Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[mesaboy2]

I would go on Sunday the 21st and try Ollivander's first. If the line is too long, then return closer to park close and see if it's any better. Be warned though, the queue for O's will close before the park does.

WWoHP is best tackled either first thing or last thing on any given day. The crowds do tend to fall off in the evening, but it is not due to fireworks--there aren't any--just people heading out.

Lastly to the boards!

 

[DiNap44]

I agree w/Mesaboy

We were there last August and the line for Ollivander's never went down. If you don't get there for the early entry, you might as well forget it (unless you enjoy long waits). We found that going to WWOHP in the evening was less crowded and its pretty cool all lit up. Enjoy your time down there.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I agree w/Mesaboy

We were there last August and the line for Ollivander's never went down. If you don't get there for the early entry, you might as well forget it (unless you enjoy long waits). We found that going to WWOHP in the evening was less crowded and its pretty cool all lit up. Enjoy your time down there.

I actually had a contrary experience last week. As an offsite guest, by the time I got to the WW, Ollivander's was indeed mobbed. I went ahead and did the FJ castle tour, FJ single-rider, some shops, and the Three Broomsticks. Shortly after 11:00, I noticed that Ollivander's had diminished to "only" about a 45 minute wait. That really wasn't too bad by peak summer standards. And I'd also note that while you're in the queue, you get to look into that shop window where the Quidditch equipment is displayed. Be sure to look closely at the very back, where the escaped golden snitch is flying around.

 

[divawife]

We will be in Disney World staying at Port Orleans French Quarter Feb 18 through Feb 24 during Presidents Week and Mardi Gras! Yes we are nuts but that is school vacation so we don't have much of a choice!

I would really like to try and get to Islands of Adventure on Wed Feb 22. Are we completely insane to try this? I cannot decide to give it a shot or just wait till we have some time next year to stay onsite at Universal so we can get into HP early.

So..is Wed during Prez week doable without early entry of the Universal hotel?

 

[damo]

We will be in Disney World staying at Port Orleans French Quarter Feb 18 through Feb 24 during Presidents Week and Mardi Gras! Yes we are nuts but that is school vacation so we don't have much of a choice!

I would really like to try and get to Islands of Adventure on Wed Feb 22. Are we completely insane to try this? I cannot decide to give it a shot or just wait till we have some time next year to stay onsite at Universal so we can get into HP early.

So..is Wed during Prez week doable without early entry of the Universal hotel?

We've stayed onsite during Prez week. It is def. busy since there seem to be a lot of international visitors during that time. This year we were there for the Thursday and Friday. You would have to make sure to get to the IOA gates at least 45 minutes before general public opening and get it done right away. The Studios is much less busy, of course.

 

[Turtlemom]

Our family will be in Orlando next week, staying at Disney. We are debating whether to go to Universal on Sunday 8/21 or Monday 8/22. Any guess whether Monday will be a better bet than Sunday for crowds? (I'm hoping some of the summer crowds will be falling off due to school starting in some places).

Also, I was considering purchasing the Universal version of the fast pass. There were mentions that this may not work in the Harry Potter attractions??? Any news on this??? Is it worth buying the express pass anyways????

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[damo]

Our family will be in Orlando next week, staying at Disney. We are debating whether to go to Universal on Sunday 8/21 or Monday 8/22. Any guess whether Monday will be a better bet than Sunday for crowds? (I'm hoping some of the summer crowds will be falling off due to school starting in some places).

Also, I was considering purchasing the Universal version of the fast pass. There were mentions that this may not work in the Harry Potter attractions??? Any news on this??? Is it worth buying the express pass anyways????

Any help would be appreciated.

Crowds tend to be less on the Sunday. Don't purchase the express passes until you are actually in the park and decide the lines are longer than you like. The passes are available all through the parks. FJ is NOT accepting the express pass. They do have a single rider's line though.

 

[Turtlemom]

Thanks for the advice, Damo. I'll wait on the express passes. Bummer that it doesn't work for FJ, but I guess it is still too new and popular. We'll just have to relax and enjoy the castle tour, I guess.

Any ideas about how long the standby (regular) lines take through the castle???

 

[mom2princess&prince]

We will be in Disney the week of Thanksgiving and really want to visit WWOHP one day. We could go Sun. 11/20, Mon. 11/21 or Tues 11/22. If anyone has advice about which day might be the least crowded I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

We will be in Disney the week of Thanksgiving and really want to visit WWOHP one day. We could go Sun. 11/20, Mon. 11/21 or Tues 11/22. If anyone has advice about which day might be the least crowded I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Only a guess, but Sunday's my pick.

 

[mom2princess&prince]

Thanks for your input! Is Sunday a good day to go in general or are you thinking because it is farthest from Thanksgiving? Do you know if there is anything like touring plans for WWHOP that looks at crowd levels?

 

[Turtlemom]

the Unofficial Guide to Disney World has touring plans for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The 2012 version comes out in Sept., and it does cover WWOHP. They base their plans on crowd flow, but Harry Potter has probably thrown things for a loop. If anyone is aware of any other touring plans, i'd love to hear about them!

I've followed them for Disney and they work out pretty well. Never tried for Universal, but we are going next week so I will look at the 2011 version to see what they suggest. Will let you know what I think when I get back.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for your input! Is Sunday a good day to go in general or are you thinking because it is farthest from Thanksgiving? Do you know if there is anything like touring plans for WWHOP that looks at crowd levels?

Yes to both. Sundays are historically slow in the offseason and it's furthest from T-Day.

I've not seen touring plans for UO, but PP is probably right--WWoHP definitely changes whatever strategies there were before.

 

[Dreamer416]

My family and I will be in Orlando for our second trip to WDW and our first to IOA November 5-12. My oldest just turned 11 and is very excited to see the WWoHP. We will only have one day at IOA on this trip and I had planned to go on Tuesday, Nov. 8, before learning about the celebration planned for Veteran's weekend. Do you think this will still be a good day to go? Would we miss the crowds coming in for the celebration?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I've already learned so much from reading these boards.

 

[mesaboy2]

My family and I will be in Orlando for our second trip to WDW and our first to IOA November 5-12. My oldest just turned 11 and is very excited to see the WWoHP. We will only have one day at IOA on this trip and I had planned to go on Tuesday, Nov. 8, before learning about the celebration planned for Veteran's weekend. Do you think this will still be a good day to go? Would we miss the crowds coming in for the celebration?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I've already learned so much from reading these boards.

You should fine on November 8.

 

[orlandofanboy13]

Well, all of this is obvious.

 

[orlandofanboy13]

We will be in Disney the week of Thanksgiving and really want to visit WWOHP one day. We could go Sun. 11/20, Mon. 11/21 or Tues 11/22. If anyone has advice about which day might be the least crowded I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

I would go on that tuesday...maybe sunday one of those two...sunday might be your best bet.

 

[mom2princess&prince]

I would go on that tuesday...maybe sunday one of those two...sunday might be your best bet.

No one seems to be recommending Monday, is that typically a busy day because of people coming in over the weekend?

 

[mesaboy2]

No one seems to be recommending Monday, is that typically a busy day because of people coming in over the weekend?

I know it sounds weird, but Mondays tend to be busier than Sundays in the offseason. From what I've read, it is because many people travel on the weekend like you suggest.

 

[Turtlemom]

Is it still true that mondays are busier than Sundays during the summer?? Like right now???

Still trying to decide whether to go to WWHP/IOA on Sunday or Monday next week.