Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[Cruisebound]

We are planning one day visit to Universal, mainly b/c of WWHP. I think kids in our party all read the books and watched the movies so it was a must for them. I am planning of taking them on Aug 27,Mon. I know that southern schools have started at this point and I wanted to avoid the weekend crowd. We'll try to get there supper early and hit WWHP first thing and plan on spending rest of day at both parks. The kids aren't really into big roller coaster rides. They could do Thunder Mt sort of ride but no more scary than that. So we are naturally planning on watching shows and mild rides.
Do we need express pass?

Last time we went to US/IOA it was the end of August and the park was very light. We never waited in line for a ride. That was before the WWOHP. I am sure that area of the park is always a little busy. This year we will be there earlier August 12th-17th. I am a little nervous about the crowds then.

 

[chs27]

Wait to see the crowd level for yourself. You can buy a pass at most shops at any time. Last time I decided to get one because of the amount of field trips visiting that day, but that was in May.

 

[CommanderDan]

My wife and I are heading to IOA tomorrow, mainly to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Any last minute suggestions for the best way to tour the Wizarding World?

My current plan is to be there about an hour before the park opens, and once we are admitted, go directly to the Wizarding World where we will go to FJ fist thing. My wife and I plan to get in line together, but she will opt out for the ride as she is prone to motion sickness. Since she is into photography, she will be wanting to take several pics while in the Hogwarts queue. Once we've had our fun in Wizarding World, we'll leave to visit other sections of IOA, though we want to return to Wizarding World after dark for photography...

 

[macraven]

Lt Dan, if you use the single rider line for FJ, it will be a much shorter wait for the ride.

your wife could do the castle tour while you do the ride (twice)

going back to parry hotter ville in the last 90 minutes that the park is open, you will find less crowds.
you should be able to get some great photos without all the 'cousins' in your pictures.

the line wait is much much shorter in the late evening for FJ.
at that point, have your wife go thru the regular line with you.
she won't have a long wait for you then.

try a butterbeer, the frozen one.
use the hogs head entrance, less peeps there.

 

[jkshel]

Lt Dan, if you use the single rider line for FJ, it will be a much shorter wait for the ride.

I think he's Commander Dan...you demoted him!

 

[Miss Marie]

Ok, I have a quick question. Where do you go to get a butterbeer souvinier mug? Do you have to go inside the Hogs Head, or can you get it at the carts too? How much does one cost w/ butterbeer? Do they sell out often

2nd, what is a good time in the afternoon to head on over to the WWoHP so that we can see a good portion of the section (We plan on skipping the Hippogriff ride, unless it's recommended)? We want to try and do the Hulk, Popeye, Dudley, Dr. Doom, and Jurassic Park before we get to the Wizarding World, and we also want to ride the Cat in the Hat and take a quick tour of the Lost Continent before seeing the Wizarding World. We're not going to be in the park until around 11:30 in the morning, so we're going to try and wait to do the WWoHP. We leave the park at eight something at night.

We're going to start planning our day tommorrow, and everone wants to see the Wizarding World, so I'd like to find a way for us to hit it and get the most out of it.

Thanks so much!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Ok, I have a quick question. Where do you go to get a butterbeer souvinier mug? Do you have to go inside the Hogs Head, or can you get it at the carts too? How much does one cost w/ butterbeer? Do they sell out often

2nd, what is a good time in the afternoon to head on over to the WWoHP so that we can see a good portion of the section (We plan on skipping the Hippogriff ride, unless it's recommended)? We want to try and do the Hulk, Popeye, Dudley, Dr. Doom, and Jurassic Park before we get to the Wizarding World, and we also want to ride the Cat in the Hat and take a quick tour of the Lost Continent before seeing the Wizarding World. We're not going to be in the park until around 11:30 in the morning, so we're going to try and wait to do the WWoHP. We leave the park at eight something at night.

We're going to start planning our day tommorrow, and everone wants to see the Wizarding World, so I'd like to find a way for us to hit it and get the most out of it.

Thanks so much!

You do not have to go to the Hogs Head to get the souvenir mugs but the line in there is usually shorter and it's indoors. The carts do have the souvenir mugs, though.

I agree with your decision to skip Hippogriff. It's a kids' coaster.

 

[mahannie]

You should go into the Hog's Head to get your butterbeer, if only because the lines are usually much shorter than at the carts outside. Watch the hog's head behind the bar for awhile. I think the price with mug included was about $8, but that was back in May 2011, so prices may have changed since then.

Take the castle tour inside the Forbidden Journey to take all of your pictures. Then use the single rider line if you want to ride it again. Trust me, you'll want too!

 

[krisann22]

I have read on here that the FJ ride is a moving platform. My daughter has down syndrome and is kind of slow moving. How fast does that platform go? Will she have problems getting on and getting situated? If anyone has a family member with DS you know you cannot make them go any faster that they want to go hahaha. I also have rhuematoid arthritis and move awkwardly and carefully when getting onto rides. This has me really worried? Any advice? Thanks so much.

 

[damo]

I have read on here that the FJ ride is a moving platform. My daughter has down syndrome and is kind of slow moving. How fast does that platform go? Will she have problems getting on and getting situated? If anyone has a family member with DS you know you cannot make them go any faster that they want to go hahaha. I also have rhuematoid arthritis and move awkwardly and carefully when getting onto rides. This has me really worried? Any advice? Thanks so much.

They have a separate loading platform for anyone that needs extra time. Just let them know before you get into line.

 

[krisann22]

Thank you so much DAMO I was really worried about that. You just took a load off of my mind. Any other rides have moving platforms? Thanks again.

 

[misstammy824]

I may have one day available to visit IOA during my trip in October. Unfortunately, it will be a Saturday. We would arrive by park opening but probably have to leave around 5:00pm. Worth it or not? Wizarding World is the priority. I know that attendance at Epcot is expected to be very heavy due to the Food and Wine Festival, so would that help draw the locals away from IOA? How will the Halloween party affect crowds that day? Thanks!

 

[Miss Marie]

You do not have to go to the Hogs Head to get the souvenir mugs but the line in there is usually shorter and it's indoors. The carts do have the souvenir mugs, though.

I agree with your decision to skip Hippogriff. It's a kids' coaster.

Thanks for the info on that!

You should go into the Hog's Head to get your butterbeer, if only because the lines are usually much shorter than at the carts outside. Watch the hog's head behind the bar for awhile. I think the price with mug included was about $8, but that was back in May 2011, so prices may have changed since then.

$8, hmm? I'll go for that. Unless the prices change drastically.

How much does it cost for a butterbeer refill in the mug?

Thanks!

 

[macraven]

I think he's Commander Dan...you demoted him!

oh.

i'm bad.


i'll re up him back to commander but it is a lot more letters to type.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Thanks for the info on that!



$8, hmm? I'll go for that. Unless the prices change drastically.

How much does it cost for a butterbeer refill in the mug?

Thanks!

The Butterbeer in a mug is around $11-12 now. I think it may depend on whether you get frozen or regular.

There's no discount on refills of Butterbeer, unfortunately.

 

[Ellen]

We will be at Disney May 13 to 21 my children all want to see Harry Potter area. Considering going for one day. Which would be the best day and should I get the ticket to go to both IOA and studios or is there not enough time to do both. Have not been there in a long time.
Thanks
Ellen

 

[mcjw2011]

This isn't a FAQ, but I'm wondering whether the CityWalk AMC theater will show a HP film again. I noticed they had at least two showings of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when I went July 2010 (and upped it to 3 during the weekend), and they had a double-feature of Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 last year.

Did they stop the movie showings after the final one came out? I thought it would be neat to see a HP film at the CityWalk, go down to IOA and experience it firsthand. Or do they only do that seasonally, like during the summer?

 

[vleeth]

Is it true that there is no longer a separate line for lockers?

I don't want to go around the "locker" line only to find out that there is only one line.


Also, does the souvineer butterbeer still come in a mug (with a handle) or is it a cup now? And is "butterbeer" the only thing on mug/cup or does it have WWOHP like the throw away cups do?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

This isn't a FAQ, but I'm wondering whether the CityWalk AMC theater will show a HP film again. I noticed they had at least two showings of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when I went July 2010 (and upped it to 3 during the weekend), and they had a double-feature of Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 last year.

Did they stop the movie showings after the final one came out? I thought it would be neat to see a HP film at the CityWalk, go down to IOA and experience it firsthand. Or do they only do that seasonally, like during the summer?

I'm not sure- I know they've had special showings of the movies in the past, but it's usually tied to an event (such as when Deathly Hallows Part 2 was out last summer). I haven't heard of any HP movies being shown at CityWalk since then.. but I guess nobody could know what the future will hold!

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Is it true that there is no longer a separate line for lockers?

I don't want to go around the "locker" line only to find out that there is only one line.


Also, does the souvineer butterbeer still come in a mug (with a handle) or is it a cup now? And is "butterbeer" the only thing on mug/cup or does it have WWOHP like the throw away cups do?

You are correct, there is no longer a separate locker queue. All group riders with and without bags and single riders with bags enter the line at the same place. The only way to skip the outdoor locker line is if you are a single rider without a bag. Then you can go directly to the castle gates and they will let your through. At least, this is the policy for now

Butterbeer is still available in both the souvenir mug and disposable cup. The Butterbeer mugs say all say "butterbeer", but if you get the Hog's Head Brew (alcoholic beer available inside the Hog's Head Pub), you can get a similar souvenir mug except with a boar's head on it.