Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[trstno1]

Just back. Stayed onsite and did early entry on Wednesday, 11/10. Crowds were very light. Unfortunately, Ollivander's was closed until 9:30-10am, and it quickly developed a long line once it opened. Even with the problems at Ollivander's, Forbidden Journey and Dragon challenge advertised 10 minute waits until at least 10am, which is about when we left Hogsmeade. Hippogriff had a slightly longer wait by then - maybe 20-30 minutes.

We had to go back to do Ollivander's on Thursday, 11/11 - Veterans' Day. Everything was much busier. Waits were 50 minutes by 10am at Forbidden Journey and Hippogriff, and 30 minutes at Dragon Challenge. Single rider line for Forbidden Journey was essentially walk-on.

One last visit on Saturday, 11/12 - it seemed about as busy as Veterans' Day.

 

[ducky_love]

We went last Friday for opening. They were making offsite guests go to the left. When we make it back to FJ the posted wait time was 45 minutes. There was a line that stretched all the was back to JP. I walked right past it and at the castle was told if I wasn't waiting for a locker to please procede to the left. (There were people in that forever long line without bags that didn't know any better! People gave me dirty looks for walking past but it isn't my fault they don't read Disboards!! )

I went single rider (DH gets sick on FJ) and was off the ride in 10 minute! The rest of Hogsmeade was a ZOO! We got out of there and found the rest of the park to be peaceful with walk on lines for everything. We went over to Studios and it was the same way.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

On the Universal site, it states the early entry to the Wizarding World is only valid until 12/31/10.

"Early Park Admission begins one hour prior to Universal’s Islands of Adventure® regular opening hour for On-site Hotel guests and is valid 7 days a week for travel 6/19/10 – 12/31/10, valid only at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Flight of the Hippogriff™ and Dragon Challenge™. "

http://www.universalorlando.com/Ove...ss.html&expID=13-5733&contentID=13-6248&seq=1

Thanks for that - I hadn't realised this , oh well if it isn't continued into the New Year then at least we won't have to get up so early!!

When we stayed at HRH in June, it took us about 5 minutes to walk at a medium kind of pace, we did not rush but did not meander along either. If your kids are slow walkers or easily distracted, I would leave 10-15 minutes before you wanted to be there. There is also the water taxi, but you have to walk around the lagoon to get to the parks, so you don't really save any time. Or there are usually the bike taxis (or whatever you call them) that you can take for the price of a tip.

Thats great info - thanks very much

Harry Potter packages are available thru May 2011 and they state early entry as one of the perks.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Florida_Vacation_Packages/bf/vacation_packages_overview.aspx

Oh so maybe I will be awake nice and early after all!!

Just back. Stayed onsite and did early entry on Wednesday, 11/10. Crowds were very light. Unfortunately, Ollivander's was closed until 9:30-10am, and it quickly developed a long line once it opened.

Thats what I was worried about - I can see us queueing several times as my DS6 is so excited about having a 'wand choose him' - I have explained that only one person gets chosen for the show and he is convinced that if he wears his Harry Potter cloak that he will be chosen!!! Shame there isn't any early entry to this considering how long the wait often is.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thats what I was worried about - I can see us queueing several times as my DS6 is so excited about having a 'wand choose him' - I have explained that only one person gets chosen for the show and he is convinced that if he wears his Harry Potter cloak that he will be chosen!!! Shame there isn't any early entry to this considering how long the wait often is.

Actually, there is early entry for Ollivander's. The PP's experience with it being closed until 9:30-10:00 was not normal.

Going through that particular line more than once in a day, assuming normal crowds, would lead one to find a high bridge. It's a cute little show, but not worth more than a single medium-sized wait. Recommend you really work on DS6 to lower his expectations or you'll regret it!

By the way, I was there yesterday (Sunday) from about 4 to closing and crowds were definitely lighter than two Saturdays ago. I would back up the idea that Sundays are, in general, lighter than Fridays. At 6:30 (30 minutes to closing), Ollivander's had "only" a 25-30 minute wait. I've never seen it that short except for when we did early entry in late July. Usually it is easily an hour or more.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Actually, there is early entry for Ollivander's. The PP's experience with it being closed until 9:30-10:00 was not normal.

Going through that particular line more than once in a day, assuming normal crowds, would lead one to find a high bridge. It's a cute little show, but not worth more than a single medium-sized wait. Recommend you really work on DS6 to lower his expectations or you'll regret it!

By the way, I was there yesterday (Sunday) from about 4 to closing and crowds were definitely lighter than two Saturdays ago. I would back up the idea that Sundays are, in general, lighter than Fridays. At 6:30 (30 minutes to closing), Ollivander's had "only" a 25-30 minute wait. I've never seen it that short except for when we did early entry in late July. Usually it is easily an hour or more.

Hi thanks for the post

Yes I have been trying to work on DS - It was really unfortunate as before the park opened I was really trying to get him excited about the trip and one of the publicity things I had read, spoke of the wand shop and how the wand chooses the person - I read this to Kai (DS) and he was so excited - trying to back track after it actually opened to explain it is just a show rather than the real shop has been hard - I'm not overly convinced I have persuaded him that he isn't actually going to meet Harry, Ron and Hermione either!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hi thanks for the post

Yes I have been trying to work on DS - It was really unfortunate as before the park opened I was really trying to get him excited about the trip and one of the publicity things I had read, spoke of the wand shop and how the wand chooses the person - I read this to Kai (DS) and he was so excited - trying to back track after it actually opened to explain it is just a show rather than the real shop has been hard - I'm not overly convinced I have persuaded him that he isn't actually going to meet Harry, Ron and Hermione either!!!

We were in similar situation with our DD6. She wasn't chosen, but she wound up being okay with it. Probably because she still got to buy (well, I did anyway) Hermione's wand....

The show is in the Ollivander's shop, and it looks pretty authentic with regard to the movies. As you probably know, after the show they shuffle you into a small shop that usually has tons of wands, or as I like to call them, $30 sticks.

And regarding Harry, Ron, and Hermione, someone mentioned a long time ago somewhere on here that not only do you not see them, you do not see them in any way, shape, or form anywhere in WWoHP except for the FJ queue and ride itself. If he really wants to see them but does not want to ride, ask for the Castle Tour line and you can go through the queue (without riding) and see them in the DADA room.

 

[bigsur33]

Visited Harry Potter last Wednesday the 10th very light crowd. The lockers fill up early and the lines get long. We had no bags and walked right on FJ..30 minute wait for Hippogriff ride. Olivanders was an hour. The show is very short and luckily my son was chosen. He was thrilled. Rest of the park quiet. Returned Friday and the park was a zoo! 70minute wait for rides, all stores with long lines..etc.

 

[tamaraten]

Logistic Advice For On-Site Morning after Off-site Night

Hi all, it's my first time on this thread- it's amazing how generous everyone is with their information - thank you.

I asked this same question on another thread, but it might have been the wrong one, so I'm posting it on this (possibly more relevant) thread.

I'm a first-timer to Universal, arriving with DH and four kids on Saturday night, really late (around midnight) Dec. 4, and staying at an off-site hotel for that first (crash) night.

In the morning, Sunday, as advised by the wonderful people on the Disboards, we'll go and check in at RPR where we have a reservation for three nights.

My question is, could you please advise on how to do that first morning regarding getting to IOA to take advantage of the early on-site hours?

I'm not sure how to go about doing this since we have to first check into our hotel, leave our bags etc.- then we have to get to the parks and buy our tickets (because I'm buying an AP which I understand I can only do at the gates, and then buy our tickets with the AP discount)....and where to go first considering we probably won't get our act together for 7:30 a.m. when it has been suggested to get there for early hours and to first get to Olivander's as I understand this place fills up super quickly because of its small size.

In short, I'm really confused and a bit stressed because of everything we have to do that morning before we even make it over to WWoHP! Any and all advice on how to plan this first day in light of what crowds are expected to be (hoping not too bad as it's a Sunday, and low(ish) season) would be supremely appreciated!

 

[trstno1]

Actually, there is early entry for Ollivander's. The PP's experience with it being closed until 9:30-10:00 was not normal.

Sorry - I should have made it clear that there was something wrong at Ollivander's that morning - a technical problem or a cast member issue that kept them from opening on time. It really was unfortunate as we had gotten up extra early to be nearly first in line at Ollivander's. There was no other reason to get up so early when doing early entry for on-site guests. Waits were non-existant for the other attractions and shops.

 

[momblanch]

I'm a first-timer to Universal, arriving with DH and four kids on Saturday night, really late (around midnight) Dec. 4, and staying at an off-site hotel for that first (crash) night.

In the morning, Sunday, as advised by the wonderful people on the Disboards, we'll go and check in at RPR where we have a reservation for three nights.

My question is, could you please advise on how to do that first morning regarding getting to IOA to take advantage of the early on-site hours?

I'm not sure how to go about doing this since we have to first check into our hotel, leave our bags etc.- then we have to get to the parks and buy our tickets (because I'm buying an AP which I understand I can only do at the gates, and then buy our tickets with the AP discount)....and where to go first considering we probably won't get our act together for 7:30 a.m. when it has been suggested to get there for early hours and to first get to Olivander's as I understand this place fills up super quickly because of its small size.

In short, I'm really confused and a bit stressed because of everything we have to do that morning before we even make it over to WWoHP! Any and all advice on how to plan this first day in light of what crowds are expected to be (hoping not too bad as it's a Sunday, and low(ish) season) would be supremely appreciated!

I am sure you are all very excited, but would you consider a less stressful approach? Maybe consider Sunday a "resort" day. Waking everyone up at the crack of dawn after a late night, might not be the best plan. Take your time heading over to RPR, check-in, maybe enjoy the resort a bit, go for a swim if weather permits etc. Then in the afternoon head on over to IOA, get your tickets and enjoy the rest of the afternoon/evening at the parks. WWoHP is beautiful at night and we found that after 4 on Sunday it was very manageable. Then come Monday morning you could arrive for early entry and head straight for Ollivanders. Just an idea...

 

[happycath44]

We are hoping to arrive early this Friday (staying at PBH), and was hoping to skip the locker line. if we have only cell phones and wallets in our pockets can we avoid the locker line

 

[phamton]

We are hoping to arrive early this Friday (staying at PBH), and was hoping to skip the locker line. if we have only cell phones and wallets in our pockets can we avoid the locker line

Yes, you don't have to use a locker if things fit into your pockets. Just make sure they are deep in your pockets as cellphones have a way of falling out on that ride.

 

[tamaraten]

I am sure you are all very excited, but would you consider a less stressful approach? Maybe consider Sunday a "resort" day. Waking everyone up at the crack of dawn after a late night, might not be the best plan. Take your time heading over to RPR, check-in, maybe enjoy the resort a bit, go for a swim if weather permits etc. Then in the afternoon head on over to IOA, get your tickets and enjoy the rest of the afternoon/evening at the parks. WWoHP is beautiful at night and we found that after 4 on Sunday it was very manageable. Then come Monday morning you could arrive for early entry and head straight for Ollivanders. Just an idea...

Thanks for reply momblanch, and a very logical sensible one, for sure. That would be the sane way of doing it. Our problem, however, is that we live overseas, and are coming to Florida for holidays to see family. We'll be driving in from Miami on the Saturday night, and only have 4 days in Orlando in total (have to leave on the 4rth day). So, unfortunately, I don't feel we can really afford a take-it-easy-day on the first day, even though that would make a lot of sense from an exhaustion point of view. We'll only be doing Universal and maybe a day at Seaworld or KSC, and really need to maximize our time. That's why I'm worried about that first day!!

 

[mariks714]

Hi! I'll be in Orlando before and after Super Bowl weekend. My family wants to go to WWoHP on the day it is slowest. Do you think we should go on Thursday (2/3), or on Super Bowl Sunday (2/6)?

We were set on going on Thursday, since we figured it'd be slowest midweek. But then we realized that Super Bowl Sunday may be even slower, especially as the day goes on. What do you guys think? Any advice would help me out a bunch...thanks!

 

[phamton]

Hi! I'll be in Orlando before and after Super Bowl weekend. My family wants to go to WWoHP on the day it is slowest. Do you think we should go on Thursday (2/3), or on Super Bowl Sunday (2/6)?

We were set on going on Thursday, since we figured it'd be slowest midweek. But then we realized that Super Bowl Sunday may be even slower, especially as the day goes on. What do you guys think? Any advice would help me out a bunch...thanks!

My guess is that Thursday will be much slower. SuperBowl doesn't have much impact on park attendance. Sundays are usually not very crowded but Thursdays are usually even less crowded than Sundays.

 

[brenda1966]

Tamaraten -- I'm not sure about buying the tickets that morning. I honestly didn't even notice if ticket counters were open.

We did an offsite stay and then early check in and early entry. We were maybe 1-2 miles away and took a taxi at 7am over to RPR and checked in. Our room was ready so we were able to take our bags to our room and then walk over to IOA. IT all went pretty smoothly except it did take a while to get a taxi. I think I asked for one around 6:45 and it didn't come until after 7, so plan for that. We were not at IOA right at 8am, so were a bit late, but otherwise it was well worth it. We were able to do Olivanders with a 15 minute wait.

 

[tamaraten]

Tamaraten -- I'm not sure about buying the tickets that morning. I honestly didn't even notice if ticket counters were open.

We did an offsite stay and then early check in and early entry. We were maybe 1-2 miles away and took a taxi at 7am over to RPR and checked in. Our room was ready so we were able to take our bags to our room and then walk over to IOA. IT all went pretty smoothly except it did take a while to get a taxi. I think I asked for one around 6:45 and it didn't come until after 7, so plan for that. We were not at IOA right at 8am, so were a bit late, but otherwise it was well worth it. We were able to do Olivanders with a 15 minute wait.

Thanks brenda1966 - wow, that is a great question re tickets. I must check that out. I assumed that if the park is open, the ticket counters are open too, but maybe not...

We will have a rental car, so that helps re getting to hotel. I'm worried about waking up four sleepy kids who went to sleep after midnight the night before, eating breakfast, getting over to RPR, checking in, then getting to IOA for early entry. I'm glad to hear you could do Olivanders with a pretty short wait - when were you there? Was Olivanders worth the (even) short wait? Did you go straight to FJ right after?

Also, now that I'm asking all these questions (and grateful for the help), how many days were you there and what type of tickets do you buy? (I posted this question somewhere else - I'm curious to know what people's favourite amount of time is at the two parks, to do it effectively and enjoyably).

thanks for the help!

 

[phamton]

Thanks brenda1966 - wow, that is a great question re tickets. I must check that out. I assumed that if the park is open, the ticket counters are open too, but maybe not...

If the park is open then the ticket counters and also Guest Services is open.

 

[tamaraten]

If the park is open then the ticket counters and also Guest Services is open.

Thank you phamtom - you saved me more research!

 

[azdoughboy]

Still in the park...Yesterday (11/17) was VERY light. Employee up front said it's the lightest crowd he's seen. Today (11/18) slightly heavier but none of the ride waits were longer than 10 minutes, and ollivanders was maybe 20. We certainly picked the right week!

BC