The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[gojoe]

Go! It's worth the wait in the heat and lines, but I do recommend staying at one of the onsite resorts. Also, don't give up on riding. I'm 6'3", but less heavy than you and rode 14 times. They will probably have you try the test seats (use the ones inside) and just tell them to push down on the bar for 3 clicks. Most of the cm's are extremely helpful and want you to be able to ride. For some folks, it's not gonna happen, but let them tell you that.

We did have one cm who needs to go through training again, IMO, because he was rather rude about the test seats. Funny thing is, he was obese himself and you think he would know better. I figured he was just jealous because it was obvious he wouldn't be able to ride.

Thanks that's all I needed. We have a Harry Potter junkie and we did not want to disappoint her. We told her we might not be going, she took it well. I think we will surprise her.

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of Screamscape
http://www.screamscape.com

In an attempt to deal with the still huge crowd levels at IOA trying to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter the park has begun testing a procedure to hand out small return time tickets for entry into the Wizarding World. They will give you a window of time, like between 10:30am and 11:30am to return to the land, where you present your ticket much like a FastPass, and are let right in. Please note, these passes are only good for entry into the Wizarding World itself and not for any of the attractions within.

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[pmdeve]

Courtesy of Screamscape
http://www.screamscape.com



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Thank you so much for this information. My daughter and I were preparing my grandchild that they might not be able to see Harry Potter. Now if they do get in, they will think Grandmom is a wizzard!

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of avadakedavra, Orlando United
http://www.orlandounited.com

(^^^ Apologies for the blur on this and a few others.)

(^^^ You can see the sword of Gryffindor in the center, juuust barely.)

/FIN

 

[Don Pacho]

(^^^ Sadly, we weren't permitted to go any closer.)

(^^^ Sorry again for the blur, my telephoto lens was out full and I was without a tripod!)

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of mantaguy, Orlando United
http://www.orlandounited.com

Here's the map.

 

[tttessa]

Silly question - but are the toilets themed too???? Is moaning Myrtle in there, do they look like the loos at Hogwarts??

Tessa

 

[TraceyL]

I've now read 2 'second hand' reports that people are being physically ill when on/coming off the ride

Is it that bad?

 

[lildamo]

I've now read 2 'second hand' reports that people are being physically ill when on/coming off the ride

Is it that bad?

It depends on if you generally get motion sick. I could ride FJ in loops and not have a single problem, others have come off riding once and have needed to rush to the washroom. It's definitely not the same for everybody.

 

[Maves Wife]

myrtle is in the toilets, its pretty cool. DH says that you can hear her in the mens toilets too. From what i rememebr they do look like the ones int he film, although these toilets have the fancy dyson style hand dryers!!!! RE FJ - we rode before we had something to eat and it was totally fine. We then had a butterbeer & a snack and went back on, and felt a bit icky nothing major though. A few people have said not to ride it straight after having something to eat. I must admit i did find it an intense ride but thats more to do with the things you see rather than the motion of the ride

 

[tttessa]

myrtle is in the toilets, its pretty cool. DH says that you can hear her in the mens toilets too. From what i rememebr they do look like the ones int he film, although these toilets have the fancy dyson style hand dryers!!!! RE FJ - we rode before we had something to eat and it was totally fine. We then had a butterbeer & a snack and went back on, and felt a bit icky nothing major though. A few people have said not to ride it straight after having something to eat. I must admit i did find it an intense ride but thats more to do with the things you see rather than the motion of the ride

Thanks for that - must remember to check out the loos....

Tessa

 

[Dax]

Hey all, went to Universal yesterday just for HP..

Arrived at IOA around 2p. Was able to get right into HP area, crowds were HIGH, as were the temps.

This was my first time there, and I was in awe, but a tad disappointed. I was UNABLE to get into Dervish and Banges at ALL due to the crowds. There was a TM standing there not allowing anyone in. I also did not get into Three Broomsticks either due to the lines.

FJ was posted at 75min, and did break down at least 2 times that I know of. We were UNABLE to ride, DH did not make the 3 clicks it seemed..I honestly thought it was bull, both DH and I have riddin the one at EPCOT without issues..but .

Butterbeer, was good, but sadly, I was overheated, and a bit dehydrated, and it made me a tad ill..Not the butterbeer's fault, it was mine.

I commented to my DH on a few things I did notice..

- Strollers in the shops...that HAS to stop. This wide double strollers in a already cramped area is NOT helping things.

- Moaning Mrytle. I told DH to go in the bathroom JUST for this. She was REALLY hard to hear over the dryers. Speaking of dryers, the Dyson hand dryers are AWESOME! They do need to turn up Mrytle though.

- I commented to DH that I was wearing my Invisibility Cloak...I have never been cut off, jostled around and bumped into SOOO many times in a short time period. Please have some consideration for others. If I am browsing the pins, please do not step in front of me just and take what you want then walk away...UGH!!! This was my BIGGEST complaint of the day.

- The whole FJ thing had me irked. I knew about it, but it still bothered me..and what is going to guest services gonna accomplish? Next time, we will just go on the ride anyway and see what happens.

- Overall, I wish they didnt make everything so small. Its visually beautiful, but needs to be bigger. Hopefully that rumored expansion is more than a rumor!

Well I wont be going back now till the weather and hopefully crowds cool down a bit. I wanted a taste, I got it. Next time I go, I plan to try pumpkin juice and eat at Three Broomsticks and try to ride FJ, but not with this crowd and heat...

 

[inkkognito]

Ugh, what a bummer for you. I was there yesterday too, but later. There were no more lines for the shops (except Ollivanders) and a short line for butterbeer. I don't think 3 Broomsticks was bad at that point either, but I only peeked in. FJ was still an absolute cluster tho'. Both times I checked, the singles line was down the stairs, so that was a no-go for me. I was shocked at the number of people waiting for Ollivanders...I wonder if most of them realize it's a 5 minute show with very little change of being picked.

Surprisingly there was little jostling overall, although I did accuse a lady of cutting me in the butterbeer line and she accused me of the same. Not sure what actually happened; we both definitely thought we were right, so then it was "You go first." "No, you go first." It was their first time so I told 'em they needed it more than me. Then we proceeded to have a really nice chat as we waited. Was fun to hear her daughter tell about her experiences; I love to "see" WWoHp through fresh eyes.

Then I proceeded to lose my freakin' premier pass. Gotta get a new one next time I go, which ticks me off as the old one was a classic. I think we got it on almost the first day they started offering 'em.

 

[diberry]

I was there yesterday too, but later. There were no more lines for the shops (except Ollivanders) and a short line for butterbeer. I don't think 3 Broomsticks was bad at that point either.

About what time was that please? When we go we don't want to go on FJ but just wander around so it would be good to go when it's less busy.
If you just want to walk through the castle do you have to line up with all the people wanting to go on FJ? Any idea if that line gets quieter at all please?

 

[inkkognito]

The FJ line used to get really quiet at closing, but not this past week. You can go through it just to see it, but you'd be stuck with the wait (which is hot and miserable in the "greenhouse" area).

I recommend going for the last couple of hours, when everything but Ollivanders and FJ will be quieter. Go a little earlier than that if you want to eat at 3 Broomsticks. You should not have to deal with any shop or butterbeer lines by that time. You can get in the FJ line right before closing as they will run it out and it may have cut down some by 9:50. That way you don't waste valuable time doing other things. The stores stay open a while after closing too so that is also a perfect time to see it as the crowds leave. I just love to linger late!

 

[diberry]

Thank you very much - that's really helpful!

 

[Lou Holtz]

Once you get past the greenhouse area, how long of a line do you have left?

 

[phamton]

Then I proceeded to lose my freakin' premier pass. Gotta get a new one next time I go, which ticks me off as the old one was a classic. I think we got it on almost the first day they started offering 'em.

Call IoA Lost and Found at 407-224-4245. (If you lost it at Universal and not IoA, then call US Lost and Found at 407-224-4244.) I bet they have found it.

 

[Metro West]

Then I proceeded to lose my freakin' premier pass. Gotta get a new one next time I go, which ticks me off as the old one was a classic. I think we got it on almost the first day they started offering 'em.

I understand your pain. My Preferred AP is one of the old plastic ones with my picture on it. I would hate to lose it and have to get a new one.

 

[inkkognito]

Call IoA Lost and Found at 407-224-4245. (If you lost it at Universal and not IoA, then call US Lost and Found at 407-224-4244.) I bet they have found it.

Thanks for the #. I just called, and unfortunately it has not shown up.