Confused about HPW

[Sunshine2U]

My son/grandson are heading to Universal tomorrow without a plan (insert shocked face!) Apologies for not having time to research, I'm a Disney girl so need some help.
- They do NOT have or want tickets to HHN
- They have 3 days - from 4pm park arrival to close on Friday, all Saturday, til 3pm Sunday - staying at Hard Rock so early entry and unlimited express pass
- Main purpose is HPW, rest is a bonus

I was under wrong assumption that HPW was mostly in IOA with Hogwarts Express in Studios. Looks like I'm wrong. What should they do Friday to get best experience with Hogwarts Express, avoid HHN crowds, and POSSIBLY fit in Ollivanders so they don't have to cosplay robes, etc other days? Should these be put off until Saturday (they'd be really excited to do whatever they can on Friday).

Thanks as always - I hope the Universal crowd is as helpful as the Disney gang!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

No reasonable way to do Hogwarts Express starting at 4pm on an HHN night. Studios side will close at 5pm, train to Islands will be crazy long wait. I would not even bother entering Studios for 4-5pm, just head straight to Islands.

However, evening is a really good time to do Ollivander's with little to no wait. They probably want to do that first upon arrival because it does close well before the park does.

The Hogwarts light show plays several times each evening, about every 20min; they should avoid the first (crowded!) shows and wait until a later one. The shows continue at least until park close.

They will be able to linger in Hogsmeade well after park close, as long as people are still exiting Hagrids. This is an excellent time to do spells - likely can do them without seeing others do them first, so the effects are a surprise.

Evening is a good time for Hagrids, it's spectacular in the dark! Might be able to get in line for Hagrids an hour or so before park close, to be able to do Hagrids and still have time afterwards to do some spells.

The whole area will have the holiday decorations up. It's really a lovely time to see Hogsmeade, especially in the dark.

 

[Sunshine2U]

No reasonable way to do Hogwarts Express starting at 4pm on an HHN night. Studios side will close at 5pm, train to Islands will be crazy long wait. I would not even bother entering Studios for 4-5pm, just head straight to Islands.

However, evening is a really good time to do Ollivander's with little to no wait. They probably want to do that first upon arrival because it does close well before the park does.

The Hogwarts light show plays several times each evening, about every 20min; they should avoid the first (crowded!) shows and wait until a later one. The shows continue at least until park close.

They will be able to linger in Hogsmeade well after park close, as long as people are still exiting Hagrids. This is an excellent time to do spells - likely can do them without seeing others do them first, so the effects are a surprise.

Evening is a good time for Hagrids, it's spectacular in the dark! Might be able to get in line for Hagrids an hour or so before park close, to be able to do Hagrids and still have time afterwards to do some spells.

The whole area will have the holiday decorations up. It's really a lovely time to see Hogsmeade, especially in the dark.

Thank you!

 

[Skippyboo]

Hogwarts Express is different each way so they should ride it twice. Definitely just do IoA on Friday.

 

[zavandor]

Great tips for Hogsmead on Friday, in IOA.
For the rest of the parks, you might be used to Disney and carefully planning with G+/LL.
They have express pass, so better to meticulously follow this plan:
1) show up
2) do all attractions
3) do more attractions

 

[Sunshine2U]

Great tips for Hogsmead on Friday, in IOA.
For the rest of the parks, you might be used to Disney and carefully planning with G+/LL.
They have express pass, so better to meticulously follow this plan:
1) show up
2) do all attractions
3) do more attractions

to be fair I did know it’s simpler. Just didn’t know how HHN would impact. One time I gave everyone in our party a color-coded xls where meal res were , fast pass were , transportation and unstructured time . To this day my family throws orange time back at me whenever I try to help them with their life plans.