Fastest way to Diagon Alley?

[BeckyEsq]

For our upcoming trip, early entry is in IOA all three days. So on the day we want to go to Diagon Alley in US, what is the best strategy -- get in line early for 9 am opening at US and walk there, OR enter IOA at 8 and take Hogwarts Express when it starts running at 9? I think this will depend on how long it takes to walk to Diagon Alley from park entrance, and whether they tend to let people in early, vs. whether Hogwarts Express might not run right at 9 or might take a while. Thank you!!

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Enter UOS make the right at today show cafe, continue that road all the way to the back of the park, make the left over the bridge by Kronos and Kronos and London is just a couple hundred feet away. It’s a bit longer but you aren’t fighting crowds.

 

[g-dad66]

I think you will get to Diagon Alley fastest by entering park at 9am rather than taking the Hogwarts Express from IoA.

Question: where do you see early entry coming up for IoA?
I don't see any IoA early entry posted at https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/early-park-admission

 

[DoryGirl1963]

I see IOA has Early Entry starting Nov 1st in the app.

 

[tentaguasu]

I wasn't aware that early park admission only applied to one park at a time. Give that, what's the recommended strategy for those of us trying to do Wizarding World in one day? Is it smarter to just take early entry wherever it's offered?

 

[g-dad66]

I wasn't aware that early park admission only applied to one park at a time. Give that, what's the recommended strategy for those of us trying to do Wizarding World in one day? Is it smarter to just take early entry wherever it's offered?

Yes. Do Gringotts first if US has early entry. Do Hagrids and Forbidden Journey first if IoA has early entry.
Then take Hogwarts Express over to the other park after it opens.

 

[kbelle8995]

Here's the thing. Last time I went to an early entry, The biggest line was for Wand show. So if it's a good time to hit Gringotts first. Also if you have wands this is a good time to do spells with no waits or lines. If it's IOA hit Hagrid's first.

 

[g-dad66]

Here's the thing. Last time I went to an early entry, The biggest line was for Wand show. So if it's a good time to hit Gringotts first. Also if you have wands this is a good time to do spells with no waits or lines. If it's IOA hit Hagrid's first.

Good point about doing Ollivanders first. I didn't think about it, because we did it years ago, and it was a once-and-done for us.

 

[TommyJK]

Enter UOS make the right at today show cafe, continue that road all the way to the back of the park, make the left over the bridge by Kronos and Kronos and London is just a couple hundred feet away. It’s a bit longer but you aren’t fighting crowds.View attachment 613301

Is this route accessible during Early Entry? I had always thought they blocked off that route and funnelled everyone via the "shorter" route via NY and San Francisco.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

Is this route accessible during Early Entry? I had always thought they blocked off that route and funnelled everyone via the "shorter" route via NY and San Francisco.

I think you might be right - it works a little differently during early entry. The route provided is a good way to go, but might not e available during early entry. Overall, I think the strategy of going to UO directly rather than doing the train is a good strategy. It never works out well to take the train, we have tried handling this different ways, and just entering the park you want seems to be the better approach.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Is this route accessible during Early Entry? I had always thought they blocked off that route and funnelled everyone via the "shorter" route via NY and San Francisco.

This was the route we went last month during early entry.

 

[cschaaf]

Early Entry is easier in that you aren't given a choice. They will direct you, and everyone else, along a path. It may or may not be the fastest path, but it will be the only path.

 

[DIS_MERI]

One thought on catching the train is that it can experience technical difficulties. On the day I was going to ride the train, I got in line at 810am in US to go to IOA, with Express. At 850 they let us know there were technical difficulties and they didn't know when it would be operational. At 915am, I gave up and made the hike over to IOA the long way. At noon they were still not operational. I wasn't too upset because it wasn't my first trip, so I'd done it before, but it could definitely throw a wrench if it was a "must do."

 

[Pooh's World]

Enter UOS make the right at today show cafe, continue that road all the way to the back of the park, make the left over the bridge by Kronos and Kronos and London is just a couple hundred feet away. It’s a bit longer but you aren’t fighting crowds.View attachment 613301

Seems significantly longer.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Seems significantly longer.

Yes but less crowds. So we got there very quickly.

 

[Pooh's World]

Yes but less crowds. So we got there very quickly.

I guess if you were first in line at rope drop though it wouldn't matter so the shortest path would be best.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

I guess if you were first in line at rope drop though it wouldn't matter so the shortest path would be best.

This is true. I mean we got there and we did take pictures at the front, so that took a little bit of time, but we went the way with less people.