How Busy is WWOHP During On-Site Early Entry Hour?

[GrnMtnMan]

I'll be visiting Universal in early August. We'll be staying at the Hard Rock.

Can anybody tell me about the early-entry hour for the WWHOP? Specifically, do we need to be at the turnstiles way before opening? Could we arrive at 8:15 (9 AM regular opening) and still have very short lines for the Forbidden Journey? What kind of line would we have if we did that?

Also, if they start giving out ticketed return times to the area, will that first hour be our only opportunity to ride Dragon Challenge, even though it is one of the Universal express rides?

Thanks!

 

[HarrietSLP]

I was there just last week and we did WWOP on two days. The first day we got there at about 7:15 and was about 4th in line when the gates opened. We went straight for Forbidden Journey, the Hippogriff ride, Olivander's, and Dragon Challenge and it seems we did all of them within one and a half hours at the most.

The second day we got there at opening time ( 8:00) and there was already a line at Forbidden Journey. I was really nervous as we had an 8:30 reservation at the Three Broomsticks and there was a 5 minute delay as they were having problems with the ride. We were late for our reservation but it was no problem. We loved the English breakfast.

I'm not really a fan of the Forbidden Journey because I think it's too fast paced with a bombardment of visual stimuli to be enjoyable for me. I was extremely nauseous after I rode it the first time and took Dramamine the next day. Personally, I enjoyed touring the castle, browsing the shops of Hogsmeade, and riding the Dragon's Challenge much better.

I strongly urge folks to get one of the Universal packages so as to take advantage of early entry and the express pass. You also get priority seating at restaurants. This saved us a long wait at JB Margaritaville. Once the park opens at regular time WWHP is really packed and you can expect long waits.

 

[damo]

I was there just last week and we did WWOP on two days. The first day we got there at about 7:15 and was about 4th in line when the gates opened. We went straight for Forbidden Journey, the Hippogriff ride, Olivander's, and Dragon Challenge and it seems we did all of them within one and a half hours at the most.

The second day we got there at opening time ( 8:00) and there was already a line at Forbidden Journey. I was really nervous as we had an 8:30 reservation at the Three Broomsticks and there was a 5 minute delay as they were having problems with the ride. We were late for our reservation but it was no problem. We loved the English breakfast.

I'm not really a fan of the Forbidden Journey because I think it's too fast paced with a bombardment of visual stimuli to be enjoyable for me. I was extremely nauseous after I rode it the first time and took Dramamine the next day. Personally, I enjoyed touring the castle, browsing the shops of Hogsmeade, and riding the Dragon's Challenge much better.

I strongly urge folks to get one of the Universal packages so as to take advantage of early entry and the express pass. You also get priority seating at restaurants. This saved us a long wait at JB Margaritaville. Once the park opens at regular time WWHP is really packed and you can expect long waits.

You don't need a package to get early entry and unlimited express and priority seating if you stay onsite. It is included with every onsite reservation. However, you do need a package to get early entry if you stay offsite. You do not get unlimited express access or priority seating if you stay offsite though.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Thanks for the comments.

Any ideas about this question:

Also, if they start giving out ticketed return times to the area, will that first hour be our only opportunity to ride Dragon Challenge, even though it is one of the Universal express rides?

 

[czycropper]

We were there on Easter Sunday and it was busy but the early hour opening was great. We were 20th in line (arrived at 6:30 for a 7:00 opening) at the turnstiles and it took us about 10 minutes to ride FJ the first time, 15 minutes the second time and then the girls & I started riding it on the single rider line while my DH held all our stuff.

We didn't go to Olivander's since we had gone the night before and my DD11 had gotten picked . but when we passed the line looked to be about 10-15 minutes wait.

All the other rides we did with EP, which we have come to absolutely

 

[mesaboy2]

Also, if they start giving out ticketed return times to the area, will that first hour be our only opportunity to ride Dragon Challenge, even though it is one of the Universal express rides?

Only opportunity? No. Good opportunity? Yes.

The ticketed return times apply to everyone, whether you are onsite or offsite, Express pass holder or not.

The return times control access to the entire WWoHP area, which includes DC. If you choose not to do DC during the first hour before leaving WWoHP, then you may have to wait to get back inside--just like everyone else. However, once back inside you would have virtually no wait for DC (or Flight of the Hippogriff) because you have Express.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Thanks for the responses.

How often does the timed return system get implemented? Is it only on the busiest of busy days, just weekend, or pretty much every day?

I'm going the first weekend in August, so I expect it to be pretty busy, but down from the peaks reached in July.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for the responses.

How often does the timed return system get implemented? Is it only on the busiest of busy days, just weekend, or pretty much every day?

I'm going the first weekend in August, so I expect it to be pretty busy, but down from the peaks reached in July.

Just guessin' here, but I would say that timed-entry would be used on a weekend in early August.