Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[nmartin]

I'm here now 7/22 @7:25 and exhausted back in my room at the HRH. We started this morning by waiting at the gate 7am. They let us in the main gate sometime around 7:40 and we walked straight back and into the Harry Potter area. While waiting at the main gate we saw them escort a large group (100) into the park about 7:15. I asked and was told this group was with Virgin tours and had special privileges because they were a captive audience (I don't know what that means). They also brought a horticulture tour group through around 7:30. Tip about entering-when walking in from the Seuss side make sure you take the left hand shortcut behind the carousel. This will get you their much quicker. We rode FJ twice (yea, I barely fit but they pushed hard and let me go, I didn't see anyone turned away.) After this the line for Olivander's was already very long. Too long for me to wait. I hung around and people watched while the rest of the family rode DC a couple of times. Enjoyed a frozen Butterbeer. It tastes like frozen butterscotch and was very good. Buy this in Hogshead Tavern with no line instead of from the outside stand. The shopping was very crowded and the store clerk told me they had sold out of a lot of things. The best bet is the candy store because it is easier to restock food items. It looked like they let the non hotel guests in at 8:45. The first sign of this was the appearance of one of the dreaded South American tour groups. We left the area soon after and spent the rest of the day in other park areas. I didn't notice anyone selling the express tickets but I saw lots of people using them so they must have been for sale.

Great info thanks!

 

[wilma-bride]

I know this is the crowd report thread but I really don't want ot start a new thread just for one little question. Is it worth doing Ollivanders at all if you don't have kids, it will just be DH and I?

 

[Purseval]

You wait in the Ollivanders line for 45 minutes to an hour then they let about 20 people in. Some guy (Ollivander?) picks a member of the audience, asks a few questions then describes a wand. He hands the wand over and asks the person to point it and say a spell word. Something bad happens. He asks a few more questions then picks out a different wand. Again he describes it, hands it over and the repeat the process. Something bad happens again. Finally they get it right. The entire process takes a couple of minutes, the effects are cheesy and it's only worth the wait for the one person picked out. I'd give it a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Even the HP fans we took with us thought it was lame and not worth the wait. 2 out of those 3 points I gave it are for the detailing in the shop, as far as theming goes it has the same rich details as the rest of WWOHP.

The wands are $30.84 with tax. Once you get one, hold it and wave it around a few times I can see the novelty wearing off pretty fast. If you want one without the show there is also a back entrance to Ollivanders but, at times, the line for that was almost as long as the show line.

 

[wilma-bride]

You wait in the Ollivanders line for 45 minutes to an hour then they let about 20 people in. Some guy picks a member of the audience, asks a few questions then describes a wand. He hands the wand over and asks the person to point it and say a spell word. Somehing bad happens. He asks a few more questions then picks out a different wand. Again he describes it, hands it over and the repeat the process. Something bad happens again. Finally they get it right. The entire process takes a couple of minutes, the effects are cheesy and it's only worth the wait for the one person picked out. I'd give it a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Even the HP fans we took with us thought it was lame and not worth the wait.

The wands are $30.84 with tax. Once you get one, hold it and wave it around a few times I can see the novelty wearing off pretty fast. If you want one without the show there is also a back entrance to Ollivanders but, at times, the line for that was almost as long as the show line.

Thank you, my DD does want a wand - it is on the loooooooooonnnnnnng list of HP stuff she has asked us to bring back for her. However, if I can get her one without having to sit (or stand) through a cheesy show and if it really isn't worth seeing, I think I might try that option.

 

[diberry]

You can see it on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9h7W5C_I4M&feature=related - there are tons of them. I think if I had a child with me I'd do it just in case they were the chosen child but not otherwise (but that's just a personal opinion).

Edit - what I meant was that, having seen it on youtube, I feel like I've done it and am happy to skip the line!

 

[damo]

I know this is the crowd report thread but I really don't want ot start a new thread just for one little question. Is it worth doing Ollivanders at all if you don't have kids, it will just be DH and I?

As huge hp fans we really enjoyed it because it is so authentic. However I wouldn't wait in line very long for it.

 

[asta]

Olivander's is on the left as you enter from Dr Seuss/Mythos area. On the left first you see Hogwarts Express, Dragon Challenge entrance and then the Owlery. Olivander's entrance is at the far end of the building connected to the Owlery and the line forms at this end in an area before you get to the Flight of the Hippograph.

I need to edit my post. Olivanders is on the right. In fact everthing in my post that talked about 'left' should have been right. That's what I get for posting late at night.

 

[bubba's mom]

Oh BTW does anyone know if there is a thread just of WWoHP pics?

haven't seen one....just general pix

I did see a couple of medium sized groups last May during our trips. Each time they were practically running to the next attraction (I guess they are on a tight schedule). I wasnt sure if there was something different about these groups.

THAT is what got us the day we went to the Studios around 8:50am to ride HRRR. A group was ahead of us and literally running to the ride If you got one of them in front of you..forget it!

The only negative I saw towards the groups was that they would all lay their backpacks on a bench and leave them. There would probably be 50 backpacks covering benches and you couldn't use them.

I would have absolutely NO problem moving some aside/putting some on the ground. Benches are there to sit on...not hold backpacks.

This is the line to Olivanders at 8:10 AM on July 15th (before the general public is let in). We made it into the 2nd group the first day and the 1st group the second day. Best thing to do is go there first then to FJ.

See the bald man in white shirt, blue shorts, beard & flipflops? The corner of that building is a 30 minute wait. And look how much further the line is past him! Which...when we were there, was typical

Of course it will probably be pouring on us the whole time with lovely Bonnie hanging around below Fl, but maybe it will cool things down a little.

I don't think you should have that close of a hit. It's staying more south over Miami.... Clouds and some rain...but not downpours.... Good luck and take ponchos!!

...I have noticed this year is that a lot of the visitors seem to be British.

I noticed that too!

 

[mjohnson96]

Originally Posted by asta
...I have noticed this year is that a lot of the visitors seem to be British.

This was actually one of the best parts of our stay, DH thought that with the British accents around it make the experience more real. Plus you couldn't help be excited when you have other people just really happy to be there too!

 

[diberry]

I'd be happy to accept any offers to come over indefinitely and add my British accent to the general atmosphere if anyone would care to fund my stay (Think there may be several thousand other Brits who'd join in!!!)

 

[Purseval]

This is school vacation time in England, also a holiday period that used to be known as factory week. There would be masses of Brits here HP or no HP. They are easy to spot without hearing them, just look for the folks with the pasty complexions Back in England one of the signs that lets your neighbors know you've been on holiday is coming back with a tan.

 

[wilma-bride]

This is school vacation time in England, also a holiday period that used to be known as factory week. There would be masses of Brits here HP or no HP. They are easy to spot without hearing them, just look for the folks with the pasty complexions Back in England one of the signs that lets your neighbors know you've been on holiday is coming back with a tan.

Haha, you're right on the 'tan' bit. We always joke that my DD looks healthy when she has been in the sun - she goes from blue to white

Technically, a lot of the UK schools only 'break up' for the summer today though (some finished last Friday) but I believe the Scottish/Irish schools finish in late June/early July.

 

[Purseval]

The public schools finish now but the private schools usually break up earlier. My wife was born in Cheltenham and taught school in Bury St. Edmunds. One of her daughters teaches in Worthing now.

 

[mm42197]

I'd be happy to accept any offers to come over indefinitely and add my British accent to the general atmosphere if anyone would care to fund my stay (Think there may be several thousand other Brits who'd join in!!!)

you literally made me laugh out loud!! Wish I could help you out there

 

[wilma-bride]

The public schools finish now but the private schools usually break up earlier. My wife was born in Cheltenham and taught school in Bury St. Edmunds. One of her daughters teaches in Worthing now.

Oh, well there you go - this poor Brit knows nothing about private schools

 

[mm42197]

haven't seen one....just general pix

thx just getting super excited seeing ppl post their pics on here

THAT is what got us the day we went to the Studios around 8:50am to ride HRRR. A group was ahead of us and literally running to the ride If you got one of them in front of you..forget it!

I know THAT happened to us a bunch of times

I would have absolutely NO problem moving some aside/putting some on the ground. Benches are there to sit on...not hold backpacks.

me either!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Do the partner hotels of Universal get early access also?

Yes. I don't think the 3 onsite hotels could even hold as many people as were in there for early admission. Maybe they could but not everyone in the hotels goes to Harry Potter first thing in the morning.

They do? I've not heard this before. Which partner hotels get early access?


Edited: Whoops, nevermind. I found it. The people who purchased Universal Vacations Packages get early access too, along with the onsite guests.

 

[CaptHomer]

You can check Universal's website and book a package. It will give you a list of hotels (not just onsite.)

http://www.universalorlando.com/Florida_Vacation_Packages/nf/partnerhotels.aspx?ComponentId=12202&SourcePageId=10638#7

 

[spima3]

You can check Universal's website and book a package. It will give you a list of hotels (not just onsite.)

Question for the experts here. Like everyone else I am watching the crowd reports fanatically, as we are booked for Sept, and can't change the date.

I was thinking of getting a room at Royal Pacific for one night just to get the early access, because WWoHP is the ONLY reason we are going to IOA, and I want to be able to enjoy it without huge crowds.

However, I read somewhere else that the early entry is only given during certain busy times. As the hours for Sept are 9 to 6 pm, slower season ?, does that mean no early entry? I don't care about FOL for the other areas.

 

[nmartin]

I'm here now 7/22 @7:25 and exhausted back in my room at the HRH. We started this morning by waiting at the gate 7am. They let us in the main gate sometime around 7:40 and we walked straight back and into the Harry Potter area. While waiting at the main gate we saw them escort a large group (100) into the park about 7:15. I asked and was told this group was with Virgin tours and had special privileges because they were a captive audience (I don't know what that means). They also brought a horticulture tour group through around 7:30. Tip about entering-when walking in from the Seuss side make sure you take the left hand shortcut behind the carousel. This will get you their much quicker. We rode FJ twice (yea, I barely fit but they pushed hard and let me go, I didn't see anyone turned away.) After this the line for Olivander's was already very long. Too long for me to wait. I hung around and people watched while the rest of the family rode DC a couple of times. Enjoyed a frozen Butterbeer. It tastes like frozen butterscotch and was very good. Buy this in Hogshead Tavern with no line instead of from the outside stand. The shopping was very crowded and the store clerk told me they had sold out of a lot of things. The best bet is the candy store because it is easier to restock food items. It looked like they let the non hotel guests in at 8:45. The first sign of this was the appearance of one of the dreaded South American tour groups. We left the area soon after and spent the rest of the day in other park areas. I didn't notice anyone selling the express tickets but I saw lots of people using them so they must have been for sale.

I am looking at a map printed before WWOHP and I am trying to picture the short cut that you suggested. Do you mean go Left after the Caro-Seuss-el by "Green Eggs and Ham Cafe"? This is a very good tip and I want to be perfectly clear which way to turn to bypass some of the crowd?