1st (and probably only) visit to IOA on a BUSY day...advice please!

[DizneyLizzy]

My sister and I (big Harry Potter fans) are going to be in Sarasota visiting family for Easter weekend. We are going to drive up to Orlando just for one day (Good Friday) to go to Islands of Adventure (for the main purpose of visiting the WWOHP, but while we're there might as well see as much of the park as possible). Here are some questions -

1. How early should we arrive at the parking lot if we want to be near the front of the line at the turnstiles for regular (non-resort) guests when the park opens? My plan was to try and park by 8 AM for a 9 AM opening, but if that's not early enough, I'm totally willing to get up earlier to be near the front of the pack.

2. I was thinking of investing in the Universal Express Pass for each of us since this is probably our one and only time visiting the park and we do like rides. Even though we are going primarily for Harry Potter, and the Forbidden Journey doesn't participate, I figure with the Express Pass we can take our time in the WWOHP in the morning and then head out around lunch time to see the rest of the attractions without much of a wait on a VERY busy day. Good idea? Waste of $?

3. Can you make dining reservations at 3 Broomsticks? If not, when should we arrive if we want to have lunch there?

4. Any other tips on visiting IOA on a VERY busy day would be appreciated...thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

I was thinking of investing in the Universal Express Pass for each of us since this is probably our one and only time visiting the park and we do like rides.

If it won't break the bank, I'd go for it.

 

[CarolAnnB]

We went the first summer it opened and I think we arrived around 7:30am. There is a Universal forum on these boards below this Disneyland section that should have lots of current info, I used it when we were planning our trip.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

We went the first summer it opened and I think we arrived around 7:30am. There is a Universal forum on these boards below this Disneyland section that should have lots of current info, I used it when we were planning our trip.

Thanks! I'll check that out. Duh...now it makes sense why I wasn't finding anything Univeral related on this forum...sorry!

 

[redrosesix]

We went to Universal last year just for WWoHP -- we did buy the pass...which we didn't really need...so I'd definitely say wait til you get there and add it on if you need it.

We took everybody's advice to go right to WWoHP as soon as we got into the park -- so did everyone else. When we returned in the afternoon, there was hardly any wait even for Forbidden Journey. It seems there is always a long line up at Ollivanders though. The second day we were smart and did the rest of the park before WWoHP.

You can't make reservations for Three Broomsticks but it's a counter service restaurant. If you find it's busy in the parks, try to eat meals at off-times so you'll get your choice of tables.

 

[Brian Noble]

When we returned in the afternoon, there was hardly any wait even for Forbidden Journey. It seems there is always a long line up at Ollivanders though. The second day we were smart and did the rest of the park before WWoHP.

My wife and kids went during President's Week last year. They said that late afternoon/evening could be a surprisingly good time.

 

[gabzee]

I would definitely get a Express Pass. You can wait until you get there and many gift shops sell it! It is 100% worth it! We went last year on president's day and it was COMPLETELY packed! The express pass saved us. Last year when we went on president's day, the park was so busy that you couldn't just walk into Harry Potter world. You had to get a return time slip and then go back when they told you. These return time slips were completely gone by 1pmish. Since you are going at a very busy time too, I would highly suggest that you go to Harry Potter World first to at least simply see if they are using the return time slips. Since you are going mostly for WWOHP, it would be a shame if you can't go in since you went to see the rest of the park first and they ran out of time slips. They may not use the return slips but it worth walking there and finding out. 3 Broomsticks is a QS so they don't take reservations.