Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[lklasing]

It sounds like you're talking about the timed entry system that has been in place at WWoHP for months now. It is typically used when crowds are moderate to heavy. If you are familiar with Disney's FastPass, it is just like that except it is only used to gain entry into the area, not any specific attraction.

I agree with the above post--sounds like the raffle ticket method where you're given a time to come back to the area, this does not mean you'll have an easier time with the attractions.

Best summer approach: Go in the middle of the week. US is popular with locals (such as myself) and crowds tend to be insane Friday and Saturday. I've heard Sundays are slower, but this may not apply for folks on summer vacations.

Not staying on-site, go as early as you can, just expect there to already be a hefty wait for WWoHP depending on how many on-site folks took advantage of their early entry. Best bet is to do all the other rides, which should have minimal waits. Leave WWoHP until much, much later in the day--close to closing and crowds should be a lot less.

If you're there on a day they're handing out tickets, you know it's beyond insanely crowded. Go ride other rides, check out US, then try again much later.

Thanks, guys, for the tips. I would love to hear more, if there is anything else I can tell my friend to make her life easier!

 

[OrcaPotter]

Our first full day in Orlando will be Thurs. June 2nd...I had planned on going to Universal that day thinking that kids may still be in school and a lot of vacations will have not started yet...being a week day as well then maybe the crowds wouldn't be that bad...specifically for the Harry Potter World.

Now I see that the park closes at 7pm that night....what to do????? We are NOT staying on site so cannot do early ebtry or express passes and I opted not to spend the minor fortune it costs for the VIP tickets (although I realize they do not apply to Harry Potter).

Maybe I should wait until the follwing Tues. or Wed. June 7th or 8th to go? Any advice or opinions would be welcomed!!!!

One more thing...I have been reading here that you cannot take bags on the rides but have to leave them in lockers but if you are wearing a fanny pack...they allow those on the rides? Does anyone know if that is true? As dorky as fanny packs are....I would rather wear that then have to put a bag in lockers every time I get on something. My kids think I am the biggest dork ever with my fanny pack and tourist hat. I don't care as no one cares what everyone else looks like!

Most Central Florida schools will be out by the end of this month, and at this time of year, early theme park closing times typically mean they're hosting grad nights. (Or private events--US does a lot of those). Sometimes it's better to go on days like these, because folks opt not to bother since their time in the park is less, hence shorter lines. I would just overall avoid weekends and go in the middle of the week if you can. As for bags, personally, I wouldn't want to wear anything on non-bag rides because the harnesses would make that super uncomfortable, but I hear many folks manage it just fine with certain sizes of fanny packs. I think as long as it's small, team members won't stop you. I dunno. I've never worried about it. As a passholder, if the bag line is ridiculous I save the ride for another visit; otherwise I push myself past all the people compelled to use the lockers right by the entrance and get to all the open ones in the back with no issue. You can also go through Filch's shop, but gah, it's crowded enough as it is in there without fighting crowds shortcutting to the lockers.

FYI too: I just got my passholder newsletter with the summer concert series dates. First concert is June 11th with the Go-Go's. Concerts are every Saturday through July 16th. They've got some big names this year, so US will typically be extremely crowded toward the end of these Saturdays before showtime. I saw OneRepublic during Mardi Gras and it was epic--but so crowded!

 

[cleophus12]

How do you know when to expect timed entry into WWHoP? Any way to know ahead of time?

 

[mesaboy2]

How do you know when to expect timed entry into WWHoP? Any way to know ahead of time?

No way to know in advance that I'm aware of. Just assume it will be in place during peak seasons such as summer, Easter, Christmas/New Year's, and most holiday weekends.

Even when they are using it, if you get there early enough--maybe before 10 am--you shouldn't have to deal with it....

 

[tink20]

We had watched the HP movies awhile back, and are just watching them again. So, I had forgotten about certain things. Just curious, is the big snake (in the 2nd movie) in the ride? I want to prepare myself, that thing is I tried to find the thread that describes the ride, but I can't seem to find it.

 

[mesaboy2]

We had watched the HP movies awhile back, and are just watching them again. So, I had forgotten about certain things. Just curious, is the big snake (in the 2nd movie) in the ride? I want to prepare myself, that thing is I tried to find the thread that describes the ride, but I can't seem to find it.

No, the basilisk isn't in the ride at all. There is one brief part of the ride that has that same set piece (the Chamber of Secrets) though. If you blink you might miss it.

 

[tink20]

No, the basilisk isn't in the ride at all. There is one brief part of the ride that has that same set piece (the Chamber of Secrets) though. If you blink you might miss it.

Oh thank goodness! thanks for the quick response.

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh thank goodness! thanks for the quick response.

No problem. Now, how do you feel about spiders?

 

[tink20]

No problem. Now, how do you feel about spiders?

Are they as big as the ones in the movie? Do they get really close to you? I think I'll be okay. I guess we'll see in a couple of weeks.

 

[mesaboy2]

Are they as big as the ones in the movie? Do they get really close to you? I think I'll be okay. I guess we'll see in a couple of weeks.

Since you think you'll be okay, I won't give any more spoilers. Don't want to ruin all the fun. Have a good time!

 

[tink20]

Since you think you'll be okay, I won't give any more spoilers. Don't want to ruin all the fun. Have a good time!

ok, we'll let the spiders be a surprise

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I have to know, since the ride sounds kinda scary... is anything going to touch me?

 

[kkendle]

Does anyone know if you can wear flip flops on the FB ride or the other US or IOA rides...like Hulk, etc? Just wondering...if they will not allow purses etc...some of the rides seem pretty intense and I imagine they do not want shoes flying off feet.

At other parks my kids have sat on them or just put them off to the side and put them back on when they got off...can you sit on them at these parks?

Maybe people put them in a locker...which I would rather avoid lockers altogether. My plan would be to NOT wear them at all....but I am also the dorky Mom who will likely have a fanny pack....haha.

 

[Metro West]

Does anyone know if you can wear flip flops on the FB ride or the other US or IOA rides...like Hulk, etc? Just wondering...if they will not allow purses etc...some of the rides seem pretty intense and I imagine they do not want shoes flying off feet.

At other parks my kids have sat on them or just put them off to the side and put them back on when they got off...can you sit on them at these parks?

Maybe people put them in a locker...which I would rather avoid lockers altogether. My plan would be to NOT wear them at all....but I am also the dorky Mom who will likely have a fanny pack....haha.

Any ride where your feet dangle would require you to sit on the shoes. You can not leave them at the boarding area since the trains will unload at a different area. Hulk is fine since its not inverted like Dragon Challenge. Sitting on them is fine.

 

[kkendle]

Any ride where your feet dangle would require you to sit on the shoes. You can not leave them at the boarding area since the trains will unload at a different area. Hulk is fine since its not inverted like Dragon Challenge. Sitting on them is fine.

Thanks!!

 

[smitty1212]

So what is the difference between the single rider line and the regular line? I think I read in another post that you wouldn't be able to touch a child you were sitting next to anyway because of the way the seats are compartmentalized - is that true? So would you end up maybe not even sitting with your family if you all went thru the single rider line? Because boy that sounds like a much better way to go!

 

[damo]

So what is the difference between the single rider line and the regular line? I think I read in another post that you wouldn't be able to touch a child you were sitting next to anyway because of the way the seats are compartmentalized - is that true? So would you end up maybe not even sitting with your family if you all went thru the single rider line? Because boy that sounds like a much better way to go!

The single rider is a line for people who are okay filling in an empty seat when there are leftovers in a row. For example, there are three people in a party leaving one extra seat in a car. The attendant will take the person from the single rider line and he/she will sit with them.

Occasionally, there will be two empty seats if a party of two is not available in the standby line when there are 2 leftovers seats, so the attendant will take 2 people from the single rider line.

 

[mesaboy2]

So what is the difference between the single rider line and the regular line? I think I read in another post that you wouldn't be able to touch a child you were sitting next to anyway because of the way the seats are compartmentalized - is that true? So would you end up maybe not even sitting with your family if you all went thru the single rider line? Because boy that sounds like a much better way to go!

The way the ride vehicle is designed, you can see the lower legs of the people beside you, but that's about it. Because of this, it doesn't matter much who you ride with. I've never tried to touch them, because I never knew them.

The single rider line is almost always faster, and usually significantly so. The down side is that you miss almost all of the cool HP elements in the regular queue line--things such as the Portrait Room, DADA classroom, and Dumbledore's office. However, there is a third queue that you can use--also with little to no wait--to see almost all of these elements, but without the option to ride Forbidden Journey when you get to the end.

 

[LUVIOA]

I think I read in another post that you wouldn't be able to touch a child you were sitting next to anyway because of the way the seats are compartmentalized - is that true?

I was able to barely reach over to my son's leg to help him get through the spiders. It was a minimal touch but I think it helped, then i tapped his leg to let him know he could open his eyes.

 

[caggfamily]

Unfortunately, my family will only be in Orlando July 2, 3, and 4 when i imagine the crowds will be horrendous. We plan to visit Harry Potter World etc. on Sunday July 3. We will be staying on site, so i'm hoping that will help. Any tips to get the most out of our time?