Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[nmartin]

Thanks for the info! Sounds good to me.

 

[Praise2Him]

I assume the Dueling Dragon ride no longer has FOTL?

Yes it does and so does Hiffopgriff, although the day we were there (July 4, early entry) the Express line was longer than the regular line Once the general public came in it was different.

 

[JenniBB]

We will be at WDW the week of August 22. Originally we'd planned to go to IOA (specifically for the HP area of the park) on Thursday the 26th. All the chatter about crowds and hours-long waiting for the shops and ride(s) are causing us to rethink our plans. Should we even bother? I really don't want to spend $ on the IOA park tickets and LONG LINES when we've already spent a fortune on the 5day park hopper for Disney. Should we save IOA for another visit?

 

[EEyorelover22]

One thing we did that worked great...I'm sure the timing may not always work...the kids rode Dueling Dragons and we waited in line for a Butterbeer and when they came out we were about two away from getting them a Butterbeer

 

[blueiis99]

The more I read, the more angst I feel. We are note staying on property, and we don;t have all the time in the world to wait to get into HP... It sounds like we may have to "get lucky" since we won;t have the option of early hrs..

I'm so worried that my DD won't be able to see it all....DH has no patience for waiting on lines over the 90 min mark...and 90 min is stretching it....BIG TIME.

anyone who has stay offsite have any suggestions about a plan of action?

thank you

 

[EEyorelover22]

When we were there...the place was packed by 9:15 am when the non resort guests were allowed in. No one was thrilled about getting up and heading out by 6:30 am on vacation, but we did it because we knew we had to. We had to get up for Rip Ride Rocket too the next day as well...not as early though.

I'm not sure I'd do it if I were not staying on site. We had a reservation for Royal Pacific and I was even considering not going, but it was too late and it would have really messed up everything. And, it probably is the last time we will travel as a family because my son just graduated and my daughter will next year. So, we went, we got up early and we did have a good time.

I do believe what someone posted about Sundays is true though...not as busy. We talked with a man on the 4th that said he had been there on Wed or Thurs of the previous week and it was shoulder to shoulder people by 8:30 am before the non resort guests were let in.

We went there Saturday evening around 5 pm...we landed at 1:30, got our rental, checked into the hotel, ate dinner and headed over to IOA. I wanted to know where I was going. It was packed. We rode FJ with a wait time of 75 min and waited about 50 min. We were glad we rode it Sat night, but the lockers were mobbed (travel light if you can) and it was HOT which made it really annoying and frankly, you really cannot see a lot of it with so many people. If that had been our only experience, it would not have been a good one. The ride is AWESOME, but I am more than just about rides I guess.

 

[klacey1]

I was WWoHP last Thursday/Friday and stayed off-site at Disney. On Thursday we got to Universal at 7:30 and they let us in with the on-site guests but directed us to JP side to wait. There were about 20 of us in line at 8:30 when suddenly they pulled back the rope and said, "come on in guys", so they let us in a half an hour early. Went straight to FJ and were on the ride by about 8:45. Lines were managable for about an hour then it was crazy. We were waiting for our family members who came to the park at 11 to join us for lunch at Three Broomsticks but after 3 phone calls trying to locate them, they finally answered and said they were in line to get into the Wizarding World for the last 35 minutes in JP. On Friday, we started the day in the Studios and went over to Potter around 6. It was packed but stil managed a ride on FJ using single rider that took 10 minutes and saw the Frog Choir/dancers and shopped in Fliches. Never made it to Ollivanders due to the never ending 2 hour line at all hours both days.

Things were busy all day and night both days but things did clear up some for the shops around 9:30-10 at night except for Ollivanders. They also let us stay in the area well after park closing on Friday as we were still shopping in Honeydukes at 11 pm.

Glad to hear it wasn't too bad-- can't believe there were only 20 people in line at 8:30!! Makes me feel good for staying offsite in November. We're not planning on doing Ollivanders, so don't really mind about the lines there.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Glad to hear it wasn't too bad-- can't believe there were only 20 people in line at 8:30!! Makes me feel good for staying offsite in November. We're not planning on doing Ollivanders, so don't really mind about the lines there.

I think that if you are not doing Ollivanders...it's not a problem as long as you get there early. When we left on the 4th at 9:15, I am pretty sure the FJ was 45 minutes which is usually goes faster than that and my kids after the first time used single rider. You really cannot see the people next to you as someone I think already posted.

I also think the crowds change from day to day and there's really no way to predict it.

 

[nmartin]

Many are posting that Sundays typically are not as busy as other days. We are flying in on Sunday morning and probably won't be at the park until 2pm. My plan was NOT to do WWOHP that day but to wait to do it on Monday morning so were able to get a early start. I guess my question is, would it be better to go to WWOHP on Sunday regardless of it being so late in the day or to continue with my original plan or doing it on Monday to get early admittance. We are staying on site (Aug 22 to 28th).

 

[EEyorelover22]

Many are posting that Sundays typically are not as busy as other days. We are flying in on Sunday morning and probably won't be at the park until 2pm. My plan was NOT to do WWOHP that day but to wait to do it on Monday morning so were able to get a early start. I guess my question is, would it be better to go to WWOHP on Sunday regardless of it being so late in the day or to continue with my original plan or doing it on Monday to get early admittance. We are staying on site (Aug 22 to 28th).

You could do what we did and go check it out. We walked around and figured out where stuff was and the ride wait time wasn't too bad so we rode. We did go back the next day as well. You could always go do other stuff then if it's too busy. I would assume if you want to do Ollivanders you'd have to go early because it gets to be a long wait fast. We liked going slow through the castle anyway so didn't mind it...it was rather quick the next morning when there was no wait time. If you can handle the crowds at the lockers or travel light so you don't have to store anything, it wouldn't be so bad. That part for us was total chaos.

On the up side...many schools will have started. I will have been back for a couple weeks already. I'm not sure about FL Schools...I think they go back early too.

 

[Metro West]

On the up side...many schools will have started. I will have been back for a couple weeks already. I'm not sure about FL Schools...I think they go back early too.

Most of the schools in the Orlando area return to school on 8/23.

 

[blueiis99]

Most of the schools in the Orlando area return to school on 8/23.

DRAT! I was hoping they would all be back in school.... The stratagy planning, is getting more and more hair razing...

 

[mm42197]

Many are posting that Sundays typically are not as busy as other days. We are flying in on Sunday morning and probably won't be at the park until 2pm. My plan was NOT to do WWOHP that day but to wait to do it on Monday morning so were able to get a early start. I guess my question is, would it be better to go to WWOHP on Sunday regardless of it being so late in the day or to continue with my original plan or doing it on Monday to get early admittance. We are staying on site (Aug 22 to 28th).

nmartin if you can plz try and post your crowd report/touring plan when you get there. I'll be staying at WDW same time you are but only plan to do WWOHP the 28th. I'm getting confused reading all the different touring plans that seem to work. Some say off-site should tour in the evening but now I'm reading the some lucky ppl staying off-site went early and were held in JP but still let in early to WWOHP. I only have one day there. My original plan was to get there before opening and hope for the best and do the rest of the park in the afternoon. ahhh this is getting crazy

 

[disnewbie108]

Hi, pretty much same here...Have 1 and 1/2 days to do IOA/US. Have 2 day non hop passes, staying off site....What to do? Early morning or late night??? Going 2nd week of Aug...This is stressing me out!

 

[mm42197]

Hi, pretty much same here...Have 1 and 1/2 days to do IOA/US. Have 2 day non hop passes, staying off site....What to do? Early morning or late night??? Going 2nd week of Aug...This is stressing me out!

I feel your pain! Either way I'm sure we'll have a great time. It's Potter's World just seeing it will be awesome. (I just keep telling myself this when I get nutso) ) keep us posted

 

[bubba's mom]

i'm home.....

We were there Tues-Sunday, I reported on HP Wed & Thurs. We didn't get up early to go Friday and I reported on getting up early for HRRR on Saturday.

Sat nite we had BIL & his family stay overnight and my 2 nieces are big Potter fans like my niece that joined us at the beginning, so I told them (and the rest of the family) if they wanted to see WWoHP, they needed to get up early Sunday morning. All 3 nieces (who are young teens) wanted to. (I didn't really want to because our flight home was 9pm last nite--2hr flight + hr ride home .....but, I did it for them).

Anyhow, more girls = slower pace. Instead of leaving PBH our usualy 6:40/45am time, I told the girls 6:30am we were leaving. I was proud of all of them when I woke them up, they got up and were ready. We actually left the hotel at 6:30am

Now remember...this is a SUNDAY!

We were first in line at our turnstile (only 2 other groups there) by 6:50am. (walked shortcut from PBH again)

By about 7:15am there was hardly anyone in line at turnstiles....MUCH different than Wed & Thurs when we went. (Wed was the most crowded...Thurs a lot LESS crowded) We were chatting with the TM and she told us Sunday was the least busy of any early entry day. She didn't know if it was cuz people went to church, or people were checking out and not bothering cuz of the long travel day but whatever...she flat out told me SUNDAYS ARE THE LEAST BUSY IN THE MORNING.

We were let into the park Sunday about 7:35am. No hold at the LC bridge...directly to WWoHP. We were in line for the first show at Ollivanders.

After letting out of Ollivanders, my niece who had been looking for a Gryff keychain, spotted one. She was ticked she spent all her $, but I bought it for her anyway. $10 My Fla niece also spotted a Gryff scarf...$40something she said. (wondering if restocked Gryff mdse cuz of those convention peeps?)

After Ollivanders and buying a keychain, we went straight to FJ (told the girls NO bags to locker ) and it was a 15 min posted wait time, but we steadily walked thru the line (pix to post later). We kept a steady shuffled pace and went right on.

They loved the ride (except one niece deathly afraid of spiders and didn't care of the dementors...but I told her if I told her they were on the ride, she wouldn't go...she agreed and was happy I didn't tell her and let her just ride to find out herself).

After FJ, we browsed gift shop and looked at our pic. No line at Butterbeer cart, so I got them all each a frozen butterbeer (later in the day, we'd get a cold and everyone agreed frozen was better--that was 9 ppl).

We went and browsed Honeydukes/Zonkos while sipping butterbeer. They had a sample of peppermint toads they were handing out (think 'York Peppermint Patty' mini-size). The girls browsed and sipped and we left after I bought a cauldron cake for my mom.

Outside, 2 of them wanted to ride Dragons...so, I sat & sipped w/ the other one and waited and chatted.

After the ride, we took one last stroll and left by 9am. INTO the GP droves coming at us!


So, of my 5 mornings, we went to WWoHP 3 times. Here's my summary:

If you are offsite, I wouldn't go 9am unless you plan to be at the gates for entry by 7am. FJ jumps to 60+ min wait VERY quickly and Ollivanders gets insanely busy QUICK! They open the land to everyone without a line around 3pm....lines will be long IN the land, but not to get into the land.

Go later at night...dinnertime or later as there are no lines to get into the land. If you are waiting outside in any line, at least the sun won't be blaring down on you.

If you are ONSITE, go early. Sundays least crowded. I know, I know....NOT a morning person, especially on vacation (neither am I), but it couldn't be worth it more!! I'm am SO NOT a morning person and I did it 3X. Do it early in your stay and sleep in later....
Onsiters: beeline it for Ollivanders then FJ.

There is more than 1 place to buy butterbeer (again, least lines early when onsiters get in). IF you find yourself with being in a long line, make sure to put 1 person in 1 line, and go check another place.

 

[mboekhoff]

Bubba's Mom,

Thank you for all the wonderful advice! Can't wait to see the pictures

 

[mm42197]

So, of my 5 mornings, we went to WWoHP 3 times. Here's my summary:

If you are offsite, I wouldn't go 9am unless you plan to be at the gates for entry by 7am. FJ jumps to 60+ min wait VERY quickly and Ollivanders gets insanely busy QUICK! They open the land to everyone without a line around 3pm....lines will be long IN the land, but not to get into the land.

Go later at night...dinnertime or later as there are no lines to get into the land. If you are waiting outside in any line, at least the sun won't be blaring down on you.

Thx bubba's mom for your wonderful trip reports, you surely are a dedicated DISer

I'll be going in end of Aug (staying offsite) and saw that the closing times are much earlier... 8pm I wonder how that will effect nt touring. This is the only part of my whole vacation that is making me nuts! Not sure DH or DSs would be with me in getting to park by 7am? Would we be standing at the gates? Or would they let us in and hold us somewhere?

 

[glo]

We leave in 17 days. We are going to IOA on Sunday, but we are off site. Could not get a room onsite for 7 of us at an affordable rate. I am curious too...Do we show up at 7am and then wait there in line...are we ushered somewhere? We will have only one day there...going to make it a long one from opening to close. We are probably getting the front of the line ticket for all of us so we can ride other rides in the park. We do lots of Disney but IOA only every few years...so not good at touring there. Should we get there early then do what we can, then go back later in the afternoon? Do we try to get it all in the morning? We range in age from 14 -46. Please, any suggestions for us would be appreciated. I want everyone to enjoy this trip

 

[bubba's mom]

Thx bubba's mom for your wonderful trip reports, you surely are a dedicated DISer

I'm only paying it forward. I would have never known to go so early if I hadn't been here reading and following.....I can only help others to 'thank' those who've reported & help me

I'll be going in end of Aug (staying offsite) and saw that the closing times are much earlier... 8pm I wonder how that will effect nt touring. This is the only part of my whole vacation that is making me nuts! Not sure DH or DSs would be with me in getting to park by 7am? Would we be standing at the gates? Or would they let us in and hold us somewhere?

If you are in line 15 min before the park closes, you WILL ride. The park will close while you are riding. You will be able to shop in Filch's after the ride (they want you to buy the picture ). If you are turnstiles before opening, they will just direct you to the left after entry instead of to the right with onsite guests (who have to show their keys). They would stop you right before WWoHP land. I did see people who were holding the tickets and handing them to the TM upon entry...but, if you were there early enuf, I don't think you'd get a ticket because you'd be so close to the front of the line.

If you are going for more than one day, try going late before closing, try one morning. Either way, I'm thinking the whole key to seeing Ollivanders & minimizing wait at FJ is EARLY! Be there as early as you can. If not, try late at night before closing.

Hopefully by your time, lines will drop off because of school starting.