Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[Tim_Jones]

Surfgirl, thanks for that! I'm certain they're tall enough, both over 50inches The Thing t-shirts are I think, the only souveniers that I'm dead set on getting! lol

As for the pterandon flyers - I have no idea yet, I've not planned that far ahead! Really starting to feel like I need ot get my bum in gear now though, but also feeling quite overwhelmed.

Tim Jones, that's very interesting thanks. I'm wondering if it's worth the extra though - I mean, would we really get the chance to see much of both parks? I think IOA might fill up our day as we'll be going at child speed for at least some of it.

You may be right. Totally going from memory here, but I believe the Mears shuttle is about $18 per adult to get there from Disney.

 

[mhalpern]

We are booked to stay at the Doubletree Hotel at Universal. It's supposed to be close but I'm not sure how close. We'll have a rental car but would you recommend taking a taxi from the Doubletree? Thanks.

 

[shemeno]

We are booked to stay at the Doubletree Hotel at Universal. It's supposed to be close but I'm not sure how close. We'll have a rental car but would you recommend taking a taxi from the Doubletree? Thanks.

I stayed there last week. Its super close. A seven minute walk from doubletree door to citywalk. They offer a shuttle, the times may be constricting....so i just liked to walk cause it really is super close.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I stayed there last week. Its super close. A seven minute walk from doubletree door to citywalk. They offer a shuttle, the times may be constricting....so i just liked to walk cause it really is super close.

Last month I stayed at the Holiday Inn Maingate, just across Major Blvd. from the Doubletree. I found the walk to Universal easy enough. You need to step lively when crossing Kirkman Rd. so that the pedestrian light does not change before you've made it across. Hugely preferable to paying the Universal parking fee, in my view.

 

[BDJazz]

We are going on Tuesday May 17th. My question is this: We bought one of those guidebooks and a section of it was dedicated to WWOHP. It mentioned something about if crowds are large that they give you a ticket with a preprinted time to come back on it. is this something they still do or is that something that was done during the initial rush after it first opened? Thanks!

 

[damo]

We are going on Tuesday May 17th. My question is this: We bought one of those guidebooks and a section of it was dedicated to WWOHP. It mentioned something about if crowds are large that they give you a ticket with a preprinted time to come back on it. is this something they still do or is that something that was done during the initial rush after it first opened? Thanks!

It is definitely still done. The crowds are still very, very large at any holiday time when the kids are out of school.

 

[mhalpern]

I just checked the calendar and IOA is opening at 8am on the day we will be there (April 19th). Does that mean resort people will get in at 7am? We are staying off-site so would you recommend being on line at 7:30am? I'm hoping (maybe, possibly) that since the park is opening so early it may not be super crowded. Okay, okay I know it's spring break and Easter week. A girl can dream.

 

[damo]

I just checked the calendar and IOA is opening at 8am on the day we will be there (April 19th). Does that mean resort people will get in at 7am? We are staying off-site so would you recommend being on line at 7:30am? I'm hoping (maybe, possibly) that since the park is opening so early it may not be super crowded. Okay, okay I know it's spring break and Easter week. A girl can dream.

Yes, the park will open at 7 am for early entry. You need to be in line by at least 7:30. Hope for the best but expect the worst.

 

[Harry Potter]

I haven't really been following this thread much, but now my holiday to UO is only 8 weeks away, I am starting to get giddy again!

Let me get this straight: apart from my early entry to IOA as a resort guest, will my entry to WWoHP be limited throughout the day? Either by insane queues leading out through JP or LC areas, or by that ticketing system which tells you to come back at a certain time?

Last summer, which is my only recollection of WWoHP, even though it was busy (and I mean opening week kinda busy) I could walk in and out of WWoHP at a whim all week long.

I presume that's not going to happen anymore?

 

[Tink2Day]

I haven't really been following this thread much, but now my holiday to UO is only 8 weeks away, I am starting to get giddy again!

Let me get this straight: apart from my early entry to IOA as a resort guest, will my entry to WWoHP be limited throughout the day? Either by insane queues leading out through JP or LC areas, or by that ticketing system which tells you to come back at a certain time?

Last summer, which is my only recollection of WWoHP, even though it was busy (and I mean opening week kinda busy) I could walk in and out of WWoHP at a whim all week long.

I presume that's not going to happen anymore?

It just depends on when you go and what the crowds are like. There seem to be a lot of factors in play which have increased crowd size dramatically even from last year. Or maybe they're trying to filter people into the other parts of the park?

I know when we were there in early November, we too wandered in and out of WWOHP, had virtually no wait times even later in the day so who really knows what has the park so crowded now.

I would assume though that your star status as the boy would allow you to wander wherever you wanted.

 

[Don Pacho]

Universal Studios wonders how and when to expand Wizarding World of Harry Potter




By Brady MacDonald
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 6, 2011, 5:15 a.m.


With the unprecedented success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios executives are already wrestling with the question of how and when to expand the perpetually congested 20-acre theme-park-within-a-theme-park at Islands of Adventure in Florida.

Photos: Top 10 Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides and attractions

Although officials won't discuss specific plans, several signs point to preparations being made for phase two of Wizarding World:

* In January, survey markings that possibly may be mapping out the potential expansion began appearing in the backstage areas behind the Lost Continent, the themed area of the park that was partially taken over to make room for phase one of Wizarding World.

* Visitor questionnaires suggest Universal Studios is considering doubling the size of the themed land within the next year or two to make Wizarding World "twice as big with twice as much everything."

* Universal Studios' licensing contract with Warner Bros. requires the theme park to incorporate elements from the final Harry Potter films, the last of which will open in theaters in July.

Universal Studios Orlando saw a 36% spike in attendance after the opening of Wizarding World in June 2010, drawing an additional 1 million visitors in just three months. During the same period, merchandise sales more than doubled while food sales jumped nearly 60%. Analysts expect the attendance lift and corresponding sales uptick to continue for several years.

The wild popularity of Wizarding World, which has seen shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and hour-long lines just to enter shops, has led to speculation that Universal plans to scrap the rest of the Lost Continent attractions to make room for a phase two expansion of the Potter-verse. Among the most oft-repeated rumored plans:

* Change the "Eighth Voyage of Sinbad" stunt show into a Harry Potter-themed live show.

* Convert the Lost Continent market into Diagon Alley, complete with a Leaky Cauldron restaurant.

* Transform the "Poseidon’s Fury" special effects show into an indoor steel coaster or a dark ride themed to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.



Source: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals...rry-potter-expansion-04201101,0,2684147.story



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[happycampers]

Get out the measuring tape and measure now! The worst is when a kid "expects" it and gives you the "I can't do it" face at the entrance. We were checked two or three times going in. My son measured 48" at the dr. office - with sneakers, he was at least an inch taller and would have whacked his head on the measuring stick if he wasn't careful.

What is the measuring procedure at the park? Do they measure each time at each ride or is there a one time measuring and a wrist band? What do they use to measure the kids? Can they wear shoes while being measured? Without shoes, my youngest would not be tall enough to ride FJ (which would be such a highlight), but may be borderline with sneakers on. Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

What is the measuring procedure at the park? Do they measure each time at each ride or is there a one time measuring and a wrist band? What do they use to measure the kids? Can they wear shoes while being measured? Without shoes, my youngest would not be tall enough to ride FJ (which would be such a highlight), but may be borderline with sneakers on. Thanks.

I believe they measure at each attraction. But, here's the thing. It's all about the safely restraints. You have to be a certain height in order for them to function correctly. And that is usually going to be a measurement of the torso...so if a parent were to try to add height (and I'm not saying you are, but others do try it), by adding lifts to the shoes or such, the restraints are not going to fit correctly simply because you haven't lenghtened the torso!

The funny thing is that my dh is 6'4'', and my ds is 6'. You can obviously tell the difference when they are standing next to each other. But...sit them down on the same type seats??? Their heads are at the same level!! My ds has really short legs but a very long torso, while my dh has very long legs and a normal torso. But, attractions don't measure your torso, they go with an average of heights.

 

[julie1218]

I believe they measure at each attraction. But, here's the thing. It's all about the safely restraints. You have to be a certain height in order for them to function correctly. And that is usually going to be a measurement of the torso...so if a parent were to try to add height (and I'm not saying you are, but others do try it), by adding lifts to the shoes or such, the restraints are not going to fit correctly simply because you haven't lenghtened the torso!

The funny thing is that my dh is 6'4'', and my ds is 6'. You can obviously tell the difference when they are standing next to each other. But...sit them down on the same type seats??? Their heads are at the same level!! My ds has really short legs but a very long torso, while my dh has very long legs and a normal torso. But, attractions don't measure your torso, they go with an average of heights.

but they DO measure with shoes on right? regardless of heel height? i''m not going to have my 47 3/4 inch daughter there in 3 inch heels, but her normal thick soled tennis shoes do put her over 48 inches.

 

[damo]

but they DO measure with shoes on right? regardless of heel height? i''m not going to have my 47 3/4 inch daughter there in 3 inch heels, but her normal thick soled tennis shoes do put her over 48 inches.

Yes, they measure with shoes on.

 

[goofy4tink]

but they DO measure with shoes on right? regardless of heel height? i''m not going to have my 47 3/4 inch daughter there in 3 inch heels, but her normal thick soled tennis shoes do put her over 48 inches.

Absolutely. They don't make you take your shoes off!! My point was referring to those that give their kids shoes that are a bit too big for them and then they add stuffing in them to 'grow' them an inch or two. I sometimes wonder what happens if a CM sees a child just make the measurement but notices that the shoes are platforms that added an inch or two.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Very excited about our hopefully 1st time to US/IOA this October. Just wondering how long of a wait we can expect for FJ since we are staying offsite? I'm hoping for no longer than a 30 minute wait but is that a pipe dream??? Also my dh and 4y.o. ds won;t be going on this. Is there an area close by that he can entertain the little guy with while the rest of us ride it? And if my dh changes his mind and does want to go on it do they offer child swap?

 

[damo]

Very excited about our hopefully 1st time to US/IOA this October. Just wondering how long of a wait we can expect for FJ since we are staying offsite? I'm hoping for no longer than a 30 minute wait but is that a pipe dream??? Also my dh and 4y.o. ds won;t be going on this. Is there an area close by that he can entertain the little guy with while the rest of us ride it? And if my dh changes his mind and does want to go on it do they offer child swap?

October crowds are generally pretty low, so you may have a small wait. What I would do is take the entire group through the "castle tour" which allows you just to look at everything and not ride. Then after you are done that, those who want to ride can use the single riders' line which is generally very, very quick. You can't won't be riding together.

 

[Harry Potter]

For those of you that know your theme park attractions well, what rides or attractions do you think should have been included at WWoHP? The rides are too aggressive for very young visitors, and the only other ride is FotH which is yet another coaster.

I would like to have seen an interactive show and a carousel maybe.

 

[Rags]

I will be heading to Universal the Sunday before Labor day until that Friday. How do yo think the crowds will be starting Tuesday? TIA!!!