Going for the first time with kids. Suggestions please!

[ranthony]

We've booked a room on site the night of 3/19 to get FOTL access for 2 days. We plan on checking in early in the morning in order to benefit from early entry into WWoHP. I plan on sending my 9 yo with DH straight to FJ while I take my twin 5 yo to do something else. Perhaps FOTH? Will that be running for early entry?

All 3 kids are coaster/ride lovers but I want either DH or myself to preview FJ before sending the 5 yo on it. They are not as familiar with HP...should they even ride it at all?

Would we be better off going to Olivanders while we wait for DH and DS? Does FOTH offer FOTL?

TIA

 

[Love Tink]

I was there last month, early access, with my boys of 10, 7 and 4. I actually recommend that you do Ollivanders first. The show wasn't special enough for the mid-day wait, but it was cute and it also gets you into the actual wand shop and attached clothing store. If you want to be able to look at wands with any kind of time/space, that first hour is the time to do it. My kids had to open every box and handle just about every wand before they each chose one - something they never could have done after the regular park opening.

We did Ollivanders first, wandered around and took some photos of the mostly-empty Hogsmeade, and headed up to FJ about 45 minutes into early opening. It was still basically walk-on at that point. I don't think it backs up as quickly as Ollivanders.

IMO, you should bring the 5 year olds through the castle, even if they might not ride. The castle itself is fun to see and full of cool stuff. Also, the rider switch area is really convenient and they have a Harry Potter movie playing while you wait.

Also, if you do the rider switch, your nine year old can hop back on with whoever waited, and get two rides back to back.

FOTH does offer front of the line access. So does the Dragon coaster. (The only one that doesn't is FJ.) So those can wait until after Ollivanders and FJ...and maybe a couple of shops as well.

 

[damo]

FotH does have express. The only ride in WW that doesn't is FJ.

 

[ranthony]

I actually recommend that you do Ollivanders first

Are you saying you think all of us should go there first even before DH and DS 9 go to FJ?

I understand that the show dumps you into the store to buy wands. My 9 yo would probably want one but is there anything else in there for the twins? Also, what would we do with the wands if we purchased them? Will they keep them for us until later in the day when we are ready to leave?

 

[christophfam]

Are you saying you think all of us should go there first even before DH and DS 9 go to FJ?

I understand that the show dumps you into the store to buy wands. My 9 yo would probably want one but is there anything else in there for the twins? Also, what would we do with the wands if we purchased them? Will they keep them for us until later in the day when we are ready to leave?

Love Tink offered you very good advice. Yes, you should do Olivander's first with the whole family. Think like Dumbo, go early or don't go at all. It will be way too busy and backed up later in the day. Everyone in your group should enjoy it. If you purchase wands, you can have them sent back to the resort or to the front of the park for pickup later in the day. There are a number of HP things to look at in the store and I'm sure your twins will stay occupied if they aren't interested in the wands. Although after the little show, they may well be. Hit FJ after Olivanders and do take the whole family. The castle itself is a sight! Use the child swap and if the first to go think the twins would like it then you're already there.

 

[ranthony]

We'll head to Ollivander's first and then FJ. Thanks everyone.

 

[Love Tink]

Sounds like your questions were answered, but just to add - we bought a bunch of wands (Christmas gifts) and had them all sent to the front of the park for pick up at the end of the day. It was very easy and cost nothing. We just had to stop by the pick up area (located right near the park exit) and show our claim stub as we left.

Once we saw the lines outside the stores later in the day, we were really glad we had gone to the shops first. Not only do you have to wait just to get in, but once you get in you are crammed like sardines.

My husband thought I was crazy, and kept trying to get our group up to FJ, but I told him I had done my dis research and I knew what I was talking about.

 

[ranthony]

My husband thought I was crazy, and kept trying to get our group up to FJ, but I told him I had done my dis research and I knew what I was talking about.

My DH used to doubt my WDW research but now he knows better.

 

[cheshireqt]

My DH used to doubt my WDW research but now he knows better.

Ditto!

 

[Metro West]

We'll head to Ollivander's first and then FJ. Thanks everyone.

 

[Momw/aplan]

Are you saying you think all of us should go there first even before DH and DS 9 go to FJ?

I understand that the show dumps you into the store to buy wands. My 9 yo would probably want one but is there anything else in there for the twins? Also, what would we do with the wands if we purchased them? Will they keep them for us until later in the day when we are ready to leave?

We had our wands sent to the front of the park for later pickup--could have had them sent to the room but we knew the kids would want them in their hands the second we got back to the room and didn't want them to possibly have to wait until later in the evening.

The Monster Book of Monsters is in a small cage in the indoor area between the Owl Post (which is where they "dump" you following the show) and the small gift shop behind the Owl Post. (Dervish and Bangs I believe?) TMBoM sniffs and growls and even occasionally snaps at you. Lots of fun! And could maybe keep the twins occupied while your 9 year old shops for a wand (or pays for the one that chose him if he gets lucky)!

My memory is already fading, but it seems like there were a few toy type items for sale in the shop as well. I know there were several varieties of plush owls that you could buy in the Owl Shop. Or if the twins didn't want to wait around inside, one of you could take them out into the covered area outside the Owl Post. There are benches to sit on and several animatronic owls roosting in the rafters to watch. We spent a good amount of time there during one particularly heavy downpour and it wasn't a bad place to be. We even spent the time filling out postcards we'd bought in the Owl Post (along with HP postage), and then we took them back into the Owl Post to drop them in the mailbox to have them mailed.

While the whole Owl Post area is tiny and often packed (and yes you do get dumped in there with the hopes you will buy something) ($$$$) it is still a really great area that's worth seeing as long as you go into it with a fun attitude.

I would definitely hit Olivander's first before FJ if you're going to have any interest in doing Olivander's at all. SO cute, but the wait can be crazy if you don't get it out of the way right off. And the wait for FJ is at least inside the castle (mostly), but the line for Olivander's is just outside along the building. If I had to choose a place to wait it would be the castle.

 

[ranthony]

Ooooh, that book sounds really cool! We're getting so excited! I love HP as much as DS 9 so I'm looking forward to seeing all those details.

 

[nezy]

we will be going in Feb but are NOT staying at an on property US hotel. If we are going in after the pre-opening time does the plan to go to Ollivander's first still stand?

Also, this is my first US/IOA experince. I have no idea and need a gameplan-not just for HP but for everything. We gog to WDW twice a yr and this is my first time venturing away from WDW. Needless to say I am excited to try something new, however I am so used to knowing exactly where when and why I am going someplace in WDW -I need a little idea of what to do at Universal.

We have 2 days-doing 1 full day at each park and staying at Old Key West on Dis property.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Planogirl]

We have been staying offsite but did not try Ollivanders. I would imagine that going there might still be wise with you heading over to Forbidden Journey immediately afterward. We saw such long slow lines outside of Ollivanders but we were there in August which I hope is much busier than February!

In our case, we got to the park before opening. They let us in early just to line up outside of WWoHP. We went in right at park opening and we headed straight into FJ. We had no bags so we didn't have to deal with lockers. The walk through the castle was almost too fast but then the ride broke down while we were in the outside portion again. I've heard that the ride is less prone to breakdowns now.

 

[nezy]

You said you had no bags, can you wear a small one around your waist on FJ or NONE at all. If so, I will make sure I don't have one so we can go right to the HP area.

How much time should we give ourselves to get from the lot to the entrance of the park?

 

[Planogirl]

It probaby took us about 20-25 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the entrance (a lot depends on where they park you) and then another 20 minutes or so to where we lined up. We used the moving sidewalk thingies through Citywalk to keep from getting worn out.

I don't know about the waist pouches. I've heard some say that they've worn them and some not. I like to wear cargo shorts with pockets that button to keep all of my stuff.

 

[nezy]

Cargo pants sound good to me!

Now what is the faste route to get to the park from the pkimg garages? Do I make a right or lrft onto citiwalk?

 

[Planogirl]

Cargo pants sound good to me!

Now what is the faste route to get to the park from the pkimg garages? Do I make a right or lrft onto citiwalk?

Follow the signs into Citywalk and then picture the parks and Citywalk as a "V" (or maybe a "Y") with Citywalk being at the bottom. Head straight thru Citywalk until you can't go forward any more and turn left towards a tall minaret type tower. If you turn right you'll arrive at the Studios.

These maps might be helpful: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/universalstudiosflorida/587_maps.html

 

[hibricc]

we will be going in Feb but are NOT staying at an on property US hotel. If we are going in after the pre-opening time does the plan to go to Ollivander's first still stand?

Also, this is my first US/IOA experince. I have no idea and need a gameplan-not just for HP but for everything. We gog to WDW twice a yr and this is my first time venturing away from WDW. Needless to say I am excited to try something new, however I am so used to knowing exactly where when and why I am going someplace in WDW -I need a little idea of what to do at Universal.

We have 2 days-doing 1 full day at each park and staying at Old Key West on Dis property.

Thanks for any advice!

We commuted from WDW for two days in early January, and yes, go to Ollivander's first thing. There will still likely be a sizable line (since all the UO hotel guests will have gotten in before you), but it will be a lot shorter than if you wait until after riding FJ. And as others have noted, the FJ queue feels quicker because there's so much to see inside.

And the shortcut at Green Eggs and Ham really does work, but you have to be quick because it only saves you just enough time to arrive at HP about five seconds ahead of everyone else.

Oh, and since you're a WDW regular who's never been to Universal... As an offsite guest, get ready to feel like a second class citizen at UO. We found that there are few things more irritating than standing at the entrance rope (or in a standby ride line) and watching hundreds of hotel guests breeze past you - many of whom will actually pause to laughingly take pictures of the 'regular' guests waiting to be admitted! END-RANT.

 

[Planogirl]

Oh, and since you're a WDW regular who's never been to Universal... As an offsite guest, get ready to feel like a second class citizen at UO. We found that there are few things more irritating than standing at the entrance rope (or in a standby ride line) and watching hundreds of hotel guests breeze past you - many of whom will actually pause to laughingly take pictures of the 'regular' guests waiting to be admitted! END-RANT.

I've never noticed that but I tend to be oblivious. How rude!

I always feel a little like a second class citizen at WDW when I'm offsite but I think that's just in my own head.