Best plan of attack for WWOHP if staying offsite

[debbieinaustin]

Which would be the best option:

A. Get to IOA early (7:00ish?) and wait in line for WWOHP till they let us in around 9:00.

B. Arrive (8:30ish) and go straight to Spiderman, Hullk, and Seus. Then try to get into WWOHP aroud mid-morning.

C. Don't try to get into WWOHP until around 6:00 in the evening after we have experienced the rest of the park plus hopped over to Universal Studios a bit.

I really appreciate the feedback! I've read the crowd report and am leaning towards choice C.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm going to watch your thread because I keep wondering about this too. It sounds to me like it's best to go early but I'm not convinced. I've also been keeping an eye on http://66.77.171.132/MobileWeb/ParkMenu.aspx as much as I can to see how long the lines are throughout the day.

I think that we'll probably get there before rope drop and wait our first day. Then we'll go back throughout the day and see how things look. I really want to see WWOHP at night too.

 

[TIGGERGUY]

I visited it late in the day a couple of weeks ago. It was much less busy. Had almost no wait for the old Dueling Dragons and about an hour for Forbidden Journey.

 

[Purseval]

If you get there early in the morning and things don't work out you can always come back at night. If you get there at night and things don't work out you're out of luck. As a first-time visitor to WWOHP I would definitely choose the early option and keep the late one for a repeat visit or backup in case the morning is too crowded.

 

[Albytaps]

I just came back from Universal and the best thing was to get up early:

1. Get up at around 6-6:30am and get ready.

2. Walk to IOA and wait at the gates until they let you in around 7:00-7:30am.

3. Show your room key and go around the Dr. Suess way (to the right) and form the WWOHP line at the Lost Continent area.

4. The have been letting people into WWOHP before 8:00 so this is your best time to go nuts.

5. Do whatever you can before 9:00am when the place gets mobbed.

6. Olivanders is not worth the wait on line so do that first if you must.

7. Check out the stores during this time because they get crowded and lines start forming to get in.

8. The Forbidden Journey line is non existent during the early access hours, plus you can always do single riders and not wait at all.

9. WWOHP was full all day, even at night, so early access is the best.

I hope that helps.

 

[Planogirl]

That schedule looks good except that the OP is staying offsite. I think that a modified (and later) version of that schedule might work though...

 

[meddlinkids]

Our family just got back (June 21-26th). We stayed offsite with a 15 min. drive to universal. I'll give you our experience and hope it helps.
Wed. night we arrived at IOA at 545 pm. Walked thru Seuss Landing and into WWoHP. No line to get in Hogsmead, but crowded.
Waited 15 minutes to ride Hippogriff, Got Pumpkin Juices, then waited 60 minutes for Forbidden Journey. Left Hogsmead and rode Spidey on way out.

Friday a.m. Got to IOA at 745 am. Went thru gates, was directed thru Marvel Island and Toon Landing. Line for Hogsmead was in Jurassic Park. Lots of shade and places to sit. At around 830 they handed out tickets to everyone in line, but I'm not sure how many capacity. We entered Hogsmead at just before 9. Rode FJ again (40 min wait). Rode Dragon Challenge (walk on) . Saw the frog choir . Shopped for wands, candy, butter beer, scarves, and at Zonkos until 1130am. Exited Hogsmead and rode everything else at IOA with minimal waiting. We were back at condo at 430 that afternoon.

It was a great visit, and you will love WWoHP. Have fun!

 

[debbieinaustin]

I definitely see the logic in going first thing in the morning so that we have a 2nd chance at night if it doesn't work out. Hey, maybe we'll get lucky and get in morning and evening. And on top of that, we are devoting two days to Universal so we have a 2nd day to try.

I'm so excited!

 

[Kay1]

We're staying across the street for one night only. I think we'll visit Universal first, then walk over to WWOHP just to look around and check out the wait times. If things are bad, we'll just have to go early the next morning and brave it.

 

[DisneyCalifornia]

We had a two day pass with the express option for the first day. Arrived at the park Monday June 28th at 8:15 (used valet parking). The line was at Jurassic Park to enter WWOHP. We were in line for FJ by 9:00, and we were done by 9:45. Did not go in the Wand Shop as the line was crazy! Did everything else and exited around 11:00. By noon the line just to get into the WWOHP was past the Spiderman ride in 90 degree heat. Rode everything else in IOA and Universal with the express pass and left for the day by 6:00 p.m.

Returned on Friday night the 2nd of July. Used the $3.00 after 6:00 p.m. parking. There were not any line-ups for anything. My daughter rode FJ in single line-up (5 minute wait). Toured around the area again. Still could not get into the Wand shop without waiting in line. But, there was no line up for the Three Broomsticks. Went and rode Spiderman, and Jurassic Park (lots of fun in the dark). Went back to WWHOP around 9:00 p.m. and toured through the castle at our leisure took lots of pictures and watched Dumbledore, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Evening is really the best time, far less people, and the heat level is much lower. Take rain ponchos and ride the water rides.

 

[Rowlf]

Last night, WWoHP was mobbed, in contrast. 90 minute waits for FJ (I just gave up) at 9 pm. We waited 90 minutes for Ollivanders at 5:30. I gave up the first time on FJ when it broke down after we had been waiting for an hour on the 4th. I'm hearing of a lot of breakdowns, and they really need to figure out how to handle these crowds better!

 

[Lewisc]

:A. Get to IOA early (7:00ish?) and wait in line for WWOHP till they let us in around 9:00..

Last night, WWoHP was mobbed, in contrast. 90 minute waits for FJ (I just gave up) at 9 pm.

You can get to IOA early. You may be waiting more then an hour for the park to open then another 30 minutes for FJ.

or you can get to the park in the afternoon/evening. Your wait might be 90 minutes but you're enjoying the castle and not waiting in line by JP.

 

[skippahw]

Apologies if this is mentioned elsewhere but could someone give me the lowdown on the tickets they're handing out to those in line for WWOHP??

It sounds like it's a "come back later" option (like a Fastpass) but would they give me enough for my group (just 4 of us) if they happen to be riding something else in the park at the time??

Just trying to figure out what to expect and like the OP, we'll be staying offsite...