Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[OrcaPotter]

For WWOHP, would you expect a difference in crowd level between the week of May 15 (specifically Thursday or Friday) and the first week of December?
I'm trying to talk myself into a quick trip this month (I'm in the area for a conference) or just wait until my scheduled vacation in December.

Hoping to avoid very crowded. Thanks for any input.

wdwcindy

Do you mean a difference in crowds between going in May versus going in December? 'Cause otherwise you have a very large time frame!

May can be a bit tricky because many school trips happen at this time. As a matter of fact, my best friend is chaperoning an 8th grade field trip to the parks this Friday and the parks (or at least US) will be closing early for this purpose. Usually a good strategy is to go to the parks when they close early, because the typical mentality is people want to go on days the parks are open later in order to get a full day's worth. So these days tend to be less crowded.

As you hit June, July, and August ... every day has the potential to be insanely crowded.

December can be bad, too, but not as much as summer. US is fairly friendly to locals, more so than Disney (which is why I have an AP to US versus Disney) and that means when there are weekend holiday events it tends to be more crowded (another reason Sundays tend to be slower). I took my parents on December 5th last year to see one of the holiday concerts and it was mobbed. As it gets closer to Christmas and New Year's it'll get worse. If US does as well as they did last year, they'll reach capacity again.

 

[Copper Queen]

Hi everyone! I hope I’m posting this in the right spot. We will be staying at WDW in August and have plans to visit HPW on August 22nd (it’s a Monday – ack!) . Based on what I’ve gathered so far, staying onsite at Universal is the way to go to avoid lineups, but I’m not sure that our budget can accommodate the additional $250 price tag.

Instead, my plan would be for us to be at IOA when it opens, and spend the morning in the park since I know everyone will be at HPW. We would then perhaps leave early afternoon and return early evening to visit HPW when the crowds are less. IOA closes at 8 pm that day.

Is this plan doable? If the park closes at 8 pm, what time do you think would be good to arrive at HPW? Or should we just bite the bullet and stay on-site for the night?

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[damo]

Hi everyone! I hope I’m posting this in the right spot. We will be staying at WDW in August and have plans to visit HPW on August 22nd (it’s a Monday – ack!) . Based on what I’ve gathered so far, staying onsite at Universal is the way to go to avoid lineups, but I’m not sure that our budget can accommodate the additional $250 price tag.

Instead, my plan would be for us to be at IOA when it opens, and spend the morning in the park since I know everyone will be at HPW. We would then perhaps leave early afternoon and return early evening to visit HPW when the crowds are less. IOA closes at 8 pm that day.

Is this plan doable? If the park closes at 8 pm, what time do you think would be good to arrive at HPW? Or should we just bite the bullet and stay on-site for the night?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hi Fellow Ontario Person! The time when you are going, although not the busiest time of the summer, is really, really hot. I highly recommend that you stay onsite to take advantage of early entry and unlimited express access. Go to the park for early entry at 8. Do everything that you can in the morning. Have lunch and then go back to the hotel for a mid-day break/swim. Then have an early dinner and head back to the parks. Remember that you get two full days of unlimited express line access as well as two full early entries with your one night onsite. So, you can do what I outlined above twice for the price of one night.

Remember that our CAA can be used for the AAA discount. You can call the Loews reservation line to get this discount or go through CAA. It can't be booked online on the loews or universal website.

One other option is to book one of the Harry Potter Packages to stay offsite. It will also give you early entry but not express passes. These can be found on the www.universalorlando.com website.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Long time member of the DIS, but this is my first post on the Universal boards.

We plan to be in WDW from May 27th through June 5th. We are considering stopping at IOA one day (probably Thursday, June 2nd). We cannot stay on-site for early entry as we are already staying in a DVC villa.

Three questions:

1. How long is the wait for HP first thing in the morning for a non-resort guest? 1 hour, two hours or even longer?

2. I've read the last few pages of this thread and there seems to be some discussion of waiting until night for HP. What is the best touring strategy for WWoHP for a non-resort guest - first thing in the morning or night?

3. How "rough" is the HP ride? My wife and Mom will be with us. My wife can't ride roller coasters this trip as she is healing from a spinal fusion surgery last October. Anything rough could be rough on her healing neck. My Mom gets motion sickness and doesn't do too many rough rides anymore such as the coasters or Dinosaur.

TIA!

 

[damo]

Long time member of the DIS, but this is my first post on the Universal boards.

We plan to be in WDW from May 27th through June 5th. We are considering stopping at IOA one day (probably Thursday, June 2nd). We cannot stay on-site for early entry as we are already staying in a DVC villa.

Three questions:

1. How long is the wait for HP first thing in the morning for a non-resort guest? 1 hour, two hours or even longer?

2. I've read the last few pages of this thread and there seems to be some discussion of waiting until night for HP. What is the best touring strategy for WWoHP for a non-resort guest - first thing in the morning or night?

3. How "rough" is the HP ride? My wife and Mom will be with us. My wife can't ride roller coasters this trip as she is healing from a spinal fusion surgery last October. Anything rough could be rough on her healing neck. My Mom gets motion sickness and doesn't do too many rough rides anymore such as the coasters or Dinosaur.

TIA!

First thing in the morning there is about an hour wait. However, from the sounds it, you might be better doing an alternate plan. I would take your wife and your mom through the "castle tour". Tell the TM at the castle entrance that is what you want to do. Castle tour visitors do not ride. You can take your time and take pictures etc. After that you all leave the castle but you should go back to the castle entrance and tell them you want to ride in the single rider line. You will have minimal wait. The ride is just as rough as Dinosaur and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with bad motion sickness or back injuries.

Your wife and Mom can wait for you in the exit store (Filch's emporium) or sit outside on one of the benches.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

First thing in the morning there is about an hour wait. However, from the sounds it, you might be better doing an alternate plan. I would take your wife and your mom through the "castle tour". Tell the TM at the castle entrance that is what you want to do. Castle tour visitors do not ride. You can take your time and take pictures etc. After that you all leave the castle but you should go back to the castle entrance and tell them you want to ride in the single rider line. You will have minimal wait. The ride is just as rough as Dinosaur and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with bad motion sickness or back injuries.

Your wife and Mom can wait for you in the exit store (Filch's emporium) or sit outside on one of the benches.

Thanks! That's very helpful.

My only concern is with the single rider line, I don't want my 9 year old riding by himself. He might be too scared to ride on his own without one of us. My two teens would be fine.

 

[damo]

Thanks! That's very helpful.

My only concern is with the single rider line, I don't want my 9 year old riding by himself. He might be too scared to ride on his own without one of us. My two teens would be fine.

Sorry, for some reason I just assumed it was only the three of you. You don't really have any other options than to just wait in line. I don't think Thursday June 7 should be overloaded with people. I would just get to the gates about 1/2 hour early and hope for the best.

 

[Copper Queen]

Hi Fellow Ontario Person! The time when you are going, although not the busiest time of the summer, is really, really hot. I highly recommend that you stay onsite to take advantage of early entry and unlimited express access. Go to the park for early entry at 8. Do everything that you can in the morning. Have lunch and then go back to the hotel for a mid-day break/swim. Then have an early dinner and head back to the parks. Remember that you get two full days of unlimited express line access as well as two full early entries with your one night onsite. So, you can do what I outlined above twice for the price of one night.

Thanks, Damo! What do you think of this plan?

We arrive in Orlando on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm. We would go straight to Universal on-site hotel, check in and pretty much have a relaxing evening. We only have a 1 day park pass so we wouldn't use it until Sunday. We would then do the early entry on Sunday and after lunch in the park, head to WDW to check in at Pop Century and get settled. Then after having an early dinner, we would head back to IOA to do HP.

Considering that we only have a 1 day pass for IOA, is it still worth it to stay onsite?

 

[damo]

Thanks, Damo! What do you think of this plan?

We arrive in Orlando on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm. We would go straight to Universal on-site hotel, check in and pretty much have a relaxing evening. We only have a 1 day park pass so we wouldn't use it until Sunday. We would then do the early entry on Sunday and after lunch in the park, head to WDW to check in at Pop Century and get settled. Then after having an early dinner, we would head back to IOA to do HP.

Considering that we only have a 1 day pass for IOA, is it still worth it to stay onsite?

I wouldn't head back to Disney 'til you are done at Universal. I would instead do the water rides a few times after lunch and then go to the hotel to dry off and have a bit of a break. The Popeye ride is fantastic.

Personally, I would only stay onsite at Universal.

 

[Coach81]

Damo.. or anyone else that might know..

Projected wait lines for WWOHP for the week of May 23rd???

 

[blondietink]

If you are staying on-site at Universal, then you should have access to their early entry system, so I would go directly to the Harry Potter section as soon they will allow you in the am. Then enjoy the rest of the park at your leisure for the rest of the day.

 

[hopemax]

Went yesterday, Tuesday May 10th. While it was hopping in WWoHP, it was a heck of a lot less crowded than when I was there last year for the grand opening. Didn't see any lines for people waiting to get into the area. FJ the longest wait we saw was 60 min, 40 for Hippogriff and 10 for Dragon Challenge.

When we left WWoHP about 2, we did Poseidon, Seuss Trolley, Cat in the Hat, Hulk and Spiderman. It was about 5 min for the rides, except Spidy which was 40 min (we did single rider).

Had a great Grand Feast, got my purple pygmy puff to match my pink one, did the Castle Tour, which even though I explained it the rest of my party several times about they didn't "get it" until we were doing it. "Oh, so that's why so many people are in the other part of the line!" It was nice to do because on our friends has 6 broken vertabrae and can't do rides anymore, which is majorly bumming him out, because he loves FJ. He was happy to be able to see the whole loops in Dumbledore's office and the classroom.

It was a good day.

 

[Laurabearz]

Long time member of the DIS, but this is my first post on the Universal boards.

We plan to be in WDW from May 27th through June 5th. We are considering stopping at IOA one day (probably Thursday, June 2nd). We cannot stay on-site for early entry as we are already staying in a DVC villa.

Three questions:

1. How long is the wait for HP first thing in the morning for a non-resort guest? 1 hour, two hours or even longer?

2. I've read the last few pages of this thread and there seems to be some discussion of waiting until night for HP. What is the best touring strategy for WWoHP for a non-resort guest - first thing in the morning or night?

3. How "rough" is the HP ride? My wife and Mom will be with us. My wife can't ride roller coasters this trip as she is healing from a spinal fusion surgery last October. Anything rough could be rough on her healing neck. My Mom gets motion sickness and doesn't do too many rough rides anymore such as the coasters or Dinosaur.

TIA!

First thing in the morning there is about an hour wait. However, from the sounds it, you might be better doing an alternate plan. I would take your wife and your mom through the "castle tour". Tell the TM at the castle entrance that is what you want to do. Castle tour visitors do not ride. You can take your time and take pictures etc. After that you all leave the castle but you should go back to the castle entrance and tell them you want to ride in the single rider line. You will have minimal wait. The ride is just as rough as Dinosaur and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with bad motion sickness or back injuries.

Your wife and Mom can wait for you in the exit store (Filch's emporium) or sit outside on one of the benches.

Oh now... it's not a rough as Dinosaur... BUT it's horrid for motion sickness..... or perhaps I was so nauseous from it I didn't notice how rough it is... hahahaha (thankfully I found a treatment for my positional vertigo and look forward to riding FJ without the need to throw up!)

As for KS... The wait might be an hour first thing in the morning (I doubt it for your dates), but ya know, it goes by really fast. It's a lovely queue, lots to chat about.... I have waited when ALL the switch backs have been open, in August, and had a great time. (although one time I had to pee, so that wasnt so great ha)

My biggest tip... Once you get inside the castle... feel free to move off to the side and take it all in. Let people pass you... at that point, what's a few more minutes to enjoy all the castle has to offer.

 

[damo]

Oh now... it's not a rough as Dinosaur... BUT it's horrid for motion sickness..... or perhaps I was so nauseous from it I didn't notice how rough it is... hahahaha (thankfully I found a treatment for my positional vertigo and look forward to riding FJ without the need to throw up!)

As for KS... The wait might be an hour first thing in the morning (I doubt it for your dates), but ya know, it goes by really fast. It's a lovely queue, lots to chat about.... I have waited when ALL the switch backs have been open, in August, and had a great time. (although one time I had to pee, so that wasnt so great ha)

My biggest tip... Once you get inside the castle... feel free to move off to the side and take it all in. Let people pass you... at that point, what's a few more minutes to enjoy all the castle has to offer.

As long as you know how to ride Dinosaur--and Indy in DL (riding with your legs, not sitting on your butt) we don't find it that terribly rough. Anyone with a bad back or neck shouldn't be riding FJ because it does move you around in every direction quite unexpectably. We recently took a new visitor to both parks. They had no trouble with Dinosaur after we told them to just rest their butts on the edge of the seat and put all the weight on their legs (like you would on a stool) but had a lot of trouble with FJ.

 

[damo]

Damo.. or anyone else that might know..

Projected wait lines for WWOHP for the week of May 23rd???

We've been there on that weekend since it is a long weekend in Canada. We didn't find it bad at all but, of course, HP has changed everything. Since Memorial Day weekend is the following weekend, you would think people would wait until then to go.

 

[mesaboy2]

). Had a great Grand Feast, got my purple pygmy puff to match my pink one, did the Castle Tour, which even though I explained it the rest of my party several times about they didn't "get it" until we were doing it. "Oh, so that's why so many people are in the other part of the line!" It was nice to do because on our friends has 6 broken vertabrae and can't do rides anymore, which is majorly bumming him out, because he loves FJ. He was happy to be able to see the whole loops in Dumbledore's office and the classroom.

What's this? Purples are here now? First report I've seen of this...hope they stock these better than the pink ones early on....

 

[macraven]

My only concern is with the single rider line, I don't want my 9 year old riding by himself. He might be too scared to ride on his own without one of us. My two teens would be fine.

you can't make much conversation with the person next to you on the FJ ride.
it's not that type of ride where you can visit with the one next to you.

 

[ladeedeb]

Thanks! That's very helpful.

My only concern is with the single rider line, I don't want my 9 year old riding by himself. He might be too scared to ride on his own without one of us. My two teens would be fine.

Really, don't worry about that. If he is too scared that he needs a hand or someone touching him, or looking at him, he really shouldn't ride. There is a kind of partition between each of the ride seats making it difficult to interact or even see the person next to you. Stay in the single rider line together. Have one or both of the teens go first then DS 9, then you go last. That way there will be someone at the end when he gets there & you will be behind him. He may be in a row with no one he knows, but he won't see them or be able to interact anyway. You may want to ride it first to see what you think. How does he do on other rides?

 

[19lottie82]

We are heading to IoA on Sunday, 12th June. Any ideas how bad the crowds will be by then? (will the schools be out for summer yet?)

I think the plan is to head along late ish. Would it be a sensible plan to head into IoA around 3pm and then WWOHP about 7pm?

Any advice is welcome xx

 

[leshunlenese]

Hey! I was wondering if i should be worried about crowds in the beginning of december? i know disney will be having pop warner, are those crowds going to migrate to IOA/US. Im wondering if we should add extra nights at our disney hotel or book at universal to take advantage of early entry?
Thanks in advance