Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[Jennasis]

Was just there 10/14 and 10/15. We managed to get on FJ first thing at opening (there was a 30 minute wait, and by the time we got off the ride the wait was over an hour). 15 minute wait for Dragon Challenge and no problem getting butterbeer (gross!) and pumpkin juice (double gross!). We also got into Zonko's. Three broomsticks was impossible and so was Ollivander's and Dervish and Banges.

Universal has no clue about time and crowd management. Line times were always underestimated. A wait of 25 minutes meant 45. Dudley Do-Rite had a 35 minute wait and it took almost an HOUR.

Ridiculous.

 

[TStrickland01]

Looking forward to checking out the Harry Potter world when in for a conference in November. I have not had any problems with crowds over the past several years in October when we have gone to Disney for the IFW Festival, but it will be interesting given the comments here.

 

[Lucky4me]

I knew wwohp was going to be a huge draw the first year, at least, but the past two weeks a lot of schools had fall breaks. I know of no one who has a break the first two weeks of November. Hoping for a slightly less madhouse then.

 

[momblanch]

I knew wwohp was going to be a huge draw the first year, at least, but the past two weeks a lot of schools had fall breaks. I know of no one who has a break the first two weeks of November. Hoping for a slightly less madhouse then.

Anyone know of any large conventions going on the beginning of November? Here's hoping the college fall breaks were the main reason for the large masses. However, in NJ we do have a school break Nov 4-5. I was expecting the crowds to pick up a bit for "Jersey week" especially in WWoHP. But after reading the most recent crowd reports, I'm getting a little nervous. We will once again put all the "dark-side wisdom" I have learned from this board to the test in 2 weeks! Cant wait!!

 

[christophfam]

This is KEY. Be at the gate on the left side at 7:50A.

On the left side? Isn't WWOHP to the right??

 

[jennz]

FWIW, we were there last Wed and the crowds were horrible! There was a 60 minute posted wait for FJ - we went up to the employee at the gate and told him we were single riders and he directed us to the "castle tour" line and we told the next employee we were single riders and we went straight through onto the ride, total time about 10 minutes. There were no signs anywhere.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We are heading to WWOHP on Friday this week but staying offsite at WDW. We won't have early access as we are offsite. Is there still an advantage for us to get there around 8 am? Reports in the summer indicated that offsite guests were allowed in before 9 am. Can anyone report if this is still occurring?

 

[Jennasis]

We are heading to WWOHP on Friday this week but staying offsite at WDW. We won't have early access as we are offsite. Is there still an advantage for us to get there around 8 am? Reports in the summer indicated that offsite guests were allowed in before 9 am. Can anyone report if this is still occurring?

We stayed off-site and they allowed us in with the large crowd that had amassed at 9am SHARP.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I stopped by on Thursday to check on some things for folks and grab a few maps to mail- it was packed. I actually only got far enough to check the first shop in Suess Landing before giving up and leaving. I don't know what is going on? I hear Disney is just as crowded?

We were there this day as well. It was crazy busy in this part of the park in the morning. We were able to get on Dragon Challenge almost right away. Only posted a 15 minute wait at the time we got there (10:00 am). We decided to go over to the other side of the park after riding DC. Not as busy as WWoHP. Hulk was a walk on. Spider-Man posted a 20 minute wait as well as the other rides on this side.

We went back to WWoHP later on in the afternoon. Crowds slowed down quite a bit. We were able to get into 3 Broomsticks to eat no problem. After went to FJ. It was posting a 45 minute wait time. Think we go through in about 35. No lines to get into the shops. We were able to walk right in. Only thing we did not see was Ollivanders. Wait was well over an hour still.

 

[TDC Nala]

Reports in the summer indicated that offsite guests were allowed in before 9 am. Can anyone report if this is still occurring?

Not last week it didn't. When they said 9 they meant 9. They didn't mean two minutes before or after 9. With the crowds at HP lately, if you want to do that, get there early and wait at the gate until 9.

 

[trstno1]

This is KEY. Be at the gate on the left side at 7:50A.

Why the left side? (Sorry if I missed it somewhere in the thread.)

 

[damo]

Why the left side? (Sorry if I missed it somewhere in the thread.)

Left side is for people staying onsite and getting early entry. Right side is for people who are waiting to enter at 9:00.

 

[Micky's biggest fan!]

I knew wwohp was going to be a huge draw the first year, at least, but the past two weeks a lot of schools had fall breaks. I know of no one who has a break the first two weeks of November. Hoping for a slightly less madhouse then.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but the first week of November is sometimes known as NJ week in WDW b/c there are Teachers conventions here and schools are closed a few days. Many families think it is the best time to go. I wish you the best. We were at WWHP on October 8th and I was disappointed at how packed it was. I only got to do FJ....which was amazing!! I knew it would be busy, but all the lines were insane!

 

[Lucky4me]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but the first week of November is sometimes known as NJ week in WDW b/c there are Teachers conventions here and schools are closed a few days. Many families think it is the best time to go. I wish you the best. We were at WWHP on October 8th and I was disappointed at how packed it was. I only got to do FJ....which was amazing!! I knew it would be busy, but all the lines were insane!

Thanks, but I planned around Jersey week! Forgot about them when I posted. From what I read, they are off the week of November 1st. We arrive and will be in the parks the week after.
We were in Disney last year October 8th-13th and it was crazy busy. Never saw anything like it. Not to mention the 98 degree heat wave. Yikes!
I decided no more Columbus day trips, I'll try Veterans day instead. We shall see...I think it may be hit and miss, zig and zag and all that.
We're usually pretty good at it. We have seven day tickets and will be there a week if we need to keep trying.

 

[nonni]

Just wondering if Sunday is still the slowest day for attendance compared to Monday or Tuesday.

 

[PrincessAlways]

Just wondering if Sunday is still the slowest day for attendance compared to Monday or Tuesday.

That's the first I've heard that!! But I'm hoping it's true! We're going next Sunday!!!!

 

[jadejazzkayla]

Just wondering if Sunday is still the slowest day for attendance compared to Monday or Tuesday.

anyone have info on this re: sunday being slow? i'll be there for early entry the 24th.

 

[damo]

Sunday has been one of the quietest days. People are leaving or arriving from vacation and it tends to be a non-park day.

 

[jadejazzkayla]

Sunday has been one of the quietest days. People are leaving or arriving from vacation and it tends to be a non-park day.

thanks damo. could you tell me how to go about getting park tickets? i think i've read here that you don't have your tickets added to your room key but do i buy my tickets from the person checking me in and they will give me seperate park tickets?

 

[damo]

thanks damo. could you tell me how to go about getting park tickets? i think i've read here that you don't have your tickets added to your room key but do i buy my tickets from the person checking me in and they will give me seperate park tickets?

There is a guest services area in each hotel that will sell you tickets. You can also purchase at the parks or online.