Bunch of questions for upcoming trip.

[dvcfamily41801]

Hi all
First thanks so much for all the details that have already been provided. Since I can not recall in which threads I have read what....I am sorry to say I am starting my own thread and asking some of the same questions only so I know where everything is! So here goes.

Details
We will be going to WDW May 17-23, staying at BWV and really have no set schedule. We are looking to spend one day at US/IoA. Our main focus will be WWoHP. We are excited to see the details and take lots of pictures during the day and night! We do plan on seeinig as much of the park as possible.

Questions -

When to go and what time to leave...
1. Which day would be best to visit during that time. I know I saw Fridays are more crowded with school trips, but the Friday we are there is the first day of Star Wars Weekends. Would that pull crowds away and be a better day to visit or should we stick with Wednesday May 18 or Thursday May 19?

2. Would leaving BWV by 7:30am on the day we go be safe? Is that to early?

Now that we have arrived....
3. Okay rope drop. Never having been to US/IoA, I do not know the layout of the park. I only saw the pictures last summer when news media was covering opening of WWoHP and the lines and lines and lines to get IN to that area! Where do we go once we enter the park? Is there someplace to line up and once the park opens, which is the best way to get to WWoHP?

4. We understand the preferred lineup is Ollivanders and then FJ. My husband is a little nervous about FJ as he tends to get motion sick. He said he will walk through the line with us taking pictures, etc. Would he be okay taking a non-drowsy Dramamine? I said I would try with our son (11) first and let him know how it works. Having said that I am a BIG chicken on rides. HUGE. (I still make my little aviator buckle his seatbelt on Soarin through the yellow strap even though he is tall enough). Will *I* be okay on this ride?


5. Remembering the previous statement of motion sickness and chickenness, that will take out any big coasters and spinning simulator type rides. What are other must see attractions that one could handle?

6. What is the story with lockers? Is this just for FJ? We will have our camera and I will have a little purse and our iPhones.

Now we are hungry...
7. We know we have to try the Butter Beer. We would like to have lunch at Three Broomsticks. Is that a sit down or counter service? Is there a time best to go?

8. People have said head to City Walk for dinner - is that outside of the park? Can we get back in later?

9. Are there refillable mugs?

It's not a trip unless mom walks a gift shop...

10. We got our son a Universal Gift Card but understand they have to be "turned in" for US dollars?? Do you have to do this at the front gate of the park or can it be done in a gift shop? Ollivanders?

11. Pretty much my son will will just want HP items. Are there any shops we should visit for better selection? Shop early or shop late?

Say Cheese....
12. We are so excited to take in the details of WWoHP. How does the FJ line work with taking pictures? Do we ride first and then get in line again for pictures?

13. Nighttime photos of WWoHP...any tricks or tips?


I think that is it. No, I can't end with a 13.

14. Did I miss anything?

Thank you for any help and for sticking with this long post!!!

 

[Bradsdadg]

Personally I would go with a Wed or Thurs if you can.

730 sounds like a good time to leave, are you taking a shuttle bus, car, or taxi?

When you enter IOA you walk to the right side, through Dr Seuss and up into WWoHP. I would say to go there right away in the am, seemed to get more crowded as the morning went on for us.

3 Broomsticks is CS.

CityWalk is right outside of the 2 parks, and you actually have to walk by it to get into the park to begin with.

I did see refillable mugs, but we didn't get any. So I'm not sure exactly how they work.

That's all my limited info can help you with Someone else can give you more info then me Good luck and have fun!

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Personally I would go with a Wed or Thurs if you can.

730 sounds like a good time to leave, are you taking a shuttle bus, car, or taxi?

When you enter IOA you walk to the right side, through Dr Seuss and up into WWoHP. I would say to go there right away in the am, seemed to get more crowded as the morning went on for us.

3 Broomsticks is CS.

CityWalk is right outside of the 2 parks, and you actually have to walk by it to get into the park to begin with.

I did see refillable mugs, but we didn't get any. So I'm not sure exactly how they work.

That's all my limited info can help you with Someone else can give you more info then me Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for your help. Especially the how to get to WWoHOP part!! I need to find a park map to check out!!

 

[damo]

Most of your questions are answered in the stickies at the top of the forums. Take some time to read them as I am sure they will provide you with tons more information and even more questions!!!!!

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Hi all
First thanks so much for all the details that have already been provided. Since I can not recall in which threads I have read what....I am sorry to say I am starting my own thread and asking some of the same questions only so I know where everything is! So here goes.

Details
We will be going to WDW May 17-23, staying at BWV and really have no set schedule. We are looking to spend one day at US/IoA. Our main focus will be WWoHP. We are excited to see the details and take lots of pictures during the day and night! We do plan on seeinig as much of the park as possible.

Questions -

When to go and what time to leave...
1. Which day would be best to visit during that time. I know I saw Fridays are more crowded with school trips, but the Friday we are there is the first day of Star Wars Weekends. Would that pull crowds away and be a better day to visit or should we stick with Wednesday May 18 or Thursday May 19?
It's difficult to say which day will be less busy. Just be aware that the HP area will be crowded no matter which day you go. Just get there as early as you can.

2. Would leaving BWV by 7:30am on the day we go be safe? Is that to early? Not too early.

Now that we have arrived....
3. Okay rope drop. Never having been to US/IoA, I do not know the layout of the park. I only saw the pictures last summer when news media was covering opening of WWoHP and the lines and lines and lines to get IN to that area! Where do we go once we enter the park? Is there someplace to line up and once the park opens, which is the best way to get to WWoHP?Bradsdadg is correct on this one - basically you'll be following the crowd, especially if you get there at opening.

4. We understand the preferred lineup is Ollivanders and then FJ. My husband is a little nervous about FJ as he tends to get motion sick. He said he will walk through the line with us taking pictures, etc. Would he be okay taking a non-drowsy Dramamine? I said I would try with our son (11) first and let him know how it works. Having said that I am a BIG chicken on rides. HUGE. (I still make my little aviator buckle his seatbelt on Soarin through the yellow strap even though he is tall enough). Will *I* be okay on this ride? My hubby has trouble with motion sickness and always takes a Dramamine each morning before we hit the parks. He has been fine on all the rides, except still has a little trouble with the Simpsons at the Studios. I think you'll be fine on FJ as well. You don't go upside down and you go through a combination of simulated movie clip portions and actual sets with real props. So, it's not a simulator the whole ride. Don't forget about the single rider line for FJ as well. You might want to take advantage of that later in the day when the line is longer.


5. Remembering the previous statement of motion sickness and chickenness, that will take out any big coasters and spinning simulator type rides. What are other must see attractions that one could handle? Regarding motion sickness - might want to be wary of Storm Force Accelatron and Spiderman at IOA. And Simpsons, Men in Black, and Jimmy Neutron at the Studios. But as I said before, my husband can do these without any problem. So, I guess it depends on how severe the motion sickness is. Regarding the "chickeness", I think the obvious ones would be the coasters - Dragon Challenge, Hulk at IOA and Mummy and Rip Ride Rockit at Studios. You'll have to judge those for yourself. i thimk you'll be fine on everything else.

6. What is the story with lockers? Is this just for FJ? We will have our camera and I will have a little purse and our iPhones.
No loose bags or objects of any size are allowed on the following rides: FJ and Hulk at IOA, and Mummy, Men In Black, and Rip Ride Rockit at the Studios. If you use a small fanny pack, you can keep that on for all the rides. Or at least you could as of this past October!

Now we are hungry...
7. We know we have to try the Butter Beer. We would like to have lunch at Three Broomsticks. Is that a sit down or counter service? Is there a time best to go? CS; we haven't eaten there yet, but I would say if you eat an early lunch, it should be less crowded. We find this to be true throughout the rest of the parks.

8. People have said head to City Walk for dinner - is that outside of the park? Can we get back in later? Yes, City Walk is right there! You can definitely leave and have dinner and then come back to the parks within a couple of hours at the most.

9. Are there refillable mugs? Yes, I believe we paid around $8 for ours and then refills are 79 cents. It does save money, but remember that it is something that you'll have to put in a locker for the rides mentioned above.

It's not a trip unless mom walks a gift shop...

10. We got our son a Universal Gift Card but understand they have to be "turned in" for US dollars?? Do you have to do this at the front gate of the park or can it be done in a gift shop? Ollivanders? Don't know the answer to this one. Sorry!

11. Pretty much my son will will just want HP items. Are there any shops we should visit for better selection? Shop early or shop late? If you find the shops in the HP too crowded, there is a large selection of items in the main gift shop at IOA, and the Studios as well. Both of these shops are located just past the entrances on the left. And I say shop late. You'll want to get to the HP area as quick as you can before the crowds show up.

Say Cheese....
12. We are so excited to take in the details of WWoHP. How does the FJ line work with taking pictures? Do we ride first and then get in line again for pictures? There is a separate line if you only want to tour the castle. And you can move at your own pace. But You can also take pictures in the regular line as long as your camera is small enough to be placed in your pocket during the ride. I'm pretty sure you get to see all of the main areas of the castle in the tour line. But I can't say 100% because we have not taken the tour line yet.

13. Nighttime photos of WWoHP...any tricks or tips? Have a really great camera!!! Can't help you much with this one.

I think that is it. No, I can't end with a 13.

14. Did I miss anything? Just be aware that you're going to have a great time and I think you'll find it to be a whole different experience than Disney. In a good way!!! Have fun!!!

Thank you for any help and for sticking with this long post!!!

You'll have a blast!

 

[Pembo]

We were there at the nd of March, I'll give you my Opinions. We stayed onsite so I'll answer what I can.

Details
Questions -

Now that we have arrived....
3. Rope drop Once in the park follow the signs to the right. The park is not big but goes in a circle, just follow the crowds to HP.

4. We did Ollivanders and it was cute but not worth a really long line. As for FJ I am a ride chicken but this ride is AMAZING. Just go for it, you fly in and out of virtual and real scenes. You never feel as if you're going to fall out. I'm nervous on Soarin' too but FJ was INCREDIBLE.
5. Remembering the previous statement of motion sickness and chickenness, that will take out any big coasters and spinning simulator type rides. What are other must see attractions that one could handle? I tried Spiderman, it was cool but not a fan (I don't like simulator-like stuff). My boys did MIB and loved it.

6. What is the story with lockers? Is this just for FJ? We will have our camera and I will have a little purse and our iPhones. The lockers are cool, they use fingerprint technology. That said I wore a small fanny bag with my camera on it and didn't have to use the locker.

Now we are hungry...
7. We know we have to try the Butter Beer. We would like to have lunch at Three Broomsticks. Is that a sit down or counter service? Is there a time best to go? 3B is counter, the food was good. We ate breakfast and dinner there. Also go to Honeydukes and a get a cauldron cake. You won't regret it.

8. People have said head to City Walk for dinner - is that outside of the park? Can we get back in later? [BYes it is outside the park, but close. Everything at US is a lot smaller than WDW. Yes you can get back in the park. We ate lunch at NBA City.[/B]

9. Are there refillable mugs? not sure

It's not a trip unless mom walks a gift shop...

10. We got our son a Universal Gift Card but understand they have to be "turned in" for US dollars?? Do you have to do this at the front gate of the park or can it be done in a gift shop? Ollivanders? You have to turn it in at GS in the front of the park.

11. Pretty much my son will will just want HP items. Are there any shops we should visit for better selection? Shop early or shop late? Shop often. The stores are SMALL. We found shopping at the end of the day less crowded AND you didn't have to carry the stuff around. Maybe browse in the am and buy in the pm. We came home with a butterbeer mug, a snitch, a wand, a bookmark, and candy

Say Cheese....
12. We are so excited to take in the details of WWoHP. How does the FJ line work with taking pictures? Do we ride first and then get in line again for pictures?We were snapping pics everytime we rode. But there is a separate line for the castle tour and not ride. However we loved the ride so much that we just kept riding and riding. Use the single rider line for faster waits. We did and we'd be on ride cars one after another OR even on the same one.

13. Nighttime photos of WWoHP...any tricks or tips?
No tips but I have a lot.


I think that is it. No, I can't end with a 13.

14. Did I miss anything? Yes see the Frog Choir. Ask in a shop when they perform. Their spot is just outside the FJ castle. Also if it rains, go to HP. We did and rode FJ 4 times with no wait. DD, 8 love the Flight of the Hippogriff. That's where you see Buckbeak and even if the Dragon Challenge coasters scare you, go through the queue to see the Triwizard stuff. We loved HP! It is AWESOME

Thank you for any help and for sticking with this long post!!!