A question for the experts...

[mainstreetmagic]

My vacation isn't long enough, and I want to spend most of my time at WDW. However, there is no way I can fly all the way across the country and NOT go to WWOHP! So please tell me, realistically, what I can/should be looking at timeframe-wise.

We are going to IoA on Monday December 5th. My plane leaves for home at 5:10pm...I am thinking I probably need to start heading out of US about 2pm, does that sound right? I am thinking an hour to make it to the parking lot, drive to MCO, turn in the rental car and check in for our flight.

So if we are at US at rope drop, that gives us 5 hours in my estimation. Our sole intent for going to US is to do WWOHP. However, I have been lurking through the threads and I understand from what all of you have posted that everyone makes a mad dash for WWOHP and the rest of the park is empty in the first hours of opening. So here are my questions -

*Considering when we are going, how long do you think it will take to be able to see everything in WWOHP, without feeling like we are rushing or missing anything?

*From what I have read, most people dash over there first and the rest of the park is empty. So, what is a good estimate of how long it is super crowded in WWOHP?

*Do you think we have enough time to do other things first, like Spiderman or other things, and then head over to WWOHP when crowds have thinned a little? Considering my 5 hour window, if we did that, would there be enough time to fully tour WWOHP?

I am just trying to utilize my time fully. I still can't believe that I am going to spend just under $300 for 3 people to go to US for for 5 hours, but hey... I can't miss Harry Potter!

Thank you in advance for your guidance. I could really use your opinion!

 

[RMulieri]

Given your time constraints I would head to WWoHP FIRST thing.I wouldn't do other things first, yes WWoHP dies down , but generally not until later in the day, by then you will be on your way to MCO. Get there BEFORE rope drop and make a b-line to WWoHP.Realize that if you are not an onsite guest there are already going to be people in that area since Onsite guests get into WWoHP an hour before the public.When you are done with WWohp then go do the things on your list .

 

[kohlby]

I have not been since WWoHP opened so I am not an expert. However, if your main reason for spending $300 was to go to WWoHP - then head over to WWoHP! It would be better to spend extra time in lines looking at all the cool stuff absorbing the Wizarding World than to do more attractions in a different area and miss out on some of WWoHP.

 

[canadiankim]

If you are prepared to spend $300 to go for the day, then I would consider the express pass to make sure you can do the other things in your time frame. Check US website and look at the cost for the particular day you are going, the price varies but can be from $25 per person. I know that is another $75 but it might be worth it.

 

[mainstreetmagic]

If you are prepared to spend $300 to go for the day, then I would consider the express pass to make sure you can do the other things in your time frame. Check US website and look at the cost for the particular day you are going, the price varies but can be from $25 per person. I know that is another $75 but it might be worth it.

I considered that, but I was told that Express Pass doesn't work for Forbidden Journey. Is that right? Where would I find a list of exactly what rides EP works for? And does it work like FastPass at Disney, where it gets you to a certain point, then you are waiting in line with everyone else?

 

[mainstreetmagic]

Given your time constraints I would head to WWoHP FIRST thing.I wouldn't do other things first, yes WWoHP dies down , but generally not until later in the day, by then you will be on your way to MCO....

Thanks! That's what I was wondering... I didn't know if that meant that crowds thinned out by 10am, or by 3pm, or what. That helps a lot with the planning.

 

[RMulieri]

I considered that, but I was told that Express Pass doesn't work for Forbidden Journey. Is that right? Where would I find a list of exactly what rides EP works for? And does it work like FastPass at Disney, where it gets you to a certain point, then you are waiting in line with everyone else?

It is not good for Ollivanders, Forbidden Journey, Pteranodon Flyers and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit...It is like Disney FP in that it gets you into a much shorter line with much shorter waits.The difference is it is good on ALL the rides except the ones I mentioned and you do not have to wait for any return windows to open

 

[zack123]

The days I was there, WWoHP was busiest from 11-3. Shortest wait times of the day were before 11 or after 5, with one exception (FJ had been down for a long period earlier in the day, so the ride line was backed up through closing).

I agree with the others - do the things you really want to do first, and then see what else you have time for. Also, you can watch the Ollivander's show on youtube and decide how much time you are willing to wait in line to see it. Sometimes the line is only about 20 minutes, which isn't bad, other times it stretches to 60 minutes or more.

FJ does not take express, but they do have a single rider line, which can cut down on wait times significantly. If you don't mind splitting up and riding in separate cars, and taking the castle tour to see what you miss by skipping the regular line, it's definitely worth it.

Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge (the other two rides in WWoHP) do use the express pass.

 

[mainstreetmagic]

FJ does not take express, but they do have a single rider line, which can cut down on wait times significantly. If you don't mind splitting up and riding in separate cars, and taking the castle tour to see what you miss by skipping the regular line, it's definitely worth it.

That is a fantastic suggestion, and I don't think I have ever read before that there was a single rider line for FB! Thanks!

 

[Seeker615]

I concur that the single rider line is the way to go for Forbidden Journey. My daughter and I used it quite a few times during our trip. More often than not we ended up on the same ride anyway.

Then go back in and ask to do the castle tour. The only thing is that you do miss a few things doing the castle tour. The regular line to the ride is where you see everything.

Good luck and have a lot of fun.

 

[DCTooTall]

When exactly are you going? That could be a big factor.

Beyond that, Definitely hit WWOHP first. it's why you are going, and you end up not having time to see everything, You'll hate yourself.

IF you are going during the "off-peak" time of year, outside of WWOHP you should be able to see most other things you'd find at the park you would like to do without the need for an express pass. the off-peak time of year and single rider lines should make things pretty quick for you.


And FWIW.... a couple weeks ago I had to make a bee-line from Universal to MCO in order to pick up someone at the airport. I was running late and was hauling butt, but made it from the park gate to MCO in under 30min.