Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[KathyinNY]

The schools were out, but the RAIN helped keep the crowds low today, the last day of the three-day weekend.

It was raining very heavily at times in the morning, but while watching the Sunday latenight news, one of the local meteorologists forecasted a tapering off by early afternoon. So our gameplan was to hit the park sometime after lunch. Well, just like the meteorologist predicted, the heavy rains gave way to light sprinkles around 2pm. We entered IOA at 2:30pm and the sprinkles were so light, we didn't even bother with ponchos (but brought them with us, just in case).

Our first stop was Ollivanders. We only had to wait for two shows before our group went in (maybe 10-15 minutes wait?). FJ had a posted standby time of 15 minutes, but it was really like 5 minutes. You walked right through the entire queue and barely had any wait at the end. We rode it twice in a row, did some shopping, rode the Hippogriff with a 5 minute wait, and came back for a third ride. By 4pm, the sprinkles completely stopped and we enjoyed a few other rides in IOA.

At first, I was bummed about the rainy forecast for our IOA day, but in the end, everything worked out beautifully! Especially since we were originally planning for medium-heavy crowds because of the MLK Jr. weekend. FJ being almost a walk-on during a long weekend? We'll gladly take it!

We were there on Monday too, and we were there in the morning. We got straight into Ollivanders and my daughter got picked for the show, which was awesome. We were completely drenched, but we got to see and do everything, so it was OK in the end. We rode Harry Potter 4 times - absolutely no wait at all - you could have ridden 20 times.

 

[Armadillo4]

We were there on Monday too, and we were there in the morning. We got straight into Ollivanders and my daughter got picked for the show, which was awesome. We were completely drenched, but we got to see and do everything, so it was OK in the end. We rode Harry Potter 4 times - absolutely no wait at all - you could have ridden 20 times.

Wicked cool! The rain is definitely a great crowd equalizer. I'm glad you and your family had a wonderful time!

Tuesday Jan. 18 was a sunny day and the crowds made a slight comeback. Everything was actually very reasonable with the exception of FJ.

At 3pm:
FJ - 75 minutes
Ollivanders - 30 minutes
Hippogriff - 15 minutes
Dragon Challenge - 10 minutes
Butterbeer lines - 8-10 people

 

[bouncycat]

Those aren't bad times at all!!! I just got my tickets for Saturday, supposed to be a little chilly, so hopefully not much in the crowd department. We're gonna get there early, and go right to HP, so we can get in with little wait!!!

 

[coastermom]

How bad do you think it will be in Nov?? Early Nov. planning for a return visit ...went in Aug and had a great time on FJ ... now I am hooked on BUTTER BEER !! Cant wait to take my DD and her friends for her Sweet 16 !

 

[GetGlowing]

Early Nov. is an overall good time to visit the parks.

 

[lborne]

We were there on Tuesday too and at 9 am, FJ was 15 minutes and then it increased as the day went on.

Even with such short wait and relatively low crowd, I can see where carrying a bag would be a big pain because the locker area is so small and dark. With no organized line to wait for one of the computer screens to get your locker, people were fighting and shoving to get to them.

 

[KathyinNY]

Well we followed the instructions from this board not to bring bags in. We also followed the suggestions to go to Ollivander's first. We bought the kids wands at Ollivanders, which meant we now had bags to check in.

Luckily, due to the rain, the crowds were very low, so it wasn't really an issue, but I'm just pointing it out for others who might be going at a later time.

The whole fingerprint thing with the lockers is a problem, in my opinion. Not sure if it was because our fingers were so wet from the rain, but we repeatedly had problems getting our lockers open when we were done. I wish they would have done a password instead - I can see how the fingerprint thing can really back things up, as you need to find an attendant to help you out if it doesn't read your fingerprints.

 

[flfun]

Well we followed the instructions from this board not to bring bags in. We also followed the suggestions to go to Ollivander's first. We bought the kids wands at Ollivanders, which meant we now had bags to check in.

Any purchases can be sent to the front of the park - Trader Joe's - they will hold it for you and you can pick it up on your way out.

Also, they sell nearly all the major HP souvenirs at Trader Joe's so you can purchase your wand on the way out.

 

[phamton]

Any purchases can be sent to the front of the park - Trader Joe's - they will hold it for you and you can pick it up on your way out.

Also, they sell nearly all the major HP souvenirs at Trader Joe's so you can purchase your wand on the way out.

Just small correction: They will send your purchases to the front of the park to The Trading Company. Although I do like the name Trader Joe's better.

 

[bouncycat]

We always try to keep the souveniers to the minimum until we're ready to leave....I do my best not to carry bags also. Camera is a different story. This weekend we'll have a non rider with us, with the exception of the HP ride I'm sure....so she'll be the camera holder!! LOL

 

[amylia403]

We were at WWOHP today and the wait times were almost non-exsistant. FJ was only a 10 minute wait, and the entire time in the line you were walking so really it was like no wait at all. No lines to get in the shops, and about a 20 minute wait for Olivanders

 

[Squirrel!!!]

We were at WWOHP today and the wait times were almost non-exsistant. FJ was only a 10 minute wait, and the entire time in the line you were walking so really it was like no wait at all. No lines to get in the shops, and about a 20 minute wait for Olivanders

Thank you for this encouraging update. We leave Saturday for WDW, and are going to UOIA either Weds or Thursday of next week.

Getting excited now!!!!

 

[bouncycat]

We were at WWOHP today and the wait times were almost non-exsistant. FJ was only a 10 minute wait, and the entire time in the line you were walking so really it was like no wait at all. No lines to get in the shops, and about a 20 minute wait for Olivanders

Yes Thanks for this report!!!! We're getting to the park EARLY tomorrow, so hopefully we can get in and see everything quick. One question for those that have been, is there butter beer in bottles, like that we can take back with us? I have my step daughter here with me, and wants to take some back to her friends, I told her I didn't think she could

 

[DCDisney]

No BB does not come in bottles but the pumpkin juice does come in a really cute bottle with a pumpkin on the top.

 

[Metro West]

Early Nov. is an overall good time to visit the parks.

Yes indeed...It would be my favorite time to visit except HHN is over.

 

[amylia403]

Yes Thanks for this report!!!! We're getting to the park EARLY tomorrow, so hopefully we can get in and see everything quick. One question for those that have been, is there butter beer in bottles, like that we can take back with us? I have my step daughter here with me, and wants to take some back to her friends, I told her I didn't think she could

Your welcome Have fun! We got to the park around noon, and still no lines so hopefully your day will go just as smooth! There are no Butter beer bottles, but you can get a neat souvenier cup to take home Also the Pumpkin Juice comes in cute bottles

 

[bouncycat]

Your welcome Have fun! We got to the park around noon, and still no lines so hopefully your day will go just as smooth! There are no Butter beer bottles, but you can get a neat souvenier cup to take home Also the Pumpkin Juice comes in cute bottles

Thanks!!! I'm excited, can't wait for it to be tomorrow already!!! I'll probably be in bed early! LOL

 

[coastgirl]

So is the trend of going later in the day still working? We arrive on Friday Feb 12, and will have 4 day park passes. We'll be there at least until the 22nd, but President's Day is in there (the 21st?), so I'm thinking we should go early in the week of the 14th? I'm most concerned about a good time to get into Ollivander's. Can we go on Sat or Sun and get a decent amount done? The kids won't want to wait...

 

[Meteora]

Hi everyone! After much discussion, my friend and I believe we will be going to WWoHP on Thursday, March 17th. We would have liked to go earlier in the week, but my friend wasn't able to take off more than a couple of days of work. Gates open at 9, and we're staying offsite. What time should we plan to arrive at the park?


We will be heading straight to the Forbidden Journey, as we have very little interest in Ollivanders. We'd also like to see the Three Broomsticks. Anything on top of that is gravy, but we are also considering heading to the Marvel or Seuss sections later in the afternoon. Advice? Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[HawaiiDiscount]

The single rider line for Forbidden Journey should be fairly short. Be sure to check out the Spiderman ride too! It is great! Spiderman also has a single rider line that is much shorter.