Can you spend the whole day in Harry Potter?

[decoy7375]

We have been in Universal a couple of time before and my dd and I are really only interested in Harry Potter. Would it be possible to spend the whole day in only that part of the park? I know the area is small but if we really took our time, ate, didn't mind the lines, took tons of pictures and looked at everything.... or would you suggest going two mornings in a row instead?

 

[nytimez]

I haven't been there yet -- but from what I've read, if you're staying on site, two mornings in row might be better since you'd be able to take advantage of that extra hour.

 

[decoy7375]

That is the dilemma. Do we stay on site ... and then we would have early entry for two days...or just go for one day without the early entry. The kicker is we already have a place to stay so staying on site is more of a duplication...but the early entry is very intriguing.

 

[Bradsdadg]

You really can't stay in there all day. Think of Harry Potter as one land in Magic Kingdom. It just isn't big enough to justify a full day visit, to me anyway. Though since it is so popular you might have to stay there all day if you are fighting big crowds. Have a butterbeer for me, but not the choco frogs, yuck

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Depending on lines and how much you want to see, it's easy to spend 3-4 hours there. I have talked to people who spent 6 hours exploring every nook and cranny and getting their fill.

 

[Kellydelly]

It is so much smaller than I thought it would be after reading all about here before our December trip. I think if it isn't crowded, maybe 3 hrs top if you are a HP fanatic.

 

[glocon]

If you do not mind lines and crowds, and don't want to spend the extra money, go for one day. There is a lot to look at, but it is only one island in the park. Depending on when you go, it might not even be tooooo crowded. And that would leave more $$$ for souveniers..

 

[jessrose18]

we went two mornings and spent about 2-3 hours each morning....if i had one day, i would take my time and 4-5 hours for a die hard fan who just want's to soak up the atmosphere is a possibility. Plus once you step out of hp land, you keep craving one more butterbeer!

 

[IdesOmarch]

When you say we've been to universal before were you including Islands of Adventure in that? Where the new HP land is? Some people have not been since it was just the Universal park and not the other Islands of Adventure park. If that is the case, you will have a whole new theme park to check out.

 

[GinaBean]

You really can't stay in there all day. Think of Harry Potter as one land in Magic Kingdom. It just isn't big enough to justify a full day visit, to me anyway. Though since it is so popular you might have to stay there all day if you are fighting big crowds. Have a butterbeer for me, but not the choco frogs, yuck

I agree.

 

[Magpie]

Well... I suppose if you're a HUGE Harry Potter fan, you might be content to spend hours licking the bricks of Hogsmede in delirious ecstasy, but most people wouldn't find enough to do for an entire day.

Besides, the rest of Islands of Adventure is a lot of fun, too!

Me, I'd vote for two mornings. That way you'll steer clear of the worst of the crowds, get to do everything you want, and then get to come back and do it all again.

I say this as someone who stayed 6 days and went back to the Wizarding World every single day, sometimes more than once. Nonetheless, I never stayed in the actual land more than an hour or two at a time, and the bricks remain unmolested. (As far as I know - I couldn't watch my daughter every minute of every hour we were there.)

 

[fairyprincess88]

Well... I suppose if you're a HUGE Harry Potter fan, you might be content to spend hours licking the bricks of Hogsmede in delirious ecstasy, but most people wouldn't find enough to do for an entire day.

Hey now, Im a HUGE Harry Potter fan and not once did I think to lick the bricks. I did however spend many, many hours in the WWoHP, out of two days at the parks, I'd say I was in the WWoHP for over 12 hours. However, I'm not your typical "there for the attractions" fan. I spent at least 5 hours alone on shopping. I also loved just spending time in Hogsmeade. Again, though, Im not the typical fan, I'm also a Potter collector so looking through the merch took more time than your typical theme park guest.

I honestly dont think I could spend the whole day in that section though, even with being as obsessed as I am.

 

[hoverpumpkin]

Well... I suppose if you're a HUGE Harry Potter fan, you might be content to spend hours licking the bricks of Hogsmede in delirious ecstasy, but most people wouldn't find enough to do for an entire day.

Hee! Ew, though, the thought of licking ANYTHING in a theme park gives me the jibbles.

I'm a gigantic Harry Potter fan. To put this in perspective: I have a Harry Potter-related tattoo. Even I couldn't spend the whole day in just that one section, but it wasn't for lack of interest, it was because the crowds can get a little fatiguing. We spent three mornings in a row, taking advantage of the extra hour for on-site guests, then often went back to the hotel to swim or did the rest of the park before returning to the HP area before closing.

Even though it's a small area, I had a huge blast just people-watching and talking to other fans once we'd exhausted the actual attractions. Your tolerance for how much time you'll be able to spend there is definitely related to how crazed of a fan you are.

 

[fairyprincess88]

Your tolerance for how much time you'll be able to spend there is definitely related to how crazed of a fan you are.

I agree. I was perfectly content to just sit in the Owlery and soak in all in, as well as explore all the little nooks and crannies and read all the signs ect. Heck, I've already done that and I'm going back next week to do it again.

I also have a Harry Potter tattoo. I've had it for a few years now. I like to think of it as my "insane stamp".

 

[decoy7375]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

My dd and I enjoy just soaking up the atmosphere and people watching. One of my favorite times of day is the hour after the Magic Kingdom closes to just sit on Main street and watch the castle change colors while the people walk by.

That said there is something to being able to "do it all again" on the second day. I promise I will stay away from the bricks. In the end my ds would probably be happy to have the extra time on Men in Black. (yes, at least he would get a 2 day 2park pass).

Thanks again.

 

[smithsandy]

Its not possible for me to do so.

 

[nytimez]

I'm a gigantic Harry Potter fan. To put this in perspective: I have a Harry Potter-related tattoo.

I also have a Harry Potter tattoo. I've had it for a few years now. I like to think of it as my "insane stamp".

You only get points for this if it's a lightning bolt on your forehead.

 

[braddillman]

You only get points for this if it's a lightning bolt on your forehead.

What about a dark mark on my forearm?

Seriously, I was actually considering this (but only a henna tattoo, I'm against getting a permanent tattoo of any kind).

 

[horseshowmom]

That is the dilemma. Do we stay on site ... and then we would have early entry for two days...or just go for one day without the early entry. The kicker is we already have a place to stay so staying on site is more of a duplication...but the early entry is very intriguing.

Maybe I missed it, but did you mention when you are going? That would make a big difference.

We actually had a house rented for the week but got a room onsite for one night when we were there the week before Christmas. We used the two days of early entry (and they actually opened at 7 a.m. those days ).

DD is a huge Harry Potter fan, but I hadn't even read a book (had seen one movie). When we got there, I was overwhelmed by the theming. It was truly magnificent, and I loved it! The area is much too small but it excellent nonetheless.

 

[nhrenee]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

My dd and I enjoy just soaking up the atmosphere and people watching. One of my favorite times of day is the hour after the Magic Kingdom closes to just sit on Main street and watch the castle change colors while the people walk by.

That said there is something to being able to "do it all again" on the second day. I promise I will stay away from the bricks. In the end my ds would probably be happy to have the extra time on Men in Black. (yes, at least he would get a 2 day 2park pass).

Thanks again.

Lol, this is what my teen dd and I did. We would get to WWOHP when it opened, leave when we were tired of the crowds, then return around 5 pm.