How are the crowds at Harry Potter World?

[3prettyprincesses]

I'm starting to sweat my decision to spend a day here for our upcoming trip! I know crowds were probably insane during the holiday but are they lessening any now? My family and I are huge HP fans so we really are looking forward to going to Universal for at least one day.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

You need to get there first thing in the morning. Go and wait at the gate for it to open. If you want to do Olivanders, get in line for that first. After that do the ride in the castle (very cool btw). Then you can do the other rides.

Try to get into the stores early in the morning (leave your DH in line at Olivander's while you browse ). There are actually lines waiting to get into the stores later in the morning. The line for butterbeer is quite ridiculous actually!!

We went the second week of November and while it was fabulous before lunch, after lunch the crowds got insane!!!
But we had a fabulous time and the theming is amazing! Enjoy!

Oh yeah, and post your question over on the Universal board. They have lots of info about it over there.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks! I see that Universal opens at 9am the day we're planning to go which will be middle of the week (not a weekend!). So I should plan to be there before 9 then? Hmmm, we have a Kona breakfast ADR for 8am that morning. Maybe we should just grab quick service at our resort then. Man, I've never been to Universal so I feel really unprepared!

Thanks for the tips too! We are all planning to have butterbeer and lunch at 3 Broomsticks. My DD's are like Mom, we need to see Deathly Hallows one more time before we go too! We can't wait, it sounds like it should be pretty amazing especially if it's not wall to wall people.

 

[Magpie]

Hopefully it won't be too bad, if you're traveling in the off-season! But keep in mind that all resort guests get to enter the Wizarding World an hour before park opening. So, there'll already be people there by the time you are allowed in.

My advice would be to get to the gates at 8:30, because sometimes they start letting regular guests in early. Head straight to the Wizarding World and spend an hour or so there, then leave to explore other parts of Islands of Adventure when it starts getting crowded. Come back for lunch at the 3 Broomsticks at around 11am (before the lunch rush starts), and then leave again. Come back an hour before closing - the lines will have probably thinned out again by then.

Don't do Olivanders if the line is longer than a turn or two in queue. It's not worth a very long wait for a 5 minute show!

The Frog Choir and Spirit Rally shows are good choices for the middle of the day when it's very crowded. They often run every half hour, alternating - just ask a team member, and then sit down on the edge of the show area and wait. The show area is a semi circular piece of pavement in front of the Dragon Challenge coaster entrance. It has a couple of Stonehenge-like monoliths at the back. You can sit right at the edge of the pavement and get a great view.

If you're inside a shop (Derivish and Banges for clothing and souvenirs, Honeydukes for candy and toys) when the park closes, they won't throw you out right away. You'll have about 15 minutes to shop in relative peace.

Also, there's lots of Harry Potter souvenirs in the big stores at the front of the park. Don't forget to use your AAA/CAA card!

Have a wonderful time! We loved our visit last December. My trip report is in my sig.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Yes, get to the gate by at least 8:30 a.m. There is a fairly long walk to the park from the parking garage so plan accordingly.

We did lunch around noon and really didn't wait that long. I would agree about the Olivander's show IF your child is the one not chosen. My DD was chosen to participate and talks about it constantly. But I can agree that if you're kid isn't chosen, then it's a lot of hoohah for watching somebody's elses kid have fun.

We only went for HP so we stayed and rode Dueling Dragons A LOT!!! My DSD made fun of me the whole day because I screamed more than my 10 yo DD.

After we had our fill of HP we did do the theater thing in the Indiana Jones type area (right outside of HP) and then we played in the Seuss land. And then I got shamed into the Hulk ride. I think I still have that headache.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Hopefully it won't be too bad, if you're traveling in the off-season! But keep in mind that all resort guests get to enter the Wizarding World an hour before park opening. So, there'll already be people there by the time you are allowed in.

My advice would be to get to the gates at 8:30, because sometimes they start letting regular guests in early. Head straight to the Wizarding World and spend an hour or so there, then leave to explore other parts of Islands of Adventure when it starts getting crowded. Come back for lunch at the 3 Broomsticks at around 11am (before the lunch rush starts), and then leave again. Come back an hour before closing - the lines will have probably thinned out again by then.

Don't do Olivanders if the line is longer than a turn or two in queue. It's not worth a very long wait for a 5 minute show!

The Frog Choir and Spirit Rally shows are good choices for the middle of the day when it's very crowded. They often run every half hour, alternating - just ask a team member, and then sit down on the edge of the show area and wait. The show area is a semi circular piece of pavement in front of the Dragon Challenge coaster entrance. It has a couple of Stonehenge-like monoliths at the back. You can sit right at the edge of the pavement and get a great view.

If you're inside a shop (Derivish and Banges for clothing and souvenirs, Honeydukes for candy and toys) when the park closes, they won't throw you out right away. You'll have about 15 minutes to shop in relative peace.

Also, there's lots of Harry Potter souvenirs in the big stores at the front of the park. Don't forget to use your AAA/CAA card!

Have a wonderful time! We loved our visit last December. My trip report is in my sig.

Wow! Thanks for the tips! I just read your tr, it's great! Butterbeer, here we come!

Yes, get to the gate by at least 8:30 a.m. There is a fairly long walk to the park from the parking garage so plan accordingly.

We did lunch around noon and really didn't wait that long. I would agree about the Olivander's show IF your child is the one not chosen. My DD was chosen to participate and talks about it constantly. But I can agree that if you're kid isn't chosen, then it's a lot of hoohah for watching somebody's elses kid have fun.

We only went for HP so we stayed and rode Dueling Dragons A LOT!!! My DSD made fun of me the whole day because I screamed more than my 10 yo DD.

After we had our fill of HP we did do the theater thing in the Indiana Jones type area (right outside of HP) and then we played in the Seuss land. And then I got shamed into the Hulk ride. I think I still have that headache.

Great info., thanks! We're planning to spend most of our time there as well. Did I mention that we're huge HP fans? Dueling Dragons sounds really cool, my DH will have to stay behind with my DD7 though since she's only 49". My DD's are going to burst when see they Hogmeade! I can't wait to see their reactions.

 

[Owlpost23]

You will have a wonderful time-WWOHP is simply amazing!You'll feel like a student of Hogwarts!Frozen butterbeer is delicious-make sure to see all the shop windows-absolutely outstanding!Have fun!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

You will have a wonderful time-WWOHP is simply amazing!You'll feel like a student of Hogwarts!Frozen butterbeer is delicious-make sure to see all the shop windows-absolutely outstanding!Have fun!

Thanks! We are so excited to go, I'll have to get an extra SD card for camera since I'm sure I'll be taking pics of every little detail.

 

[Planogirl]

Frozen butterbeer is wonderful. If you go to the outside wagon be sure to check both sides. Once we saw a long line on one side and almost no one on the other. If the lines are too long or they are out, go into the tavern. It's nice in there anyway.