Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[1000HappyWishes]

My very first post on this site, yaay!

Anyway, does anybody know if I'll be alright keeping my camera and my wallet in my shorts pocket on Forbidden Journey? I'm going to the Wizarding World in April for a choir trip and I don't really want to carry around a purse with me or have the hassle of a locker to deal with it.

Thank you!

 

[mesaboy2]

My very first post on this site, yaay!

Anyway, does anybody know if I'll be alright keeping my camera and my wallet in my shorts pocket on Forbidden Journey? I'm going to the Wizarding World in April for a choir trip and I don't really want to carry around a purse with me or have the hassle of a locker to deal with it.

Thank you!

I would recommend pockets with flaps. You are oriented in all sorts of positions just short of upside-down. I could feel my cell phone sliding around in my front pocket.

And !

 

[1000HappyWishes]

I would recommend pockets with flaps. You are oriented in all sorts of positions just short of upside-down. I could feel my cell phone sliding around in my front pocket.

And !

Thank you! I'll be sure to hit up the local Kohl's by me to pick up some new shorts before I leave.

 

[glocon]

There is a very small compartment in the back of the seat that would fit a camera and a wallet, but not much else. And you would have to be very quick putting stuff in it...

 

[vleeth]

There is a very small compartment in the back of the seat that would fit a camera and a wallet, but not much else. And you would have to be very quick putting stuff in it...

Is that the back of the seat in front of you?

 

[mesaboy2]

Is that the back of the seat in front of you?

There is no seat in front of you on this attraction.

 

[vleeth]

There is no seat in front of you on this attraction.

So is it behind your seat? Or in your seat where your back goes?

 

[hlg22]

I'm heading out to Orlando next month to meet up with my sister, who will be there for a conference being held on-property at Disney. We really, really want to see the WWoHP...however, the only possible day for us to do so with her conference schedule is the afternoon of the Friday after Presidents' Day, from about 1 p.m. until IOA closes at 8 - we'd be heading directly there from our Disney hotel via cab as soon as her conference ends at noon. Obviously, I know that's not ideal and I'd anticipated it would be packed but figured while we might have to wait a very long time for Forbidden Journey, I'd buy the "Express Pass" option to maximize our time on some of the other rides and we'd still get to see/do everything.

In doing some research, however, I found out about the "return time" system they use to close off WWoHP when it gets crowded, and I'm concerned about how that might impact us, given that crowd levels are predicted to be high when we're there. I'm wondering if anyone could advise on how often that gets put into place these days and how it works - most of the reports I've found about it are 2011ish and I'm not sure if crowds have gone down any as the novelty has worn off. I would hate to arrive at 1 and get a ticket to come back to WWoHP at 6:30 p.m., for example, or even worse, find out that all of the return time tix have been distributed for the day already and we're out of luck - WWoHP is the entire reason we're planning to come to IOA, we're not really interested in the rest though we will visit other areas of the park if we have time. Any insight anyone might have is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

So is it behind your seat? Or in your seat where your back goes?

It is definitely not behind your seat. It's been over a year now, but I believe it is close to where your lower back would be.

I'm heading out to Orlando next month to meet up with my sister, who will be there for a conference being held on-property at Disney. We really, really want to see the WWoHP...however, the only possible day for us to do so with her conference schedule is the afternoon of the Friday after Presidents' Day, from about 1 p.m. until IOA closes at 8 - we'd be heading directly there from our Disney hotel via cab as soon as her conference ends at noon. Obviously, I know that's not ideal and I'd anticipated it would be packed but figured while we might have to wait a very long time for Forbidden Journey, I'd buy the "Express Pass" option to maximize our time on some of the other rides and we'd still get to see/do everything.

In doing some research, however, I found out about the "return time" system they use to close off WWoHP when it gets crowded, and I'm concerned about how that might impact us, given that crowd levels are predicted to be high when we're there. I'm wondering if anyone could advise on how often that gets put into place these days and how it works - most of the reports I've found about it are 2011ish and I'm not sure if crowds have gone down any as the novelty has worn off. I would hate to arrive at 1 and get a ticket to come back to WWoHP at 6:30 p.m., for example, or even worse, find out that all of the return time tix have been distributed for the day already and we're out of luck - WWoHP is the entire reason we're planning to come to IOA, we're not really interested in the rest though we will visit other areas of the park if we have time. Any insight anyone might have is appreciated. Thanks!

I have not seen a report of that return time system for WWoHP being in place for more than a year now. I believe they made some adjustments inside WWoHP to handle crowds better and it's been gone ever since.

 

[damo]

It is definitely not behind your seat. It's been over a year now, but I believe it is close to where your lower back would be.



I have not seen a report of that return time system for WWoHP being in place for more than a year now. I believe they made some adjustments inside WWoHP to handle crowds better and it's been gone ever since.

They used the timed entry at Christmas time this year. Unless you are going during the really peak times (Christmas and Easter), I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[mesaboy2]

They used the timed entry at Christmas time this year.

That'll teach me to pop in after a long absence and try to answer questions.

 

[glocon]

So is it behind your seat? Or in your seat where your back goes?

It is on your seat back at lower back level. Not much more than a camera and phone will fit in there though.

 

[Lilysmom]

Hi all! I'd like to take the kids over to IOA. My ten year old is absolutely OBSESSED with Harry Potter and I think she'd flip her lid to see the attractions. I have a couple of questions I was hoping maybe someone could answer because DH and I haven't been to Universal in 13 years and now with 4 kids it's a whole different ball game!

We are staying at AKL at Disney from 5/17- 5/24. Would I be better off adding an extra day to the trip and staying on site at a Universal Resort in order to be able to take advantage of early entry or any other perks? If the answer is no and we just drive over for the day what day of the week would be best to be able to head over. I know crowd levels tend to vary by the days of the week and not sure if they are comparable to Disney or not. Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[glocon]

Personally I would try to stay onsite if you could. It is just a different vacation that way. And you would get early entry and EP for check in and check out day, so you could do 2 UO days if you wanted.

But honestly, I don't know what kind of rooms are available for a family of six. It could be prohibitively expensive.

 

[coastgirl]

We last visited the WWoHP almost exactly 2 years ago--Feb was good, but it was still pretty "in demand" in 2010. We are going again in August, 10-24, and getting a Flexpass, so we can go as often as we like during our stay. I know crowds drop off in August because so many US kids go back to school by mid-month. Because it's August, I'm thinking we'll try to go in the morning, go back to the villa by lunch, then head out again around supper time? Figuring we'll steer away from the weekends? So, what's different in two years?

My son had an amazing experience getting his first wand from Ollivander's on our last trip. My dd, turning 10, would love to have her turn now! Any advice on that? Are the lines for Ollivander's any shorter? (My son had the advantage of being just about Harry's age and size, and being be-spectacled. He was an obvious pick. )

 

[damo]

We last visited the WWoHP almost exactly 2 years ago--Feb was good, but it was still pretty "in demand" in 2010. We are going again in August, 10-24, and getting a Flexpass, so we can go as often as we like during our stay. I know crowds drop off in August because so many US kids go back to school by mid-month. Because it's August, I'm thinking we'll try to go in the morning, go back to the villa by lunch, then head out again around supper time? Figuring we'll steer away from the weekends? So, what's different in two years?

My son had an amazing experience getting his first wand from Ollivander's on our last trip. My dd, turning 10, would love to have her turn now! Any advice on that? Are the lines for Ollivander's any shorter? (My son had the advantage of being just about Harry's age and size, and being be-spectacled. He was an obvious pick. )

Keep an eye on hours. By the end of the month, the hours drop off quite substantially. Last year, by August 19th, the parks were only open until 8 pm, so keep an eye on the hours. We've been several times during the last week of August. It can still be quite busy and is VERY HOT!!! So definitely get there before opening, take advantage of the water rides and take a break in mid day.

Transformers will be open by mid August as well as the newly themed Simpsons area with one new small ride. Despicable Me is new and I think the Spiderman ride has been upgraded since you've been there. There is a new miniature golf course, well two courses, at the exit to Citywalk as well. There is a new daily parade at the studios and a lagoon show at night.

There are rumours of a lagoon show for IOA but I haven't heard any final details on that. The whole Jaws area is gone and is under construction for the new Diagon Alley. There is also construction outside of WWoHP for the new Hogwarts Express ride that will join up the two Harry Potter areas of the two parks. You may see some construction at Jurassic Park as the new renovations and new coaster may have been begun there.

 

[damo]

That'll teach me to pop in after a long absence and try to answer questions.

Hahaha! Yup, lots of new stuff going on over here.

 

[coastgirl]

Keep an eye on hours. By the end of the month, the hours drop off quite substantially. Last year, by August 19th, the parks were only open until 8 pm, so keep an eye on the hours. We've been several times during the last week of August. It can still be quite busy and is VERY HOT!!! So definitely get there before opening, take advantage of the water rides and take a break in mid day.

Thanks Damo. I see the August hours aren't up yet. When we were there in Feb., 7:00 was a late closing, so anything past that will feel like a bonus. But good to know, as I was assuming that the hours would be similar to May, which is generally later.

Busy stuff then still busy now? Forbidden Journey and Ollivander's still good for a long wait?

 

[damo]

Thanks Damo. I see the August hours aren't up yet. When we were there in Feb., 7:00 was a late closing, so anything past that will feel like a bonus. But good to know, as I was assuming that the hours would be similar to May, which is generally later.

Busy stuff then still busy now? Forbidden Journey and Ollivander's still good for a long wait?

Yes, the crowds for FJ and Ollivanders are still heavy. I suspect that overall crowds in both parks are going to be busier this summer because of the opening of Transformers and Simpsons.

 

[cc-atl]

My son has expressed an interest in wearing the robe/cloak from his Harry Potter costume. Are there any rules against children dressing up in a costume?