Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[damo]

You give me some hope...however what about Sunday, July 4th?

That might be a big ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Me too! It is what it is at this point. I really considered not going with how busy it will be, but given that I'm not sure when we'd get back as a family of 4, we are still going. DS is off to college this fall and DD is one year away. They are the Potter fans so we are going. I hope that they remember this when they are older, but I know they probably won't

I think I will go write on paper over and over again...
it is what it is

 

[EEyorelover22]

That might be a big ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I hope that DH can forgive me!!

Who knew 11 months ago when I planned all this out that our slow days at Universal would turn into this

I can't even drink Butterbeer

 

[damo]

I hope that DH can forgive me!!

Who knew 11 months ago when I planned all this out that our slow days at Universal would turn into this

I can't even drink Butterbeer

How about Scotch?

It might be the only thing to ease your pain.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I can't drink either...or any alcohol...for that matter...I can only drink water or coffee. I have severe allergies/food intolerances...my kids say I'm allergic to air and it's not too far off.

I will have to rely on my sense of humor.

I'll be watching this thread as we wait and wait at the airport.

Thanks to everyone that has posted

 

[Kisstherain]

Im planning to go on the second week of August... will it still be as crowed? at what time do you advice to arrive at the park? are they letting in the off site guest to the park early? i understood that the waiting line for off site guest is around JP and waiting line from there is about two hours is that correct?

 

[disnewbie108]

I am going at the same time. 2nd week of Aug. WDW trip with a side trip to WWoHP. I know there is no way to really predict it, but curious as to what those of you who have already been think it could possibly be like...

 

[Dicecatt]

I am going at the same time. 2nd week of Aug. WDW trip with a side trip to WWoHP. I know there is no way to really predict it, but curious as to what those of you who have already been think it could possibly be like...

I'm guessing the same. Maybe slightly less crowded as some schools go back that early, but honestly, I predict no slowing down for this during this summer...I think late August/September will be when it finally slows for the lines. It won't let up yet. Harry Potter mania, for sure. The rest of the parts of the parks weren't bad...there was only a 25 minute s/b line for Hulk tonight around 6 PM. The worst I saw was around noon, Jaws wait was quite lengthy (not for onsite) although MIB wasn't bad at all, maybe 20 minute s/b.

If you want Olivanders, do it first before Forbidden Journey...if necessary you can always do single rider line for that which cuts wait time hugely. I seriously could not believe the line for Olivander's at 7:45. It was freakishly long already, even longer than I saw on Monday night and it was packed on Monday night. It is a whole lot easier to navigate in the land itself though that early...later it is hard to walk through. I'll try to post pics when I get home of crowds in the morning versus evening.

 

[wintergreen]

We went on Sunday, the 27th. We were staying offsite. Arrived in the parking lot at 8:00 a.m. Proceeded through turnstiles immediately upon arrival. Were directed through Marvel area to Jurassic Park. In line for WWOHP and given ticket by TM at 8:20. Line started moving at 8:45, and we were let in to WWOHP. In line for FJ by 8:50 and done with ride by 9:20. Did not stand in line for Ollivanders. Did both roller coasters, visited shops and drank butter beer. Finished with WWHOP and moving on to the rest of the park shortly after 10:30. Was a much easier experience than I thought it would be. Next time, I want to go at night!

 

[disnewbie108]

Thanks All! I love the DISboards. It is such a great resource. Everyone's prompt and informed answers are very much appreciated by me!

H.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

How have things been lately? I'm planning on going Thursday, July 15th, but am wondering if it'd even be worth it. Definitely only planning on going for Harry Potter and then returning to WDW right after.

 

[sportbettor]

was there yesterday. Got in line for FJ at around 2pm the wait was over an hour. Almost all of the switchbacks were filled to the first tunnel. Pretty sure this was the worst time to ride this because it was maximum heat with the maximum wait in the sun in the outside lower switchbacks. When we looked later in the day the line was shorter with most of the line in sun empty. We are going back over the next three days and are either going in the morning or later at night.

After the ride like 4pm or so, there was no line at all for the Hog's head we walked in and were second in line at one of the cashiers for butterbeer. However there was a long line at the outside cart. The line for Dervish was about 30people long and looked slow moving. Honeydukes line was about 15 people but moved fast. Line for olivanders was insane.

We came back at around 7pm. Short wait (less than 15 min) at 3 broomsticks for dinner. Saw no line at hogs head when we left. Got in line for olivanders and had to wait way over an hour probably close to 2 hours. Line looked about the same length all day. when we left at around 9:30 there was no line for Dervish.

 

[Lewisc]

Im planning to go on the second week of August... will it still be as crowed? at what time do you advice to arrive at the park? are they letting in the off site guest to the park early? i understood that the waiting line for off site guest is around JP and waiting line from there is about two hours is that correct?

They are currently letting off site guests enter IOA at 7a but those guests have to wait by JP until at least 9a until they can enter HP. I say at least because HP could be at capacity at 9a. That means guests who arrive at 7a have a guaranteed wait of 2 hours plus a possible wait to enter HP plus whatever wait there is to ride the FJ. Maybe a 3 hour wait total.

On the other hand you can wait until the afternoon. You have a shot of entering HP without a wait. The wait for the FJ might be an hour, even if it's 2 hours you're still ahead of the game.

 

[degrapevine]

Hi, all ... We're headed to USO July 13-15, staying onsite at the Portofino Bay (was cheaper than the other two resorts w/APH discount for available rooms when we booked). We are planning on doing IOA and WWOHP on Wednesday the 14th and want to get there before early entry for onsite guests (which is at 7?). We live near Tampa, so we'll be driving over and will have a car. What time do the boats start running for transportation to the parks? I'm thinking we'll want to leave by 6:30 or so. We have Preferred AP's, so we'll have free parking. Would it just be better to drive to the parking garage? I know that it will be too far to walk, since it's the furthest resort from the parks. Thanks for all the expert advice!

Rose

 

[bubba's mom]

Hi, all ... We're headed to USO July 13-15, staying onsite at the Portofino Bay (was cheaper than the other two resorts w/APH discount for available rooms when we booked). We are planning on doing IOA and WWOHP on Wednesday the 14th and want to get there before early entry for onsite guests (which is at 7?). We live near Tampa, so we'll be driving over and will have a car. What time do the boats start running for transportation to the parks? I'm thinking we'll want to leave by 6:30 or so. We have Preferred AP's, so we'll have free parking. Would it just be better to drive to the parking garage? I know that it will be too far to walk, since it's the furthest resort from the parks. Thanks for all the expert advice!

Rose

I would still walk. Thru HRH parking lot (shortcut) is just about as far as RPR. Boats probably don't run till 7 or so.... It's cool in the AM, walk won't be bad. I would NOT deal w/ the parking garage...it's almost as far to walk as if you walked Garden Path from PBH.

Let me know what time you're gonna go and we'll meet in at the boat dock and all walk over together

altho...6:30 is OUT of the question. 7 is the earliest I'm leavin the hotel....

 

[EEyorelover22]

any short cuts from RPH to IOA?
I know nothing about the hotel or IOA...I'm going in blind!

 

[damo]

any short cuts from RPH to IOA?
I know nothing about the hotel or IOA...I'm going in blind!

Unless you're swimming the lagoon....no.

 

[degrapevine]

Thanks, bubba's mom! We'll plan on walking to IOA from the PBH then (will still try to leave around 6:30, although my DS15 may not be thrilled with that!) ... Now, where is Robo with one of his famous (and awesome) maps so I can see where the HRH parking lot shortcut is? We usually stay at the Royal Pacific and I'm glad to hear that the walk to the parks through this shortcut will be just about the same distance as that walk over. I was hoping to avoid driving the car over to the parking garage, anyway. Thanks again!

Rose

 

[EEyorelover22]

Unless you're swimming the lagoon....no.

Thanks! I feel like I am preparing for boot camp!

 

[snowwhite84]

Hi, all ... We're headed to USO July 13-15, staying onsite at the Portofino Bay (was cheaper than the other two resorts w/APH discount for available rooms when we booked). We are planning on doing IOA and WWOHP on Wednesday the 14th and want to get there before early entry for onsite guests (which is at 7?). We live near Tampa, so we'll be driving over and will have a car. What time do the boats start running for transportation to the parks? I'm thinking we'll want to leave by 6:30 or so. We have Preferred AP's, so we'll have free parking. Would it just be better to drive to the parking garage? I know that it will be too far to walk, since it's the furthest resort from the parks. Thanks for all the expert advice!

Rose

Am I reading this correctly? On site guests get in to WWoHp at 7? I thought it was 8, can anyone tell me which is correct? Also, I too will be at PBH July 15-18, and would love to see a map of the HRH parking lot short cut. TIA!