Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[If U Had Wings]

I was at Universal on Thursday and IOA on Friday. Universal was completely dead on Thursday. I was shocked by how slow it was. We were staying at HRH, but really didn't need the front of the line passes. Everything was walk-on, even later in the day. We were done with all major rides, and lunch by 1:30. Spent the rest of the day catching shows, and re-doing rides.

Friday at IOA was a completely different animal. It was easily the busiest any of the parks we had been to all week had been. We were talking to a woman and her daughter who had been at the Universal parks all week, and they said that Friday was much, much busier than the other days had been. I'm guessing it was due to the holiday weekend.

The Harry Potter ride had pretty much a 75 minute wait all day, the line for Olivanders was about an hour and half most of the day, and other than first thing in the morning there was a huge line for Butterbeer too. It looked like there was a group of people waiting to just get in and shop for a wand because the store was too packed to get in.

We had the front of the line passes for the rest of the park, so I don't know how long the lines were, but they seemed pretty long. I was really greatful for those passes!

 

[ducky_love]

We stopped by Saturday afternoon and thought it was the most crowded we have seen it in a while.

 

[dragn0422]

We went Tuesday Oct 5th. The line for FJ was never over 30 min. The line for Olivanders was long most of the day. We went back at the end of the day, and the line for Olivanders was really short. We waited about 15 or 20 min. All the stores were packed. It is really amazing though. My brother was there on Thursday Oct 7th. He said the line for FJ was 60 min when he was there about mid-day.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We went Tuesday Oct 5th. The line for FJ was never over 30 min. The line for Olivanders was long most of the day. We went back at the end of the day, and the line for Olivanders was really short. We waited about 15 or 20 min. All the stores were packed. It is really amazing though. My brother was there on Thursday Oct 7th. He said the line for FJ was 60 min when he was there about mid-day.

We were there on Tuesday, 10/5, as well. We stayed at Royal Pacific Resort, so we obviously hit Hogmeade ASAP. We were back & forth into that area at different times throughout the day. Once I did see the FJ wait at 80 mintues. I am so thankful for all of the advice I'd read here! I knew to do Ollivanders first. We waited through 2 shows and were the first into the 3rd show. Both of my kids were picked for the show!! Going into the park, my 9 year old son said that he wasn't buying a wand, since it was really just a stick. Welll, the wand that "chose" him was made of vine, and our last name is Vines. He quickly changed his tune and thought that wand was destined to be his!

After Ollivanders, we walked right onto FJ. I felt a little queasy afterward, so I didn't ride a second time with my family. They waited 10-15 minutes the 2nd time. I walked through & took pictures. We rode FotH and then my husband & daughter rode DC. Again, I walked through the que and took pics. We ate at The Three Broomsticks around 11:00-11:30 with no wait. The food was good and the frozen butterbeer was delicious! I wish I had one right now!

We walked around, enjoyed the window displays, shopped, and watched the two shows. Most of the shops were crowded, but manageable. Dervish & Bangs was the only one where I felt claustrophobic.

All in all, it was amazing! It felt totally surreal - like we'd fallen into the pages of the books.

 

[yankeepenny]

I was there last week, Oct 2-8. very busy in HP section. Universal Studios side was rather dead the whole week.
IOA was busy, but loads and loads of folks just walzed thru Seuss for Potter, and I never got into Dervish and Banges or Ollivanders due to lines. (I will see those shops next visit. )
FJ was nice, but a long wait.
Could not get into Three broomsticks at certain times either. Lots of pics, and food looked good too!
Just super busy. I expected it to be.
Universal did an awesome , "realistic" job on HP. I took loads of photos of the shops and their store windows.

MY stay at RPH was very nice as well.

 

[Lyndye]

I know this is probably a redundant questions...but currently you can enter WWOHP thru Seuss land correct?

 

[damo]

I know this is probably a redundant questions...but currently you can enter WWOHP thru Seuss land correct?

Yes, you can go through Suess to Lost Continent to WW.

 

[tammyroo]

We were there on Tuesday, 10/5, as well. We stayed at Royal Pacific Resort, so we obviously hit Hogmeade ASAP. We were back & forth into that area at different times throughout the day. Once I did see the FJ wait at 80 mintues. I am so thankful for all of the advice I'd read here! I knew to do Ollivanders first. We waited through 2 shows and were the first into the 3rd show. Both of my kids were picked for the show!! Going into the park, my 9 year old son said that he wasn't buying a wand, since it was really just a stick. Welll, the wand that "chose" him was made of vine, and our last name is Vines. He quickly changed his tune and thought that wand was destined to be his!

After Ollivanders, we walked right onto FJ. I felt a little queasy afterward, so I didn't ride a second time with my family. They waited 10-15 minutes the 2nd time. I walked through & took pictures. We rode FotH and then my husband & daughter rode DC. Again, I walked through the que and took pics. We ate at The Three Broomsticks around 11:00-11:30 with no wait. The food was good and the frozen butterbeer was delicious! I wish I had one right now!

We walked around, enjoyed the window displays, shopped, and watched the two shows. Most of the shops were crowded, but manageable. Dervish & Bangs was the only one where I felt claustrophobic.

All in all, it was amazing! It felt totally surreal - like we'd fallen into the pages of the books.

Just curious as to what time you got up and headed to the park and whether there was a long line to get in the park and/or WWOHP?

 

[orpheus7696]

Thanks for the info nerdboyrocktars!!!!
I kind of figured it would be different this year but still hoping for not so much
crowds. I would assume that its mostly locals though.

 

[tinashaver]

Hello our family is heading out tomorrow to wdw and going on a cruise We have decided to rent a car and head to IOA (first timers!) and It will be me DH and DD whos 3. I was wondering if you think it would be crowded Monday the 18th??? and do they offer child swapping or something like that??? thanks a bunch!

 

[ducky_love]

Tonight it was at 45 minute wait at 5:00pm

 

[Snape]

If I were giving advice, I'd tell the off site crowd to plan on buying vip passes. I know Harry Potter doesn't have them, but I bet with it's success the rest of the park is going to be really busy through the holidays. I know it's a pain to be in Disney like crowds, but I'm glad for Universal.

 

[miatamel]

Please chime in, because I'm terribly conflicted...

We get in around lunch (staying at disney) on 12/17. Thought my HP fanatic daughter should see HP while we were so darn close. We leave on a cruise 12/18 so Friday afternoon/evening is our ONLY option. Will this be worth it? Or will it be awful on a Friday afternoon before the Holidays? Is it even doable/worth it for one half day?

 

[damo]

Please chime in, because I'm terribly conflicted...

We get in around lunch (staying at disney) on 12/17. Thought my HP fanatic daughter should see HP while we were so darn close. We leave on a cruise 12/18 so Friday afternoon/evening is our ONLY option. Will this be worth it? Or will it be awful on a Friday afternoon before the Holidays? Is it even doable/worth it for one half day?

The queues will be open til 7. If you have at least 6 hours you should be able to do all of the Wizarding World if that is all that you really really want to see.

As long as you get in line for Forbidden Journey or get into the Three Broomsticks before 7, you will be allowed to stay there until you are done. The area is probably open about an hour or so after the lines close at 7. The Ollivander's line closes earlier, so make sure you inquire about that.

 

[miatamel]

The queues will be open til 7. If you have at least 6 hours you should be able to do all of the Wizarding World if that is all that you really really want to see.

As long as you get in line for Forbidden Journey or get into the Three Broomsticks before 7, you will be allowed to stay there until you are done. The area is probably open about an hour or so after the lines close at 7. The Ollivander's line closes earlier, so make sure you inquire about that.

Wow. Thanks for this info. I had no earthly idea the park closed that early.
Our plane gets in at 11, takes an hour+ on ME to resort, check in, at least 30 minutes ride to US, so it might be closer to 2. Yikes.

 

[damo]

Wow. Thanks for this info. I had no earthly idea the park closed that early.
Our plane gets in at 11, takes an hour+ on ME to resort, check in, at least 30 minutes ride to US, so it might be closer to 2. Yikes.

How about going straight to Universal and just leaving your luggage in the big lockers at the front of the park? Other than that or staying at Universal that night, I don't think you have any other options to give you more time at the park.

 

[hogwartshappy]

Arrive WED evening.
TH, F, SAT in Orlando, drive home Sunday. 1 day Epcot, 1 day Islands of Adventure. 1 day at the pool.

Crowd Calender (@ touringplans.com) says: (on a scale of 1-10)

6 on Th Nov 4
2 on F. Nov 5
4 on Sat Nov 6

Epcot specific estimates:
7.2 Thursday
3.6 Friday
3.6 Saturday

So I'm thinking Saturday Epcot.

Will Harry Potter crowd levels also be much less on FRIDAY than thursday? Does it correspond with the Disney Crowds?

Intuitively, I would think a Thursday would be much less crowded than a Friday. And it would make sense to take our "day off" between 2 days of busy amusement parks.

But if these crowd numbers actually correspond for Islands of Adventure, it seems Friday could be much less crowded than Thursday.

Looking at the specific parks, Th vs. F:
4.8 vs. 1.4. Magic Kingdom
7.2 vs. 3.6 Epcot
2.5 vs. 5.8 Animal Kingdom
5.7 vs 3.4 Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom is the only one more crowded Friday. Looks like they have extra magic evening that night?

What would you choose, Thursday or Friday? Thanks for all the crowd reports, and advice in advance everyone! Feel free to message me privately if this is too much of a thread hijack!

 

[Violet Parr]

Ihave day-of-the-week questions as well. I'm thinking of posting a poll in a separate topic on this board.

VP

Arrive WED evening.
TH, F, SAT in Orlando, drive home Sunday. 1 day Epcot, 1 day Islands of Adventure. 1 day at the pool.

Crowd Calender (@ touringplans.com) says: (on a scale of 1-10)

6 on Th Nov 4
2 on F. Nov 5
4 on Sat Nov 6

Epcot specific estimates:
7.2 Thursday
3.6 Friday
3.6 Saturday

So I'm thinking Saturday Epcot.

Will Harry Potter crowd levels also be much less on FRIDAY than thursday? Does it correspond with the Disney Crowds?

Intuitively, I would think a Thursday would be much less crowded than a Friday. And it would make sense to take our "day off" between 2 days of busy amusement parks.

But if these crowd numbers actually correspond for Islands of Adventure, it seems Friday could be much less crowded than Thursday.

Looking at the specific parks, Th vs. F:
4.8 vs. 1.4. Magic Kingdom
7.2 vs. 3.6 Epcot
2.5 vs. 5.8 Animal Kingdom
5.7 vs 3.4 Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom is the only one more crowded Friday. Looks like they have extra magic evening that night?

What would you choose, Thursday or Friday? Thanks for all the crowd reports, and advice in advance everyone! Feel free to message me privately if this is too much of a thread hijack!

 

[TDC Nala]

October 12 (Tuesday), up to 60-90 minute waits for FJ (only 20 minutes early though). Lots and lots of Brazilian tour groups. People hanging around the Harry Potter area all the time. And the park closed at 6.

Last visit was September 3, hotter but much more manageable crowds.

 

[Iott Family]

Monday, Oct 18th

HP crowds
Parked opened at 9. We arrived and waited in the herd for about 15 minutes before they let us walk back. Got back there and it was already packed. Wait times were 90 minutes for FJ, 45 minutes for FH and 5 minutes for DD. DH and both teens rode DD and then we headed out and went back to Suess Land for our youngest two. Foraged back to HP central around 4pm and waits were down to 60, 25 and 15 respectively. So we got in line and did FJ. Im not an FJ fan. Glad I did it but wont do it again. I got breathed on by a dragon full on, a spider was right in my face and the damned dementors were everywhere! I am a grown woman and I think I will have nightmares for the next week!!

Also did FH, it was good and then it was over I think that was the quickest ride in history, especially for the wait time!!!

Glad we did HP, would like to browse the shops and not have to wait in a line to enjoy butter beer so maybe next year we will do a 3 night stay on resort and get our front of the line passes and early admittance. But for now, I just dont think the whole thing was laid out with crowds in mind.

We had planned on doing Studios side today but decided to take a day off between parks and just hang out at the resort pool. And go back in to the fray tomorrow!