Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[MaleficentandGoons]

THANKS FOR ALL THE UPDATES!!! It seems like there is no real pattern with the crowds either you'll have them or you won't. Waking up and being out at 640am is still sleeping in for us LOL so we are excited!!!

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

Thanks to all for the reports. Thanks fairyprincess88 for your offsite report. We are going in about 3 weeks and staying offsite. Trying to figure out our best plan of attack. All the updates and trip reports are so helpful!! Keep 'em comin'

 

[Tammyepolytinkfan]

My Family will be at WWoHP in about 3 weeks. We are staying offsite. We are just interested in the WWoHP mostly so hoping lines are not outragously long but looks like it is different from day to day and at different times of the day.
this thread has been super helpful.

 

[The Princess]

We are going to go next week and just hope for the best!

 

[bubba's mom]

Okay, here's a potentially stupid question. My husband walks with a limp, and I don't want him to ache because he pushed himself--even though he probably will anyway. Is it considered bad protocol for me and my boys to walk ahead and have him join us or is it just too chaotic in the morning for that? I don't want to make folks angry.

It's not a stupid question... The first day when we were held at the bridge, I did actually see a person in a go-go-buggy (what i call them) join a group ahead of us. It only makes sense that they can't keep up with the power walkers/slow joggers. (go-go-buggies just don't GO that fast) I wasn't insulted at all...and I didn't hear anyone around us be upset. (one reason is because when my BIL & his crew arrive, my party of 3 [this time 4], goes to about 11 [12] easily). You can go ahead of your DH...he can catch up.

Can't find the pic of the people in line this afternoon to enter WWoHP, but thru JP here is the masking tape...

 

[3redhedgirls]

We were there Tuesday. Got to the park at 12:00pm, there was a line beginning at Jurassic Park which was monitored by a CM who said it was an hour wait from that point. He said to return at 3pm and there would be no wait. We did that and there was no wait to enter as he said. WWOHP was crazy crowded and hot. We stayed till 9pm FJ was always an 90 min. wait. It rained a little and people still did not leave. My daughters and I had a blast, we were in Harry Potter's world after all! Did everything with the exception of Olivanders ...that was one crazy line in the blazing sun. It is amazing to me that Universal didn't plan well enough to have merchandise in abundance. There were no brooms and only a few wands available (Voldemort & Draco's & a few birthday wands).

 

[Larrabe]

It's not a stupid question... The first day when we were held at the bridge, I did actually see a person in a go-go-buggy (what i call them) join a group ahead of us. It only makes sense that they can't keep up with the power walkers/slow joggers. (go-go-buggies just don't GO that fast) I wasn't insulted at all...and I didn't hear anyone around us be upset. (one reason is because when my BIL & his crew arrive, my party of 3 [this time 4], goes to about 11 [12] easily). You can go ahead of your DH...he can catch up.

Awesome, thanks, Bubba's Mom! Go-go-buggy . . . too funny! Got to remember that one. And yep, I'm one of those folks who worry if their question is silly. Bad habit because now I feel better knowing DH doesn't have to bust butt. He can leave that to me!

Have a great one!!

 

[bubba's mom]

For those wondering...I did NOT go early today....we stayed & slept in!

However, we did go last nite after dinner....around 8pm-ish. Crowds weren't bad surprisingly (a bit more crowded than it was in the AM).

We did single riders on FJ and both coasters.

Frozen BB was out on the 'store side' of the cart, but the other side was running fine. Waited about 5 minutes or so.

Left around 10pm. (saw drink cart restocking beverages but was closed...conventioners a'comin.... )

There aren't plans for us to go tomorrow (niece has been in every store and the ride quite a few times by now)...however, there is a possibility of us going early again Sunday when BIL's crew arrives. We shall see....(in a way, I hope not because we fly home Sunday nite and our flight is MCO -> PHL and leaves here 9pm. That would be a loooooooong day :guilty ):

 

[blueiis99]

Thank you all for these report's. We are going on the 10th of August, and everyone, has so many different stories to tell. This is the hardest trip I have ever had to "plan". I'm hoping to be able to take in all the great words of wisdom, and experiances you all have given....(crossing my fingers too) while holding my breath to hope that everything goes off easier than i'm anticipating!


Again Thank YOU all!! Keep them coming!

 

[PattiPB]

Today is our last day. We have done WWoHP each EVENING for the past week. I highly recommend off-site people tour everywhere else during the day and hit HP after 5 or 6 pm. We've been following that strategy, and it's been working well. Almost every night, we head to FJ around 9:45, so the park closes while we are in line. Walking out of FJ around 10:15 - 10:40 (depending on the night) all the stores have been open, and the shopping has been pleasantly EMPTY.

Have fun, no matter which touring strategy you use. And don't forget---pumpkin juice and pumpkin fizz at the Hog's Head/3 Broomsticks is about $3.25!!!!!

 

[mm42197]

Today is our last day. We have done WWoHP each EVENING for the past week. I highly recommend off-site people tour everywhere else during the day and hit HP after 5 or 6 pm. We've been following that strategy, and it's been working well. Almost every night, we head to FJ around 9:45, so the park closes while we are in line. Walking out of FJ around 10:15 - 10:40 (depending on the night) all the stores have been open, and the shopping has been pleasantly EMPTY.

Have fun, no matter which touring strategy you use. And don't forget---pumpkin juice and pumpkin fizz at the Hog's Head/3 Broomsticks is about $3.25!!!!!

Thanks for the advice! I've been scoping out this thread for about a wk now. We are staying at Disney 8/23-8/30 but I am obsessed with HP and cant wait to do WWOHP!!!! I only have one day there though (Sat. the 29th). I'll have DH, 2 young DSs & a friend with me, so after reading your post I am thinking about doing the rest of the park first then hitting WWOHP around 5-6pm (which is opposite of my original plans). Would this work since its a Sat nt? How do I find out closing times for Aug? Also I read something about US giving out in-park tix for WWOHP? Did you experence that?

I dont want my summer to fly by but I'm SO excited its ridiculous!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

If onsite, I recommend being AT the entrance by 7am because there were an AWFUL lot of surprised people coming around the Moose Goose Juice store with looks of confusion for a VERY LONG line stretching back as far as ye can see thru Suess.

YIKES!!

And this is the line for the early entry on-site guests?????

 

[disnewbie108]

Thanks for all the updates on the crowds...I have been watching them like a hawk...

Was wondering if some one who has already been would be willing to weigh in on a scenario for me....

We will be offsite guests who are staying at WDW. We have 2 day Universal passes that are non park hop. Our first plan was to go to USFL on Thurs Aug 12th after 4 days at WDW, and see everything there. Then our last day (Fri Aug 13th) in Florida before we drive home to SC, spend our morning at IOA just touring WWOHP. Based on what you have seen with the crowds, is this plan still as good as it can be (knowing there is no way at all in avoiding any crowds)??? We cannot switch around our days at WDW and go on different days to USFL/IOA because on ....yes...I know this is crazy....ADR at WDW....I have tried to change them around but we are a party of 7 and ADR's are hard to get right now. But we could possibly switch what days we go to USFL/IOA (ex: IOA on Thurs Aug 12th, USFL Aug 13th), but I worry we will not have enough time to do everything at USFL before we leave around 2pm that day....Any thoughts, suggestions? We REALLY want to see WWoHP, but also REALLY want to ride some of the rides at USFL...

Sorry crazy post, appreciate any advice anyone may have...

 

[inkkognito]

I can't even imagine the horror of the crowds this weekend with the Infinitus conference there. This local gal is going to AK tonight instead!

 

[SeeJackRunn]

It's funny how one ride and a few stores ended up turning Universal from a relaxing theme park vacation into a burden!

 

[JPOJPO]

I can't even imagine the horror of the crowds this weekend with the Infinitus conference there. This local gal is going to AK tonight instead!

OMG. Just read about the conference after seeing this post. Staying off-site so purchased express pass for Sunday. I've never heard of this conference...how bad do you think it will be on Sunday afternoon? Looks like the conference ends Sunday morning. I sure wish I knew about this sooner.

 

[bubba's mom]

YIKES!!

And this is the line for the early entry on-site guests?????

\

THAT day...the next day they didn't even stop us there

Thanks for all the updates on the crowds...I have been watching them like a hawk...

Was wondering if some one who has already been would be willing to weigh in on a scenario for me....

We will be offsite guests who are staying at WDW. We have 2 day Universal passes that are non park hop. Our first plan was to go to USFL on Thurs Aug 12th after 4 days at WDW, and see everything there. Then our last day (Fri Aug 13th) in Florida before we drive home to SC, spend our morning at IOA just touring WWOHP. Based on what you have seen with the crowds, is this plan still as good as it can be (knowing there is no way at all in avoiding any crowds)??? We cannot switch around our days at WDW and go on different days to USFL/IOA because on ....yes...I know this is crazy....ADR at WDW....I have tried to change them around but we are a party of 7 and ADR's are hard to get right now. But we could possibly switch what days we go to USFL/IOA (ex: IOA on Thurs Aug 12th, USFL Aug 13th), but I worry we will not have enough time to do everything at USFL before we leave around 2pm that day....Any thoughts, suggestions? We REALLY want to see WWoHP, but also REALLY want to ride some of the rides at USFL...

Sorry crazy post, appreciate any advice anyone may have...

You can do everything, just be there EARLY!!!

It's funny how one ride and a few stores ended up turning Universal from a relaxing theme park vacation into a burden!

Actually, if you want to ride HRRR, need to go early to Studios too.

I agree....go early if you want to be in Harry's world...sleep in if you could care less. (unless you want to ride DC & FOTH...then you can't even get those rides )

 

[Spidered7]

I'll be there tomorrow for one day. I'm driving up from Miami and leaving the same day. It's going to be one heck of a trip, but I'm hoping we'll be able to ride FJ and drink some butterbeer. I'm not too concerned about Olivanders or FOTH.

I'll come back tomorrow night with the updates!

 

[Tink431]

YIKES!!

And this is the line for the early entry on-site guests?????

We will be at the RPR on 8/1. We've never been to IOA. How do we know what line to stand in since we are on site? I feel a little panicky about it. If I am able to get my family up that early, it surely will not be a good thing if I direct them into the wrong line. HELP!!

 

[inkkognito]

It's funny how one ride and a few stores ended up turning Universal from a relaxing theme park vacation into a burden!

Quoted for truth.