A Celebration of Harry Potter

[Tltorrez]

For those of you who attended the Celebration of Harry Potter event in 2016, how much did it affect crowds in WWoHP? Also is it worth going if you don't have the onsite package? I know the event crowds have increased every year and I imagine with the new HP hype they'll be even higher.

I'm planning a Jan trip to WWoHP. We've never been so I picked Jan to minimize crowds. We'll have 4 days in the parks. I was planning the week after MLK but we could switch it. Given that we haven't seen WWoHP at all I'm trying to decide if going the event weekend will impede our ability to immerse ourselves in Harry Potter or enhance it. I'm not so much interested in the celebrities themselves.

Thoughts?

 

[Tltorrez]

Nobody?

 

[macraven]

When I have been to UO in January l left right before MLK day
Crowds were low during early Jan

We don't get as much activity here on Saturdays

I'm sure you will get more posts later

 

[Tltorrez]

Thanks. The weeks before and after MLK look about the same on the crowd calendar. I think that will work out fine.

I've posted this event question to 3 separate boards. I'm starting to think no one has actually attended this thing. ;-) At this point I'm planning to give it a pass unless someone convinces me otherwise.

 

[tinydancer09]

I've never been. Only watched the live feeds of events and seen pictures. From what I've seen it's CRAZY! That's why I've never gone. However, I dont know how much that effects everything else. They have scheduled events throughout the day like Q&As etc. If you don't want the potential for crowds I would avoid HP weekend... That's just my personal opinion.. I have no idea. Every other weekend is supposed to be light though!

 

[MrsM]

My 13 year old daughter and I were there this year. We only planned the trip about a month in advance so the special packages were no longer available. I had read online that you could still line up in the morning to get tickets for autographs but when I asked at the resort and park we were told you could only do autographs with the package. We did wait in line for the Expo (went first thing in the morning and waited over an hour), once you got inside the Expo if you wanted to see the walk through of the London studio tour there was another line that was about an hour so we skipped that and just walked around and looked at the other things. We did watch some of the Q&A sessions, there was plenty of room to stand and see those.

WWoHP in both parks was crowded throughout most of the day, I've never been at another time in January but I would have to guess that it was due to the celebration. The rest of the parks were not very busy at all.

 

[Disxuni]

I never been to these events and didn't know about it until this year, but by then it was too late for me to go. I have an annual pass, so I have no need to buy tickets to the theme park as well. So, is there such a package of just staying at the resort and no tickets? Typically, I know it goes hand and hand with packages, but just wondering if it's possible. I know right now they have an annual pass holder package offer, but it expires before the end of the year (I think) and it's no relation to the A Celebration of Harry Potter.

 

[chabs]

We've been the past 2 years. The second year was much more crowded than the first, especially on Sunday. That being said, we had express passes but the lines seemed very minimal (except the HP rides that didn't have express anyway). We've never booked the package because I don't see the value in it. Basically the package gives you the opportunity to stay later on Friday night for the HP event and an express pass to the expo. You can see the opening ceremony online and there is some type of food/snacks I think. If you are interested in the package, it sells out very fast and they open it in August. The biggest line (2 hours or more) is for the expo. If you want to go to that, I would recommend going first thing Friday morning. The lines will never get any shorter than that. We wanted to go back in Sunday afternoon and the lines were wrapped around behind the Christmas store (4 hours). Also, once the special HP merchandise sells out, it's gone so if you want to buy anything, get it on Friday.

We went to one "event", thought it was boring and left halfway through (and I'm a big HP fan). They are free for everyone-you just show up at the theater if you want to go. The only one that gets crowded is the meet and greet on the stage by the minions ride. Can't say much about the kids events though because we were traveling with all adults.

The South American tour groups were worse this year too. Last year the events were all at the Studios and the tour groups were only there on Sunday at IOA. This year they held events at both parks and the tour groups were there both weekend days.

I think what I'm going to do this year is book my room so that we leave Friday night or Saturday morning. Go a couple of days before the event during the week, spend Friday morning at the expo and then call it a day. I really like the expo-there were different displays each year with props from the movies (several different "stations"). Last year they gave us a free poster that was really nice and I had it framed. There is also a small store set up inside with expo exclusive merchandise that I spent a good amount of money at.

 

[chabs]

I never been to these events and didn't know about it until this year, but by then it was too late for me to go. I have an annual pass, so I have no need to buy tickets to the theme park as well. So, is there such a package of just staying at the resort and no tickets? Typically, I know it goes hand and hand with packages, but just wondering if it's possible. I know right now they have an annual pass holder package offer, but it expires before the end of the year (I think) and it's no relation to the A Celebration of Harry Potter.

They did have an AP package for the HP event. I hear that these packages sell out just about as soon as they open. Keep an eye out for August. I never really have the time to look at the HP packages because it always seems like they are released when we are down there on our summer vacation (mid-August).

 

[Disxuni]

They did have an AP package for the HP event. I hear that these packages sell out just about as soon as they open. Keep an eye out for August. I never really have the time to look at the HP packages because it always seems like they are released when we are down there on our summer vacation (mid-August).

Wow, the packages come out that early? Guess I need to keep an eye out. Is it on the annual passholder page that we can sign into?

 

[bumbershoot]

2014 we were there at the same time. I noticed nothing that interfered with us. WW is always crowded (we have really only gone at quiet times but WW is small and popular).

The events are after hours or away from the public areas.

The only thing that changed for us was positive. We randomly met Evanna Lynch as she walked back behind 3 Broomsticks and kindly agreed to a picture with me and DS. And commented on how my copper-headed son must be a Weasley. She is beautiful and sweet.