Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[mesaboy2]

Well with the fading crowds later in the day, that's all the time you will need!

You can do all the shops, FJ, the two coasters and see the couple of shows all in an hour or two with no crowds.

The only thing to be careful about is Olivanders a they do cap the line before closing.

I completely agree with all of this. I would also add that the shops remain open typically 30-45 minutes or so after park close.

The biggest unknown is how fast and how much those crowds fade late in the day on peak days.

 

[Meteora]

From my experience in July, just nevwer ev er go at opening unless you are on-site. Even if you are, I think it's much better to go after 4PM. I bet the poster above who left at 3pm would have had a muh better time if they arrived at 3pm instead.

Do you get re-entry with a Universal pass? Could one theoretically come in the morning, stay for a few hours, leave, and then come back in the evening with a one day ticket?

Also, my mom will wait in line with our family for the FJ to see the castle, but doesn't want to ride. There's a place for her to exit, correct? Can we just bring our bags through and give them to her, or do we have to put everything in lockers?

Thanks!

 

[xApril]

FJ was a posted 60 minute wait today around 4PM. Dragon Challenge was 40 minutes.

 

[mesaboy2]

Do you get re-entry with a Universal pass? Could one theoretically come in the morning, stay for a few hours, leave, and then come back in the evening with a one day ticket?

Also, my mom will wait in line with our family for the FJ to see the castle, but doesn't want to ride. There's a place for her to exit, correct? Can we just bring our bags through and give them to her, or do we have to put everything in lockers?

Thanks!

Yes you can re-enter the same park on the same day.

Yes, she can exit near the end of the line before boarding and take your bags through the line. Just tell the TMs who ask what you are doing.

 

[swissfamilyrobinson]

I noticed on the US website last night that the day we are planning to go to IOA was a green day, and the price for the EPP was $25.99. This morning, for the same day and same color (still green) the price is $31.99! YUCK!


ETA: I'm so crazy - I just noticed that that was for the 2 park epp - we're only doing IOA that day!!! Sorry!

 

[azlaura]

Crazy busy yesterday.....2hour wait for Forbidden Journey....bottle neck to get back there....waits to get into stores......not fun at all...we were so sad

 

[OrcaPotter]

I was also there on Friday and it was insane. Shortest wait was for Dragon Challenge and that was about 15-20 mins. Once I walked off, the wait jumped to 40 mins. It was just too crowded to hang around so I opted to forgo everything for the first time. US was manageable as far as crowds, though. Rip-Ride-Rocket maintained the longest wait all day and for whatever reason they closed the single riders line. So, skipped that.

Spring break is in full swing, so it's going to be a madhouse for the next month. Best to see if a middle-of-the-week visit makes any difference.

 

[cera624]

Hi All, we just got back from a great trip to Universal & IoA! thanks to all of you for all the great info I have gotten here! We were in the parks Sun. (3/6), Mon, Tues., & Thurs.(3/10) The crowds were very manageable all week. Altho, Sun. & Thurs with the threat of rain were the lightest days in the parks, being able to walk onto just about everything all day!

Loved WWoHP! DD was in heaven (11 birthday while we were there)! DH loved the butterbeer. DS (9) enjoyed it more than he anticipated too!

I did want to add what our experience was in WWoHP too - seems like it may depend on who's working the closing the shift to what you may be able to see & do after official park close time there. Both kids were in line for FJ with friends at about 5 minutes to closing time, when DH decided he needed another butterbeer. All carts lines were closed (cast member at end saying the line was closed) & the rest. was also closed already. They also had a line of cast members & security blocking off the access to the Castle & FJ at 7 on the dot. So altho our kids were in line, we could not get back to them. We waited outside not worried, knew they had to come out that way, so waited. Then we noticed they were shooing all people coming out of the FJ toward Jurassic Park side exit (not our side). After talking to a couple of security people, really asking if we needed to go around the park to the other exit to be able to get our kids back, they finally let us thru to wait for our kids -- but I think it was more because another family with a crying young one was looking for mom that was also behind the blockade! I had no idea that WWoHP would be corralled like that so quickly - so make sure you have back up meeting plans if you are not with your party at closing time in there... I did not see this anywhere else in either park.

Also, great advice about the fanny packs/hip packs. I bought one for this trip, just big enough to hold my phone, camera, & wallet - also made sure it had a sturdy 3 prong clasp - I was never asked to remove it or store it for any rides - in either park.

 

[tolemommy]

My sister and I are flying in next Friday 03/18 arriving in Orlando around 3:00 p.m. then boarding the Magic the next day for a 7 day cruise. We were thinking about heading over to TWWOHP on Friday from about 5 - closing. Do you think it will be too crowded or will we have a chance of seeing and doing anything?

Thanks bunches for you help.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Was there yesterday from around 2:30 to close. Busy, but very manageable. FJ was 60 minutes (and the line was really moving well), but after 5pm the wait was only 30 minutes. Spider Man was 35, FOTH was posted 45 but really only about 25-30. Weather was perfect..a great day! Yesterday was Sunday, reportedly the lightest day of the week, so I'm not sure I'd use my report to base the rest of the week's plans.

 

[eculmone]

We are here too Yesterday we took advantage of the early park entrance to do FJ - Thanks Metro West & Damo I had DD and DH go on first to determine if this ride was one for me DD assured me after getting off the ride that this ride is not for me.

We then went on the other roller coast Flight of the hippograff and I screamed like a girl My DD and DH laughed so hard at my sillyness. Wimpy Wimpy Wimpy - THAT'S ME

Saw the line up in the a.m. around 8:15 aprox 50-75 deep and thought 'no thank you'. As we exited FJ I was shocked at the line up. All for a Wand experience? I don't get it?

Anyhow, as you can guess Butter beer was yummy AND crowds were manegable all day.

Today US here we come. Thank you ALL

 

[christophfam]

I did want to add what our experience was in WWoHP too - seems like it may depend on who's working the closing the shift to what you may be able to see & do after official park close time there. Both kids were in line for FJ with friends at about 5 minutes to closing time, when DH decided he needed another butterbeer. All carts lines were closed (cast member at end saying the line was closed) & the rest. was also closed already. They also had a line of cast members & security blocking off the access to the Castle & FJ at 7 on the dot. So altho our kids were in line, we could not get back to them. We waited outside not worried, knew they had to come out that way, so waited. Then we noticed they were shooing all people coming out of the FJ toward Jurassic Park side exit (not our side). After talking to a couple of security people, really asking if we needed to go around the park to the other exit to be able to get our kids back, they finally let us thru to wait for our kids -- but I think it was more because another family with a crying young one was looking for mom that was also behind the blockade! I had no idea that WWoHP would be corralled like that so quickly - so make sure you have back up meeting plans if you are not with your party at closing time in there... I did not see this anywhere else in either park.

I would bet they had a private evening event scheduled that night. I've been a few times and this only happened to us once and it was because they wanted to get everyone out quickly so they could setup for the event people. We too were seperated from our party that night. One lady was trying to get back from FJ to her family waiting at the owlpost and they wouldn't let her through. She was having none of it and broke the baracade. TM was yelling after her that he was calling security. It was handled rather poorly. Not sure what they should do, but she was trying to get back to her husband and baby!

 

[tink20]

Also, great advice about the fanny packs/hip packs. I bought one for this trip, just big enough to hold my phone, camera, & wallet - also made sure it had a sturdy 3 prong clasp - I was never asked to remove it or store it for any rides - in either park.

Thanks for the helpful info. Glad you had a good time! I too, want to use a fanny pack, so I hope I can. Do you think this one would be okay?

 

[cera624]

tink 20 -- someone had mentioned they were asked about the prongs on the clasp, to make sure it had 3 (not two). I wasn't asked about it, but maybe make sure about your clasp - other than that, I think your fanny pack looks fine. Have a great trip!

 

[cera624]

I would bet they had a private evening event scheduled that night. I've been a few times and this only happened to us once and it was because they wanted to get everyone out quickly so they could setup for the event people.

thanks! Maybe that is why! We did see a couple of events being set up there for after hours (one in IoA & one in US) -- never thought about it before now. Good to know!

 

[tink20]

tink 20 -- someone had mentioned they were asked about the prongs on the clasp, to make sure it had 3 (not two). I wasn't asked about it, but maybe make sure about your clasp - other than that, I think your fanny pack looks fine. Have a great trip!

Mine has 3, so hopefully it will work!

 

[Pikester]

Just wanted to add my fanny pack pics to show what mine looked like. I wore it on all the rides I went on. I did not do Hulk, Rip Ride, Dragon Challenge or any of the water rides.

 

[Pikester]

Oh and here is me wearing it just to give you an idea of size.

 

[tink20]

Thanks Pikester. The rides I thought I might have trouble on are MIB and FJ. I might try one/or more of the coasters, but DH can hold it for me, because he won't be trying those. LOL. I don't have any cargo shorts, and can't really find any for women.

 

[damo]

Thanks Pikester. The rides I thought I might have trouble on are MIB and FJ. I might try one/or more of the coasters, but DH can hold it for me, because he won't be trying those. LOL. I don't have any cargo shorts, and can't really find any for women.

Columbia has cargo shorts for women.