Help with touring strategy

[kwdw]

I haven't been US/IOA since shortly after Diagon Alley opened, so I could use some help making a touring plan with regard to the WWOHP.

Headed there for 3 parks days in mid-August and we are staying at Cabana Bay. Yes, we have a P2P pass. Might go for just a couple hours on a fourth day. Definitely have a HP fan who wants to ride Escape from Gringott's for sure. Our group isn't sure about Forbidden Journey yet, none of us are really thrill ride folks. And we will want to go to the wand shop.

IF we were headed RIGHT NOW - before the new Hagrid's coaster opens - what would be the strategy to get on Escape to Gringott's and Forbidden Journey? We'll have the early hour of admission option - and we are morning people. How early should we plan to be at the gates? How long do the waits get during the day? I realize with that new ride opening - things can change - but I'm just trying to get an idea for now.

While I think its very unlikely we will be at the parks late - how are lines then?

We aren't really worried about the rest of the parks. There are three of us - and I'm the only one who has been to them. We aren't big thrill ride folks - and we figure with three days - we'll see everything else we want without much issue - as we will either wait in line or skip it. We are also excited about some resort time at CBBR and browsing City Walk. It's not a one and done trip - this is just the first time that the youngest is ready for US/IOA at all. We'll be back - so we aren't stressed about hitting everything in the rest of the parks. BUT - the youngest HAS turned into a HP fan this past year - and we do want to make sure that is a good experience!

 

[imprint]

When you check in the hotel, they should tell you which park has Early Entry and what time it opens.

If it is IoA, I would start there (we usually get there 15 minutes before EE) and go straight to Hogwarts and ride Forbidden Journey. If you're up for a second time on it, do it again or ride Flight of Hippogriff. Maybe another time on Forbidden Journey and/or Olivander's Wand Shop. If Hogwarts Express is about to open, then go ahead and get in line and go to the Studios. Then ride Gringott's. Then it's a matter of re-riding Gringott's or browsing Diagon Alley. Or you can ride HE back to Hogsmeade and look around there.

If EE is at the Studios, just reverse the above. Keep in mind there is an Olivander's in Diagon Alley too.

You will want to ride HE both ways, since it is different each way. Nothing mind-blowing, but big fans will want both experiences.

I would do that all three mornings, and then spend the rest of each day hitting other attractions of interest and/or enjoying the resort(s). I would check out City Walk after the parks close.

You'll probably want to be sure to make time for the Hogwarts light show at dusk one or more nights too. There are now two different shows, but I do not know scheduling.

Also, include time for casting spells with the interactive wand(s) you get at Olivander's Be sure to look at the map included in the box. Read it in Knockturn Alley too for a cool surprise.

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but I'm sure someone will provide more info for you. Have fun!

 

[elfling8]

In addition to the tips above, don't wait in line for Butterbeer at the outdoor stands. Go to one of the bars - Hogs head, hopping pot, etc. We were there during Easter week, pretty big crowds, and could always walk up to one of the bars with little or no line.

Make sure to catch the night bus driver outside of Diagon Alley. The shrunken head had my daughter and I in tears laughing. Stuff like she was wearing blue so he asked if she was in Ravenclaw then went on a tangent about how the glowing orb in the sky was the sun and he was sure she had read about it in books. Also walk around to the back of the bus, you can step in a few feet and see the beds.

We enjoyed the Gringotts ride more than FJ. It is similar to the Mummy but with 3D effects. You have to at least go through the queue for FJ once, so you can see the inside of the castle. DD and I let out an audible gasp when we walked into Dumbledore's office. There is child swap area if someone decides they don't want to ride. DH and I rode that only once and were good, while we rode Gringotts 3x.

If you have the choice and both parks are open for EE I suggest doing Hogsmeade first then Diagon Alley. If you want to follow Harry's footsteps you are supposed to do it the other way, but DA is so amazing that I think Hogsmeade would be underwhelming in comparison if you see it after. Still super cool, but DA is just over the top incredible. An employee at our hotel suggested that, and so glad we followed his advice.

We found that the rides in Suess and ET were never very crowded, and that the Citywalk resturants were packed at dinnertime but pretty empty around noon. We walked right up to the milkshake counter at Toothsome in the early afternoon, while waited a good half hour in the evening. So good time to go eat at Citywalk is when the parks were the most crowded midday. Also our hotel resturants (RPR) were not crowded at dinnertime except for the day it rained.

Enjoy your trip!!