Escaping Snowy New England for Freezing Florida Feb 2015 Final Hours 11/17 p. 23

[pas130]

I rode Dueling Dragons (after it changed to the Harry Potter theme, but before they stopped running the two coasters at the same time). It was pretty terrifying! Ben rode this back in 2011, when he was 10 and he spent the entire ride screaming! He didn't ride it at all in 2013, but was back in the saddle for February.

I rode two or three times on the most recent trip.

There is no way I would wait in line for Hippogriff, so I am very thankful to be able to use the Express Pass here.

My Brandon (DS14) goes on it no issues, alas he does single rider since DH is a ride chicken and I will opt-out when given the chance. We went on the Hulk last visit, which I loved....BUT it was after a big breakfast and I ran off to the bathroom (first time ever that's happened ) I will make another attempt this summer LOL And the Hippogriff line doesn't even seem to move, I doubt anyone in my family would do over 30 minute wait for any ride...however, I am thinking Gringott's they may have to

 

[kimmy85]

Yes, absolutely!!!

I did that one time when the boys rode. I walked through with them, then bailed out and watched from the viewing area. I took a lot of the pictures I posted during that time waiting for them to ride.

Thanks Dee!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I do certainly understand the need to eliminate the duelling nature, but I am so glad I got to ride when it did. Still love the ride now though.
That's the other thing too about this ride. Some great vantage points of Hogsmeade on the walk in. But yowza, that queue could give Nemo a run for length.
I actually remember this having a really long wait prior to Potter. Not so much now. Contrary to Unicorn/Hippogriff.

 

[afwdwfan]

One of the funniest things I read in a trip report was a woman who tried to hold her breath through the whole Hippogriff ride. She almost made it.

Challenge accepted!

That's probably about a 20 minute-er right there!

Ok, I would have imagined that it would be considerably longer from that point. The only time I've ever ridden was right at park opening. We (leisurely) walked all the way in to the sorting hat. No wait, but still had to take some time to take in the details.

This is not an every-time ride for me. To paraphrase “The Most Interesting Man in the World”… I don’t always ride Dragon Challenge, but when I do, I am scared out of my mind!

But it's fun!!!!!

You will encounter Mr. Weasley’s crashed Ford Fairlane here, but I am still not sure why it appears here since the car does not appear prominently in the Goblet of Fire story.

I guess the middle of the woods there was the most convenient place.

At times on the ride you are upside down, and that is that part that terrifies me

No! That's the fun part!!!!!

There is limited capacity for this ride and since it is one that most family members can do and the train cars are not very long so the wait here can be bad at times.

Um... no thanks.

75 minutes for a 30 second ride? No, I just can't.

I have never been on Goofy’s Barnstormer at the Magic Kingdom, but my guess is that it is pretty comparable.

 

[SarahDisney]

I really loved seeing all of the pictures from the Dragon Challenge line ... for some reason I don't remember that line at all. I do remember that my sister was terrified on that ride and will probably never go on it again.
Also, just fyi ... the car is a Ford Anglia, not a Fairlane. And it's mentioned in passing in Goblet of Fire, even though it's not really prominentlly featured.

I love all of the pictures of the Dragon Challenge track & the pictures from the Hippogriff ride. And I really love your Deathly Hallows shirt!

 

[natebenma]

I really loved seeing all of the pictures from the Dragon Challenge line ... for some reason I don't remember that line at all. I do remember that my sister was terrified on that ride and will probably never go on it again.
Also, just fyi ... the car is a Ford Anglia, not a Fairlane. And it's mentioned in passing in Goblet of Fire, even though it's not really prominentlly featured.

I love all of the pictures of the Dragon Challenge track & the pictures from the Hippogriff ride. And I really love your Deathly Hallows shirt!

ARGH!!! Incorrect info! You are totally right. Going back to edit my original post now!

Thanks!

 

[MEK]

Nice pics Dee.

I lost one of my favorite earrings on the Dueling Dragons. Boo! I loved that ride. It was always super fun and the front row is the BEST.

As for the other coaster - Rode it once. Way too jerky and not that much fun.

I just love all the views of the Harry Potter area. I really need to get there SOON!

 

[dreamseeker9]

Great photos and descriptions! I haven't ridden the Dragon Challenge yet, but I enjoyed Flight of the Hippogriff - we rode it after riding Forbidden Journey twice, and it was a good break from all the flipping that left us a bit lightheaded!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

God I'm loving this report Dee and just now have made a decision! I'm going to take my youngest to universal to see it all when he is on midterm break in P7 ( feb 2018) which I know seems ages away but still a girl can plan!!lol. He will get a week off school then and we can add a few days to make it worth while and all his transfer tests will be done. Hubby and Connor can join us or not but this way we will stay onsite, miss horrendous crowds like we had in the summer and just enjoy it all especially those express passes! Sorry for hijacking your TR but your photos have just made me so excited for a universal trip and Matthew loves all things HP as do I so I'll just give you credit (blame depending on how you look at it and who's asking lol)!! Loving every single detail/photo and um yeah no way would I be taking photos on that upside down, legs-a-dangling coaster either even if it was encouraged!! Thank you

 

[natebenma]

My Brandon (DS14) goes on it no issues, alas he does single rider since DH is a ride chicken and I will opt-out when given the chance. We went on the Hulk last visit, which I loved....BUT it was after a big breakfast and I ran off to the bathroom (first time ever that's happened ) I will make another attempt this summer LOL And the Hippogriff line doesn't even seem to move, I doubt anyone in my family would do over 30 minute wait for any ride...however, I am thinking Gringott's they may have to

Is single rider quicker than using Express Pass? Or about the same? If you get a chance, ask Brandon where the line goes for single rider. There is rarely a long line for Dragon Challenge unless something has gone wrong.

I'm starting to feel a little queasy on some coasters- not so much that I will stop riding them, but enough so I will limit how many I do in a short period of time.

The Gringott's queue isn't too bad once you get into the bank- at least there is stuff to look at. But the real problem is the frequency that the ride goes down. Hopefully that will be corrected by the time you go.

Thanks Dee!!

You are welcome! Enjoy the line- I actually like that better than the ride, myself.

I do certainly understand the need to eliminate the duelling nature, but I am so glad I got to ride when it did. Still love the ride now though.
That's the other thing too about this ride. Some great vantage points of Hogsmeade on the walk in. But yowza, that queue could give Nemo a run for length.
I actually remember this having a really long wait prior to Potter. Not so much now. Contrary to Unicorn/Hippogriff.

I am glad I did it when it was dueling, too, although I suspect my eyes may have been closed (the sun...) so I didn't get the full experience of how close you come to the other riders.

It is a super long queue line. Like I can't imagine if people actually had to wait that whole line.

Kraaken at Sea World was like that the first time I rode. 5 minute wait time, but 15 minute walk to get to the loading area.

Challenge accepted!

You can start practicing on the Mine Train- that one's short too (although not as bad as Hippogriff!)

Ok, I would have imagined that it would be considerably longer from that point. The only time I've ever ridden was right at park opening. We (leisurely) walked all the way in to the sorting hat. No wait, but still had to take some time to take in the details.

I think I misunderstood, or answered a question you didn't ask. Getting through just the greenhouse with that many people takes about 20 minutes. It takes longer to get through the rest of the castle, but it doesn't matter because I am too distracted geeking out over all of the Harry Potter stuff.

But it's fun!!!!!

I wish someone had told me that before hand!

I guess the middle of the woods there was the most convenient place.

Yeah, but I like my fantasy obsessions to realistically follow the storylines!

No! That's the fun part!!!!!

Again, a little reminder about that before I lost my "mind" would have been helpful!

Um... no thanks.

75 minutes for a 30 second ride? No, I just can't.

Totally agree!!!

I appreciate the confirmation on the comparison between Goofy's and Hippogriff. Because until there are grandkids in the way off future, I don't see Barnstormer happening.

I really loved seeing all of the pictures from the Dragon Challenge line ... for some reason I don't remember that line at all. I do remember that my sister was terrified on that ride and will probably never go on it again.
Also, just fyi ... the car is a Ford Anglia, not a Fairlane. And it's mentioned in passing in Goblet of Fire, even though it's not really prominentlly featured.

I love all of the pictures of the Dragon Challenge track & the pictures from the Hippogriff ride. And I really love your Deathly Hallows shirt!

You walk pretty quickly through the outdoor stuff since the line doesn't extend out that far. You also miss a lot of the stuff (the Triwizard Cup and the Dragons' eggs) if you are in the express line.

I associate the car with Chamber of Secrets and then again with Prisoner of Azkaban. The OCD in me can't reconcile with it being in an attraction themed to Goblet of Fire.



The Deathly Hallows shirt was a purchase Ben made on our trip in 2013, but he never wears it. I think he doesn't like the light blue color. I actually wore two other HP themed shirts on the trip- A Red and Gold Quiddich shirt with Potter 7 on it, and a Maurader's Map shirt. But you probably won't be seeing these in pictures. I believe the were hidden under my sweatshirt for the rest of our trip.

Nice pics Dee.

I lost one of my favorite earrings on the Dueling Dragons. Boo! I loved that ride. It was always super fun and the front row is the BEST.

As for the other coaster - Rode it once. Way too jerky and not that much fun.

I just love all the views of the Harry Potter area. I really need to get there SOON!

Thank you!

Oh, no, on your earrings!!! You hear about securing items, but I didn't think you needed to worry about jewelry.

All of the Harry Potter theming is so amazing!

Great photos and descriptions! I haven't ridden the Dragon Challenge yet, but I enjoyed Flight of the Hippogriff - we rode it after riding Forbidden Journey twice, and it was a good break from all the flipping that left us a bit lightheaded!

Dragon Challenge is definitely a big kid coaster! It is funny that the tamest rollercoaster and the most intense one in the park are just feet away from each other.

God I'm loving this report Dee and just now have made a decision! I'm going to take my youngest to universal to see it all when he is on midterm break in P7 ( feb 2018) which I know seems ages away but still a girl can plan!!lol. He will get a week off school then and we can add a few days to make it worth while and all his transfer tests will be done. Hubby and Connor can join us or not but this way we will stay onsite, miss horrendous crowds like we had in the summer and just enjoy it all especially those express passes! Sorry for hijacking your TR but your photos have just made me so excited for a universal trip and Matthew loves all things HP as do I so I'll just give you credit (blame depending on how you look at it and who's asking lol)!! Loving every single detail/photo and um yeah no way would I be taking photos on that upside down, legs-a-dangling coaster either even if it was encouraged!! Thank you

I like the way you think!!!

I'm excited to hear that you are plotting out a future trip so that Matthew can experience all the Harry Potter stuff. Might as well place the blame on me- especially the onsite recommendation- pas130 already has!

 

[afwdwfan]

I think I misunderstood, or answered a question you didn't ask. Getting through just the greenhouse with that many people takes about 20 minutes. It takes longer to get through the rest of the castle, but it doesn't matter because I am too distracted geeking out over all of the Harry Potter stuff.

Yeah, I think you misunderstood what I was asking. Wondered what the wait for the ride was if it was backed up that far. And 20 minutes certainly didn't seem like enough!

I appreciate the confirmation on the comparison between Goofy's and Hippogriff. Because until there are grandkids in the way off future, I don't see Barnstormer happening.

Fun ride, but definitely not worth doing with a wait, especially with so many other better attractions around. Unless, of course, the kids just have to do it.

 

[natebenma]

Yeah, I think you misunderstood what I was asking. Wondered what the wait for the ride was if it was backed up that far. And 20 minutes certainly didn't seem like enough!

And I still didn't answer your question!!!

The total wait time for Forbidden Journey was about 35-40 minutes every morning we did early entry and that is when I took that picture.

 

[pas130]

Is single rider quicker than using Express Pass? Or about the same? If you get a chance, ask Brandon where the line goes for single rider. There is rarely a long line for Dragon Challenge unless something has gone wrong.

I'm starting to feel a little queasy on some coasters- not so much that I will stop riding them, but enough so I will limit how many I do in a short period of time.

The Gringott's queue isn't too bad once you get into the bank- at least there is stuff to look at. But the real problem is the frequency that the ride goes down. Hopefully that will be corrected by the time you go.



My wise son told me "Mom I used the Express Pass not single rider" and then gave me the "duh" look. So I guess he just does the Express Pass, but you're right I think the line is usually under 20 min. unlike the other HP rides. I hope the ride doesn't go down when we go. I was also thinking of sending DH and the other kids on first, since he can get a good feel on if it's a good ride for DS6 and his sensory issues. However my little guy loves Transformers and Spiderman, it's hard to tell what he'd like. I'm also thinking they can all do Early Entry and we can leisurely get up

I like the way you think!!!

I'm excited to hear that you are plotting out a future trip so that Matthew can experience all the Harry Potter stuff. Might as well place the blame on me- especially the onsite recommendation- pas130 already has!

Dee, you are so awesome for being the "unofficial" Hard Rock Enabler! I really need to take pics of our suite since there's not nearly enough online...like only one LOL You might end up being my DH new BFF since HRH and BC are both his first choice resorts anyway. "How come you listen to your Disney friends, and not your husband?" Who me???

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Great update fellow Gryffindork! We have not made it to the new Diagon Alley part but really enjoyed our trip to Hogwart's a couple of years ago. Most people don't realize that J K Rowling was actually in discussion with Disney first for WWoHP but Disney would not give her final creative control (anyone seen Saving Mr. Banks?) so she went to Universal where they obviously relented and the rest is history. Disney learned their lesson so when they started talking to James Cameron about Avatar, they gave him much more creative input than they have in the past with any others. Can you imagine WWoHP at Hollywood Studios?!?!? Sighhhhh

I never knew that. I did see Saving Mr. Banks haha. They'll learn. OMG I wish wwohp was at HS instead!!!

 

[irene_dsc]

Joining in late, and wish I had started before our trip! I have a ds 13 and a dd 11, so we are just getting into the teen year stuff...

Thanks for all the details!

 

[natebenma]

Dee, you are so awesome for being the "unofficial" Hard Rock Enabler! I really need to take pics of our suite since there's not nearly enough online...like only one LOL You might end up being my DH new BFF since HRH and BC are both his first choice resorts anyway. "How come you listen to your Disney friends, and not your husband?" Who me???

I love sharing my love for the Beach Club and for the Hard Rock. I'm really glad you made the switch. It is great being so close to the parks. We always listen to our friends- the advice is better!

I never knew that. I did see Saving Mr. Banks haha. They'll learn. OMG I wish wwohp was at HS instead!!!

So, I have to admit, I haven't seen Saving Mr. Banks... I'm not much of a movie goer and I don't watch many movies on tv. Especially anything sad that will make me cry. But I am an equal opportunity ignorer- I still haven't seen Titanic!!!

I do appreciate that JK Rowling stuck to her guns about how she wanted things in the Wizarding World- no gum, no soda, no named characters for meet & greets.

Joining in late, and wish I had started before our trip! I have a ds 13 and a dd 11, so we are just getting into the teen year stuff...

Thanks for all the details!

Thanks for reading along- never to late to start.

We have enjoyed trips to the theme parks with the kids at all different ages. It is a lot of fun now that they are older, more willing to try extreme rides and can be more independent.

:

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love your pictures of all the Harry Potter stuff. I'm a big HP fan, but of the books, not the movie. Universal has done an amazing job, though, of putting the Wizarding World together.

 

[pas130]

I love sharing my love for the Beach Club and for the Hard Rock. I'm really glad you made the switch. It is great being so close to the parks. We always listen to our friends- the advice is better!

I am too Dee, I was totally stalking availability at HRH CL. Even though we booked via Orbitz, I wasn't comfortable with the possibility of not getting connecting rooms (I know it's always possible). The suite is truly ideal for us, and even though I was pleased with the discounted PBH suite, I really had my heart set on HRH CL. So glad I called, as it wasn't available on the website. BC is to Epcot what HRH is to US, you're so right!! Your TR (and BC thread) rock

 

[KatMark]

Great pictures and update, Dee. I do remember the Dueling Dragons...I rode that and happy to report I am still here after having done so.

 

[natebenma]

YIKES!!! It has been forever since I have posted here, and on all of my subscriptions.

As my Beach & Yacht Club friends know, I have been spending a significant amount of time in past week or so dealing with a family situation- my dad (82) has unexpectedly decided to stop driving due to some dizzy spells he is having. I am trying to get him settled in a home-bound situation and ultimately find a different living arrangement for him. He really shouldn't be living alone for much longer. Would appreciate positive energy and prayers as he/we deal with these lifestyle changes.

Any time that I am not teaching at the farm or volunteering at the middle or high school has been spent running errands or helping my dad around the house-he lives about 30 minutes away from me. Today we signed him up for Meals on Wheels.

On the bright side- on Mothers Day I get to make FP selections for the 160 or so people going on the class trip. The big question is do I set the alarm for 2 am when I can start making the reservations or just wait until 4:30 when I normally wake up???

:

I love your pictures of all the Harry Potter stuff. I'm a big HP fan, but of the books, not the movie. Universal has done an amazing job, though, of putting the Wizarding World together.

I love both, but as is usually the case, the books are much better. The amount of detail you can get in a novel is so much more than can be included in a 2 hour movie. Universal really does make the Wizarding World come alive.

I am too Dee, I was totally stalking availability at HRH CL. Even though we booked via Orbitz, I wasn't comfortable with the possibility of not getting connecting rooms (I know it's always possible). The suite is truly ideal for us, and even though I was pleased with the discounted PBH suite, I really had my heart set on HRH CL. So glad I called, as it wasn't available on the website. BC is to Epcot what HRH is to US, you're so right!! Your TR (and BC thread) rock

Location, Location, Location! That is what we love the most about the BC, Hard Rock and the Grand Californian Hotel. All of the other wonderful things- the pools, the wonderful CMs and TMs and the décor are just bonus.

Thank you so very much for your kind words! I'm glad you are enjoying the trip report and the wonderful BC thread- it is a fun place to hang out. I just wish I had more time to get to all of these threads.

Great pictures and update, Dee. I do remember the Dueling Dragons...I rode that and happy to report I am still here after having done so.

Thank you! Congrats on your ride on DD. It is not one of my favorites! I find it to be a bit jerky compared to rides like the Hulk. And terrifying!