Just joined to say that I have read this entire thread (from part 1 page 1) and it's "sequel" over on the Studio's side. This is one of the most epic things on the internet, and it's an amazing way to go back in time and "re-live" a prolonged moment of anticipation and excitement (that I wasn't even around for).
My one and only visit to Islands of Adventure (which happened only because of "Harry Potter World") is the best time I have ever had in any theme park. I get what Disney was trying to do with the idea of a "storytelling park" now. Fortunately for Universal (despite budget cuts to the whomping willow and blurry screens) Harry Potter is perhaps the most important story to tell for a modern generation, so their storytelling park worked for me like no other ever has.
Although, after reading this thread, it turns out there's a whole bunch of things I missed at WWoHP... (even though the Powerade Bottles were thrown out) like where the eff is the snitch? Howler? I didn't see the magic dishes window either. One of these years I'll have to go back.
Oh, and the floating magic wand in Ollivander's window? There are NO strings.