Best Hagrid's Strategy without Early Entry

[deannaf87]

We are heading there this weekend Sat-Monday. We were counting on riding Hagrid's during EE on Saturday, but clearly that's not in the cards anymore.

What would be the best strategy for minimizing wait (if no VQ)? Line up early during EE? Go back after dinner and hop in line before park close? Hit it first thing Monday when there is no EE at IoA?

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

According to the app there is EE at IOA Mon, otherwise I was going to say that was your best bet. This morning we arrived at 7:25. They started letting people in at 7:45. We went immediately to VC and rode that walk on. Then we got in line at Hagrid’s at 8:20. They let people line up immediately at 8 this morning and started moving the line at 8:30. I’m not sure what time they actually started the ride but when I looked at the app at 9:10, the wait time was 150. We waited 75 mins having lined up at 8:20. When we rode at park close on Tues it was 70 mins. If you head straight to line up at Hagrid’s as soon as they let you in, it’s going to be a min of 45 mins and you give up all EE on other rides.

So I don’t know what to say for the best strategy right now. I would assume you’re going to wait about an hour for Hagrids no matter what you do unless the crowds ease this weekend.

Edit: just checked and at 11:30 it’s 100 mins

 

[deannaf87]

According to the app there is EE at IOA Mon, otherwise I was going to say that was your best bet. This morning we arrived at 7:25. They started letting people in at 7:45. We went immediately to VC and rode that walk on. Then we got in line at Hagrid’s at 8:20. They let people line up immediately at 8 this morning and started moving the line at 8:30. I’m not sure what time they actually started the ride but when I looked at the app at 9:10, the wait time was 150. We waited 75 mins having lined up at 8:20. When we rode at park close on Tues it was 70 mins. If you head straight to line up at Hagrid’s as soon as they let you in, it’s going to be a min of 45 mins and you give up all EE on other rides.

So I don’t know what to say for the best strategy right now. I would assume you’re going to wait about an hour for Hagrids no matter what you do unless the crowds ease this weekend.

Edit: just checked and at 11:30 it’s 100 mins

Oh thank you! I was not tracking that Monday EE for some reason.

 

[mialovesart]

I’ve been tracking the wait times this week. The wait time is highest at park open. It definitely stabilizes throughout the day.

 

[cschaaf]

I think it’s a little tough to tell yet with the limited data and the crowd levels going from the New Year crowd to the post New Year crowd.

The thrill data heat map for the last few days doesn’t show a consistent trend - other than a surge at 9:00. That surge has lasted varying times.

https://www.thrill-data.com/waits/a...re/hagridsmagicalcreaturesmotorbikeadventure/

I’m still firmly in the “ride it as soon as you can” camp. With the possible exception of “except at ‘normal’ park open”.

The ride still goes down from time to time and what might be a ‘shorter’ mid-day wait might turn into a disappointing experience if the ride isn’t operating.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Does anyone have an idea of what the wait times are from various points in the EPA line? It snakes around the lost continent and I have no idea how long it is. It’s 8:50, and we started moving a bit a few minutes ago

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

It was delayed this morning which is why it took longer. It was down for at least 20 min. We were close enough to hear the announcement.

 

[deannaf87]

Update: we rode Velocicoaster first thing at early entry (15 min wait). Went to Hagrids right after and the wait was 90 mins with 30 minutes until it opened. Opted not to do that. Instead we got in line at 7:15pm and had an hour wait.

 

[MoeJ]

Update: we rode Velocicoaster first thing at early entry (15 min wait). Went to Hagrids right after and the wait was 90 mins with 30 minutes until it opened. Opted not to do that. Instead we got in line at 7:15pm and had an hour wait.

We did the same yesterday except we did stay in line for Hagrid's. In line at 8:20 for Hagrid's, had our stuff out of the locker at 9:10, so probably a 45 minute wait. Our first time on both coasters, so much fun!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We did the same yesterday except we did stay in line for Hagrid's. In line at 8:20 for Hagrid's, had our stuff out of the locker at 9:10, so probably a 45 minute wait. Our first time on both coasters, so much fun!

The first day the TMs told us 2 hours and it turned out to be 70 mins. I think they inflate the time either to make sure they don’t give people false hope or to discourage people from getting in line.

 

[AUSyTyIN]

We did the same yesterday except we did stay in line for Hagrid's. In line at 8:20 for Hagrid's, had our stuff out of the locker at 9:10, so probably a 45 minute wait. Our first time on both coasters, so much fun!

Do you remember what the posted wait time was? I know WDW inflates their wait times to get people to move around so I'm wondering if US does the same.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Do you remember what the posted wait time was? I know WDW inflates their wait times to get people to move around so I'm wondering if US does the same.

We're local AP holders and in all the many times we've ridden Hagrid's - which is my very favorite ride of all time - the wait has never been near the posted wait time - usually 1/2 to 2/3 of the posted time (e.g., went Christmas Eve around noon - posted time 100 minutes - on & off in 50 minutes & the line never stopped moving the whole way.) I think originally they built in "down time" because it had aLOT of that initially, but it's become much more reliable. It's well worth the wait - it's a fantastic ride!

 

[AUSyTyIN]

We're local AP holders and in all the many times we've ridden Hagrid's - which is my very favorite ride of all time - the wait has never been near the posted wait time - usually 1/2 to 2/3 of the posted time (e.g., went Christmas Eve around noon - posted time 100 minutes - on & off in 50 minutes & the line never stopped moving the whole way.) I think originally they built in "down time" because it had aLOT of that initially, but it's become much more reliable. It's well worth the wait - it's a fantastic ride!

Awesome to hear, thanks!

 

[michbaron]

When we went in May, we’d get in the line right before closing and it never took more than 30 minutes to wait and be off the ride completely, I think they over inflate the time to discourage people at closing but it worked out perfect 3 different evenings for us

 

[MoeJ]

Do you remember what the posted wait time was? I know WDW inflates their wait times to get people to move around so I'm wondering if US does the same.

I think it was posted 75 minutes when we got off. We did the same strategy yesterday (Monday). Velocicoaster went down for 15 minutes. We stuck it out & were off by 8:30, in line for Hagrids at 8:36, off at 9:21. So 45 minutes again. At around 4pm we saw on the app the posted wait time was 45 minutes but at that point we were pooped.

Yesterday was less crowded than Sunday and a LOT less crowded than Saturday, which was expected.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We must have had the worst luck because every time we went on outside of lining up during early entry (when there isn’t an officially posted time) the posted time was spot on (we got in line when it was 75 or less). A couple times it was 10 mins longer (the time it was listed at 50 it as over an hour). So I would say to be comfortable with the wait time when you get in line and be pleasantly surprised if it’s less. But last week also seemed like a strange week - I think most everyone expected it to be slower than it was.

 

[AUSyTyIN]

I think it was posted 75 minutes when we got off. We did the same strategy yesterday (Monday). Velocicoaster went down for 15 minutes. We stuck it out & were off by 8:30, in line for Hagrids at 8:36, off at 9:21. So 45 minutes again. At around 4pm we saw on the app the posted wait time was 45 minutes but at that point we were pooped.

Which app are you using? US or Lines?

 

[MoeJ]

Which app are you using? US or Lines?

USO app. Heck I forgot I could use Lines at USO... Too bad we're almost home to SE Fla!

 

[namelessoracle]

When we went in May, we’d get in the line right before closing and it never took more than 30 minutes to wait and be off the ride completely, I think they over inflate the time to discourage people at closing but it worked out perfect 3 different evenings for us

They do. Its a psychological trick to control expectations and make you happier. If you get told something has a 1 hour wait and it takes an 1 and 10 minutes you will get mad. If you get told something takes 2 hours and it takes an hour and 10 minutes you feel almost glad.