Harry Potter- Wizarding World FAQ

[Metro West]

I didn't even think about Mardi gras and how that might impact our visit. Does Universal do anything different at Islands of Adventure for Mardi Gras and will this impact our one day visit (probably the tuesday of that week)??

Mardi Gras festivities are at the Studios (parade and concerts). Most of the headliners perform on Saturday and Sunday evenings so that's when the park will be most crowded. The parade should not be missed...it's different every year and the floats are always incredible! You should definitely plan to stay for the parade one night.

 

[LumosQ102]

Since I'd like to add something to this lovely thread, and since "Will I Be Able To Handle Harry Potter and the Forbin Project Because of (enter thing person is afraid of here)" posts pop up so often, and since I rode it recently enough for it to be fresh in my memory, I give you a public service announcement:

I'm not sure if this has already been addressed, I couldn't find anything on the thread... we're going back to Universal for the first time since WWOHP arrived (obviously very excited - 64 days!). My best friend and travelling companion is a glasses wearer, and we can't quite work out whether or not she will be able to keep her glasses on for the ride. She'd quite like to be able to see the effects, so its not like the thrill rides we usually go on where she would just not bother wearing them...and have a more abstract view of things.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[General Panic]

My 3 brothers and i all glasses wearers had no problems keeping them on during this ride...numerous times.

Enjoy!

 

[LumosQ102]

My 3 brothers and i all glasses wearers had no problems keeping them on during this ride...numerous times.

Enjoy!

Thanks so much for the assistance - so pleased she'll be able to experience the ride as a whole.

Now i just need to be patient for the trip itself! 63 days and counting...

 

[ddhoeg]

Is there a place in the Orlando area that we can pick up HP merchandise without paying park entry?

 

[macraven]

Is there a place in the Orlando area that we can pick up HP merchandise without paying park entry?

depending on what you are wanting to buy, you can go to the online store and make your purchase.

i do not know what merch is in the Universal store at the aiport or City Walk.
I remember seeing some merch in both places but i don't think it was the complete items that you could find in the HP shops, or front merch store inside IOA.

there is no park fee for you to shop at City Walk.

 

[kiddo76]

There is a store right inside the airport that has a wide selection of HP merchandise.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I remember seeing the wizard's chess set on display at a IOA store (can't remember which one). It looked terrific, but was, ah...not a bargain.

 

[mmounsey]

Is there a place in the Orlando area that we can pick up HP merchandise without paying park entry?

I was just browsing the USO site and they have some of the HP products online for sale...link below...

http://www.universalorlando.com/Merchandise/merchandisehome.aspx

 

[Shakthi]

Just came back and we had a great time.

The parks were packed! However, the early entry for IOA did make a difference for us. We were able to take nice pictures, walk around and do our shopping without hassle. We headed straight to Ollivander's. It's a cute little place to see once, but the perfomance is so brief! Not worth if you have to wait in a long line. Except, of course, if your child is chosen and you get to take all those pictures of him/her in front.

Castle tours only started at 4:00 pm, but I went all the way in line with my dh and dd(8), and exited right before they boarded FJ. My dd was excited to try it, although I had warned her it was intense. She was determined, and I'm glad she was that brave, but the photo showed her with her eyes tightly closed clenching the bar. Afterwards, she was unwilling to go in ANY other rides. It's definitely not for everyone.

The breakfast reservation thing was weird. They weren't open when we first came in so people started lining up. Soon there was a long line (everyone had reservations). Some were scheduled for a later time, but arrived early. As long as you had a reservation, you could just get in line regardless. It didn't quite work like I expected. After the line to order, there was another line at the pick-up counter. When we finally got our food, we had to stand holding our trays for a while until they found a seat for us. I guess the best is to eat at a later time. Probably when the line gets shorter. My dd (8) enjoyed being able to have Butterbeer with her breakfast and we enjoyed checking out the decor.

Thank you everyone for the tips and pieces of advice. Thanks to you all we were able to make the most of our visit.

 

[MickeyMirth]

Since I'd like to add something to this lovely thread, and since "Will I Be Able To Handle Harry Potter and the Forbin Project Because of (enter thing person is afraid of here)" posts pop up so often, and since I rode it recently enough for it to be fresh in my memory, I give you a public service announcement:

Auntie Tricia's Handy-Dandy Islands of Adventure Harry Potter and the Gooey Kablooey Disclaimer Warning Sign Translation Guide!

What Universal's Official Warning Signs Say: Vague warning, something about claustrophobia.

What They Really Mean: This ride was made for people who are fond of being locked in a very snug box (and mind you, I am thin) which is arranged in such a way that the ride feels like a solo excursion even though your friends are six inches to the right and left of you.

What Universal's Official Warning Signs Say: Guests who suffer motion sickness maybe shouldn't ride, or something.

What They Really Mean: Guests who may freak the eff out when their flying box starts falling backwards should be at least aware that this is going to happen. It's cool though; you never actually go upside-down, right?

What Universal's Official Warning Signs Say: This ride involves smoke and lighting effects.

What They Really Mean: Hey, do you enjoy monsters and dragons and giant spiders and more giant spiders and oh God, giant spiders everywhere and giant spiders for nigh on twenty damn minutes it feels like and antisocial trees and demons who eat your sanity popping up like a couple of feet away from your face?
...
...
...
Well, of course you do! Who wouldn't?

---

Okay, my tone may be silly, but these "translations" are serious. This is a pretty intense ride. I should note that IOA offers what they call a "Walking Tour" designed for children too little to ride that takes you through an alternate route through what is, IMO, the best part of WWOHP: the queue through the different rooms of Hogwarts castle. You're not rushed through and you get to fully enjoy the amazing set decoration, special effects, and full "shows" in each room.

Your review is an absolute hoot and a holler. I knew I wouldn't be braving this ride. I'm quite content to wimp my way through the walking tour but my DD is convinced she is ready to embrace the intensity. I will be showing her this review and anticipating her reaction.

 

[zack123]

I thought that desciption was pretty funny too.

I honestly didn't think the ride was that bad, but I'm sort of a thrill ride junkie. If it goes fast, flips you upside-down, makes you scream, or has scary parts, I usually run through the line as quickly as possible to get to it. I rode Forbidden Journey 17 times in 3 days.

Of course, I've also been known to get on big roller coaster 3 or more times in a row when the lines are short . . . and I have a pet tarantula.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

just a quick "Devil's Advocate" note here - EE and TOT make me nauseous - and I did much better on FJ - so much so that I rode it 6 times in three days!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

just a quick "Devil's Advocate" note here - EE and TOT make me nauseous - and I did much better on FJ - so much so that I rode it 6 times in three days!

Good to know! That helps put it in perspective.

 

[Sandy321]

just a quick "Devil's Advocate" note here - EE and TOT make me nauseous - and I did much better on FJ - so much so that I rode it 6 times in three days!

yes, but how do you do on Star Tours? I do ok on EE and TOT but I cannot handle Star Tours!! I'm fine on Soarin' so go figure!

I plan on taking dramamine and suffering thru one time for DD and my mom - then we'll have a shared experience that will go something like this WTH were we thinking? (dd hates roller coasters, did Splash once, and never again... same for Space Mt actually.... she's 14 Her friends have all done WWoHP and she cant wait! We've watched youtube, and know it will be intense)

and yes - I do appreciate the warnings and humor Thank you BabbleTrish! Perfect

 

[snowwhitesmom]

yes, but how do you do on Star Tours? I do ok on EE and TOT but I cannot handle Star Tours!! I'm fine on Soarin' so go figure!

I plan on taking dramamine and suffering thru one time for DD and my mom - then we'll have a shared experience that will go something like this WTH were we thinking? (dd hates roller coasters, did Splash once, and never again... same for Space Mt actually.... she's 14 Her friends have all done WWoHP and she cant wait! We've watched youtube, and know it will be intense)

and yes - I do appreciate the warnings and humor Thank you BabbleTrish! Perfect

I do better on FJ than Star Tours - but I do better on ToT than on Star Tours as well.

 

[phillyteamhater]

Going during peak time, end of June, not planning on buying express pass but getting to park early before it opens, should I get to WWOHP first? What are typical wait times, last time I was at IoA was 2000 and I waited almost 3 hours for Spiderman in the middle of the afternoon during 4th of July week, does WWOHP get that bad as well or is it how you plan it?

 

[mesaboy2]

Going during peak time, end of June, not planning on buying express pass but getting to park early before it opens, should I get to WWOHP first? What are typical wait times, last time I was at IoA was 2000 and I waited almost 3 hours for Spiderman in the middle of the afternoon during 4th of July week, does WWOHP get that bad as well or is it how you plan it?

WWoHP is best toured either first thing in the morning or within the last couple hours of park operation at night. Any other time, especially during peak season, it is going to be very busy. And during peak, even the times I mention will be crowded.

While I have not heard of 3 hour wait times for anything at WWoHP except for opening weekend in 2010, Forbidden Journey is certainly still capable of 90-120 minute waits during peak. Express Pass wouldn't help you there anyway.

 

[phillyteamhater]

Thanks, I will keep that in mind, I have already downloaded the app for the wait times to my iPad so I'm hoping that helps too.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

WWoHP is best toured either first thing in the morning or within the last couple hours of park operation at night. Any other time, especially during peak season, it is going to be very busy. And during peak, even the times I mention will be crowded.

While I have not heard of 3 hour wait times for anything at WWoHP except for opening weekend in 2010, Forbidden Journey is certainly still capable of 90-120 minute waits during peak. Express Pass wouldn't help you there anyway.

Forbidden Journey reached 180 minutes over the holiday season at one point