The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hollywood

[PrestoMovie]

So I know there are WB previews tomorrow. Does anyone know what time they're at, or if they're later, if the land will be open to the GP during the day?

 

[icarusunbound]

Ha, we recently also had a weird experience with the bartender.  We were asking about different drink options, trying to figure out what we wanted.  Then she suggested Polyjuice Potion.  I asked what it was and she started explaining to me in the context of the stories.  I told her I was aware what Polyjuice Potion did but wanted to know what is IN it, besides hair of the person you're trying to transform into.  Then she suddenly played dumb and said I would have to ask a student.  It was like she teased us with a secret cocktail menu item and then wouldn't give it to us.  Has anyone ordered a Polyjuice Potion?  Do we know what the breakdown is?  It seems like the bartenders would prefer if we ask for the drinks by their components and not the unofficial Harry Potter name.

I went 3 weeks ago and asked if they had any HP themed drinks to which they replied, "No." I definitely hope this changes though. I would love to try Firewhiskey, which I'm certain would probably be made with Fireball

 

[eivega]

So I know there are WB previews tomorrow. Does anyone know what time they're at, or if they're later, if the land will be open to the GP during the day?

One user said she was attending the WB preview from 1-4pm and guests were given 3 hour slots.  She just didn't know how many brackets there were for employees.  It makes it seem like it'll be hard to find time for technical rehearsals Tuesday & Wednesday.  We'll have to monitor [HASHTAG]#Potterwatch[/HASHTAG] for today and it'll probably be the same Weds.

I went 3 weeks ago and asked if they had any HP themed drinks to which they replied, "No." I definitely hope this changes though. I would love to try Firewhiskey, which I'm certain would probably be made with Fireball

They keep telling me Firewhiskey won't arrive until April 7.  They better bring it!  I heard it is not Fireball but it is similar.  I think there are no official HP drinks that we can ask for them by name.  However, there is an unofficial secret menu but you have to request it by explaining the mixology for the bartender.  I think it's something that just must have grown out of Florida.  I wish there was some list out there of what the secret drinks were and how to order them.  I guess there is a "Deathly Hallows" or a "Triple" which is Strongbow Cider, Hog's head Brew, topped with Guinness.  There sorta is a "Hogs Tea" but it's just a Long Island with tea instead of soda.  Supposedly there is a "Polyjuice Potion" but have NO idea what it contains.  Are there other drinks?  Why isn't this secret list less secret to us?


Aside from Firewhiskey and Warm Butterbeer do we know what else has yet to debut at Wizarding World Hollywood?

 

[poppers620]

One user said she was attending the WB preview from 1-4pm and guests were given 3 hour slots.  She just didn't know how many brackets there were for employees.  It makes it seem like it'll be hard to find time for technical rehearsals Tuesday & Wednesday.  We'll have to monitor [HASHTAG]#Potterwatch[/HASHTAG] for today and it'll probably be the same Wednesday 

Hey, yeah thats me going from 1 to 4pm tomorrow. I guess today right now HP is soft opened to guests, even though I was told WB previews are today too. But what my friend and I know about tomorrow is very little. Just know we have to check in at a desk OUTSIDE the park. 


Oh and after we finish in HP we are allowed to hang in Universal til the park closes. So I would expect tomorrow to be a pretty busy day crowd wise. 


I'll update if it find out anything else.

 

[12th Man]

I have heard WB employee previews are tomorrow and the day after. The park is also open until 7 on those days, which is interesting. 

 

[sickle_claw]

Anyone know if there are technical rehearsals at all on Thursday? I am going thursday and I want to know if HP will be open that day.

 

[eivega]

Previews Thursday?  Boo!  I was hoping to do a lunch break there for St. Patrick's day.  I guess we'll have to see how tomorrow unfolds to have a better idea for the rest of the week.


Okay, here are our current standings:

Weds 3/16: Warner Bros. Previews 1pm-4pm? Longer?
Thurs 3/17: WB Previews 1pm-4pm?
Fri  3/18: Anything?
Sat 3/19: AP Preview 9am
Sun 3/20: AP Preview 9am
Mon 3/21: AP Preview 9am
Tues 3/22: AP Preview 9am
Wed 3/23: AP Preview 9am
Thurs-Mon 3/25-3/28: ??? Anything??
Tues 3/29: AP Preview 9am
Wed 3/30: AP Preview 9am
Thurs-Mon 3/31-4/4...??? Anything???
Tues 4/5 Evening Red Carpet Premiere
Weds  4/6 Media Day?
Thurs 4/7: Grand Opening!

 

[alanisfuzzy]

I just spoke to a Universal rep on their customer service line (800-864-8377, press 0) and asked when the WB previews were taking place tomorrow. She said they are happening tomorrow and Thursday (though I'm not sure if the rest of the info she gave applies only to tomorrow, since that was the day I first asked about, or to both days). She said the times are 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm, depending on which slot you are assigned to. WB guests will be "mixed in with park guests" in Wizarding World, but will get a wristband to identify them as part of WB. I'm not sure if the wristband grants priority or exclusive access to any of the attractions, meaning others would have a harder time getting in. She did say that WB guests are likely to face "a bit of a crowd" due to Wizarding World being open to others, so it seems pretty likely that non-WB guests are allowed in, assuming her info was correct (she did have to check a couple times with another person to answer my questions).


I'm hoping to go tomorrow and I can't decide if this is good (open to public) or bad (big crowds and wristbands) news!

 

[upsidown]

I was debating going on Thursday also.  Hopefully "poppers620" can give us an update on what the crowds were like, how long the ride wait times were, and if indeed regular park goers were being allowed into the land (at certain times or all day long).  Thanks in advance poppers620.


 

 

[eivega]

Hmm, I wonder if they'll treat it like Kaiser previews.  It seemed like Saturday went okay and you could stay around and enjoy Hogsmeade freely but Sunday it got pretty crowded so they closed the gates earlier and didn't allow non-Kaiser visitors to go on the rides.  Being a weekday, hopefully it won't be too crowded, although it is Spring Break season, plus, St. Patrick's Day.  Do people visit theme parks on St. Patrick's day?  I'm hoping the crowds will be at Mulligan's instead.

Weds 3/16: WB Previews 9am-5pm
Thurs 3/17: WB Previews 9am-5pm
Fri  3/18: Anything?
Sat 3/19: AP Preview 9am
Sun 3/20: AP Preview 9am
Mon 3/21: AP Preview 9am
Tues 3/22: AP Preview 9am
Wed 3/23: AP Preview 9am
Thurs-Mon 3/25-3/28: ??? Anything??
Tues 3/29: AP Preview 9am
Wed 3/30: AP Preview 9am
Thurs-Mon 3/31-4/4...??? Anything???
Tues 4/5 Evening Red Carpet Premiere
Weds  4/6 Media Day?
Thurs 4/7: Grand Opening!

 

[poppers620]

I just spoke to a Universal rep on their customer service line (800-864-8377, press 0) and asked when the WB previews were taking place tomorrow. She said they are happening tomorrow and Thursday (though I'm not sure if the rest of the info she gave applies only to tomorrow, since that was the day I first asked about, or to both days). She said the times are 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm, depending on which slot you are assigned to. WB guests will be "mixed in with park guests" in Wizarding World, but will get a wristband to identify them as part of WB. I'm not sure if the wristband grants priority or exclusive access to any of the attractions, meaning others would have a harder time getting in. She did say that WB guests are likely to face "a bit of a crowd" due to Wizarding World being open to others, so it seems pretty likely that non-WB guests are allowed in, assuming her info was correct (she did have to check a couple times with another person to answer my questions).


I'm hoping to go tomorrow and I can't decide if this is good (open to public) or bad (big crowds and wristbands) news!

I just emailed my WB friend I am going with and she contacted WB human resources. They confirmed the 3 hour time slots and they said it is supposed to be WB employees only. She said obviously we have to wait and see about regular guests being mixed in, but Universal is def wrong on the time slots. Plus customer service at universal is not supposed to be giving out information about private company events to regular day guests.


I will post an update tomorrow once I am home about how the day worked. 


I think there is some miscommunication here - no the wristbands will not grant priority access in the rest of the park, but they will in Wizarding World. 

 

[LADougQ8]

For those asking, the "Deathly Hallows" or "Triple" was called a "Snakebite" by another bartender that I ordered it from. He told me to just call it that and they will make it for you. Of course this was two weeks ago so who knows if things have changed. 

I tried the two cider based mixed specialty drinks they sell and didnt care for either one. I asked what other mixed drinks they sell and if there's a menu and was told they could basically make anything since they have a full bar and margaritas. I asked why they werent called "Muggle-ritas" and got a few chuckles  

 

[poppers620]

Hmm, I wonder if they'll treat it like Kaiser previews.  It seemed like Saturday went okay and you could stay around and enjoy Hogsmeade freely but Sunday it got pretty crowded so they closed the gates earlier and didn't allow non-Kaiser visitors to go on the rides.  Being a weekday, hopefully it won't be too crowded, although it is Spring Break season, plus, St. Patrick's Day.  Do people visit theme parks on St. Patrick's day?  I'm hoping the crowds will be at Mulligan's instead.

Wednesday and Thursday the park is open til 7pm, not 5pm. WB time slots are 10am to 1pm, 1pm to 4pm, 4pm to 7pm, supposedly. I would not trust what Universal customer service says if you were to call. I was talking to some security there who told me they are supposed to give out misinformation since the land is not officially open. They are not supposed to give out any information about it being open to the public because that can cause alot of problems if guests were to buy expensive day tickets because customer service said HP would be open the next day, then its actually not. Its a huge liability. 

 

[12th Man]

If anyone is going tomorrow, can you post here quickly if the land opens up to the general public after around 4 or 5. Thanks!!

 

[poppers620]

For those asking, the "Deathly Hallows" or "Triple" was called a "Snakebite" by another bartender that I ordered it from. He told me to just call it that and they will make it for you. Of course this was two weeks ago so who knows if things have changed. 

I tried the two cider based mixed specialty drinks they sell and didnt care for either one. I asked what other mixed drinks they sell and if there's a menu and was told they could basically make anything since they have a full bar and margaritas. I asked why they werent called "Muggle-ritas" and got a few chuckles  

you are def who i want to be hanging at the bar with haha

 

[poppers620]

If anyone is going tomorrow, can you post here quickly if the land opens up to the general public after around 4 or 5. Thanks!!

I would but I have zero to no reception even with the free wifi they offer now. Reception is just awful in HP - i forget where i saw this, but I saw a sign or posting saying "due to the MAGIC in this land, cell reception is limited" [paraphrase]


I would just watch [HASHTAG]#potterwatch[/HASHTAG] on twiiter

 

[eivega]

I found a blog listing the unofficial secret specialty drinks from the Hog's Head in Orlando.  If the bartenders don't recognize the name or refuse to make a drink under that specific name just explain the drink to them and they should make it anyway.  This might actually be something that just grew organically regionally.  Maybe us regulars can develop our own secret Hollywood drink menu here?


http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/04/13/menu-monday-specialty-drinks-hogs-head-pub-universal-orlando/


As for Polyjuice Potion, I haven't found that anywhere but on Buzzfeed articles, etc.  I don't know if there is a standard unofficial recipe for it.  The bartender really made it seem like it a was real cocktail but that I had to ask someone else for the recipe first.  That's annoying.  Hopefully we'll figure it out soon or define it ourselves.

 

[upsidown]

So WB previews are definitely Wednesday AND Thursday then?  


Guess I will shoot for next week.  The universe seems to be conspiring against me.  Had plans to go each of the past two Thursdays, but my girlfriend's health issues caused postponements both weeks (we are both normally off from work on Thursdays so felt it would be a great time to go).  She is finally better and up until today's news of this Thursday being another possible preview day, we were planning for this week again, but it looks like that is not to be.  Sigh.....one of these days....lol

 

[poppers620]

So WB previews are definitely Wednesday AND Thursday then?  


Guess I will shoot for next week.  The universe seems to be conspiring against me.  Had plans to go each of the past two Thursdays, but my girlfriend's health issues caused postponements both weeks (we are both normally off from work on Thursdays so felt it would be a great time to go).  She is finally better and up until today's news of this Thursday being another possible preview day, we were planning for this week again, but it looks like that is not to be.  Sigh.....one of these days....lol

Yes they are def those 2 days - altho its up in the air if regular guests will be mixed in. You will have that answer tomorrow though. And starting Saturday its annual pass member previews daily thru the 24, then 29 + 30. And no one knows how that those days will work yet. Nothing seems to be on their schedule for Friday.

 

[12th Man]

I hope it is open this Monday! We'll see if AP previews effect it, but I am hoping it open up later because the previews are only at 9 AM, right?