Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[ang]

Is the the The Three Broomstics a restaurant or counterservice?

We can't wait to eat there...is this place really really crowded?

Another ?? Can you just walk into the wizarding world to go eat or do you have to stand in line to wait for your turn to experience the 3 broomstics?

This is first vacation to universal and I have no idea.

Thanks for the info!

 

[intrep93]

We are planning a trip to Disney in September 2011. Kids are 14, 12 and 8 and would also like to go to WWOHP. We would only spend 1 day at Universal but I've heard lines at WWOHP are still crazy long -even in "slow" times. My 8 year old is not a kid I want to be in line with for 40 minutes and I don't really want to subject him to others for that time period, either. So do those of you who have already been there think the lines will be bad the week after labor day? Should we spring for 1 very expensive night on property for express?? Or should we skip it altogether knowing that we may never make it back to this area of the country?

 

[damo]

We are planning a trip to Disney in September 2011. Kids are 14, 12 and 8 and would also like to go to WWOHP. We would only spend 1 day at Universal but I've heard lines at WWOHP are still crazy long -even in "slow" times. My 8 year old is not a kid I want to be in line with for 40 minutes and I don't really want to subject him to others for that time period, either. So do those of you who have already been there think the lines will be bad the week after labor day? Should we spring for 1 very expensive night on property for express?? Or should we skip it altogether knowing that we may never make it back to this area of the country?

We were there right before labour day week and it was great. Crowds were very manageable...even got pictures in the Wizarding World with nobody else around. It is a good time to go.

 

[damo]

Is the the The Three Broomstics a restaurant or counterservice?

We can't wait to eat there...is this place really really crowded?

Another ?? Can you just walk into the wizarding world to go eat or do you have to stand in line to wait for your turn to experience the 3 broomstics?

This is first vacation to universal and I have no idea.

Thanks for the info!

At Three Broomsticks, you order your food at a counter and then the attendant seats you. It is quite large with lots of seating and atmosphere.

Waiting all depends on crowds. We were there the end of August and had hardly any waits. People this week have reported huge waits. It is a tough call. It all depends on when you are going.

 

[woodsuk]

I've just seen a pictures of a spirit rally with Beaxbatons and Durmstrang pupils but are these every single day and at set times? I'd love a picture when I visit for a day during WDW trip.

 

[MaMudduck]

I've just seen a pictures of a spirit rally with Beaxbatons and Durmstrang pupils but are these every single day and at set times? I'd love a picture when I visit for a day during WDW trip.

Yes, I was there in Nov. (3 different days). Saw the tournament show 3 times, frog choir performed just before. It is at scheduled time, so you'll have no problem seeing them.

 

[julie1218]

we are going to disney may 16-24 and are going to universal one day just for harry potter. i think we are going to stay at bonnet creek. harry potter is very important to us, but i really don't want to change hotels for early park access if i don't need it.

any thoughts on the crowds during that 3rd week of may? would early park access be necessary? if worth it, i will do it.

due to my kids' height, we will not be doing dragon challenge but will be doing hippogriff and journey and the stores.

thanks for any advice! i really don't want to mess up harry potter!!

 

[sparrow731]

We are spending a few days in the world after a cruise. Want to take a day for Harry Potter. Any transportation suggestions? Should we rent a car? Never done Universal before.

 

[surfgirl]

We're going to Orlando 3/1-3/9 and looking to do IOA one day. I'm thinking either 3/2 or 3/7. From what I've found (not much), 3/7 will be a little more crowded than 3/2 because of a few spring breaks and because it's the day before Mardi Gras. Will either of these dates be very crowded, especially for Harry Potter?

I used the Express Pass calendar as a guide - usually the cheapest EP are on the predicted lowest crowd days. Right now, up until the w/e before MG is the cheapest - the $19.99/pp. I think the price goes up 3/5 (Sat) and 3/6 (Sun). I think the following week (week of 3/7) stays higher than the previous week -- I think that is the beginning of some colleges spring break. I would plan on going 3/2 if you can make it that day.

Ironically, we are going the same time... and I think planning on 3/2 also. Hoping that the crowd levels will be low.


Sounds like the recommended touring plan (if staying on-site) is:
7:45ish - arrive at gates.
walk to Olivander's and do the first show
ride FJ
ride Hippogriff
shop... browse.... try to be heading out of WWOHP sooner rather than later.

One question: we usually bring a daypack to stuff sweatshirts in as we take off layers. Sounds like the lockers are a nightmare. Can one person deal with lockers while the other takes the kids to Ollivanders ? Should we consider stopping and using a locker at the front entrance since our 2nd stop will be SeussLand (so relatively convenient ?

Also, if you do Ollivander's first and purchase wands, you are then committed to a locker, right ? We are staying onsite (but checking out that day).... can they still send them to the resort ?

 

[yaytezIOA]

I used the Express Pass calendar as a guide - usually the cheapest EP are on the predicted lowest crowd days. Right now, up until the w/e before MG is the cheapest - the $19.99/pp. I think the price goes up 3/5 (Sat) and 3/6 (Sun). I think the following week (week of 3/7) stays higher than the previous week -- I think that is the beginning of some colleges spring break. I would plan on going 3/2 if you can make it that day.

Ironically, we are going the same time... and I think planning on 3/2 also. Hoping that the crowd levels will be low.


Sounds like the recommended touring plan (if staying on-site) is:
7:45ish - arrive at gates.
walk to Olivander's and do the first show
ride FJ
ride Hippogriff
shop... browse.... try to be heading out of WWOHP sooner rather than later.

One question: we usually bring a daypack to stuff sweatshirts in as we take off layers. Sounds like the lockers are a nightmare. Can one person deal with lockers while the other takes the kids to Ollivanders ? Should we consider stopping and using a locker at the front entrance since our 2nd stop will be SeussLand (so relatively convenient ?

Also, if you do Ollivander's first and purchase wands, you are then committed to a locker, right ? We are staying onsite (but checking out that day).... can they still send them to the resort ?

Smart move using the Express calendar. You are staying onsite...you do know that if you stay on site you can use your room key as Express, both the day you check in and the day you check out? So example, if you check in on 3/1 and checking out 3/2 you can get into the park, including early entry into wwohp on 3/1. Yes, I know they say check in isn't until 3p.m. but they will give you everything but your room. They'll give you the key, and tell you the room you'll be staying in, and you can't go in your room until after 3, but you can still use your key and still gain early entry, etc.
As for the lockers. Here's a tip: Use the Dragon Challenge lockers. They usually give you about twice as long as the posted wait time, so stow your stuff in the locker and go ride fj. I would recommend single riders as the line is usually less than 5 minutes.
You can take your bags and everything into places like Ollivanders, but if you have one person waiting in line to do lockers at FJ then you come and join them later...that's considered line jumping, and while it seems perfectly acceptable for some, it really pisses off people in line at FJ and I've seen some folks get violent. Not suggested.

 

[ladeedeb]

I used the Express Pass calendar as a guide - usually the cheapest EP are on the predicted lowest crowd days. Right now, up until the w/e before MG is the cheapest - the $19.99/pp. I think the price goes up 3/5 (Sat) and 3/6 (Sun). I think the following week (week of 3/7) stays higher than the previous week -- I think that is the beginning of some colleges spring break. I would plan on going 3/2 if you can make it that day.

Ironically, we are going the same time... and I think planning on 3/2 also. Hoping that the crowd levels will be low.


Sounds like the recommended touring plan (if staying on-site) is:
7:45ish - arrive at gates.
walk to Olivander's and do the first show
ride FJ
ride Hippogriff
shop... browse.... try to be heading out of WWOHP sooner rather than later.

One question: we usually bring a daypack to stuff sweatshirts in as we take off layers. Sounds like the lockers are a nightmare. Can one person deal with lockers while the other takes the kids to Ollivanders ? Should we consider stopping and using a locker at the front entrance since our 2nd stop will be SeussLand (so relatively convenient ?

Also, if you do Ollivander's first and purchase wands, you are then committed to a locker, right ? We are staying onsite (but checking out that day).... can they still send them to the resort ?

You have 2 choices of lockers, other than the individual ride ones. You can use the lockers at the front of WWOHP, but I cannot remember how much or the time frame on those, although they are not free ride lockers. However, what we did was to put bag with change of clothes in lockers at the front. Then after we did WWOHP, we could go do the water rides and then change at the front of the park before doing the other things on our list. The same idea will work for you going to Suessland. It is a little more expensive, $8 I believe, however we could go in and out as much as we wanted.

You can get the wands and have them sent to the front of the park. Then you can pick them up either at the end of the day, or anytime after 2 or 3 hours. If you have the locker at the front, then anytime after the time frame they gave you, you can get the wands and put them in the locker and go on with having fun. The purchase pick-up is at IOA Trading Company. It's a desk at the very right of the store when you walk in.
Also, you can get some of the wands at the Trading Company as well if the store in WW is crowded.

Hope this helps and have a wonderful time!

 

[Minerva6116]

do you *have* to get a locker? I usually only carry a really small backpack (more like a purse really) and when I go on rides I just wrap it around my ankle or hold on to it, depending on how fast the ride is. Will they still let us on the castle ride if I have my backpack?

Also, sorry if this has already been asked, but I'm staying at wdw, does anyone know the best means of transportation to get to and from universal?
Thank you!

 

[damo]

do you *have* to get a locker? I usually only carry a really small backpack (more like a purse really) and when I go on rides I just wrap it around my ankle or hold on to it, depending on how fast the ride is. Will they still let us on the castle ride if I have my backpack?

Also, sorry if this has already been asked, but I'm staying at wdw, does anyone know the best means of transportation to get to and from universal?
Thank you!

Unless it is a fanny pack, it needs to go in a locker for FJ and other rides that have a no bag rule.

Best means of transport is probably a cab.

 

[surfgirl]

Smart move using the Express calendar. You are staying onsite...you do know that if you stay on site you can use your room key as Express, both the day you check in and the day you check out? So example, if you check in on 3/1 and checking out 3/2 you can get into the park, including early entry into wwohp on 3/1. Yes, I know they say check in isn't until 3p.m. but they will give you everything but your room. They'll give you the key, and tell you the room you'll be staying in, and you can't go in your room until after 3, but you can still use your key and still gain early entry, etc.
As for the lockers. Here's a tip: Use the Dragon Challenge lockers. They usually give you about twice as long as the posted wait time, so stow your stuff in the locker and go ride fj. I would recommend single riders as the line is usually less than 5 minutes.
You can take your bags and everything into places like Ollivanders, but if you have one person waiting in line to do lockers at FJ then you come and join them later...that's considered line jumping, and while it seems perfectly acceptable for some, it really pisses off people in line at FJ and I've seen some folks get violent. Not suggested.

thanks for the info!

I got the tip about using Express calendars from this board!

I know we can use the express pass 2 days - we're just thinking that we only want to do one day at US. We will move to a Marriott resort so we have more space after this night (and so we can wash clothes and only do carry on!). I'll pay attention to crowd levels and we can always adjust if its bad.

I agree line jumping is a bad thing! My thinking was that I take the kids and go to Ollivanders and do that while he goes to the lockers and stows our gear. We then meet up at I'm done at Ollivanders and he's done with the lockers and all go get in line together at FJ.

I like the idea of the other lockers - honestly, I'll pay the darn $8 to solve the problem - at that point, its rounding!

thanks!

 

[surfgirl]

You have 2 choices of lockers, other than the individual ride ones. You can use the lockers at the front of WWOHP, but I cannot remember how much or the time frame on those, although they are not free ride lockers. However, what we did was to put bag with change of clothes in lockers at the front. Then after we did WWOHP, we could go do the water rides and then change at the front of the park before doing the other things on our list. The same idea will work for you going to Suessland. It is a little more expensive, $8 I believe, however we could go in and out as much as we wanted.

You can get the wands and have them sent to the front of the park. Then you can pick them up either at the end of the day, or anytime after 2 or 3 hours. If you have the locker at the front, then anytime after the time frame they gave you, you can get the wands and put them in the locker and go on with having fun. The purchase pick-up is at IOA Trading Company. It's a desk at the very right of the store when you walk in.
Also, you can get some of the wands at the Trading Company as well if the store in WW is crowded.

Hope this helps and have a wonderful time!

great idea about the lockers and wands at Seuss Land and Trading Company.


tips like this are what makes trips "flow" so much easier.


I'll never forget about 5 years ago, we were in MK, taking the train on the way out of the park (little surf was a train fan, so we'd go around as the last thing on the trip). A family got on at Main Street, and the Dad said, "ok, guys, as we go around, see if there are rides you want to ride." Mr. Surf and I looked at each other, because we knew you can't see virtually anything from the train and it was 1pm and lines were only growing.

Those are the people that will "never come back" ... clearly, a miserable experience. Not worth it. And I'd be bummed if that was my 'vacation'.

 

[GetGlowing]

Just a reminder about purchased Express Passes vs. hotel guest Express pass:

Hotel guests get unlimited express pass entry to all rides that have it (Forbidden Journey does not) when you show your room key at the queue entrance.

Purchased Express Passes allow express entry to each ride ONCE ONLY. Universal doesn't do a great job of advertising that "feature." (why would they?)

We had hotel guest Express Pass for a Sat & Sun in September, and while the crowds were minimal, it was still nice to bypass even 10-minute lines. We got SO much more done!

 

[KathyinNY]

We had a great experience overall, but one thing that annoyed my husband to no end is that not all of the wands fit into the lockers. The wand my son picked out had a longer box, and didn't fit into any of the lockers. We didn't know about sending the wands to the front of the park, so he put the wand (without the box) into the locker, and carried the box with him on the ride line. WHen it was time for the ride, we left the box on a ledge, and picked it up when we were done.

Just an FYI. The park is really cool and I got a lot of great information from this board.

 

[mickeywho?]

We're looking forward to finally getting a chance to get to Harry Potter. We're going to Vero Beach for our spring break and decided to drive to Orlando for one day just to do WWoHP.
For the week 3/14-3/18 - is there a day of the week you would recommend? We're thinking maybe thursday 17th.....
The park opens at 9am - what time should we be at the gate - we're driving from Vero but expect to leave around 7am.
What order should we try to do the area? We're really only interested in WWoHP so we plan to just take it all in. Do you think we can do it all and be out of there by 3 or 4? The crowd level will probably be high considering spring breaks so I would expect long lines - but how long will it take if all the lines are long?
I'm reading as much info as I can - but having never been it's hard to judge how much and how long it will all take. Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[HawaiiDiscount]

When I was there on a Friday I arrived around 9:30 and the Ollivander's line seemed consistent all day (about an hour wait). Forbidden Journey went from 60 minutes to 90 minutes around 11am and then back down to 45 minutes in the afternoon.

 

[baraliem]

What is the EP calendar? Where is it? Thanks!