Harry Potter Advice

[disneydad33]

We are making our annual Disney trip in less than two weeks and will be spending 2 days in Universal for the first time. My question is what is our best strategy for Forbidden Journey. I'm planning to head there first thing. A few questions:

1. Since we can't get in an hour early like Universal resort guests, how busy should we expect it to be by the time we get back there?

2. I have heard horror stories about the locker situation there. I will have one back pack that needs to be stowed. What is the best strategy to handle that without wasting time?

3. What would be the best time for us to arrive to the park for 9 AM opening? (we already have tickets)

The date of our visit is Sunday, October 13th

Thanks!

 

[-Hope-]

We were at IOA last Monday and Wednesday (9/23 & 9/25). We had early entry but I couldn't rouse my sleepy heads and Monday we didn't make it into WWoHP until 9:45. FJ had a posted wait of 15 minutes but since the queue is so amazing it felt like 5.

Wednesday we worked our way around the park from Superhero Island and arrived at FJ at about 11:30. 20 minute posted wait though we only did the castle tour that time so not sure how long it actually was.

I should mention that we intentionally chose one of the historically slowest weeks of the year so YMMV.

 

[-Hope-]

Oh, and we didn't use the lockers but saw them clearly. Low crowds seemed to equate little to no crowds in locker areas as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

I haven't used all the lockers, but from the ones I have, my lesson is to ignore the lockers you see first and just head on back. Squeeze through the dozens of people standing around the really obvious locker kiosks and go back. There are many more kiosks, and the further back you go the fewer people there will be waiting for a kiosk to open up.

Don't have a child set the fingerprint/scan on the locker. Trust me. Use your knuckle on the touchscreen. If you must use your fingerpad, wipe your finger off to get the oils and sweat off. But really, just use your knuckle on the touchscreen.

For the rides with lockers, you can't bring anything on that's around your neck, etc. Stow lanyards under your shirt, stow cameras in your bag or in a zippered/buttoned cargo shorts pocket. Don't go through the bother of the locker only to realize you have other things that can't go on the ride!

 

[General Panic]

I do have problems every time at universal with lockers not reopening on FJ and MiB. Ive never heard of using knuckle instead of finger print , does that really work?

 

[bumbershoot]

I only use knuckles now. Yes it works. . I found myself getting very frustrated with the touchscreen when I used fingerpads to the point where I was smashing my fingers on the screen because it wasn't working. At one point we needed a TM's help and she was using her knuckle and just sped right through the touchscreen. Like magic. Way easier.

 

[damo]

I only use knuckles now. Yes it works. . I found myself getting very frustrated with the touchscreen when I used fingerpads to the point where I was smashing my fingers on the screen because it wasn't working. At one point we needed a TM's help and she was using her knuckle and just sped right through the touchscreen. Like magic. Way easier.

Don't you still need to give the initial fingerprint though?

 

[Mouse Fanatic]

It has been a about a year since I have been to Harry Potter world but in my experience get back there first thing in the morning or the hour before the park closes.

 

[bumbershoot]

Don't you still need to give the initial fingerprint though?

Oh yes. I'm just talking about navigating through the touchscreen.

I have two finger-related, locker-related, rules.

Don't let a kid set the fingerprint. (if you do, just grab a TM on your way back because you stand a strong chance of needing their help to open the locker)

Use your knuckle (instead of the pointy part of your finger) for the touchscreen.

 

[damo]

Oh yes. I'm just talking about navigating through the touchscreen.

I have two finger-related, locker-related, rules.

Don't let a kid set the fingerprint. (if you do, just grab a TM on your way back because you stand a strong chance of needing their help to open the locker)

Use your knuckle (instead of the pointy part of your finger) for the touchscreen.

That's what I figured you meant but I thought that some of the other readers were thinking you could use your knuckles for the entire thing.

 

[disneydad33]

Thanks for the great locker advice. Anyone know if IoA allows early entry (for non-resort guests)? Is there much value in being there an hour before opening as opposed to 30 minutes?

My dates are not super busy according to Touring Plans but not light either due to Columbus Day weekend. Rated 5 out of 10 for overall busyness.

 

[damo]

Thanks for the great locker advice. Anyone know if IoA allows early entry (for non-resort guests)? Is there much value in being there an hour before opening as opposed to 30 minutes?

My dates are not super busy according to Touring Plans but not light either due to Columbus Day weekend. Rated 5 out of 10 for overall busyness.

No, you have to be a resort guest or have booked a package through www.universalorlando.com to get early admission. You probably will get let in about 15 minutes before the posted opening time, though.

 

[KeroKero]

Try to be there soon as the gate opens for non Universal Hotel guests. The line for FJ can be crazy - the locker situation there is even worse. It's dark and crowded and hard to see. Try to keep your stuff as condensed as possible so you only have to use one locker.

The queue through the castle is amazing! It's an experience in itself, so once you're there early you won't mind being in the line.

 

[bumbershoot]

That's what I figured you meant but I thought that some of the other readers were thinking you could use your knuckles for the entire thing.

Thanks for helping me clarify! I thought I was being clear, but then again I'm a little loopy b/c apparently I have a cold. (4 days away from the TOT 10 miler...fabulous) So I might not have been as clear as my murky mind thought I was.

 

[disneydad33]

Thanks all for the help and great advice

 

[Eureka]

We had early entry and still the entire process going through the castle and on the ride took 40 minutes. If you have already seen the inside, consider the single rider line. We did that the second day when we didn't get there right at 8 but closer t 8:45 and got n the ride in 15 minutes. But this was not a holiday weekend, it was the middle f August when crowds were lower.