A Cynic's View of IOA & WWoHP

[MTMom]

We just returned from a week-long WDW/US/IOA vacation and I wanted to give everyone a glimpse of WWoHP from my viewpoint. Don't get me wrong, I love WDW/US/IOA and was enchanted by WWoHP, but there are definitely some things to do, and some to avoid. Also, we are allergic to long lines and have perfected the art of queue avoidance and/or reduction. But....when a line is absolutely unavoidable, the time spent in line has resulted in some wonderful family conversations and lots of laughter!

We began our vacation with 4 days at WDW, staying offsite in a condo. We spent the night at the Hard Rock Hotel so we could enjoy the park privileges of hotel guests. These include Express Plus Passes and early entry, both worth their weight (or "wait") in gold!

Our first morning at HRH, we checked in at 7am and were at IOA park gates at 7:30 am, and entered the park with the other hotel guests at 7:40am. EVERYONE headed directly for "Harry Potter Land" and we were right there with them! Hogsmead Village is a visual treat, you really feel as if you stepped right into the movie. (It's especially captivating at night, almost like a Thomas Kincaid painting). First stop in Hogsmead Village was Olivanders Wand Shop and we were the first group allowed in for the "show." Watchout, the cynic in me is going to come out here. Who in their right mind would stand in line for over an hour or more to see this skit that is predictable, unimaginative and over as quickly as it started? Well, it wasn't me, I would have been livid if I had. Anyway, the "show" is a thinly veiled sales pitch to buy a $40 wand, which I expected, but I was hoping for a little more "magic." Next we headed for Hogwarts Castle (VERY COOL) and the Forbidden Journey ride, which was FUN, and will continue in my next post.

 

[Metro West]

So far so good...looking forward to reading more.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Liking it so far. Waiting for the next installment.

 

[MTMom]

Hogwarts Castle and the Forbidden Journey is a very entertaining attraction. The first time we experienced it was 8am on our first day at IOA. We had just left Olivanders and walked up to Hogwarts Castle. We already knew to put our stuff into the lockers. Once inside, the line went very quickly and we were on the ride within 15 minutes. While in line, the walk through the castle is full of fun sights and surprises. There are talking paintings, but I couldn't hear what they were saying due to the loudness of the crowd. The second time we rode this attraction, we took the single rider shortcut and missed a lot of the castle. So...as everyone else has said on this forum, be sure and experience the castle before you skip it in the single rider line. BTW, you cant use your Express Pass for the FJ. The ride itself is great, no surprise there, and is remarkably smooth and has good back/neck/head support. Getting off the ride is a different story. The "people flow" was not planned very well, and the gift shop you are funnelled through is too small to accommodate the crowd and is crazy-hectic! By the time the park opened to regular guests, the line for Forbidden Journey was over an hour. By lunchtime, the line to get into JUST the WWoHP was stretched out into the Lost Continent. People were waiting in line for hours in 100+ degree heat, OMG!!!!, just to get into the area, not even the rides. OK, more on butterbeer in my next post.

 

[MTMom]

Butterbeer.....hmmmm.......where do I start? OK, have you ever had cream soda? If so, then here's a buzzkill....butterbeer is cream soda on draft, with foamy whipped cream on top. Are you willing to stand in line for 30+ minutes for b-beer with no buzz? BTW, you can get b-beer in the 3 Broomsticks, but the food is so bad, I wouldn't. Oh, and I know what you are thinking...how does she know what it tastes like if she didn't wait in line to buy it? Well...I got mine at 9am, right before the unwashed masses engulfed the "world". On with my cynical report. The Dragon Challenge ride is a revamped version of Fire & Ice. It's a pretty fun ride, and your Express Plus Pass will get you on fast. What am I leaving out.....oh yeah....Flight of the Hippogriff. It's a cute kiddie coaster, that's all I have to say about that. Despite all my negative comments, I still loved the WWoHP. Why? The feeling I experience when I see the snow-topped roofs of the village and the awe of seeing the castle rising up above Hogsmead makes all the crowds worthwhile. I won't stand in line for an hour for anything, but maybe front row seats at an Eagles concert, but I thoroughly enjoyed the WWoHP in my own way. If anyone cares about my opinion, I am happy to answer any questions. Also, we toured all 4 WDW parks, as well as US and all of IOA so I can provide you with similar "cynical" viewpoints on it all!

 

[Magpie]

Personally, I'd love to hear more of your "cynical" viewpoint, especially about the rest of the parks!



We have the same approach - lines must be avoided at all cost! - and your TR is making me very grateful that our trip is scheduled for December. Plus, my 12yo is a HUGE cynic, so it's nice to hear that he should still be awed by much of the WWOHP.

 

[RussA]

Thanks for the info MTMom, you sound a bit like us. We are staying on property RPH this Thursday night Aug 12th to Sunday morning, before going on to Disney. It's a first time test run for us Disney regulars and we plan on entering the parks on Friday morning. We have a three day park hopper but not sure if we will use the third day at this point. Our group is the four of us, our daughter is 19 and my son is 16. We are not big HP fans but do want to see the attraction. In your opinion what do you suggest for us? We don't mind waiting but do have our limits. Thanks, Russ

 

[MTMom]

Russ, here's how we maintained our sanity in such an insane environment. Get up early and be in line by 7:30 am (at IOA), no need to be that early at US (more on that later). Head straight to WWoHP and do everything you can before 9:00 am. Start w/Olivanders, which is only worth standing in a long line if you have a diehard HP fan in the family who wants you to buy them a $40 wand (sounds like you don't though). Cute presentation, but very predictable. Then head for the Forbidden Journey and enjoy the walk through the castle and the fun ride. Then get some BB and enjoy Hogsmead Village while you still can, before the crowds engulf the place. Head back into IOA and enjoy until lunch time. Go back to the hotel and avoid the heat of the day (it is HOT AND MISERABLE) by taking a swim and a nap. We did and it made a huge difference in our family energy and morale. Go back to the parks about 6pm-ish and stay until close. The crowds drop dramatically and the temperature and humidity drop also. Be sure to visit WWoHP at night, it's really pretty. Oh, and we were disappointed in that they wouldn't let us in US until 8:30 am, and then the RRR (Rip Ride Rocket) wasn't open until 9am anyway. Be sure to ride that first thing, cuz there is no Express Plus line for it and it's a LONG wait.

Magpie, yes, I am glad to hear we are not the only cynics (or should I say "realists" out there).

Oh, and one more thing. We made reservations for lunch at Mythos (IOA) at 12 noon and really liked the lunch. It's not 5 star, but it's certainly not theme park food either. We ate for less than $100 for a family of 4, and enjoyed the decor and the view very much. I do recommend it. But make reservations in advance. We only waited 15 minutes, while walk ups were waiting over an hour. Both the soups were surprisingly excellent!

Let me know if I can answer any more questions.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

No one is more cynical than my dh...nice review, we are arriving later this month and looking forward to our onsite privileges!

Maria

 

[RussA]

Thanks MTMom just what I was looking for. Russ

 

[ang]

Thanks for the info..we are planning a our first trip. This helps a lot.

 

[parlay]

We're also planning our first trip, thanks for the "realistic" view! And the early morning tips!

 

[padawans]

Thanks for your "cynical review" We are making our first trip to us/Ioa next year. I have to agree with you about waiting in line. We were At DL 4 years ago and people were waiting in line for 3 hours to ride the new nemo submarine ride. I dont know if I should be in awe of these peoples patience or scared of them cause their just plain crazy.

 

[bubba's mom]

Oh, and we were disappointed in that they wouldn't let us in US until 8:30 am...

the Studios doesn't 'officially' open until 9am....so being let in at 8:30 WAS early.

The Dragon Challenge ride is a revamped version of Fire & Ice. It's a pretty fun ride, and your Express Plus Pass will get you on fast. What am I leaving out.....oh yeah....Flight of the Hippogriff. It's a cute kiddie coaster, that's all I have to say about that. Despite all my negative comments, I still loved the WWoHP.

I hope this didn't surprise you....as I'm sure you read lots on this board and KNEW DC was just rethemed DD. But...nice you mention in your report in case someone doesn't know.