Best way to ride Gringotts with minimal waits?

[cvjw]

During our trip last month, we opted not to have to be in line at 6:00 am and wait on the front side - we went to ride around 6:00 in the afternoon. The estimated wait was around 120 minutes, but it only took around 90, and the ride went down at least twice during our wait. You can tell when the ride is down because the line does not move, not an inch for 15 to 30 minutes.

I can't get my teens out of bed at 5:00 am on vacation, Harry Potter or not. Riding in the afternoon was fine with us, and when we exited the ride, the wait time was still the same.

That is the same strategy we will be using when we visit again next month. Glad I cancelled our night onsite since they are also letting AP holders enter the parks an hour early. September early entry will be a madhouse

 

[damo]

During our trip last month, we opted not to have to be in line at 6:00 am and wait on the front side - we went to ride around 6:00 in the afternoon. The estimated wait was around 120 minutes, but it only took around 90, and the ride went down at least twice during our wait. You can tell when the ride is down because the line does not move, not an inch for 15 to 30 minutes.

I can't get my teens out of bed at 5:00 am on vacation, Harry Potter or not. Riding in the afternoon was fine with us, and when we exited the ride, the wait time was still the same.

That is the same strategy we will be using when we visit again next month. Glad I cancelled our night onsite since they are also letting AP holders enter the parks an hour early. September early entry will be a madhouse

They're letting AP holders in early?

 

[keishashadow]

From what I have read, they have been closing the line before the park closes .. Last night someone posted they closed the line at 730pm.

thank you. the other park tends to inflate wait times and build crowd visibly outside imo to deter this strategy. I can live with a wait pre park closure vs greeting the dawn.

They're letting AP holders in early?

September thus far

 

[damo]

September thus far

Is that in the AP newsletter that I never get?

I wonder if there has been any confirmation about only one park opening for early admission. I read on that other website that you could only go through the Universal gates for early admission but you could take the Hogwarts Express over to Hogmeade and ride the rides there. That is an interesting way to do it...so basically both areas are still open but you can only get in through the Universal gates. However, if both parks don't open at the same time, I don't see how they're going to work it.

 

[cvjw]

Is that in the AP newsletter that I never get?

I wonder if there has been any confirmation about only one park opening for early admission. I read on that other website that you could only go through the Universal gates for early admission but you could take the Hogwarts Express over to Hogmeade and ride the rides there. That is an interesting way to do it...so basically both areas are still open but you can only get in through the Universal gates.

The disboards website is reporting that AP holders get early entry in Sept. When you open the website, it is in the news section at the top. I think it does specify early entry for Diagon Alley - but that is where everyone will want to go anyway. With the 3 regular Universal hotels, the early entry offsite hotels, Cabana Bay and AP holders - early entry will be jammed.

 

[housemouse]

They're letting AP holders in early?

Yep. I read that today on the site we can't name here. I think it was there. But that explains the text I got from a friend today. She wanted to know where to buy annual passes. Her family is staying in a condo. It's almost tempting me to ditch my RPR reservation and stay offsite this year. Sure would be a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

[damo]

Well, September is going to be interesting! I hadn't seen anyone note that passholders get early admission just on weekdays.

Either it will be just fine because attendance is usually so low or there are going to be a lot of ticked off onsiters. I know the September that Hogsmeade opened, the park was really quiet for early admission.

So, we still haven't got information from Universal about early admission changing for September? Will it be two parks open but only with one point of admission or will it just be one park open?

 

[housemouse]

Well, September is going to be interesting! Either it will be just fine because attendance is usually so low or there are going to be a lot of ticked off onsiters. I know the September that Hogsmeade opened, the park was really quiet for early admission.

So, we still haven't got confirmation from Universal about early admission changing for September?

I hope you're right about attendance being low. But I'm starting to get a bit worried. Hotels are booked pretty solid for my travel dates. I had been looking earlier in the week thinking about maybe upgrading my room. The only thing available was club level at Portofino and a standard room at RPR(which I have already). Hard Rock was full. Club level @ RPR was full. I know a lot of that is because of HHN over the weekend, but still it's a bit unnerving to look at on the screen. Couple that with them pushing the admission hours to US back to 8AM with EE at 7AM and now letting AP holders in early, well...I'm a bit worried.

 

[damo]

I hope you're right about attendance being low. But I'm starting to get a bit worried. Hotels are booked pretty solid for my travel dates. I had been looking earlier in the week thinking about maybe upgrading my room. The only thing available was club level at Portofino and a standard room at RPR(which I have already). Hard Rock was full. Club level @ RPR was full. I know a lot of that is because of HHN over the weekend, but still it's a bit unnerving to look at on the screen. Couple that with them pushing the admission hours to US back to 8AM with EE at 7AM and now letting AP holders in early, well...I'm a bit worried.

They did that because the park closes earlier on those days, I think. On the other hand, they lowered AP rates at Cabana Bay during September so that must indicate that bookings are really low. THere are still rooms available during the weekdays at Royal Pacific for my dates at the AP rate as well.

I think the fact that EE for passholders is just during weekdays makes a big difference. The big majority of locals will be back at school or working and non-locals would probably have had their vacations booked.

 

[keishashadow]

damo we usually get the newsletters 'late' if at all. I think it'll be a non-event as to crowding. although, there may be a HP one-day flu that hits many of the locals in September.

was doing planning at the other park for upcoming trip, working in evening extra magic hours. Would love to see it offered for onsite guests vs the current early entry, if only a day or two during the week. Wonder if they have a suggestion box?

 

[damo]

damo we usually get the newsletters 'late' if at all. I think it'll be a non-event as to crowding. although, there may be a HP one-day flu that hits many of the locals in September.

was doing planning at the other park for upcoming trip, working in evening extra magic hours. Would love to see it offered for onsite guests vs the current early entry, if only a day or two during the week. Wonder if they have a suggestion box?

They seem to have an aversion to later nights. I wonder if historically it hasn't been a profitable time.

 

[DisneyYahoo]

Sorry for a lame question - so is the best way to ride Gringotts during early entry time is to go in through universal for early opening to get to gringotts or do you go through IOA, and them ride the train to Univ for Gringotts?

 

[Go Vols]

Sorry for a lame question - so is the best way to ride Gringotts during early entry time is to go in through universal for early opening to get to gringotts or do you go through IOA, and them ride the train to Univ for Gringotts?

The best way is to go into universal and head to Diagon Alley to enter the ride.

 

[stormer]

We rode it on Aug. 19. We arrived at the gates for early entry at 7:45 and they had already started letting people in. We went straight to Gringotts and were finished riding about 9:45. The line moved the whole time so it didn't seem bad. Very little of the wait was actually in the bank where there was stuff to look at. Maybe only 10 minutes. I was hoping to be in there longer. In the afternoon the posted wait time was 90 minutes. I wish we would have waited and rode it then instead of getting everyone up early. We are not morning people.

 

[redhilitez]

We were there on 7/24 and 7/25. Both days the wait for the Gringot's ride was 3 and 4 hours. They also kept closing the Single rider lane. They don't seem to have an organized process in place for this ride. Be prepared for long wait times if you want to ride it. There is nothing else to do but wait. Otherwise you won't get on the ride. Universal is not doing anything to speed up the wait times. They don't care because they already took your money to get in. And that's the way it is.

 

[redhilitez]

Take the Single rider lane as much as possible. Most times you get to sit next to each other. Just say Single rider when walking up to the attendant at the beginning of the ride and they will direct you to the Single rider lane. At the front of the ride, the attendant will wave you through after asking how many in the party in the regular line. Most times we were able to sit next to one another. It's worth it because you get on the ride much faster. Except for Gringot's. They have not figured out that ride yet and have long wait times all day and they shut the Single rider lane down constantly. Universal does not care since they already took your money for the ticket.

 

[maddiebee]

How high are the waits getting at this point?

 

[damo]

Take the Single rider lane as much as possible. Most times you get to sit next to each other. Just say Single rider when walking up to the attendant at the beginning of the ride and they will direct you to the Single rider lane. At the front of the ride, the attendant will wave you through after asking how many in the party in the regular line. Most times we were able to sit next to one another. It's worth it because you get on the ride much faster. Except for Gringot's. They have not figured out that ride yet and have long wait times all day and they shut the Single rider lane down constantly. Universal does not care since they already took your money for the ticket.

I would imagine they would rather have people in the shops and restaurants purchasing things than standing for hours inline at Gringotts.

 

[humphreydog]

Walked through the gates today (8/22/2014) at 7:30 (they let us in 1/2 early for EE). 70 minute wait posted by the time we got to DA. The ride broke down for 20 minutes right before we got into the elevators. The 70 minute wait time was accurate (which included the down time). The ride was great but not worth getting up early and 70 minute wait IMHO.

 

[keishashadow]

They seem to have an aversion to later nights. I wonder if historically it hasn't been a profitable time.

Could be, or perhaps don't have staffing in place for night shift. It is my understanding that more than few people work there as a PT/2nd job, many at Disney.

I would imagine they would rather have people in the shops and restaurants purchasing things than standing for hours inline at Gringotts.

surprised they haven't set up rolling merchandise carts to work the 'captive' audience waiting online.