Harry Potter Diagon Alley Expansion

IMO putting the Diagon Alley expansion in the other park was pure genius. It'll draw the Harry Potter crowds to both parks instead of just IOA. And having the train connect the two areas makes it even better.

I'm a WDW fan through and through, but I'll probably have to check out the Universal parks on a park-hopper pass just to see how it all works.

Wonder how the Hogwarts Express part will work if you don't have a park hopper ticket... do you just not get to experience it?

I assume you'll be able to ride the train over to the other park, but you won't be able to go in, you'll have to take the train back to the park you're visiting that day.

I had the same thoughts...super good idea to get guests to draw the HP fans to Universal Orlando, but kind of annoying for guests that don't want to spring for the park hopper.

My friends and I are already talking about going next year while we're at Disney. And as far as those without the park hopper, if memory serves me correctly, I read another article that said they will have an opportunity to add the park hopper when they get to the other park.

I found it. In this article it mentions what appears to be a ticket center to buy the hopper before boarding the train.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201303/3420/

I'm in! Harry World was the best part of Universal the last time we were there...I remember wishing they would turn that whole side of the park into Harry Potter-ville, since they did such a jam up job with the rides and shops that are there now. I didn't want it to end! Can't wait for the train! This expansion is just enough to pull me back in!

OMG I'm so excited! Just read the 2 news releases to my son Foster, an avid die hard Harry fan and he is pinging off the walls! Just upped our excitement level 10 fold as we are already in planning stages for a trip next August. I am guessing that if it is supposed to open in July, I better get our hotel booked soon!

I am considering going for a day during my October trip. I really want to see WWoHP. I love the idea that the expansion was added to US and the parks connected by the Hogwarts Express.

I'm not sure I love the idea of spending an additional $145 plus transportation costs to get there.

We haven't been to either if those parks. I'm a bigger guy and I read they have a size restriction on the experience so really would do me no good if I couldn't enjoy the non roller coast ride. But glad it's there for people to enjoy. Just wish disney could have worked it out.

My husband and I went to the WWoHP several times the first two years after it opened. He is a big guy and we had the same concerns about him fitting in the seats. Each of the thrill rides, The Forbidden Forrest and the Dragon Challenge, have at least 2 rows that have larger seats with bigger harness restraints. We just ask the worker at the head of the line for a larger seat and they direct us to the right row. It has been about 2 years since our last visit so I can't guarantee they still have them, but people are getting bigger and not smaller these days, so it wouldn't make sense for them to get rid of them.

BTW, my husband is almost 6'5, 275 pounds, built like a linebacker. He has a 54 inch chest measurement, 19 inch collar and 36 inch inseam. If this is close to your proportions, you will fit in the larger seats.

I would hate for anyone to miss out on the WWoHP because it is awesome!

I'm surprising Christy with a getaway to UniStu/IOA in August. We're staying nearby at the Hyatt for 4 days, I have hoppers for 2 days and thought maybe an epcot or mk run but after watching videos of the expansion at UniStu... i may just buy another hopper day and enjoy their offerings.

I bleed Disney Pixie dust but I loved the HP books and movies. I'm excited for the Gringott's ride and the Hogwart's express and butter beer of course. I don't know what it's made of but it's very good.

Check that I cancelled the Hyatt and booked the New value/moderate hotel on UniStu Poperty. I'm really looking forward to their new resort.

Thank you Annie.

I am such a huge Harry Potter fan(seriously I'm probably on a list somewhere ) I would just hate for anyone to miss seeing Hogwarts if you are a fan! The castle is incredible!!! You can choose to just tour the Castle and not ride the Forbidden Forrest ride if you want to. I can't wait to see the addition!

Just a heads up to anyone booking visits in advance you need at least a 2 park, one day ticket to ride the train between the two parks. My touring plan would be to visit unversal studios first thing and tour as much of the park as possible then head over to diagon ally and ride over to Islands of adventure, as I think most guests will want to get over to IOA as soon as possible, this might be the only time, hanging back works in your favour. Though that's yet to be seen

That's exactly why we're not going back to see the expansion during our Sept trip. It got really spendy to go over there to see HP. The expansion sounds awesome though and I'm sure we'll make it over there eventually, maybe after some of the hype dies down.

It IS expensive. For the military rate, a one day pass is $79...and it really isn't much better if you buy the 2/3 day pass. We felt is was overly expensive. It was worth it once to ride HP, but it will be a while before we go back.

We loved it there and I'm super excited for the expansion! We're going back again this year and can't wait my parents are also going to be with us. I was wondering about the crowds though. We'll be there in November. Seeing as they're expanding the HP stuffs to Universal now, will the crowds be more distributed? Or will it be more crowded because it's new? When we were there in October, the Wizarding World was pretty relaxed. No super crazy lines or packed areas, it was nice. I wonder how different it will be now.

The last time I went, I managed to get myself a combo ticket with Disney for a slightly discounted price, so had 14 days at Universal and 14 days at Disney. I ended up using just 4 days at Universal - one with a couple of friends who decided they preferred the Halloween Night there to a day in the Magic Kingdom. Harry Potter was a great addition although the day I visited with my friends, Universal seemed to be on a meltdown as everything kept breaking down!

Still thinking about visiting Universal and IOA in October. Read this tonight about some the treats they will have there.

http://news.yahoo.com/sweet-savory-treats-harry-potter-park-195307593.html

Diagon Alley officially opens July 8.

Thanks for posting, JoAnn! I can't wait to get my hands on some Butterbeer Ice Cream!

We're thinking about making a pit stop there on our way to WDW this T'giving.