Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[poohbear8]

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?

I haven't done Universal yet, but DD (14) and I both take a motion sickness pill in the morning when we leave for the parks. Sometimes the teacups makes me a little green, but usually we are ok. I know that DD experienced motion sickness while on a cruise, so I always take the medicine with us. They make a kids version and a chewable and at least one of them is non-drowsy. I usually buy the Walgreens brand.

 

[jp1216]

We will be hitting the parks from 10/2 to the 4th. My girls will want to spend two days at IoA (with a focus on WWoHP). Staying at the Doubletree.
10/2 - plan is to arrive very early and do everything WWoHP has to offer. Do lunch or dinner there (3Broomsticks). Or both (gulp).
10/3 will be at the main US park.
10/4 - maybe do everything else at the park and finish back where we started at WWoHP.
Just spent hours reading this thread! Thanks everyone!
Any recommendations for my wife and small son - while my girls and I are riding? We'd like to stay together - but want to be prepared possible long waits. Any secret 'young fan' areas within WWoHP?

 

[alenushka]

We will be hitting the parks from 10/2 to the 4th. My girls will want to spend two days at IoA (with a focus on WWoHP). Staying at the Doubletree.
10/2 - plan is to arrive very early and do everything WWoHP has to offer. Do lunch or dinner there (3Broomsticks). Or both (gulp).
10/3 will be at the main US park.
10/4 - maybe do everything else at the park and finish back where we started at WWoHP.
Just spent hours reading this thread! Thanks everyone!
Any recommendations for my wife and small son - while my girls and I are riding? We'd like to stay together - but want to be prepared possible long waits. Any secret 'young fan' areas within WWoHP?

In April, we checked in the hotel at 12 pm and headed to US...we were done with most of the rides we wanted to do by 5 pm...headed to WWoHP...lines were short and moved very fast....we did all the rides more than once prior to 8 pm (longer park hours this day). Following day we went back to WWoPH, we had an extra hour as we stayed in US hotel...by 10 am it was impossible to walk there.....park usually opens 10-15 min prior to announced times... Do as much as possible at WWoHP really, really early, and then leave and come back in the evening, I believe it is a much better plan, as between 10-5 are the worse hours. In two days (or almost just one and a half) we covered everything we wanted in US and IoA parks (6 times on Forbidden Journey ), we did not use our 3-days pass on the third day as we got enough....

Near the entrance to WWoHP, there is a "talking fountain", it is very entertaining for kids of all ages. You can youtube any single ride in US/IoA to get a better plan which ones you want to do, and which ones are good for your little one.
Have a great time! I wish we could be there NOW!!!!

 

[xxkellynicole]

The first time i visited universal studios was in August and had no problem with the heat. A lot of the rides are air conditioned (most are in fact) and the ones that aren't have spray water in the lines outside.

If you're going to do Harry Potter, my suggestion is do it first before the line gets insane (not sure how much this is still true, but I can imagine everyone still goes there first). I have always gotten early entry for the park and the wait was about 5 minutes, as oppose to the normal 120ish. Universal is very good at entertaining you while you are waiting, I will give them that. Especially in the wizarding world.

My advice, skip Ollivander's "show" its not worth the wait

 

[mesaboy2]

My advice, skip Ollivander's "show" its not worth the wait

If you have early entry and go there first instead of FJ, then there shouldn't be much of a wait. Otherwise, I agree.

 

[swalesfamily]

We have a trip planned in Jan of 2012...anyone have ideas on crowd levels? Hoping it won't be crazy. We have 2 days and are hoping to do IOA one day and US the other. We have the early admission to IOA for one of the days and I am wondering if this is a good idea to try or are the crowds insane at this time of day. Being huge HP fans we are looking forward to visiting Hogwarts and Hogsmede. I have the breakfast at the 3 broomsticks booked one morning at 930 and was hoping to do the early admission that day, hit a few attractions and then have breakfast. Is this a good idea? Any tips would be appreciated as this is our first trip to US Orlando

 

[indimom]

Edited: I found the answer to my question. lol.

 

[cblaramore]

We have a trip planned in Jan of 2012...anyone have ideas on crowd levels? Hoping it won't be crazy. We have 2 days and are hoping to do IOA one day and US the other. We have the early admission to IOA for one of the days and I am wondering if this is a good idea to try or are the crowds insane at this time of day. Being huge HP fans we are looking forward to visiting Hogwarts and Hogsmede. I have the breakfast at the 3 broomsticks booked one morning at 930 and was hoping to do the early admission that day, hit a few attractions and then have breakfast. Is this a good idea? Any tips would be appreciated as this is our first trip to US Orlando

I really researched the best dates to go and talked to some other people and it was decided that of all year January was the best to go (so that is when are going to). We went in May about 10 years ago and it wasn't really bad at US but IOA had just opened up so everyone was probably there! ha

I had a ? for you though. You said you made a reservation at 3 Broomsticks? Is that something you have to do to be able to eat there? My little boys bday will be while we are down there and I really wanted to take him.

 

[mesaboy2]

I had a ? for you though. You said you made a reservation at 3 Broomsticks? Is that something you have to do to be able to eat there? My little boys bday will be while we are down there and I really wanted to take him.

Reservations are only necessary for breakfast.

 

[swalesfamily]

We have a breakfast reservation. We are staying offsite at one of the hotels with benefits so we booked a HP package through Universal which included our breakfast at the 3 broomsticks. Might not be worth it but I am a planner (especially with meals) and like to have things booked around where we plan to be at that portion of the day

 

[FreddyGlove]

Good God, I'll be there this weekend. This isn't exactly a question but a true statement of excitement!

14 years of waiting and re-watched all the HP flicks over the past few weeks.

BRING this vacation!

 

[christophfam]

Good God, I'll be there this weekend. This isn't exactly a question but a true statement of excitement!

14 years of waiting and re-watched all the HP flicks over the past few weeks.

BRING this vacation!

Have a great trip! You're going to LOVE WWOHP!!!!!!!!

 

[FreddyGlove]

I'm a pretty big fan, my fiancee is a HUGE fan, and the couple we're travelling with, my best friend just got into the series (that's why we just watched the flicks) and his GF loves HP too.

Needless to say, we've seen photos and videos but we know it doesn't even do justice.

I can't believe we're so close! EEEE!

 

[dimndgal1]

We are finally going to WWoHP and decided on the Tuesday after Columbus Day rather than trying to fight the holiday weekend crowds. Any thoughts on the crazy level?

Also, I've read through most of the thread and think we have a plan of attack but my concern is that I'm going to be on an ECV (I'm undergoing hip drama) and I'm wondering if it would be best to let the stampede go and sort of roll behind. Also, is there a good spot to park the wheels and hit the majority of the area? I can walk okay, just slow, and would rather park and work my way around rather than hop on, roll, park, off, on, roll park....

Thanks so much! Looking SO forward to this and appreciate all the helpful info on this board!

 

[KimWDW]

Can you skip the lockers if you only have a fanny pack? I am willing to wear a cheesy touristy fanny pack if I can skip all locker lines!

Also, if I get there before park opening and get in right as they open, go right to FJ, how long will the line be--about? (Figuring the people who stay at hotels are already in there.) 30-45 min? (Trip is end of April).

Thank you!

 

[damo]

Can you skip the lockers if you only have a fanny pack? I am willing to wear a cheesy touristy fanny pack if I can skip all locker lines!

Also, if I get there before park opening and get in right as they open, go right to FJ, how long will the line be--about? (Figuring the people who stay at hotels are already in there.) 30-45 min? (Trip is end of April).

Thank you!

Yes, a fanny pack will let you avoid lockers. It is tough to predict lines in April with spring breaks.

 

[APB513]

Can you skip the lockers if you only have a fanny pack? I am willing to wear a cheesy touristy fanny pack if I can skip all locker lines!
Thank you!

That's exactly what I did. I carry a Baggalini when I am at WDW but for UOR I always bring my fanny pack to avoid the lockers

Not the coolest fashion statement but it sure beats having to use the lockers.

 

[kelfie]

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?

Hubby and I rode it 4 times our day there and I did get a bit queasy going from real set to screen toward the end. I have never tried it for amusement park rides, but ginger root pills work for me when I play certain Wii games for motion sickness. Maybe they will help!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

We're heading back to WWoHP the first week of December. Should we expect crazy crowds? I haven't done any research on it lately and have no idea how crowded it is now. So excited!!!

 

[Metro West]

Crowds should be pretty low during early December. WWoHP will be busy but the rest of the parks will be a breeze.