Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[jerrp]

Just returned from 4 day stay at HRH. Rode FJ three times during our stay. If staying in site, I would strongly recommend going early. They were letting on-site guests in as early as 7:00 AM. No wait for FJ when we got there that time both Thurday and Friday morning. In fact, after finishing WWOHP we got to go over to Hulk and Spiderman which were also open early for hotel guests and finished everything we wanted to do by 9:00AM! In contrast, we went over after arrival Wednesday afternoon around 2:00PM and it was a 90 minute wait. Also, on Friday, we went back after 10:00AM to try to buy candy at Hogsmeade and we were turned away and told we wouldn't be able to get back in until the afternoon, even to shop! I wouldn't even try to do WWOHP between 10:00AM and 2:00PM.Tip: Chocolate frogs and other popular Potter merchandise are sold at the Universal store at the entrance to IOA.

 

[Mom2PrincessK]

When staying onsite, do they let you know at the resort what time they are letting people in the next day? I would hate to get there at 6:30-7:00 only to find out they are actually opening at 8:00. But I don't want to get there at 8 to find out it's already crowded and backed up.

We are going July 11-14.

 

[floridaminnie]

We went this evening around 6pm and walked right into WWoHP. Our wait for FJ was 30 minutes even though the wait time stated was 60 minutes. We had about a 10 minute wait for dinner at The Three Broomsticks where we also had our frozen Butterbeer.

 

[MadeToLove]

When staying onsite, do they let you know at the resort what time they are letting people in the next day? I would hate to get there at 6:30-7:00 only to find out they are actually opening at 8:00. But I don't want to get there at 8 to find out it's already crowded and backed up.

We are going July 11-14.

No, the TMs at the hotels know nothing. I asked. They hear rumors from guests, but are not given any confirmed info but "8am early entry" and 7:30 boats. But the reason they've been opening the gates early, according to a TM at the gates I talked to, is because they are trying to avoid bottlenecking and stampedes at 8:00, so they were letting people into IOA at 7:00 then, depending on when they were ready, letting hotel guests lined up into WWoHP between 7:30ish and 8:00.

I suspect, in busy July, they will continue with this early, early entry plan since it seems to be working for them.

 

[ckay87]

Hey, we are just back from IOA and managed to fairly easily see and do everything we wanted in WWOHP. Now that I'm not there anymore, I'll let you know what we did to avoid lots of long lines and waiting for the land and it did NOT involve any early rising. We have teenagers and just knew it wasn't going to happen .

During the day there was, in fact, a ridiculous line just to get into the land. But both nights we took a trip back after dinner and found no line to get in after 8:30pm (maybe earlier, that's just when we arrived). We did 2 spins on FJ - once waiting 50 min (sign said 90) and once we did the single rider line for considerably less (failed to time it.)

Hang out til closing time...the shops stay open even later and you can just walk in. We picked up frozen butterbeer with no wait in 3 Broomsticks; non-frozen with no wait from some chick carrying it on a cafeteria tray! -seriously! Walked right in to Honeydukes which was not possible prior to about 9:45 pm.

So for you night-owls, there is hope! It's a nice and less-crowded hangout after dark.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

No, the TMs at the hotels know nothing. I asked. They hear rumors from guests, but are not given any confirmed info but "8am early entry" and 7:30 boats. But the reason they've been opening the gates early, according to a TM at the gates I talked to, is because they are trying to avoid bottlenecking and stampedes at 8:00, so they were letting people into IOA at 7:00 then, depending on when they were ready, letting hotel guests lined up into WWoHP between 7:30ish and 8:00.

We're there now & that's exactly what we've found.

 

[bubba's mom]

....the reason they've been opening the gates early, according to a TM at the gates I talked to, is because they are trying to avoid bottlenecking and stampedes at 8:00, so they were letting people into IOA at 7:00 then, depending on when they were ready, letting hotel guests lined up into WWoHP between 7:30ish and 8:00.

I suspect, in busy July, they will continue with this early, early entry plan since it seems to be working for them.

good to know...thanx

Hang out til closing time...

So for you night-owls, there is hope! It's a nice and less-crowded hangout after dark.

works for this night-owl family
thanx!

 

[scanne]

We will be spending 3 park days at Universal/IOA. Two of the three, I think we will do IOA. We're going to go for the early bird plan on the first morning because we have a 9:30am breakfast at the Three Broomsticks. The 2nd day we're going to Universal. The third day, we'll go back to IOA (as of now) but we're going to leave it up to our kids. We don't have hoppers, and we are planning on using FOTL access where we can and spending a lot of time relaxing at the pool in the afternoon.

I love the updates on this thread - they're very helpful in our planning!

 

[texaslover]

I wanted to post because we had a great experience and found it extremely easy to see everything at the WWOHP.

We stayed onsite at the Royal Pacific so were able to walk into the park one morning at about 7:30 and walk straight onto the ride. We walked through the castle and on. Anyone that stays onsite should be able to do the same with the extra morning hour.

The line at 9:00 was to Toon Lagoon and there was an employee on a bullhorn telling people it was a 2-3 hour wait from there but there should be no line after 5 if they wanted to come back. No one was listening, they were determined to stay in line! On that same day we walked right into WWOHP at around 4 and were able to see everything again and get into the shops and pub with a very short 5 minute line. We even got a table at the pub and had Hogshead beer! At that point Ollivander's was around 40 min wait and FJ was about 45-60 min. At the end of each day the line for FJ was down to 30 or so.

It was very manageable and there is no reason to wait for hours!!!!

ETA: The other rides in both parks had very short wait times - between 5 and 15 min for most even without Express. Kids rode RRR and only waited 30 or so.

The only bad news was that my DH was not able to ride because of his height and weight. He is 6'4 and between 240-250. He has a long torso and a gut that sticks out about 5 to 6 inches and couldn't get a 3rd click. I do think he could have if he had them push it because he passed the check at the entrance but he is stubborn and wouldn't ask.

If you have any questions please post, we had a wonderful vacay!

 

[polynor]

In line now for ollivanders. Staying at the beach club so no special perks. Got to garage at 630 and 6th in line in general public entrance. Let us in at 850 was on fj in30 min. Agree with previous poster to do ollivanders first then fj. Line for fj is much nicer and cooler. Ollivanders is outside in the sun.

 

[knieriem]

My husband and I went yesterday. We got there about noon. We walked right into the land and went straight to FJ. We rode it first as single riders since it was a walk on. The regular line was saying 75 minutes. Then we did DD or I guess it's DC now and FOTH. Both were under 10 minutes. After that we went back to FJ and the line said 45 minutes so we went through Hogwarts. We were constantly moving and made it through in about 35.

I was surprised and how short the lines were for everything. We waited 15 minutes for Butterbeer.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

I'm glad to read the lines are getting better. We have a trip planned for the end of July, I was expecting typical summer crowds and understand a new attraction is always busier, but we were beginning to regret our decision if it didn't improve somewhat.

 

[JCJRSmith]

We went last week (6/22 and 6/26). On Tuesday we arrived at IoA at about 9 a.m. and the line for WWHP went all the way around the lake to Seuss Island. We decided that we were not going to get in and by the time we left the park around 2 pm the TM's were telling folks the wait was 3-4 hours. Keep in mind that that is the wait just to be let into that area of the park - after that you still have to wait in the queues for the rides and shops.

We went back on Friday morning and arrived at the park at 8 and we had about a 20 minute wait to get into WWHP. Now, my wife and I are both overweight - we're not Pooh-sized or any of the other cutesy names people have for it - we're obese. If you are over 250 pounds, fahgeddaboudit!!! Good luck fitting in the seats for the Harry Potter ride. My kids (18 and 12) and my niece (16) and nephew (21) rode it and declared it an amazing ride. So, that right there is incentive to lose the pounds

The themeing of Hogsmeade with Hogwarts overlooking it is simply amazing. Outstanding job on the part of the Universal engineers. The wait times for the roller coasters (big and little) were about 5 minutes, and for the Harry Potter Experience it was about 30 minutes. The lines for the shops were unbelieveable - it was taking people longer to get into Olivander's than it was to get on the main ride itself.

Butterbeer was pretty tasty as was the pumpkin juice. Spoiler alert -highlight the next few lines if you want to find out more about butterbeer:

Butterbeer is cream soda with a buttery-tasting foam on top

We will check it out again next time we visit and SWMBO and I are starting our weight loss quest as soon as we can.

 

[scanne]

JCJRSmith,

Thanks for the "spoiler" about Butterbeer! I'm so looking forward to tasting it and it sounds like it is heavenly!!!

 

[cdoles]

We went last week (6/22 and 6/26). On Tuesday we arrived at IoA at about 9 a.m. and the line for WWHP went all the way around the lake to Seuss Island. We decided that we were not going to get in and by the time we left the park around 2 pm the TM's were telling folks the wait was 3-4 hours. Keep in mind that that is the wait just to be let into that area of the park - after that you still have to wait in the queues for the rides and shops.

We went back on Friday morning and arrived at the park at 8 and we had about a 20 minute wait to get into WWHP. Now, my wife and I are both overweight - we're not Pooh-sized or any of the other cutesy names people have for it - we're obese. If you are over 250 pounds, fahgeddaboudit!!! Good luck fitting in the seats for the Harry Potter ride. My kids (18 and 12) and my niece (16) and nephew (21) rode it and declared it an amazing ride. So, that right there is incentive to lose the pounds

The themeing of Hogsmeade with Hogwarts overlooking it is simply amazing. Outstanding job on the part of the Universal engineers. The wait times for the roller coasters (big and little) were about 5 minutes, and for the Harry Potter Experience it was about 30 minutes. The lines for the shops were unbelieveable - it was taking people longer to get into Olivander's than it was to get on the main ride itself.

Butterbeer was pretty tasty as was the pumpkin juice. Spoiler alert -highlight the next few lines if you want to find out more about butterbeer:

Butterbeer is cream soda with a buttery-tasting foam on top

We will check it out again next time we visit and SWMBO and I are starting our weight loss quest as soon as we can.

now, i don't mean to be rude, but just so you know in other threads there are people claiming to be larger than that and are being able to ride.
so, i wouldn't take your word for it. it's all about body type, not weight...
so if you are overweight and reading this, don't just assume you won't fit, try it out for yourself, you never know.

 

[Albytaps]

If you are over 250 pounds, fahgeddaboudit!!! Good luck fitting in the seats for the Harry Potter ride.

I'm hoping to prove you wrong. As a matter of fact, as the above poster already mentioned, others have posted that they have ridden at 270lbs.

 

[hopemax]

Back from our 3rd and last day at Universal. This was "Harry Potter Day," we spent from opening - 3PM and all we did was be in WWoHP and a stop at a couple gift shops.

We arrived at the turnstyle around 7:50, walked back to the line for WWoHP. We were in the alley on the right side of the Discovery Center building. At 8:50 they let us into the land, and we proceeded to the Ollivanders line. We were midway through the queue that is just to the side of the building, not the extended queue that runs in front of the Tome shop and under the arch. From our position it was a 40 min wait, so double that if the queue is stretched out. At that time of day, the buildings blocked the sun, so it wasn't all that uncomfortable. They are out of Harry and Voldemort wands, one of the Ollivander exclusive wood wands, but I don't which one. My wood was elder, and even with the skull on it, I decided to get it. My DH will think it's neat.

Now, here's the one problem I have...we bought a wand, which doesn't fit in the locker. They don't have Package Pickup in WWoHP; they said take it to a shop in Lost Continent. If you go into Lost Continent, you CAN'T get back into WWoHP without going the long way around and waiting in line. My Mom did get a nice TM who told her to show him her pickup slip, and he would let her back in, but the security guards kept looking at her, and she felt uncomfortable. But if you want to ride rides after you purchase a wand, what do they expect you to do?

After we made our purchases, I went to get Butterbeer from the Hogs Head since I had read that it was shorter than the cart. But my experience, the line was long, but by the time we paid the line WAS short, so we just had bad timing. Continuing our bad timing, we arrived at the Pep Rally just as it was finishing, and I wanted to see both the Choir and the Rally. So we went down to Honeydukes and got in without a line @ 10:30. I didn't see any toffee this time, or the Pepper Imps, so I don't know if they were sold out of them already. We saw the 11 AM Choir, 11:30 Rally and then got in the Forbidden Journey line.

Posted wait time was 90 min. There was about a 10-15 min wait just to get to the locker area, because they were controlling access. Actual wait time for the ride past that point was about 50 min. The ride stopped for about 5 min when we were by the Quidditch screen. When we exited the ride, there was a line backing up into the unload area because people couldn't get into the locker area.

Next we decided to check into getting lunch. The line at 3B's was back to the bathroom, so we were going to skip it, but my Dad decided he would wait in the line while my Mom and I rode Dragon Challenge and see how far the line had moved when we got back. It was moving well, so we decided to wait. I'm guessing it was about an hour for my Dad, 40 min for us. Our first visit we all had fish & chips, this time we had ribs, chicken and the pasties. I think all of them were better than the fish. I was completely satisfied with the ribs, chicken (really moist, not dry like a lot of theme park chicken), potatoes and corn.

After lunch, we went back to Honeydukes to get some Peppermint Toads, a bottle of pumkin juice to take back home for DH and another cauldron cake. This time there was a short line. And that was it. Sure it was hot, and crowded and lots of long lines, but I'm really glad that we went to check things out.

One last report, don't forget to look up at the top of the Owlery, above the clock, every quarter hour.

 

[phamton]

I'm hoping to prove you wrong. As a matter of fact, as the above poster already mentioned, others have posted that they have ridden at 270lbs.

Yes, my husband is 270 or 275 lbs. and 6'1" with a pretty big belly (size 44" slack's waist) and he was able to ride.

 

[schnerk]

Yes, my husband is 270 or 275 lbs. and 6'1" with a pretty big belly (size 44" slack's waist) and he was able to ride.

First and foremost, I wanted to second this. I am also 6'1" and @270 and I was able to ride. Personally, I would say that the walk through the castle is worth the wait, so if you look at it like that, the ride is a bonus. Give it a shot and if you can't ride, so be it....

Here is our off-site report from Thursday June 24th. We arrived in the parking structure around 7:45 am(King Kong 107), got into the park and were directed to the left (off site people) through the Marvel Comics area. By 8:07 am we were in line, right across from the pizza place in Jurassic Park. From our shady place in line, we could see the covered queue for FJ. Just before 8:30 am the line started moving and we were soon in! Straight to FJ, the standby line said 30 min - we were actually hurried through the castle. We were off the ride just after 9 am.

The longest wait was for the wand shop and butterbeer (about 45 min. each). By the time we finished lunch at Three Broomsticks at 12:30 pm, it was seriously wall-to-wall people. We left the area and came back in around 7:30 pm. when it was less crowded. However, FJ was down and the wait was 90 min.

My suggestion is go early, travel light, bring lots of $$ and patience for standing in long lines.

Jeanne

We went on Sunday and had an almost identical experience. We arrived at the parking lot at 7:45 and hit the gates at 8:00. We were sent around through the Marvel side and hit the line right at the main Jurrasic Park store. We waited in the shade and were shocked when the TM's started letting us in at 8:30. We headed straight to FJ and rode it with little time to even enjoy the rooms in the castle (not that I'm complaining .)

After FJ, we walked onto the Hippogriff ride, which the kids loved. This put us at 9:05. Not bad. The line for Olivander's was crazy by this point, so we walked into the Hogs Head for 2 Butter Beers, a Pumpkin Juice and a frozen Butterbeer for $11.50 (Frozen is totally the way to go.)

We drank them and then walked into Honeydukes and Zonkos with no problem. We got a chocolate frog (actually not chocolate, but that's another thread,) and some Berny Bot's Beans (3-1 ratio of gross to good. Don't Eat the PURPLE ONES!) After posing for some pics by the Hogwarts Express with the conductor we were done by 10:00. Not bad for a morning.

We were able to finish off IOA by 12:00. We had fun and were not bothered too much by the crowds. I will say that we talked to some other guests who got to the park at 9:00 for what they thought would be the opening and they were told there was a 2-3 hour wait to get into the HP area.

Over all, I want to reiterate the tips above... Get there early, pack light, and realize that you will have fun and enjoy it if you let yourself. If you go expecting Disney organization and Cast Members and compare everything, you will be missing the point. It is differant and wonderful on it's own.

I hope this helps.

 

[snowbunny]

But from what I saw, evening is the way to go with no wait to at least get in the land.

I'll bet the castle looks cool at night...we are going in 10 days, what time does the park close?