Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[mesaboy2]

I found this post on another thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2631952


11-2011, 11:11 PM #2 mesaboy2
Stay thirsty my friends



Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 897




The Harry Potter ride, or FJ (for Forbidden Journey) as it's known here, has a very detailed queue that you go through while you wait to ride the actual ride. The queue is an attraction in and of itself, as it includes many recreations of areas within Hogwarts Castle. Because of this, many people (myself included) enjoy lingering in these areas to enjoy the details and take pictures. Some of the points of interest in this queue include: Dumbledore's Office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor Common Room, the Portrait Gallery, and the Greenhouse. Several of these rooms have lifelike recreations of the characters talking to you or each other.

The Castle Tour queue is a way for those only interested in seeing only the queue to wander through at their own pace. It is a separate queue that, in many places, parallels the main queue, but without the option to ride FJ at the end. However, be aware that the CT queue does not include the Greenhouse nor several other minor areas not mentioned above, and also routes you through a different Portrait Gallery.

The point to remember is that the main queue has all the elements, but since it feeds people onto the ride itself, can move slowly at points. Conversely, it can also move quickly at other points, causing those going through to miss some of the details. The CT queue does not have this issue as it is specifically designed to accomodate those who either do not wish to ride, or would like to take their time in seeing the elements in the main queue.

Hope that answers the question!
__________________

Cool! I'm not sure if I feel more like Funk or Wagnall.

As of right now, there is no Express for Olivanders or Forbidden Journey nor are there any plans for it that are known. HOWEVER...if you do stay onsite, currently you get "Extra magic Hours" (in disney speak) every morning one hour prior to opening...or at least you DID. Pretty sure they still do.

Yep, still do.

 

[cajunaggie]

How much should we budget for buying candy, toys, etc @ WWOHP? We aren't into robes, scarves, t-shirts but wands, candies, sneak-a-scope are for sures.

Also, how do you make Buckbeak bow to you?

 

[damo]

How much should we budget for buying candy, toys, etc @ WWOHP? We aren't into robes, scarves, t-shirts but wands, candies, sneak-a-scope are for sures.

Also, how do you make Buckbeak bow to you?

You can look at the online store at www.universalorlando.com for prices of things that might interest you.

Buckbeak is an animatronic that bows automatically. Doesn't really matter what you are doing, lol.

 

[pcjiang]

Solved all questions, good!

 

[surfgirl]

random question:

when going in the extra hour early, is there a way that they send foot traffic ?

In other words, can we go right and walk through Seuss Land to get to WWOHP, or do we have to go left (which feels longer ) ?

We are staying onsite, so we hope to be walking in at 8am (ish).

: )

 

[damo]

random question:

when going in the extra hour early, is there a way that they send foot traffic ?

In other words, can we go right and walk through Seuss Land to get to WWOHP, or do we have to go left (which feels longer ) ?

We are staying onsite, so we hope to be walking in at 8am (ish).

: )

Everyone goes through Suess Landing shortcut (which takes you under the tracks for the trolley) and then over the bridge into Lost Continent.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Wow, can't believe how much reading I'm doing for 1 part of a park!

We're going to be at IOA, primarily for WWOHP on either the 13th, 14th, or 15th of March. Sunday the 13th seems to be the one people are telling me may be the best of those days.

Anyway, we're staying offsite, and I'm just wondering some of the specifics.

1) Park opens @ 9am that day, so I'm planning on parking the car by 8am. Which is the best place to park and, since we've pre-printed our tickets, where do we walk to line up for entrance to WWOHP?

2) I've seen differing opinions on what to do first, Ollivander's or FJ. There are only 2 of our group of 6 doing FJ, the other 4 are either way too young, or just not interested. Does that affect what order we should do things in?

3) What can be expected in terms of waits for the other rides?

4) Is Ollivander's the only place to buy the wands, and, is there a separate line to buy them there if you're not there for the show?

I know, people are probably sick of these questions, but I know it's going to be crowded while we're there and I want to make the best of things.

 

[ducky_love]

1) Park opens @ 9am that day, so I'm planning on parking the car by 8am. Which is the best place to park and, since we've pre-printed our tickets, where do we walk to line up for entrance to WWOHP?

Good call on when to get there. Since you aren't staying on site they will tell you where to go when you get to the park gates. If there are no directions then head toward your right through Suess Landing. (if they aren't telling people which way to go then that is goo news - means it isn't that crowded)

2) I've seen differing opinions on what to do first, Ollivander's or FJ. There are only 2 of our group of 6 doing FJ, the other 4 are either way too young, or just not interested. Does that affect what order we should do things in?

My opinion? Ollivanders then head to FJ. Make sure you leave your bags with the folks that aren't riding and head toward the LEFT side of the line. Walk by the hundreds of people waiting there - they are waiting for LOCKERS.

3) What can be expected in terms of waits for the other rides?

Tough to tell - you never know on crowds. Seems like HP takes the crowds in the morning and the rest of the park doesn't get busy for a couple hours.

4) Is Ollivander's the only place to buy the wands, and, is there a separate line to buy them there if you're not there for the show?

Nope- you can buy them from a cart in front of the castle and in the main gift shop towards the entrace / exit.

I know, people are probably sick of these questions, but I know it's going to be crowded while we're there and I want to make the best of things.

Nope - not sick of it at all. We are here to help!!

 

[celerystalker]

I see WWHOP for the first time on Saturday (other than construction in March of 09).
I'm so nervous!
That's kind of silly, right?

 

[OrcaPotter]

1) Park opens @ 9am that day, so I'm planning on parking the car by 8am. Which is the best place to park and, since we've pre-printed our tickets, where do we walk to line up for entrance to WWOHP?

When you get there, there's no telling where you'll be told to park. Either side of the garage makes no difference. You can pay a hefty premium price for "preferred" parking which allegedly gets you closer to the bridge over to Citywalk, but honestly, I've been parked everywhere in the garage and it makes no difference.

Having pre-printed your park tickets, pay attention to what the instructions on your tickets say. I am almost 100% positive that you cannot go directly to the turnstiles. When I took my parents there last December, we were forced to wait for a regular ticket window because the attendant swore that the electronic ticket pick-up windows were for "out of state" purchases ONLY. If your paper tickets say go to the gate, then you don't have to worry about picking them up. Just go in.

Since you're not staying on-site, getting there early may or may not be as great as one would think. Since it's spring break season, everyone has the same idea and because the on-site guests have already had the chance to fill the area for an hour (and people tend to hang out, understandably, even if they're done with the rides), chances are it's already going to be packed. I've gone at least once a month since the attraction opened and have finally learned that later is better. Closer to park closing generally sees a smaller wait for everything. But every day is different and some days may be lighter than others. If you find that when you get there at park opening and it's swamped, save yourself the stress and go visit the rest of the park first. Chances are you'll literally walk on to every ride at that point.

2) I've seen differing opinions on what to do first, Ollivander's or FJ. There are only 2 of our group of 6 doing FJ, the other 4 are either way too young, or just not interested. Does that affect what order we should do things in?

If the line is short for Ollivander's, DO IT. It's a very short little show and they only choose one person for the actual experience while everyone watches. I've seen it once and was lucky enough to be chosen! However, I'd feel pretty cheated if I waited more than 30 minutes AT MOST to see it. And that's if I knew I wouldn't be back for a long time. If only 2 of you are planning to ride FJ, skip the line completely and do single riders. You have to ask a team member to be directed to that line. Then, the rest of your party can do the castle tour, which never has a wait, and you can enjoy the castle queue without riding. Again, you have to ask to be directed to that line, and it's definitely worth it no matter what.

3) What can be expected in terms of waits for the other rides?

Little to zero wait early in the day, progressively longer as the day goes on. EVERYBODY goes to WWOHP first.

4) Is Ollivander's the only place to buy the wands, and, is there a separate line to buy them there if you're not there for the show?

The main shops at the front of both Universal parks sell them, as well as an outdoor kiosk outside FJ. They're also sold in Dervish & Banges, which depending on how the crowds are, may or may not require a wait to get in.

Have fun! It's incredibly awesome and FJ is worth any wait, IMHO.

 

[NboroGirl]

I'm sorry if this has already been asked, but I'm leaving on Saturday and don't have time to read through all the replies.

Our family of four is excited to visit Wizarding World. 3 of us 4 want to ride FJ.

My questions are:

1) Will the person who doesn't want to go on the ride be allowed to walk through the line with us and see the castle, and opt out of the ride? Or will he have a separate line to walk through the castle?

2) If he'll be able to go through the line with us and then opt out at the end, will we be able to go through the line with our backpack, then let him take it before we go on the ride? (Trying to avoid the lockers.)

Thanks!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm sorry if this has already been asked, but I'm leaving on Saturday and don't have time to read through all the replies.

Our family of four is excited to visit Wizarding World. 3 of us 4 want to ride FJ.

My questions are:

1) Will the person who doesn't want to go on the ride be allowed to walk through the line with us and see the castle, and opt out of the ride? Or will he have a separate line to walk through the castle?

2) If he'll be able to go through the line with us and then opt out at the end, will we be able to go through the line with our backpack, then let him take it before we go on the ride? (Trying to avoid the lockers.)

Thanks!!

Yes to both. I know of no ride where they force you to board at the end. Just tell any TM who asks about the bags that you have a non-rider.

 

[eculmone]

Someone told me they went on the ride and are prone to motion sickness so they do not handle motion simulators well. I'm in the same boat. I know I almost lost it on the Simpson's ride So my question is this... I really want to try this ride. Do you think if I take an anti nauseant I may be ok? Or should I just tour the castle and meet my family at the end of the ride

 

[damo]

Someone told me they went on the ride and are prone to motion sickness so they do not handle motion simulators well. I'm in the same boat. I know I almost lost it on the Simpson's ride So my question is this... I really want to try this ride. Do you think if I take an anti nauseant I may be ok? Or should I just tour the castle and meet my family at the end of the ride

FJ has parts simulator and parts actual scenery with animatronics.

 

[mesaboy2]

Someone told me they went on the ride and are prone to motion sickness so they do not handle motion simulators well. I'm in the same boat. I know I almost lost it on the Simpson's ride So my question is this... I really want to try this ride. Do you think if I take an anti nauseant I may be ok? Or should I just tour the castle and meet my family at the end of the ride

Yeah, you might be okay or you might not. How's that for a non-answer?

I recommend you send your family first, get their opinions, and then make the call. They know you better than any of us....

DW has better luck on it with an empty stomach--another strategy to think about.

 

[alenushka]

Hi,
I was wondering if there are any tips for those who want to do FJ ride but have a bag to check into a locker. Thank you!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hi,
I was wondering if there are any tips for those who want to do FJ ride but have a bag to check into a locker. Thank you!

Biggest tip is that you can usually enter the locker area through Filch's, the shop at the ride exit. May save you a ton of time, if the locker line is long.

 

[alenushka]

Biggest tip is that you can usually enter the locker area through Filch's, the shop at the ride exit. May save you a ton of time, if the locker line is long.

Wow! it is definitely good to know! Thank you!

 

[Lights_Out]

Okay I have a few questions... (apologies if these questions were asked before)

Is it true that you should hit up WWoHP in the afternoon or is that just a myth to make less people go in the morning? I'm hoping people here will give honest advice! Heh..
Also, I'll be going the second week of May on a weekday if that helps.

Anybody have any idea of what the wait time for Forbidden Journey might be if we rush there first thing in the morning?

One more, is what this website says about the "bag line" true? - http://wizardingworldpark.com/ride-forbidden-journey-ride-10-minutes/2010/09/22/

Thanks!!!

 

[Pikester]

Back from 5 days at Universal and wanted to post that last week was AWESOME crowd wise. Very low crowds at both parks. We (DH, DS13, DS9 and I) arrived on Monday(2/28) to check into the hotel. We did US first since we figured The WWOHP would be packed so we actually waited until 6pm to hit that park (closing was 7pm that night). FJ only had about a 15 minute wait and I believe that was just how long it took you to walk to the ride. The rest of the week was the same for us. 15 minute waits and maybe one 20 minute wait. Pretty much how long it took to walk to the ride once inside Hogwarts. We did the hour early opening once (on Friday 3/4) to get in line for Ollivanders. We had done it once before earlier in the week and neither of my children were chosen. We told DS9 that he could get a wand later in the week before we left. Friday 3/4 was our last day so DH and DS9 tried Ollivanders again while DS13 and I stayed out in the shops. DS9 was not chosen but DH said the show was better then the first time. We went and checked out the Dragon Challenge ride and then walked by Ollivanders and we noticed the line was short. DH, DS9 and DS13 decided to give it one more go while I stayed outside. Guess what? DS13 was chosen! DS9 took it well and we let them both get a wand. DS13 got the one that matched him and DS9 got one that matched his birthday month and date.

Oh and that morning the wait for FJ was 45 minutes!

I also wanted to share that I wore a fanny pack all week and was able to wear it on every ride that I went on including FJ. I did not do Hulk , Doom, Rip Ride Rockit or Dragon Challenge so I don't know if they would have let me keep it on for them.


I tend to get a little quesy (sp?) on simulator rides and I took Bonine (anti nauseant) before we went to the parks. Worked great!