Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[Drkaito]

We went today (Friday). We got there at 8:45 am and got to the Harry Potter area around 9:15. The lines were not long at all at that time. We stayed there (just in that area of IOA) for about 4 hours. We rode one ride at around 10 am and had to wait about 30 minutes to get on. It was the one that goes into the castle. We got stalled on the ride bc something broke down, but after about 5 minutes it started up again and we were on our way. I kept my eyes closed for the whole ride bc I was getting motion sickness on it after the first minute. Keeping my eyes closed helped! LOL We loved the overall Harry Potter area very much! The food was excellent and we did enjoy the Butter Beer. I know a lot of people do not like it, but we did. It tasted like Butterscotch Cream Soda to us. My daughter had two of them throughout the day. Around 2 pm it started getting more crowded and the line for the restaurant was about 20 minutes to get in...not too bad. I'm assuming that the weekends are busier than weekdays. Have fun to those of you going soon!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I also went on Friday the 29th. Did not enter IOA until 11, but went straight back to FJ and did the "castle tour" line. (There is a separate portraits room for this line--didn't realize that--but you go through the same spaces as the main line for Dumbledore's office and DADA classroom.) Went back around for single-rider and got on with almost no wait. Posted wait time was 60 minutes, but cannot confirm since we never saw the traditionally slowest part of the line in the greenhouse. However, I never saw the main line go out past the gates of Hogwart's (where the test seat is).

Did FotH twice with DD6, with posted wait times of 30 minutes each time. I would guess we waited about that the first time, and maybe 20 minutes the second time.

Did not do DC (old DD) this trip, but every time we passed it the posted time was 15 minutes. Don't know how accurate that was since you can't see the queue from anywhere but the queue. Others we talked to said the wait was closer to 60 minutes earlier in the morning.

For lunch at 3B around 3:00, took maybe 20 minutes between entering and being seated--food was still good but not as good as I remember from July. Line looked like it was an hour or more between 12:30 and 1:30.

Overall, WWoHP was much more crowded than I thought it might be when I first scoped out this date (as it got closer though, I realized through this thread that Fridays were still busy). It was a little less crowded than our trip in late July, and certainly cooler. Lines still to get in all the stores (except for Filch's) pretty much all day long. Maybe waited 5 minutes to get in Honeyduke's/Zonko's both times we did it, and 10 minutes for Dervish & Banges.

Tried Hulk on the way out, but no SR on that one and the line I saw was much longer-looking than the 5 minutes posted. Bailed and walked right on to Accelatron with DD6 instead.

Going back in a couple of Sundays and am interested to see how it will compare, since Sundays are reported to be generally the lightest of days, and Fridays the busiest.

Appreciate all the good intel everyone posts on these boards--it is very helpful!

 

[mdb78]

DH needed to study so I decided to take a day trip to US/IOA yesterday (Saturday, 10/30) with DD. Got to US at 12. Left at 4:30 and went to IOA. Before getting to WWOHP, did the rides (except one fish two fish) and ate at Suess land first. At 6:15, finally made it to WWOHP. There was a crowd, but no line for Honeydukes/ Zonkos. While walking and before I reached the owl post, I took a quick look over in Dervish and Banges direction to see if there was a line and I saw some people standing against the wall and figured there was a line. Line for the Butterbeer cart was the usual. Parked the stroller at the castle and went straight to FOH. Wait time said 25 min., but I think we only waited like 20 min. the most. Wait time said 45 min. for FJ, but DD is still small to ride FJ, so decided to do the castle tour line to take pictures. Stopped by Zonkos on the way out to buy DD her pygmy puff. Left WWohp at 7:45.

 

[brenda1966]

We were in the parks Monday Oct 25 and Tuesday Oct 26. Stayed at RPR so had early entry both days and vastly different experiences each day.

Monday FJ, and from what I could tell, dragon challenge were down all morning. They did allow us to do the castle walk through and that was nice as it was not crowded. We did Olivanders first with approx 10-15 minute wait. Then rode the little coaster several times, toured the shops, got a frozen butterbear inside the pub (where the guy was kind enough to sell me one although he was not officially open yet.) Around 9:30 or so the people were lining up all through Hogsmead for FJ, which was still not open. So, we decided there was a lot of IOA that we needed to go see and left the area. We did not return until nearly 6pm. I figured we could hop into the FJ line and ride by the 7pm closing. The posted time was 60 minutes and it took us about 45minutes to ride. It was fantastic! I really have no idea how long FJ was down that day but suspect that it's delay in opening caused the late long lines.

Tuesday morning was a much different experience. Did Olivanders again with a 5 minute wait then went on FJ twice with reasonable waits. Did our shopping and I rode Dragon challenge after DD and I walked through the queue so she could see it. We had a lot to do over at US so we left by 9:30. Later we came back to IOA so we could ride FJ again and around 6pm the wait was just 10 minutes -- it was basically walk on and we rode 2 more times.

Wait times fluxuated during the day for other rides, Jaws was 45 minutes. Spidey was anywhere from 60 to 10 minutes. We were glad to have the express pass.

 

[princessangi]

Okay, we are in the "final countdown" for our big trip back to WDW. For the first time ever, we are going to US IOA, mostly because we are Huge Harry Potter fans! We are at WDW from 11/13(sat) till 11/20(sat) and we can tour IOA on any of those days. I have been waiting to decide based on crowd patterns, but getting info has been sketchy. Can anyone suggest what day would be best, since we are only going for one day this trip.

Thank you for your help making this decision.

Angi

 

[lor]

YEs i am trying to decide between Sunday Nov 14th or MOnday Nov 16, as to which would be the better day

 

[dqpowell]

YEs i am trying to decide between Sunday Nov 14th or MOnday Nov 16, as to which would be the better day

One of those days is real and the other is imaginary, at least this year.

I have heard that Sundays are less crowded, but cannot confirm.

David

 

[pigby]

We were in the parks Monday Oct 25 and Tuesday Oct 26. Stayed at RPR so had early entry both days and vastly different experiences each day.

Really feel out of touch at the moment - not been paying attention to the US boards recently. We are also planning to stay on-site for 3 nights, can you use the Express line for the rides in Harry Potter?

 

[mdb78]

Really feel out of touch at the moment - not been paying attention to the US boards recently. We are also planning to stay on-site for 3 nights, can you use the Express line for the rides in Harry Potter?

Only Flight of the Hippogriff and Dueling Dragons has an Express Pass lane. Forbidden Journey (the ride inside Hogwarts Castle) does not.

 

[Rogar]

Pigby -

We were there on the 22nd - staying at the Portofino (I keep wanting to type Portobello

None of the Harry lines uses the Express pass, just the standard line; the single rider lines can really help.

Since you are staying on-site, really REALLY use that extra hour in the morning. Regardless of crowd levels, you can get much of the must-do items complete in that time. Once the gen-pop arrives, you can do the wandering and ambience enjoying. Do Forbidden Journey first, then the shops and other rides as your interests go. The Ollivander wand routine queues quickly. If you must do that, be at the front of the pack when the park opens, then to Forbidden Journey - the wait time there will have probably grown to 30-45 minutes while you are at the wand shop.

It IS exteremely well done, and one of our favorite times was returning for the last couple of hours that night, getting beer and butterbeer and sitting out back of the Hogs Head under a full moon.

Good luck and GET UP EARLY!

 

[damo]

Forbidden Journey doesn't use express pass. Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge do. Ollivander's, a show, does not.

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Hi guys! My arrival to WWOHP and IOA is just 30 days from today on 12/3! I am so excited but also a bit leary based on the crowd reports. I am looking for suggestions from you all based on my information....
I am getting my rental car at around 8am from the Alamo Car Care Center then driving straight to UO. I definitely want to see everything at WWOHP: FJ, FOH, DC, sending Owl Post, eating at 3b, buying a couple Butterbeers, lots of shopping, and seeing Ollivanders show (if possible...I won't wait an hour for it though!)

I also would LIKE to go on Spidey, Dudley do rights, possibly Hulk....and Jaws at USO, as well as some of the other USO attractions.

So my question really is, is this feasible in one day? We are 4 adults and all pretty quick movers and we won't really need any breaks except for a quick lunch. Is it worth buying EP and/or the 2 park admission? I REALLY love Jaws but don't want to purchase admission for the 2nd park if our entire time will be eaten up at IOA.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Metro West]

I also would LIKE to go on Spidey, Dudley do rights, possibly Hulk....and Jaws at USO, as well as some of the other USO attractions.

So my question really is, is this feasible in one day? We are 4 adults and all pretty quick movers and we won't really need any breaks except for a quick lunch. Is it worth buying EP and/or the 2 park admission? I REALLY love Jaws but don't want to purchase admission for the 2nd park if our entire time will be eaten up at IOA.

Thanks for the advice!

That may be tough to do if HP is crowded but you can upgrade your tickets before you leave the park if you need more time. After checking out the lines yourself you can decide on if you want to purchase the EP.

 

[mesaboy2]

That plan sounds aggressive to me, especially since 12/3 falls on a Friday. (Fridays are generally considered the busiest at WWoHP, and I agree since I went this past Friday.)

Ollivander's will almost certainly be an hour or more, depending on when you get there. The only time I've seen it significantly less is during the early-entry for on-site guests. You could probably get the rest of WWoHP done in 3 hours or so (maybe more depending on your definition of "lots of shopping"), and if you're willing to go single-rider on FJ.

The rest of your goals at IoA may take another 2 hours, perhaps? Then you want to go next door to the Studios.... And both parks close at 6 that day.

Yeah, too much IMHO. That said, only you can determine if the Express Passes are worth it. You could always wait to purchase them once you're there and have seen the crowds and lines....

Good luck and have fun!

 

[dauser]

Posted wait for FJ at 11:30 am today was 60 minutes. I waited about 10 minutes in single rider line. Dragons was posted at 10 minutes and the other coaster at 30 minutes. Saving those for later. Off to the water rides!

 

[miatamel]

We only have a few hours to spend at WWoHP precruise on 12/17. How do I know what time the park closes that day? I thought it was 7 p.m. but I see posts every now and then here about the park closing at 6.

 

[mesaboy2]

We only have a few hours to spend at WWoHP precruise on 12/17. How do I know what time the park closes that day? I thought it was 7 p.m. but I see posts every now and then here about the park closing at 6.

Well, Universal's website says 7 pm for that particular day, so I would go with that. Other days it's different.

 

[helenb]

We're going to IOA for 1.5 days in January (although the .5 day is a Friday). We want to make the most of WWoHP!

Does the Three Broomsticks accept reservations for lunch? If not, how long is the wait to get in? Is there a good time of day to go for a meal? We want to sit inside and see the 'show'. Also, is there a Three Broomsticks menu anywhere?

We're staying at a Universal Resort. Is the Early Entry valid every day? Is it valid for the entire park, or just WWoHP?

How about the rest of the park? Have crowds diminished at Hulk and Spiderman because of WWoHP?

Thanks for all of the postings on current wait times for FJ! That really helps a lot!

 

[hogwartshappy]

I'll do a quick report.

7:47 Arrived to parking garage.
8:00 Arrived to Turnstiles. (First in Line for regular entry.) It was a rainy day, with the chance of rain reported as 60% every hour of the day on weather.com. The early entry wasn't a huge crowd, people were steadily going in, but the worker told us usually at 8:30 early entry would still be crowded.
8:45 Some sort of noise sounded, they opened the gates, and let us in. We didn't take the left hand shortcut through Suess-land, the main route seemed to take longer.
8:52 In line for Olivanders
9:25 Out of Olivanders. (So, what's that, a 20-25 min. wait?) We were next to the Lockhart Window Display, on the corner of the neighboring building when we got in line.
9:30 Sign for Forbidden Journey said "10 Min". Walked through Regular Line quickly.
9:38 Arrived at Child Swap.
9:45 Done with the ride, twice for some.
9:55 Flying Hippogriff said "30 min" That's about what it took.
10:30 Dragon ride said "10 min", Castle Ride, (Forbidden Journey) said "15 Min."

10:30 We left WWHP.
11:25 Completed all 4 Suess rides with little to no wait.

Had a snack break.
Then walked onto SPIDY with little wait.
2 of our party walked onto HULK with basically no wait.

Walked around the park,
spent about 30 min. in line for Pteranadon Flyers, the 2 little kids I was with enjouyed the playground/climbing nets/ caves while we waited.

1:30 Paid for our 3 Broomsticks Food. It was still quite full. We had to wait a couple minutes for a table. There are some awesome booths along the back wall of the restaurant. Make sure and walk around and look at everything, even if you don't eat here. The adjoining Hog's Head Bar has a moving Hog's Head.

The shops were quite crowded. The line to pay at Zonko's about 2:30 was LONG. But the only shop with a line to get in was "Dervish & Bangs" The wand part especially, around 3 PM was PACKED with people.

At about 4, we took the "Castle Tour" Line, and enjoyed listening to 2 versions of each speech, taking our time, and taking pics, we got out and asked about single rider line. She said it was closed right now. (Indicating a door to the left) But said we could go back through the single rider line. We walked right through, went to child swap, and the 2 members of our party who got on were even seated together. Loved the floating candles where you get on the ride!

About 5 PM, there was NO wait for the Dragon Ride, 2 of our party walked right through the line. It was worth walking through the line, even if you've seen the previous version of the ride/line. You get to see the back of Hagrid's Hut, and the Weasley's car as you approach the "tent/castle" There are also some interesting "props" inside the queue.

More commentary later...

 

[Coach81]

Nice report, Hog!