I know I am a bit of a downer, but I hope people are not disappointed.
Because of all the mania surrounding this attraction, this is part of the reason why we decided we would give it a little over a year being open before we make a trip down there. I think it's going to be bombarded and overwhelming these first several months.
Other than that, Universal says they will open it when it is ready, and if that is on Grand Opening day, June 18, then that will be when it is opened.
Disappointing for most, yes, but there is still a chance that it will be ready sooner than opening.
EDIT: And Anthony, from what I have heard and seen, it will not be the land that lets down guests as much as this delay of a soft-opening as most expected.
"FLallday spoke to a family who rode FJ today before it broke down.
Their non-spoiler review was "Forbidden Journey was everybody's favorite ride. Said it was a mix of Soarin, Spiderman, Dragons, & Simpsons. Doesn't go upside down. Capacity sucks, so go early if you wanna ride FJ. It's not in 3D, but it feels just like it. Lots of animatronics. Dad said it was scary!"
I can see the ride a little bit now. A track similar to Spiderman with the live props as well, ride vehicle motions like the Simpsons/BTTF/Spidey, and the Quidditch scene being as realistic as the feeling one gets on Soaring. I'm hoping the Dragons element doesn't just refer to a AA dragon, but actual roller coaster elements.
If Universal is able to work out all the kinks on this ride, this one has the makings of a doozy. Spiderman just may have been surpassed, and if that's the case, Islands of Adventure now has the two greatest rides ever created, both in the same park, along with two great water rides and two world-class roller coasters. It'll be right up there again in the running for the best park in the world.
HPatFJ-- continues to be troublesome (brokedown while I was in line) but the queue is amazing, particularly the talking portraits. I don't know if the area is completely landscaped yet but they need a few large trees (or something) to hide the large unthemed portioned of the gigantic show building.
Hippogriff-- never rode it in it's original incantation but the theming is well done including the Buckbeak animatronic and Hagrid's hut (including the sound of growling Fang)
Dragon Challenge -- wish they had done at least a minor update to the ride vechicles and finally made the effort to conceal backstage equipment. The new queue is much better lit and is very well done (though the original was excellent also). Best parts of the queue are the TriWizard Cup, the floating candles from the films, and some great views of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts on the way in.
Food -- Three Broomsticks had the exquisite detail found in the entire area but as they were only serving breakfast for the preview we skipped it. I can't wait to come back when the fish and chips are being served. The menus are done in the same style as the newspapers from "Prisoner"... very clever. The Butterbeer is not something I expected to like as I'm not into sweets, but was very pleasently surprised. Cream soda-y with a carbonation that helps cut the sweetness ($8.50 in a souvinir glass)
Wand Shop-- very fun little performance, the theming is superb and kids will love this (there were lots of operations people about timing the display and counting guest numbers). You exit into the gift shop where you can purchase a ~$30 wand (I had to ask as there aren't any prices on boxes). What happened to the MagiQuest-like features? Was that just fan speculation? I was really looking forward to that as it would have been brilliant.
I'll be back tomorrow to hopefully ride FJ and try the pumpkin juice. Pics can be seen on my blog at http://lee181.blogspot.com (crappy iPhone quality-- sorry!)
Personally, I'm not going to hold my breath on this one. I've heard rumors on all ends of the spectrum and I'm not sure who or what to believe anymore. But hey, stranger things have happened.