Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[mesaboy2]

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.

Don't know. IMO summer tends to equalize the days so they're all equally busy. Still summer season is ending right about now so this Sunday/Monday thing may hold, or it may not. I'll be there next Monday afternoon myself, but I don't have Sunday as an option this trip. I will be curious to see what the crowds will be like.

 

[crazymama]

We are here right now and went to WWOHP yest. It was a zoo!! Wish we had tried Sunday instead although it may not have made any difference in the summer. Going back today to try again. Really want to hit Ollivanders but 90 minutes in the heat with kids is pretty rough. We shall see.

 

[macraven]

hope you don't have the crowds and heat when you return today!

 

[Metro West]

hope you don't have the crowds and heat when you return today!

She will...it's supposed to be in the 90's the rest of the week...and busy.

 

[Copper Queen]

Don't know. IMO summer tends to equalize the days so they're all equally busy. Still summer season is ending right about now so this Sunday/Monday thing may hold, or it may not. I'll be there next Monday afternoon myself, but I don't have Sunday as an option this trip. I will be curious to see what the crowds will be like.

We will be there next Monday as well - I really hope it's not too bad. We had originally planned to be there on the Tuesday but Monday allowed us to be able to stay all day and night - I'm really excited about seeing HPW in the evening as well as the bonus, hopefully, of lighter evening crowds.

 

[crazymama]

Me again.... Reporting back on our second attempt at WWOHP! Tuesday August 15 went a little better. We were at the gate for 8:15 so were quite close to the front. Staying offsite so no perks for us. Ran our butts the long way around as traffic was routed that way and got into Ollivanders line as quickly as possible. Wait was only 20 mins which we were thrilled about. My little Harry Potter fanatic daughter was selected and still is floating on a cloud. Wingarium Leviosa!!!! FJ was lined way back from the start as DC is down so we came back in the evening. Wait was only 30 mins. Love that ride!!!!

 

[MIChessGuy]

When I visited the WWOHP about 2 1/2 weeks ago, they did not route the offsite guests through Marvel/Jurassic as I recall they did during my summer 2010 trip. Instead we took the "left hook" past Green Eggs & Ham and hotfooted it the short way. It didn't matter much, however; Ollivander's was already nuts by the time I got there. Checking back around 11:00 a.m., I was surprised to find the wait "only" about 45 minutes. To my mind this is pretty reasonable for peak summer season. I'd also like to note my admiration for the excellent performance of the Wand Keeper(s). Along with the Jedi Academy instructors at DHS, they put on a great show.

 

[waltfan42]

Hi! We are finally going to WWoHP! Trying to decide which day would be best. Friday Dec. 16, Saturday the 17th or Sunday the 18th???? We could also possibly go after 4:00 on Thursday the 15th if that would be less crowded. Also, any idea how much time I should allow for seeing it? And lastly, any suggestions for anything else to do in IoA for people who get motion sickness? My son might be able to ride some of the tamer things, but really the whole group is pretty much not up for anything "too fun"! Mainly planning to go soak up the HP atmosphere, but would like to see whatever else there is to see.

 

[ant2005]

Hi. I hope this is not a stupid question. Is there a good way to tell if the line outside for the Forbidden Journey is for the lockers or for the ride itself. I just want to make sure that we are not unnecessarily waiting in the locker line by mistake. Even on crowded days, is it safe to assume to just go straight to the main castle entrance without waiting in the line outside?

 

[damo]

Hi. I hope this is not a stupid question. Is there a good way to tell if the line outside for the Forbidden Journey is for the lockers or for the ride itself. I just want to make sure that we are not unnecessarily waiting in the locker line by mistake. Even on crowded days, is it safe to assume to just go straight to the main castle entrance without waiting in the line outside?

The line on the right is for the lockers and the line on the left is for the ride. If there is only one line visible, it is most likely for the lockers. There are lots of "Hogwarts students" at the outside gates that you can ask if you are not sure.

There are some changes that are going to be made to change this but for the time being, this is the setup.

 

[JessiMommy]

Family and I are staying onsite for this Universal Trip for the first time, sooo EXCITED!!! Anyway... we have 2 days to visit the parks, not doing park to park. Our days are this Monday & Tuesday (8/29-30). I'm reading that Monday's may not be the best to visit IOA. Not sure if it really matters as it is kinda still summer. We set up our plan to visit IOA Monday and US Tuesday since Monday will be a full day for us and Tuesday an evening travel day. We wanted to have more time for IOA. Is there any reason to deviate from this plan? Are Tuesday's really that much less crowded at IOA? Thanks for you help.

 

[mesaboy2]

Family and I are staying onsite for this Universal Trip for the first time, sooo EXCITED!!! Anyway... we have 2 days to visit the parks, not doing park to park. Our days are this Monday & Tuesday (8/29-30). I'm reading that Monday's may not be the best to visit IOA. Not sure if it really matters as it is kinda still summer. We set up our plan to visit IOA Monday and US Tuesday since Monday will be a full day for us and Tuesday an evening travel day. We wanted to have more time for IOA. Is there any reason to deviate from this plan? Are Tuesday's really that much less crowded at IOA? Thanks for you help.

I think your plan is fine.

 

[alicia1506]

we're heading to universal staying at RPR from nov 12-16 with plans to spend a solid 3 days in the parks, most of that in repeat visits to WWOHP for the celebration package for q & a sessions with cast members.

our plan is to hit olivanders first, then FJ then hogs head/three broomsticks for lunch, then do FOTH and DD.

we've heard rumours of FJ being unforgiving to chubbier visitors (due to type of seat restraint) and want to save ourselves time and embarassment and were thinking some of the group could go on the ride while others do the tour only.

what is flight of the hippogriff and dueling dragons like in terms of seat restraints for chubbier visitors? and can you take cameras on the ride with you for photo opportunities?

 

[alicia1506]

we're heading to universal staying at RPR from nov 12-16 with plans to spend a solid 3 days in the parks, most of that in repeat visits to WWOHP for the celebration package for q & a sessions with cast members.

our plan is to hit olivanders first, then FJ then hogs head/three broomsticks for lunch, then do FOTH and DD.

we've heard rumours of FJ being unforgiving to chubbier visitors (due to type of seat restraint) and want to save ourselves time and embarassment and were thinking some of the group could go on the ride while others do the tour only.

what is flight of the hippogriff and dueling dragons like in terms of seat restraints for chubbier visitors? and can you take cameras on the ride with you for photo opportunities?

 

[mesaboy2]

we're heading to universal staying at RPR from nov 12-16 with plans to spend a solid 3 days in the parks, most of that in repeat visits to WWOHP for the celebration package for q & a sessions with cast members.

our plan is to hit olivanders first, then FJ then hogs head/three broomsticks for lunch, then do FOTH and DD.

we've heard rumours of FJ being unforgiving to chubbier visitors (due to type of seat restraint) and want to save ourselves time and embarassment and were thinking some of the group could go on the ride while others do the tour only.

what is flight of the hippogriff and dueling dragons like in terms of seat restraints for chubbier visitors? and can you take cameras on the ride with you for photo opportunities?

There are test seats for FJ both outside the castle and again before you board. All ride vehicles have modified seats on the outside of each 4-person bench to accommodate larger riders. DC has modified seating in Rows 3 and 6 I believe for the same purpose. FotH is the same for all rows, except for extra legroom in Row 1 just because of the train's design. Other than FotH, you cannot take cameras or any loose articles on the HP attractions.

Your touring plan for WWoHP sounds good.

 

[mcjw2011]

and can you take cameras on the ride with you for photo opportunities?

No. However on the ride, there's a bit involving a chase with a Hungarian Horntail dragon, and you will have your picture taken then. After the ride, you take the exit down to the shops and you can purchase that photo from the ride.

But the ride is just awesome. I rode it three times while I was there last year -- I love it.

 

[poohbear8]

Is there a thread similar to the WDW thread for some fairy godmother asisstance? I have a letter for my DD that I would like to get postmarked at WWOHP. (I've heard they do that...they do still, right? )

I would like to mail it to someone who is going in Early to Mid-September, willing to get it stamped, and then could drop it in the mail back to me.

If this isn't the right place, could someone point me to the right one? If this is the right one, is anyone going and willing to get my postmark?

TIA!

 

[ejhernandez]

Never have I rode on such a cooool ride. I actually was so into it, that I had to close my eyes in some parts...got kinda dizzy

Has this happened to anyone? Where going back during the winter holidays, and I wanna try again; but, think I can't handle that feeling. Any suggestions on what I can do?

 

[BellAbbeys Mom]

Hi there, quick question please?

Is it even WORTH trying to do Harry Potter, let alone Universal in July?? Given the time of year and all?

 

[ejhernandez]

Hi there, quick question please?

Is it even WORTH trying to do Harry Potter, let alone Universal in July?? Given the time of year and all?

With 37 pages of thread on a forum...I think its worth every penny. Just gotta prepare.

I read what others had experienced and planned the day right...I just didnt expect I would get dizzy on the ride, just plan it out & do it!