Designated times to visit Diagon Alley?!

[ctxak98]

Sorry if this has been talked about already, but just watched a video from theme park insider which stated to visit Diagon Alley we need a designated time ticket to visit it and that they will be gone quickly!

So my question is, is this just for the preview or will this continue in months to come?! I have not heard anything about this at all so I'm confused at this point!

 

[lazyboy97o]

Something similar was done following the opening of Hogsmead. You get a ticket like a FastPass and can return to enter after it is your designated time.

 

[ctxak98]

Something similar was done following the opening of Hogsmead. You get a ticket like a FastPass and can return to enter after it is your designated time.

That's weird I don't remember that! I visited in July like a few weeks after it officially opened! I will be visiting July 15th, will there still be this pass thing at that point!?

 

[lazyboy97o]

That's weird I don't remember that! I visited in July like a few weeks after it officially opened! I will be visiting July 15th, will there still be this pass thing at that point!?

Depends entirely on crowd levels. They were handed out by Team Members near the entrances on the days they were used.

 

[RandomPrincess]

July 8th was just announced as the official opening so you will most likely dealing with big crowds on the 15th. It will only be open a week at that point.

 

[danpam1024]

Trying to understand- do you have a better chance if you get there first thing in the morning? Like if you're staying on property go in the hour early and wait there?

 

[marni1971]

It will likely be implemented for the first week or two. They learnt a lot from phase one!

(Very VERY) extended queue areas have also been arranged to eliminate the mess of 2010.

 

[coogsrockets]

I visited WWOHP the during Christmas of the year that it opened, and they implemented this system. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they did it again.

 

[cjgren]

I visited WWOHP the during Christmas of the year that it opened, and they implemented this system. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they did it again.

I was there the week before Thanksgiving the year it opened and everything was practically a walk on. The first time I rode Forbidden Journey, the queue moved so fast I barely caught everything. I didn't even know the golden trio showed up in the classroom until I went back 2 years later!

 

[marni1971]

We first rode 6 weeks after opening. Two hour wait. Every time we tried!

 

[Mike S]

i was there and rode opening day, they announced closing of the park by 11 am

I also rode on day 1

 

[Mike S]

It will likely be implemented for the first week or two. They learnt a lot from phase one!

(Very VERY) extended queue areas have also been arranged to eliminate the mess of 2010.

I'm heading to Universal this weekend. Is there any chance there could be soft openings after the media preview?

 

[cjgren]

We first rode 6 weeks after opening. Two hour wait. Every time we tried!

Oof! I'm going the same time of year this year as we did the year Hogsmeade opened, so I'm hoping it won't be too crazy since we'll be there right before Thanksgiving again. Crossing my fingers!

 

[HTF]

Gringotts queue in its entirety is 2.5 miles long... I'd say crowds are expected to be a little on the heavy side lol

 

[HTF]

Also of note return time machines will be utilized for BOTH LANDS the first few weeks. Return Kiosks are set up in the former Trike Plot for Hogsmeade & between FFL and MIB for Diagon Alley. Another thing to consider your return tickets to "Diagon" ONLY give you access to the London Waterfront. Then you will have to wait in that area until you can enter Diagon Alley. Many will argue this set up but given the lessons learned, the tighter walkways, and abundance of experiences Diagon has to offer this is the best and only way to execute this.

 

[Mike S]

Also of note return time machines will be utilized for BOTH LANDS the first few weeks. Return Kiosks are set up in the former Trike Plot for Hogsmeade & between FFL and MIB for Diagon Alley. Another thing to consider your return tickets to "Diagon" ONLY give you access to the London Waterfront. Then you will have to wait in that area until you can enter Diagon Alley. Many will argue this set up but given the lessons learned, the tighter walkways, and abundance of experiences Diagon has to offer this is the best and only way to execute this.

Have you heard anything about soft openings?

 

[HTF]

Have you heard anything about soft openings?

Yes, don't expect them "soon"

 

[ctxak98]

So you have to get time slots for both areas?! How do you do this the fastest?!

 

[disney4life2008]

I rode that August and we waited about 90 mins in line and that was at park opening, lol

 

[KingdomofDreams]

I rode that August and we waited about 90 mins in line and that was at park opening, lol

Just curious... was that park opening to the general public or early entry opening for on-site resort guests? We were also there that August and waited approx. 90 minutes for FJ at opening, but that was being there at general public opening. We only had one day for Uni on that particular trip so I had opted to not switch hotels and we just drove over from AKL for the day... something I really regretted as I stood there in that 90 minute line. First and last time doing that! Lol

ETA: IMO "scheduled return time" entry for these areas is a great idea. I'd much rather wait until a designated time knowing we'll ultimately have a more enjoyable experience with the crowds being at least somewhat limited in number.