couple of quick questions

[AverysMommy]

so a couple of questions from a newbie..........

1. Are the crowds just this crazy right now as teh US kids havent gone back to school yet from teh CHristmas holidays? or are the crowds tourists?

2. I am starting to hear the message - no backpacks at the park as they cause a hassle. NP. I assume I am OK with a purse or fanny pack?

3. Do I need to make a dinner reseration at the 3 broomsticks or do I just walk in?

Thanks

 

[MiniLaura]

1. I definitely think that the currently crowds are made up of a lot of foreign tourists. Also a fair number of college-age kids.

2. A purse will be treated the same as a backpack--you won't be allowed to take it on the rides that say "no bags." That includes FJ. Not sure about fanny packs. Some people have said they got on with them, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone told you to put it in a locker.

3. This week (1/5 and 1/6), it looked like you could walk into Three Broomsticks at any time including when the WWOHP was "closed" and very crowded.

 

[Tink2Day]

I don't think anyone will be able to do a crowd comparison until it cycles back around. Then it will be the release of DH II and that may cause a spike in crowds again.

When we were there many of the people I met were from Florida or England.

Fanny pack, yes, purse no. I saw them make a young girl remove her cross body mini purse for Dragons and put it in a locker.

The TBS? It was just walk in when we were there and relatively empty.

There were a couple of people in line for Butterbeer at the carts so we walked into a dead empty Hog's Head (to look at it and TBS) and asked if they served Butterbeer and they practically fell over themselves to help us.

We were there at just the right time I guess, no waits for rides, food or lockers and just a short wait for D&B and a longer one for Ollivander's and about a 15-20 minute wait for the Hippogriff, mostly due to the Express people.

It got busier a bit later in the day but not really wall to wall ever. It was on a Sunday. Maybe that is the day to go?

 

[ladylinda65]

I think the busy is just still residual from HP. There were alot of British, Austrailan and Brazilian in town so they may still be here.

All bags are treated the same at the gates. I do believe that fanny packs are alllowed on rides so long as they are small and do not interfere with the lapbars and pulldowns on the rides.

Three brooms does not take reservations but can be incredibly busy when the area is busy. However, they are vwery good about moving people in and out of the restaurant. If you are just interested in the food they serve and not saying that you ate at Three Brooms then might I suggest Thunder Falls Terrace in JP for the roasted chicken and ribs or Finnegans at USF for the shepards pie.

 

[stacystuff]

I know backpacks are not allowed.

Can I wear a fanny pack around my wait and keep it on on rides ?

regular over the shoulder pocketbook?

thanks

 

[Tink2Day]

Fanny pack, yes, purse no. I saw them make a young girl remove her cross body mini purse for Dragons and put it in a locker.

Less typing quoting self.

 

[Metro West]

I know backpacks are not allowed.

Can I wear a fanny pack around my wait and keep it on on rides ?

regular over the shoulder pocketbook?

thanks

About the only thing you can wear is a fanny pack that does not impede the restraints closing. Anything over the shoulder is generally not allowed.

 

[AverysMommy]

thanks everyone

 

[stacystuff]

thanks ! fanny pack it is

 

[Tink2Day]

Just be sure you're able to move it so the harness can come down, I had to move my cell phone case off of my belt in order for it to come down completely.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

next thing you know all the parks (disney,us,ioa,sea world,etc) will just ban backpacks altogether entering in the parks.