk...however this is a public forum and if I want to vent because i'm disapointed, that's what the forum is for, but thanks anyway for the "I told you so" because that helps.

 

[rjvose17]

I'm surprised they told you that the Wizarding World would be open before May 28. Who did you speak with since nobody other than the bigwigs knew the dates until the last couple of days.

They have been accepting reservations for about 2 months starting on the 28th of May...they sent that info out in the WWOHP newsletter on the US website. so when I talked to the reps originally they were confindent that it would be open by then. That's how I knew.

 

[damo]

They have been accepting reservations for about 2 months starting on the 28th of May...they sent that info out in the WWOHP newsletter on the US website. so when I talked to the reps originally they were confindent that it would be open by then. That's how I knew.

But your vacation is before then or were you just intending to have a few days there at the end of your vacation?

Personally, I still think there will be soft openings much before May 28, but that is just my personal belief.

I can't see them having to pay for all the workers to be working in the Wizarding World just for the few people that booked packages. That makes no sense.

 

[rjvose17]

My dates are 5/16- 5/30 yes I was planning on going the end of the vacation. My husband keeps saying the same thing, so I hope you are right. It would be a disapointment to not go on the forbidden journey ride, but at least I would like to get in and see everything.

 

[davids68girl]

Got my fingers crossed for you! I hope you at least get to go in and look around and shop. I bet your kids would love that.

 

[rjvose17]

Thanks I very much need the fingers crossed...i'm starting to calm down a little but im keeping as much hope as possible.

 

[damo]

Thanks I very much need the fingers crossed...i'm starting to calm down a little but im keeping as much hope as possible.

I can see them limiting early entry to those with packages but there are lots of annual passholders who wouldn't purchase those packages and I can't see them penalizing those people to give way for those who just paid for a one time package.

I think there will be lots of clarification over the next week.