Express pass for Potter? Early access strategy?

[ckelly14]

Last time I was at Universal Florida was in Feb 2017. At that time, the Potter rides were not on Express Pass. It seems like they are now?

One of the benefits of onsite early access was to ride the Potter rides. Any suggestion on what to do during early access this time around? I will be there Dec 6-9th.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

We were there Feb 2018. Had early morning access, but no express passes. We did both HP parks first thing in the morning. Only had 20 minute waits for all three rides. We then went back in the afternoon and had a 1.5-2 hour wait for FJ and 30-45 minute wait for Hippogriff!

 

[TommyJK]

It's a good time to get wands and do spells if that is something you're planning on doing. Most people queue up for the rides right away at early entry so the spell casting spots will be much less busy than any other time during the day.

 

[TommyJK]

It's also a good time to do the rides but go through the full line instead of using your Express Pass. This way you get to experience the entire queue (like through Hogwarts or through Gringotts) with a smaller wait. Then use the Express pass later in the day when it's busy to skip the majority of the line and you wouldn't have missed anything int he queue since you already went through it during Early Entry time.

 

[gotomu212]

Our family sleeps in now that HP rides have EP. We feel like EE is way more crowded now with the new hotels and since those folks don’t get EP they take advantage of EE and the area gets busier faster.

Until they start opening more rides with EE I don’t think it’s as beneficial for EP hotels. Full disclaimer we don’t go atnthe insane Christmas-NYE time frame or spring break. That might change how we approached it.

 

[nkereina]

I agree with PP - we also sleep in now that the HP rides have EE. There's now 3 resorts (and counting) that offer EE, but don't offer EP, so I imagine most guests there take advantage of EE.

 

[skylock]

Another sleep late lover, but this time we will have kids so will probably go early so they can do the wands.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I have a related question. If we have express pass and early access (through the hotel) which is better to do first thing in the morning, rides or shops? I am traveling with someone who does not do well in tight spaces so crowded stores may be a problem. I have heard that the Harry Potter shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade fill up pretty quickly. I have also heard that the shops are less crowded 1-2 hours before the park closes. Can anyone confirm if this is accurate and which straegy makes more sense? Rides right when we get in and shopping towards the end, or shopping first.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[skylock]

I would do the shops with early entry.

You can have your purchases sent to the front gate or to your hotel.

You will have express pass, so you can do the rides later.

With express pass we never stay in the parks till close so I don't know about the theory that the shops get less crowded, it makes sense that they would, but I would still do it during early entry.

Most of the people with early entry but not express pass will be heading for the rides first thing.

 

[schumigirl]

I have a related question. If we have express pass and early access (through the hotel) which is better to do first thing in the morning, rides or shops? I am traveling with someone who does not do well in tight spaces so crowded stores may be a problem. I have heard that the Harry Potter shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade fill up pretty quickly. I have also heard that the shops are less crowded 1-2 hours before the park closes. Can anyone confirm if this is accurate and which straegy makes more sense? Rides right when we get in and shopping towards the end, or shopping first.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

I’d absolutely do the stores later in the day........

Night time in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley is beautiful.......and usually crowds do ease off dramatically in the evening in our experience anyway.

 

[gotomu212]

I’d absolutely do the stores later in the day........

Night time in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley is beautiful.......and usually crowds do ease off dramatically in the evening in our experience anyway.

Agreed. We love getting ice cream and sitting on the steps next to Gringotts in the evening. You have a whole view of Diagon Alley and it’s so calm. That’s also a great time to do the spells.