Harry Potter Crowd Report Thread...

[damo]

Ok, I swore I would never go to IOA again after going on January 3rd of this year and catching EVERYONE still on Christmas break. We couldn't even get our stroller in WWOHP.

Of course....now I am seriously wanting to go back and do all of the things that I couldn't do the first time! I need serious advice. 2 adults 2 children (age 2 and 4). Not too terribly much into thrill rides. Would like to do WWOHP thoroughly and need advice on when/how to do it. Also, what is there for the daughters to do?

Help for a newbie?

There is quite a bit for little ones throughout the park. The entire Seuss Landing is geared towards them. There is a playground and ride in Jurassic Park (Pteranadon Flyers). Toon Lagoon has a splash area right beside Dudley Do-Right and Me Ship the Olive is a boat playground. In the Marvel area there is Storm Force Acceletron which is the same as the teacups ride in Disney. You'd have to check the height restrictions on that one.

 

[Hygiene99]

Does anyone have a magic 8 ball handy? Any guesses as to what the crowds will be like on Aug 19 or the 21st?

This will be our first visit to Universal and obviously WWoHP. Would it be in our best interest to drag everyone out of bed uber early? We will be staying on WDW property.

Well, that is the day we are going! staying onsite @Portifino bay , then over to Disney. early entry. so since there are 7 of us .. Crowds will be Heavy!

 

[saintstickets]

We are going to WWoHP the week BEFORE Memorial Day, 2012. We will arrive late Sunday night (5/20/12) and leave on Friday (5/25/12). We will probably visit IoA the Monday and/or Tuesday of that week. Any visitors go at that time this year? How were the crowds? TIA.

 

[damo]

We are going to WWoHP the week BEFORE Memorial Day, 2012. We will arrive late Sunday night (5/20/12) and leave on Friday (5/25/12). We will probably visit IoA the Monday and/or Tuesday of that week. Any visitors go at that time this year? How were the crowds? TIA.

We were there that exact time but it was before Harry Potter showed up. The crowd were really great.

 

[jjjmranch]

We were at Universal last Monday and Tuesday. August 8th & 9th. The Forbidden Journey wait in the morning was two hours. BUT if you went in the afternoon, the wait time was only 45 minutes on both days. It seems everyone runs to the ride in the morning. We took our time and enjoyed a less wait time in the afternoon.

 

[Turtlemom]

Did you have any trouble getting into the WWOHP??? I've read that there can be lines to enter the Harry Potter area and that you need to get there early or you have to wait in a big standby line. Is that still true, or have things calmed down a bit???

Just wondering. We will be there next week sometime.

 

[jjjmranch]

We just walked into Hogsmeade, no lines to get in the village. The biggest craziness was the lockers where you put your bags. None can be brought onto FJ. The crowds were manageable but the line for Ollivanders was long. We didn't even try to get in there. We bought our wands in CityWalk at the Universal Store. The gift shop for HP is really small and that's the exit for the ride as well as getting back to the lockers. I don't know what they were thinking when they built the gift shop area.

 

[Echo queen]

Sunday August 14 we checked in at RPR and went to ioa first arriving at the gate at 745a the park was open. We went back to HP and then on to other parts of the park we then went over to US and did more rides had lunch we got the call our room was ready about 1pm. The park was not busy just hot. We went back to the room from 1p to 4p missed the afternoon shower then back to both parks that evening until 10p close. The longest line was 20min posted at all the rides so no wait with fotl. Most 5nin Rip rocket was 45min or more each time we checked, we did not ride.

It was not that busy none of the lines for food or snacks were long. My family felt no need to go back a 2nd day so we slept in had a big breakfast and left RPR. We were here last year the same time, lower crowds for sure this year. We still have over a week of vacation left. Yea haa. My boy are 16 and soon be 13 (tomorrow) and dh. Party of 4.

 

[mark2311]

I know it's hard to predict these things but I'll be in Orlando from 7-18 September. Does anyone have any idea what the crowds will be like during these dates or any recommendations for best days during that time

 

[macraven]

that time period in september is usually light with no crowd issues.

but for parry hotter, it is always busy........

you might get lucky and not have many crowds there.
i'll cross my fingers that happens for you.

 

[rtfelt]

We were at Universal last Monday and Tuesday. August 8th & 9th. The Forbidden Journey wait in the morning was two hours. BUT if you went in the afternoon, the wait time was only 45 minutes on both days. It seems everyone runs to the ride in the morning. We took our time and enjoyed a less wait time in the afternoon.

This is good to hear. We'll be there on the 21st and this was our plan based on the recommendation from another website--do the rest of IoA first and then go to WWoHP later in the afternoon. I've been tracking this thread and hadn't heard back from anyone who did this, so thanks for posting your experience.

We can't wait

 

[neoavatara]

Going next week, still going back and forth whether to do WWHOP first or later...guess I may just flip a coin. How about that for planning?

 

[Marvin123]

We were there in the evening at about 7pm last Tuesday (9/8) and it was lovely - really quiet, 20 mins for FJ and walk-on for the other two.
We went back yesterday evening (Monday 15/8) and it was horrible! Really busy, huge queues for everything. We were there about 8pm and I wondered if it was because US closed at 8pm that night so everyone went over to IoA?

 

[kimkreis]

Hoping to do IOA on the Tuesday before Columbus Day weekend. Crowds should be more manageable, yes? We have been once before this year during April spring break. Figure anything will be better than that, yes?

 

[mesaboy2]

Hoping to do IOA on the Tuesday before Columbus Day weekend. Crowds should be more manageable, yes? We have been once before this year during April spring break. Figure anything will be better than that, yes?

That sounds to me like a great day to go.

 

[macraven]

it is a great time to be in the parks, that tuesday before columbus day.


i always hit that time period.
(start on that day and stay until a few days after columbus day.)

i'll be in the parks that day.


crowds are not there.

easy to get where you want and on the rides/shows easily.

 

[Alejop]

Thursday before colombus day will be so crowd? Touringplans says that the crowd @ Disney that day will be level but i dont trust them a lot, what do you think? Ir would me crowded? Please help thanks
P.D: which of the colombus weekend are crowded? Saturday, sunday, and monday? Or just saturday and sunday? Is the colombus weekend full?

 

[mom2princess&prince]

I am wondering if every day is an early entry day at IOA for people staying onsite or just certain days. Also, would it be too risky to go mid day and hope for shorter lines closer to park closing? We are going the week of Thanksgiving, probably that Sunday. Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

I am wondering if every day is an early entry day at IOA for people staying onsite or just certain days. Also, would it be too risky to go mid day and hope for shorter lines closer to park closing? We are going the week of Thanksgiving, probably that Sunday. Thanks!

Early entry for onsites is offered everyday. Anytime near Thanksgiving will be busy, so it is risky IMO to arrive midday and expect to get in. At the very least you should expect to get a return ticket for entry later in the day, if still available.

 

[klacey1]

How have the last few days been? We'll be there a week from Sunday and are hoping for light crowds (we'll say onsite the night before, so we'll have early entry).