Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[Timchat2]

We were there the end of August and everyone entered from the normal side but crowds were really, really light. Offsite people were even being let in early. So they may change it according to season.

Interesting. I didn't realize that they might let off-site guests in early depending on the crowd levels. How early should we get to the park before the posted opening time?

 

[damo]

Interesting. I didn't realize that they might let off-site guests in early depending on the crowd levels. How early should we get to the park before the posted opening time?

I would plan on being at the gates half an hour before posted opening time.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Is there any kind of "rider switch" or "child swap" for FJ? I will traveling with my DH and all 4 kids...only one of which will be too small too ride. How is the best way to accomplish riding with the least amount of wait?

 

[bryannem]

Sorry if this has been covered already, but are Mondays-Wednesdays good days to go? We will be in Orlando February 28-March 3 and are trying to figure out which days to go to WW.

Thanks!

 

[GetGlowing]

Is there any kind of "rider switch" or "child swap" for FJ? I will traveling with my DH and all 4 kids...only one of which will be too small too ride. How is the best way to accomplish riding with the least amount of wait?

Yes, they have Child Swap, and a nice little room for them to wait at the ride load/unload area with a tv showing Harry Potter movies.

Not sure if you have to use the whole standby line, or if you can do single-rider line when switching out.

 

[NZ_Jess]

Crazy as me and my friends are, we've planned to visit WWoHP on the 14th July 2011.. right in the middle of the HP Conference and right before the final movie opens.. oops, bad timing! But we are going on to do ICP at WDW on the 16th so unfortunately, thats when we are going..

I know it's going to be crazy insane
but what do you think it'll be like, in terms of wait times and such? Any advice for the best way to tackle it? Are there so many people that its hard to get into the shops and really look at stuff, or take photos?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm a total themepark newbie!!

 

[amylia403]

Crazy as me and my friends are, we've planned to visit WWoHP on the 14th July 2011.. right in the middle of the HP Conference and right before the final movie opens.. oops, bad timing! But we are going on to do ICP at WDW on the 16th so unfortunately, thats when we are going..

I know it's going to be crazy insane
but what do you think it'll be like, in terms of wait times and such? Any advice for the best way to tackle it? Are there so many people that its hard to get into the shops and really look at stuff, or take photos?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm a total themepark newbie!!

Wear comfortable shoes!...lol. Yes, it will be crazy! Just to give you an idea of the popularity...January is generally a "down" time after the new year holiday here in Orlando, but the first and second weekends the lines were 75 minutes for Forbidden Journey and people we having to get a return ticket to come into to the Harry Potter section about 2 hours after the ticket time. July is one of our busiest months, especially compaired to January
But.... having said that... How much fun to be there during the conference when you know everyone around loves Harry Potter as much as you! The lines will be very long, no doubt, but there is so much to see, and to experience besides just the rides if you are a really big Potter fan. The detail is fantastic (for example...when you go into the bathrooms, you hear Moaning Myrtle talking )

 

[Timchat2]

In the morning is it possible to "cut the corner" in Seuss Landing toward Lost Continent/Harry Potter by taking a left at Green Eggs and Ham Cafe instead of following the main path? Or is it blocked off for the initial rush?

 

[Missyrose]

In the morning is it possible to "cut the corner" in Seuss Landing toward Lost Continent/Harry Potter by taking a left at Green Eggs and Ham Cafe instead of following the main path? Or is it blocked off for the initial rush?

We were able to take the shortcut at the end of October.

 

[Turkey Lurkey]

We were at Universal last Tuesday the 25th, and hit Potterland in the afternoon that day, around 2-3pm or so. It was nice, hardly any crowds. Walked right on the Hippogriff ride and my wife basically walked right on to the Forbidden Journey ride. The only line we saw with any noticable wait was for Ollivanders. It's possible the threat of thunderstorms kept the crowds away, but it was very pleasant and managable.



TL

 

[princesswendy720]

We are going on the Dream on Sunday and just moved our flight up to Friday due to some snow forecasted for Saturday. I was thinking we would maybe rent a car for the day and go check out IoA and Harry Potter. Is this a crazy idea? The park is only open 9 to 7 so I'm hoping crowds are expected to be low. Anyone have any insight, tips, tricks, etc.? I'm usually an uber planner, and this is kind of a last minute decision!

 

[MrShiny]

That's a great idea. Even in the summer we found that the crowds in WWoHP really dies down about 3-4 until closing, and that's PLENTY of time to do the area. They do cap the line for Olivanders before closing, so do that earlier.

If you get there earlier, do the rest of IoA until about 3-4.

 

[Echo queen]

We are going on the Dream on Sunday and just moved our flight up to Friday due to some snow forecasted for Saturday. I was thinking we would maybe rent a car for the day and go check out IoA and Harry Potter. Is this a crazy idea? The park is only open 9 to 7 so I'm hoping crowds are expected to be low. Anyone have any insight, tips, tricks, etc.? I'm usually an uber planner, and this is kind of a last minute decision!

So cool your going on the Dream

 

[VisitorFromCal]

I am meeting a number of family members in Orlando in mid July (after the 4th but before the Harry Potter conference). We will be staying in WDW and taking one day to go see WWoHP. I know the crowds will be pretty bad but no choice on the timing.

At that time of year what is the best day of the week to go to WWoHP? From what I have read it seems like a lot of families arrive/depart on Sundays so it leads me to think that is the best day (crowd as small as its going to get). If anyone has any other suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LazyJane]

I was at WWoHP today (Weds Feb 2) and it was a great day with hardly any crowds. Staying off-site, so arrived at IoA around 8:30 and was first in line at one of the turnstiles for 9am opening. Most ppl slowly making their way to HP, but could definitely go thru Seuss and take shortcut by Green Eggs.

Forbidden Journey never longer than 20min queue most of the day, Ollivanders not longer than two showings. No line at all for dragon or hippogriff. No lines for shops and 3 broomsticks half empty most of the day. Thunderstorms predicted for 6pm never materialized.

If you don't get "chosen" at Ollivanders, be sure to ask the TM for a quick picture after the "show"! The actor quickly pulled out a wand for me to hold, mugged for the camera with me and even pushed a special effect as I handed back the wand!

 

[coastgirl]

If you don't get "chosen" at Ollivanders, be sure to ask the TM for a quick picture after the "show"! The actor quickly pulled out a wand for me to hold, mugged for the camera with me and even pushed a special effect as I handed back the wand!

Thanks LazyJane, that's great. We'll be there in about 10 days so hopefully the low crowds will hold for a bit. And great tip about Ollivander, the kids would love that.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I was at WWoHP today (Weds Feb 2) and it was a great day with hardly any crowds. Staying off-site, so arrived at IoA around 8:30 and was first in line at one of the turnstiles for 9am opening. Most ppl slowly making their way to HP, but could definitely go thru Seuss and take shortcut by Green Eggs.

When we were there last August, they were letting people into IOA quite early, before 8:00 a.m. The off-sites were required to loop around the "long" way to WWoHP while the early on-site guests went through Suess-land. Am I correct in thinking that now the off-site guests can enter at 9:00 a.m. and head for the Green Eggs shortcut?

 

[coastermom]

When we were there last August, they were letting people into IOA quite early, before 8:00 a.m. The off-sites were required to loop around the "long" way to WWoHP while the early on-site guests went through Suess-land. Am I correct in thinking that now the off-site guests can enter at 9:00 a.m. and head for the Green Eggs shortcut?

I am thinking it depends on the time of year and the expected crowds as to if they allow all guests to go through the Green Eggs short cut . When we were there in Aug all hotel guests got to go to the right ( GREEN EGGS ) and everyone else had to go left ( TOWARDS THE HULK ) ... I have friends going in April and I am looking forward to seeing what they say about where they have to go as we are going in Nov again . They are staying onsite as we are in Nov ! Cant wait !

 

[travelmel]

Sorry double post

 

[travelmel]

Subbing for our upcoming June 16 trip. Hadn't counted on all this hub ub! I'm glad I found this thread. We are doing nine days at wdw (first timers)...then, I was trying to figure out if we should just stay and do a "break" day at disneyquest/chill at hotel pool THEN go to WWOHP (11th day).......OR........should we do nine days wdw skip the "break" day and do two days IoA instead of one? We have 11 days total.

We are me, dh(41), dd(14), and dd(13)

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions