Crowds next Thurs 4/28??? Help me plan my day trip! ;)

[Tink0513]

Hi there!
We are headed to Universal/IOA for the day next Thursday 4/28. We are getting the 1 day/2 park hopper. There's 4 adults total. How do you think the crowds will be? I've done both parks in one day before and we were for the most part able to see everything, but that was back in 2004. With WWOHP , my understanding is that the crowd levels have been a little unpredictable. None of us are huge Harry Potter fans, so we just want to ride the "major" attractions in that land. But what are they?

Would you suggest going to IOA first at opening then head to US after?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Metro West]

Hi there!
We are headed to Universal/IOA for the day next Thursday 4/28. We are getting the 1 day/2 park hopper. There's 4 adults total. How do you think the crowds will be? I've done both parks in one day before and we were for the most part able to see everything, but that was back in 2004. With WWOHP , my understanding is that the crowd levels have been a little unpredictable. None of us are huge Harry Potter fans, so we just want to ride the "major" attractions in that land. But what are they?

Would you suggest going to IOA first at opening then head to US after?

Thanks for all of your help!

The crowds will still be pretty heavy so prepare for long lines at both parks. The attractions in WWoHP are: Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippograff and Dragon Challenge...both coasters. If you aren't big HP fans, I wouldn't rush to get in to IOA...just take your time and go to the Studios first...then head over to IOA once you've finished.

 

[callieskye]

We were just at both parks this week, IOA today, ended up buying express pass as the lines are huge, the park staff say it has been very busy for over a month, we waited in Spiderman for over an hr before buying passes or we never would have finished the park, headed to Harry Potter at 1pm & had to wait in a line to get a time ticket just to get into that portion of the park, we decided not to wait, very disappointed with that system. Did Universal a week ago with quick waits for all rides.

 

[mesaboy2]

We were just at both parks this week, IOA today, ended up buying express pass as the lines are huge, the park staff say it has been very busy for over a month, we waited in Spiderman for over an hr before buying passes or we never would have finished the park, headed to Harry Potter at 1pm & had to wait in a line to get a time ticket just to get into that portion of the park, we decided not to wait, very disappointed with that system. Did Universal a week ago with quick waits for all rides.

For whatever reason, WWoHP is a relatively small section of IoA. If the TM I talked to is to be believed, it can hold only about 9,000 people at a time. For guest safety and (relative) comfort, Universal must restrict entry somehow and the timed-entry ticket system is their solution. It is a very popular area and you went at a very popular time of year in the middle of the day....

There are several strategies on these boards that could have helped you get the most out of the experience with the least wait.

 

[Tink0513]

We were just at both parks this week, IOA today, ended up buying express pass as the lines are huge, the park staff say it has been very busy for over a month, we waited in Spiderman for over an hr before buying passes or we never would have finished the park, headed to Harry Potter at 1pm & had to wait in a line to get a time ticket just to get into that portion of the park, we decided not to wait, very disappointed with that system. Did Universal a week ago with quick waits for all rides.

WOW so you need to get a "pass" to return to WWOHP at a specific time if its at capacity. This seems like a big hassle. Would it be wise to hit WWOHP first thing in the morning, do the rest of the park, the go over to US later in the day?

 

[mesaboy2]

WOW so you need to get a "pass" to return to WWOHP at a specific time if its at capacity. This seems like a big hassle. Would it be wise to hit WWOHP first thing in the morning, do the rest of the park, the go over to US later in the day?

Either early in the morning or late in the day are the best times for WWoHP. Stay away from midday if at all possible.

 

[Tink0513]

hmmm ok so I think my "plan of attack" is to go over to US @ opening and get all the must rides done, then head over to IOA after since its open an hour later. And hit WWOHP last and hopefully crowds will have died down in that part.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[thepoohguy]

Of course I wasn't there during a peak time, but back on March 3rd, we went to IOA.

We got there 45 minutes before IOA opened and stood in line. When they opened the gates we went straight back to WWOHP for the Forbidden Journey. We waited about 20 minutes for the ride (which the wait is VERY cool as it goes through Hogwarts). We went into a few shops, ate at 3 Broomsticks, got some pumpkin juice and butterbeer, and left WWOHP.

Forbidden Journey is one of the BEST rides I've ever been on. After leaving WWOHP (because the crowd was growing and my wife is a bit claustrophobic) we walked around the rest of the park. The other rides in WWOHP are rehashes of old rides that were already there.

10 minutes for Spiderman, walked on to the Hulk. We left by about 2 PM and made our way over to DHS for Fantasmic and dinner.

I would apply the same logic to WWOHP as you would Toy Story Mania at DHS. Get there early and do it first because if you wait, you'll be waiting a LONG time.

 

[mesaboy2]

hmmm ok so I think my "plan of attack" is to go over to US @ opening and get all the must rides done, then head over to IOA after since its open an hour later. And hit WWOHP last and hopefully crowds will have died down in that part.

Thanks for all of your help!

That will probably work fine. I had great luck walking into WWoHP an hour or two before close for three days over Presidents Day weekend in February.

 

[Tink0513]

I would apply the same logic to WWOHP as you would Toy Story Mania at DHS. Get there early and do it first because if you wait, you'll be waiting a LONG time.

Thanks for the advice, Like I stated I am NOT a huge HP fanatic, I am reading the first book now to have a better understanding of everything. I just heard FJ was an amazing ride!

My mom hasn't been to US in ages and never been to IOA, so I dont wannt get stuck in WWOHP for hours, So I think we will just get there early and get FJ done with, then hit the rest of the park, then head over to US after!

All of your advice has been extremely helpful!