Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[JenM]

Some people don't follow the entire directions. You have to make sure that you don't just close the locker, you have to actually lock it and you should check to make sure it is locked. I recall one of the TM's talking about that on here.

We did. In fact, we checked a few times. I remember watching him checking it after he closed it and then checking it again to be sure. It was definitely closed and locked before we left it.

Again, I'm sure they're safe 99.9% of the time, but even if the FJ locker situation wasn't crazy, I wouldn't leave anything in there after that whole experience.

 

[TDC Nala]

Been checking this and would like to mention that I won't use the lockers. Once I was assigned a locker at the Mummy and it already had someone's stuff in it. I know of other instances of this happening.

 

[crazed'boutmaryP]

did you end up riding the ride? Is it rough? My mom isn't in the best heath so that is why I am asking. I will get my 7 year old on it but I am worried about my mom. Also, if mom does not go on it does she miss all the cool things to see? She is a big HP fan so I want her to see as much as she can.

Also, scooters.....do you recommend leaving them outside the stores? and if so where? is there a place for them since HPWW seems so small.

Thanks in advance,
Kelly Daniel

I did not ride, as I am prone to motion sickness-got so sick on Rock N Roller years ago that I had to return to hotel. DH said there is a lot of changing realistic movement, he even felt a bit queasy. Kids were fine of course.

Your mom can still go through the line with you and see all of the castle up to the ride.

Re scooters-there really is no room in the stores. At Ollivander's I left our stroller right at the entrance behind the ropes. I guess you could leave it outside the stores or by Three Broomsticks where people leave their strollers.

 

[disneysteve]

I did not ride, as I am prone to motion sickness-got so sick on Rock N Roller years ago that I had to return to hotel. DH said there is a lot of changing realistic movement, he even felt a bit queasy.

My wife, who is not prone to motion sickness, got nauseated on FJ and spent most of the ride with her eyes closed. She will not ride it again. My daughter found some of the effects too intense (spiders, dementors, etc.) and will not ride it again. I was okay and would ride it again but I wouldn't wait long for it. We only rode one time during our visit. I checked back a couple of times because I wanted to do it a second time but there was always either a long line or it was out of commission.

 

[spima3]

My wife, who is not prone to motion sickness, got nauseated on FJ and spent most of the ride with her eyes closed.

For all those who have gotten nauseated, did you take motion sickness pills before hand? Did they help?

We are driving to VA, then taking the autotrain. We take motion sickness pills both times, and don't have any issues, so I'm wondering if it will help w/ FJ, or not.

 

[jwcollin]

Here right now, our first day was yesterday. We are staying offsite, and didn't make it to IOA until 9:30am. 30 minute wait for FJ(without bags), ride was very cool with a lot of amazing technology. I have to admit though, I closed my eyes for the spiders and dementors... very creepy

Once we got off the ride, Ollivanders was lined up and even to get into the wand shop was a short line.

However, the rest of both of the parks were crazy quiet! 5 minute waits for Jurrasic, Mummy, popeye's. Hulk, Rip-Ride, and other popular rides were at most 30 minutes and that was at 3:00pm. We left at 4 and we managed to ride all the rides we wanted to.

Probably the crowds will pick up today and Saturday, but I can't imagine it will be crazy!

 

[fuzzylemon]

We spent the day at Universal yesterday. We arrived at 8:45, bought our park-to-park tickets and headed into IoA. Went straight to WWoHP, the line for FJ was posted at 30 minutes, but I really don't think we spent that long in line. We went through the long line, as it was our first time, but then went right back on through the single rider line. We then walked to the Three Broomsticks, (btw - lineup for Olivanders was about 30min) checked the time, and it was 9:38! The lineup for TB was long, so we went to explore the rest of IoA, and US. Everything was super quick - we didn't wait more than 15 minutes all day, but we also did single rider lines whenever we could. We went back to IoA around 4pm - crowd levels seemed to be the same as they were in the morning. We went to Three Broomsticks for dinner, there was no wait whatsoever, but it started to get busy as we finished. We got in line for Olivanders - it took us 30 min to get through, and they only did 1 wand fitting (IMO - not worth it unless you're the one that gets picked). There was even a line to get in Dervish and Banges on the other side. We went and rode FJ another 3 times using the single rider line (all told we rode FJ 5 times yesterday).

Probably my best piece of advice to conquering this park is to avoid having bags with you. We kept everything in our cargo pockets and just walked on everywhere. Take turns and split up to go on the single riders line. One person will have to wait with your stuff, but it will still be much quicker.

Oh, and definitely try the Butterbeer!

 

[carps09]

We went to WWOHP yesterday. It was our 3rd trip since it opened and it was significantly less crowded than we have experienced so far. In fact, we thought both parks were less crowded overall- we rode the Mummy 2x, Spiderman 2x, Hulk 2x, FJ 2x, and Dragon Challenge 3x - and all of these were riding it back to back. On our last trip, some of the effects in FJ weren't working properly (the Whomping Willow and the faces/dementors) but on this trip everything was working fine. However, I still can't believe that with the diminished crowds there is still a 45 minute wait for Ollivander's though!

 

[fabmic]

My wife, who is not prone to motion sickness, got nauseated on FJ and spent most of the ride with her eyes closed. She will not ride it again. My daughter found some of the effects too intense (spiders, dementors, etc.) and will not ride it again. I was okay and would ride it again but I wouldn't wait long for it. We only rode one time during our visit. I checked back a couple of times because I wanted to do it a second time but there was always either a long line or it was out of commission.

Now I am sure I am not going to ride when we go. I want to walk through the castle and taste a butter beer. DH will ride and drink the rest of the butter beer.

 

[brenda1966]

For those afraid of motion sickness, I wonder if taking a bonine will help (or non-drowsy dramamine -- same ingredient). I used those the last time I went on a boat ride and they really do not seem to have any side effects. DD took one too. I got sea sick decades ago so always worry whenever boats are involved.

Glad to hear lines are down!

 

[damo]

For those afraid of motion sickness, I wonder if taking a bonine will help (or non-drowsy dramamine -- same ingredient). I used those the last time I went on a boat ride and they really do not seem to have any side effects. DD took one too. I got sea sick decades ago so always worry whenever boats are involved.

Glad to hear lines are down!

Yes, non-drowsy dramamine helps a lot. That's exactly what I use.

 

[DOMMM]

Last week I rode FJ four time in two days. I took something for motion sickeness all times. The first time I rode I sat in the end sit and did not feel well after the ride. the other times I rode i sat in middle seats and felt fine.
Try the middle seats.

 

[TheTrickyTwister]

This is a great thread with so much information. The information has left me with a wizard of a headache! Could someone give me a quick catch up?

We are staying on Disney property and want to visit TWWOHP, the two days we have planned for Universal are Thursday 7th October and Sunday 10th October.

What would be the best day to visit Mr. Potters land and what time should we arrive? As we are not staying in a Universal hotel.

And lastly what would you say is the best order to approach the rides in that land?

Thank you for any help, I'm so looking forward to seeing the detail and creativity of that land.

 

[Deb in IA]

Jeesh, sounds as if the lines are still long. I thought by this time things would have quieted a bit.

Professor Snape,

As former Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Headmaster, don't you get Front of the Line privileges?

(sorry, I couldn't resist!)

 

[mdb78]

Snape Snape Severus Snape.

I could watch that all day..

 

[GetGlowing]

Snape Snape Severus Snape.

I could watch that all day..

Meee toooo! DH cringes when I break out in song. It's even worse when my DBF (best friend) is with me. We even get the cats into the act.

And now back to your regularly scheduled discussion of TWWoHP!

 

[mdb78]

Meee toooo! DH cringes when I break out in song. It's even worse when my DBF (best friend) is with me. We even get the cats into the act.

And now back to your regularly scheduled discussion of TWWoHP!

Side tracking again! I got my dd into it. She even does that part "harry potter harry potter harry potter ugh" lol

Okay, back to the regular discussion.

Tricky Twister, many people recommend to get in line for Ollivander's first if you really want to watch the show. Since they usually let in groups of people at a time (I think it's 20), the line builds up. If Ollivander's isn't a big deal, then hit FJ first.

Oh, and from others that have reported back, it seems that Sunday is less crowded. Although HHN is going on that weekend, so I'm not sure how that will affect the park on Sunday.

 

[disneysteve]

Tricky Twister, many people recommend to get in line for Ollivander's first if you really want to watch the show.

We did 2 days in the park. The first day, we did FJ first. The 2nd day, we did Olivander's first. That worked perfectly. By the time we got into Olivander's, which wasn't long, there was already a long line behind us and by the time we came out of the shops, the wait for Olivander's was huge.

 

[brenda1966]

We did 2 days in the park. The first day, we did FJ first. The 2nd day, we did Olivander's first. That worked perfectly. By the time we got into Olivander's, which wasn't long, there was already a long line behind us and by the time we came out of the shops, the wait for Olivander's was huge.

This is going to be our strategy. Hit one first one morning (FJ on the first morning) and then the other the second morning. Will do FJ the first morning incase it's down for some reason, then we can switch to Olivanders.

 

[kjdaniel66]

I thought it was very jerky and kind of rough, but everyone's perception on this could be different. What you could do, is have all of you walk through the castle on your first time through so that you can all experience it together. Then your mom could exit while you and the others ride. If you think it is not too much, she could ride using single rider which never had a long wait the times that we went. Or, you could ride single rider (DH and the boys walked on via single rider yesterday at 9 am) and then see who should ride and then everyone could walk through the castle together whether they are riding or not.

Thanks so much. We are still debating her going. She really wants to so I think she will end up going. I will definitely try having her at least walk through the castle with us. I don't want her to miss the cool stuff.
Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

Kelly