It really wasn't the end of our vacation... we had 2 more weeks on the road and away from home, but this daily recap is over. I know I heard a cheer.
Let me begin by stating... I still haven't forgiven Universal Studios.
Way back in February, when we bought our Disney tickets, we also bought a one day ticket to Universal Studios.
(Side note: 4 days at Disney costs less than 1 day at Universal. Disney gives a great military discount. Universal does not. But I am not bitter. I just thought you should be informed.)
We had no intention of going to Universal except for one thing. And one thing only.
Let's just say we are fans. Big fans. All 3 of us have read all the books. Me twice. And all 3 of us have seen all the movies.
When we bought our Disney tickets, there was a sign advertising the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Which was supposed to open in April.
Very cool, we thought... While we're in Orlando, we can go!
Not cool.
It didn't open as scheduled. The grand opening was delayed until June.
June 18th.
The day we bought our tickets for.
We knew it would be crowded. Very crowded.
We knew it would be chaotic and crazy.
We were up for the adventure.
Or so we thought.
What we didn't know (or imagine) was that Universal would be totally unprepared and disorganized for the event.
We stood in a thick wall of people just waiting for the theme park itself to open. Not the Harry Potter part... just Universal.
This was my view for 2 solid hours.
There were people passing out from the heat. There was almost a riot or two.
There was no security, no water stands, and no one with any information.
Every staff member we asked gave us bad or wrong information, if any. And I am NOT exaggerating. It was ugly.
Once we got into the park and rushed into a line that was forming, we were told,
"Oops! Wrong line, folks... This gate into Harry Potter's Wizarding World will not open today. You must go get onto the other line."
The other line which snaked from the Wizarding World to the front gate.
The line that we were told would take us 9 HOURS to stand in.
The line that we were told to stand in with NO guarantees we'd even get into the Wizarding World by the closing hours.
And then we found out that the actual Wizarding World section of the park wasn't even opening until NOON. Noon. On opening day. (The movie cast was inside with the press. Pretty neat... but couldn't they have done pictures and interviews when it wasn't opening day???)
Chaos doesn't even come close to describing it.
We stood for a while.
We drank a lot of water and drinks.
(By the way, Disney allows you to bring in drinks and snacks. Universal? Nope. OK... Maybe I am bitter.)
We finally decided to get out of line, get some AC, and eat some lunch. We needed to make a family decision because it was beginning to look pretty bleak.
We decided to ride a few of Universal's other rides and see some shows and then try the Harry Potter line later in the day.
(And I think Dan/Daddy was afraid I was about to go red-neck momma on some Universal staff.)
We tried to make the most of the day, but by that time... we were finished.
Hot, frustrated, and sad.
We were not upset because we couldn't see the Wizarding World or because it was crowded... we were upset at the way things were handled.
And we were not the only ones. The line to complain at Guest Services was 2 hours long. Again, not exaggerating.
Dan/Daddy had a chat with one of their Guest Services reps, who were (by this time) all around the front gate, talking to ticked off guests.
The representative even said to Dan/Daddy,
"This was expected to be the BIGGEST event in theme park history, sir."
Well, um... yep. Really? That's all the more reason for you folks with the name tags on to be prepared.
We did get 3 free tickets to go back. (A lot of people did.) But the damage was done.
We talked bad about Universal the rest of the day. Mature, huh?
We kept saying, "Disney would have done this or that."
"Disney wouldn't have let that happen."
So we went back to the Happiest Place on Earth and nursed our wounds.
We still love Harry Potter enough to try it again.
In the winter, when it's not blazing hot.
When it's not the newest attraction.
When I find it in my heart to forgive and forget.
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