Castle tour?

[ChiTownGirl]

I saw in another thread that there is a castle tour but it's really just an express pass line. It also said that you don't see everything as this line stops before you get to the sorting hat... Is that information correct? Is it worth it to stand in the regular line to see more of the castle, if we don't plan to actually ride or do they move you so quickly through the line that it doesn't matter? We are going on Sunday May 22, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!!

 

[mesaboy2]

It is an Express pass line that is used pretty rarely and in special circumstances.

When it is not used as express--about 99% of the time--it is known as the castle tour queue. The only major portion of the main queue you miss is the greenhouse, which is not particularly interesting IMO. As the other poster mentioned, the castle tour queue ends before the Sorting Hat, but I bet if you ask a TM nicely they'll let you get close to it so you can snap a pic or hear it talk.

There are many reports of people in the main queue who thought it moved too fast through the interesting parts of the queue. With castle tour, you take as long as you want. Be sure to check the other threads for how to find the entrance to castle tour. Do it either before or after single rider and together they will usually save you a lot of time vice the main queue.

 

[Tink2Day]

It is an Express pass line that is used pretty rarely and in special circumstances.

When it is not used as express--about 99% of the time--it is known as the castle tour queue. The only major portion of the main queue you miss is the greenhouse, which is not particularly interesting IMO. As the other poster mentioned, the castle tour queue ends before the Sorting Hat, but I bet if you ask a TM nicely they'll let you get close to it so you can snap a pic or hear it talk.

There are many reports of people in the main queue who thought it moved too fast through the interesting parts of the queue. With castle tour, you take as long as you want. Be sure to check the other threads for how to find the entrance to castle tour. Do it either before or after single rider and together they will usually save you a lot of time vice the main queue.

I'll bet you change your tune when the Mandrakes find out what you said. Wear your ear muffs next trip.

I did the Single rider line, then the regular queue, then the single rider line x 2 or 3 (in a row) so was a little bit dizzy by then, but I know I only had my camera out and taking pictures on the castle tour and I have a picture of the sorting hat....

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I loved the castle tour.

If the lines for FJ are super long then doing a combination of Single Rider line and Castle Tour line makes a world of difference. The only thing you miss, like a PP said, is the green houses and they are not worth standing in line for an hour; especially since they move you along too fast in the areas you really want to see and keep you in the boring areas forever.

When I went in November the wait time for FJ was 75 minutes but using the Single Rider line I got through in 10 minutes.

With the Castle tour I was able to take my time and get pictures and video without anyone pushing me forward. Once you get to the end of the castle tour, just let the TM know you want to see the sorting hat and they will let you go over and take pictures.

 

[ChiTownGirl]

Thanks for the responses!! I'm so excited for my trip!! I like to plan things so I would be sooo nervous if I hadn't found this site!

 

[wtfFlag180]

For a long queue, you really do move quickly. They load the ride very fast. I didn't even get to stop and look at the dungeons at the first part of the queue since we went in the offseason and the line didn't halt until you reached the end of the greenhouses. Sadly we didn't know about the castle tour until we got back from IoA. It's definitely the best way to get a good look at the queue.

 

[JaneSparrow]

Is there a fee for castle tour? How much?

 

[damo]

Is there a fee for castle tour? How much?

No fee. It is just part of an attraction.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Is there a fee for castle tour? How much?

Like damo said, there is no cost to go on the Castle Tour.

It isn't a guided tour or anything; the TM just puts you in a different queue line than the one you would get into if you were going to ride FJ. In this queue line you are able to explore the different rooms in the castle at your own pace and without anyone pushing to get on the ride. Since you're not riding FJ you can also take in your cameras and get pictures and video.

 

[dtum]

Does anyone have pictures to post? I'm really looking forward to this as, due to motion sickness, I won't be riding and have been made the designated bag holder. If kids see the pictures they may want to do the tour after the ride

 

[undertheseas]

Can I take the baby in the stroller throught the castle tour?

 

[damo]

Does anyone have pictures to post? I'm really looking forward to this as, due to motion sickness, I won't be riding and have been made the designated bag holder. If kids see the pictures they may want to do the tour after the ride

There are tons of pictures posted here in the forum -- but you'll have to search for them. Most indoor pictures are taken inside Hogwarts or Ollivanders. The castle tour and the regular queue see most of the same stuff. The regular queue gets to see a bit more.

 

[mesaboy2]

Can I take the baby in the stroller throught the castle tour?

I honestly don't know--I tend to doubt it though as there are a set of stairs that go up in the very beginning of the castle tour into the alternate portrait room.

 

[Tink2Day]

Does anyone have pictures to post? I'm really looking forward to this as, due to motion sickness, I won't be riding and have been made the designated bag holder. If kids see the pictures they may want to do the tour after the ride

If you want to see the inside of the castle in one thread check out this trip report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671408

It's a picture only tour and has a lot of the inside of Hogwarts. Beautiful pictures. Tell your kids it's like actually being in the movie. There are videos with H, R& H and Dumbledore. You can stand there and absorb it as long as you want in the Castle Tour.

 

[dtum]

If you want to see the inside of the castle in one thread check out this trip report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671408

It's a picture only tour and has a lot of the inside of Hogwarts. Beautiful pictures. Tell your kids it's like actually being in the movie. There are videos with H, R& H and Dumbledore. You can stand there and absorb it as long as you want in the Castle Tour.

That's great. Thanks

 

[Berlioz70]

To clear the confusion, single rider does go by the sorting hat, just the castle tour does not. But as others have mentioned, it sounds like the TMs will let you go over to take pictures.

The only other thing you'll miss (that both the Castle Tour and Single Ride skip) are the beads, house scoring system. I've always done Single Rider or Castle Tour, but just one time I ventured to the full line and was pleasantly surprised to see them!