Harry Potter Suggestions for on-site Guests With small kiddos?

[BensDaddy]

Hello everyone!

My family and I will be spending 2 nights at Portofino Bay before departing on the Disney Dream for our 10th anniversary in October.

We have a 5 year old who (sadly) won't be able to ride HP Forbidden Journey. Momma and I will want to though, so we were thinking that by staying on-site we might be able to head there first thing in the morning after the park opens and get it out of the way (via ride swap) and then spend the remainder of the day doing more kid friendly attractions.

Could anyone who has done something similar in the past please provide us with a walk-through to tell us how to accomplish all of this, get to the park, get quickly to the HP area, and get the most out of staying on-site to meet our objective?

Thanks! (and sorry if this has been asked before)

 

[Metro West]

Crowds in October are generally light except for WWoHP of course.

If you take advantage of early entry and use child swap, you can easily do the rest of the park w/o any problems after WWoHP. The only attraction that will cause a delay is the Pteranodon Flyers in Jurassic Park. This is a slow loading attraction and it doesn't accept Express so you will need to wait in the line for this one.

 

[BensDaddy]

Can you explain how early entry works and if WWoHP is a part of it?

 

[tinydancer09]

Can you explain how early entry works and if WWoHP is a part of it?

Early entry is for hotel guests only and is for WWOHP only. You will need your park ticket and your hotel key to get in. If the park opens at 9 you will be able to go through the gates at 8 and head straight to Harry Potter. You will have an hour with only hotel guests in the area so minimal wait times. I would recommend getting there at least 15 minutes before early entry time. I usualy spend this extra time eating breakfast or putting on sunscreen. (I wouldnt recommend doing both.. your stomach doesnt need much sunscreen-- skin is pretty affective)

I would recommend going straight to Olivanders with the little ones and then FJ then shopping. If you would like to ride Dueling Dragons I would leave that for last. Or is it Dragon Challenge? Anyways, When you shop you can have your stuff sent back to the hotel room for you so you don't have to carry it around.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have a 5 year old who (sadly) won't be able to ride HP Forbidden Journey. Momma and I will want to though, so we were thinking that by staying on-site we might be able to head there first thing in the morning after the park opens and get it out of the way (via ride swap) and then spend the remainder of the day doing more kid friendly attractions.

Remember, there's more to WWoHP than Forbidden Journey (or the big coaster). The Hippogriff coaster is small and has a lower height requirement, and my son (6 at the time) loved it madly. He went on it every day of our Universal stay, and on the last day he and I went on it 14 times in a row, he loved it so much.

My point is, don't just leave the Wizarding World after FJ...if he's already into the stories be sure to poke around the place a little bit.

Also remember that their child swap is done *inside* the castle, just before the sorting hat area (I believe), so he'll be able to see the inside of the castle with you guys.

 

[BensDaddy]

Thanks guys. That sounds pretty good. Are there usually long lines of hotel guests? How long in advance would we want to be getting on the boat at the hotel?

 

[Pembo]

If regular park opening is at 9, you'll get into IOA at 7:45. Just wanted to add that the child swap room is really cool on FJ and it's right by the ride loading. Also my youngest loved Flight of the HIppogriff. We found out that you can ride FoH 3 times for every ride on FJ!!! Poor Dh rode FoH 8 times in a row. lol

After you get your morning fill of HP, head to Seussland. Another favorite of our families. Then head back to HP after 6. It's very cool at night.

 

[BensDaddy]

Thanks, thats great advice (sorry it took so long for me to respond!) We'll plan on being at IOE by 7:30 or so.