Curious about the current understanding regarding April 9 as a potential soft...
SAS was the first person to announce that the ride vehicles were themed as benches. There are several other details that also remain accurate, so I believe that his comment that softs would start on April 9 true at the time. It is possible that since the original post, something has changed, and recently it was suggested that team members have said as much, but I'm not sure any of that has been confirmed.
If you are a team member and are able to post this information, do you know of any reason why softs are being pushed back. I'd like that rumor confirmed. I am not asking for a definitive date, I am asking only if there is some known information that makes the April 9 date no longer valid.
On another note... the queue for touring Hogwarts is the same for riders and non-riders (they do not run along side each other). Before you enter The Room of Requirement there is an exit for those not wishing - or able - to ride. The queue for Express Pass riders meets up with the main queue right before Dumbledore's office and does not include most of the castle tour. It is unclear where the single rider queue goes, but it has been suggested that it follows the main queue and upon entering The Room of Requirement you are able to skip ahead to fill in any empty seats.
Yet another thought... today, when you ride most attractions with a heavily themed queue, riders are often disrespectful and either don't listen, or wish to bypass this part of the attraction when there are no lines. I realize that everyone here will be taking in every little detail, but are we prepared for the average riders who will be talking and making it near impossible to hear the portraits, etc. Also, how long before the preshow areas lose their interest?
Honestly, I am so over asking people to be quiet while trying to listen to the Haunted Mansion's preshow, or worse yet, having to endure the entire room speaking the Ghost Host's entire monologue as if it's a cue for congregational reciting.
Be prepared to be annoyed by the public. Be very prepared.
--- Update ---
I absolutly suck at spelling and grammer so sorry if i upseted anyone.
Don't you apologize. I think it's wonderful that you are trying to write in a foreign tongue. I understand you completely.