How important is early entry for all Harry Potter elements?

[Violet Parr]

We are really thinking about finally adding Universal on to our WDW trip this May. I have NO CLUE what to do here, as I've never done any research at all for Universal.

Our kids are almost entirely interested in Harry Potter, with the exception of the youngest, who will want to do the Minion and SpongeBob stuff.

With that in mind, we are looking at either extending our stay at POR at WDW or booking three nights at Cabana Bay.

Is early entry really necessary for the HP elements?

My apologies if this has been asked a million times!

VP

 

[buttercup14]

Last time I went I didn't use early entry and got by fine without it, I made sure I did Gringotts first thing, the shops I did later in the day, and it was a bit crowded but not too bad. Over at IOA, it didn't get so crowded, I got onto forbidden journey in the middle of the day with a 15-20 minute wait time. With that said- it was very off-peak season, so I'm not sure how it would be during May, might be worth while.

 

[disneylove69]

Was there this past week and longest line was 20 minutes except for Despicable Me at 45. Walked right into most places. Never did early entry.

 

[bumbershoot]

Go to Cabana Bay. Staying at WDW while visiting Universal just doesn't make a lot of sense. The benefits you get, and the lovely resorts, are just too good over at Universal.

 

[Violet Parr]

Thanks! I think I will book it tonight. I love WDW so much, but we've been so. many. times. and I am really itching for something new, but still Florida theme-parking it. I'm kind of blown away that Cabana Bay's rack rate for a family suite that fits 6 is the same as my spring Disney discount for a single room at POR. I have always said I would never, ever stay offsite, but for that price (and a new resort with a kitchenette) I am really tempted to switch, at least for half of our trip.

 

[macraven]

violet, a poster described in another thread their experience in a family suite at Cbay.
take a look at it and notice the op talked about room size for them.

use the search button in the forum to locate the comments.

 

[Violet Parr]

Thanks Macraven! I should note that we are not a family of 6, just that they'll allow 6, whereas POR only allows 5. We're a family of 5, but one is a little kid who sleeps in a cot-sized air mattress and one is a very small bigger kid, so for 3 nights I think Cabana Bay would work for us. Our kids are super flexible, thankfully! We've done big DVC villas, tent camped, moderates all in 1 room together, etc, and they really go with the flow. Fingers crossed that doesn't change any time soon!

 

[macraven]

Thanks Macraven! I should note that we are not a family of 6, just that they'll allow 6, whereas POR only allows 5. We're a family of 5, but one is a little kid who sleeps in a cot-sized air mattress and one is a very small bigger kid, so for 3 nights I think Cabana Bay would work for us. Our kids are super flexible, thankfully! We've done big DVC villas, tent camped, moderates all in 1 room together, etc, and they really go with the flow. Fingers crossed that doesn't change any time soon!

next time i need to put my reading glasses on before i post...........lol


i read the 6 in a room and took off from there.

you should have enough room at Cbay with the 5 of you.
it will work fine for you.

i don't stay at Cbay but at rpr as it works for me.

if you could get the smsm/stay more save more rate for your 3 night stay, you could come out ahead by staying at one of the deluxe hotels.
you get the unlimited usage of all express lines.
that is a big help if you go during a busy time to the parks.
if you go to the darkside during the low periods, the ep is not essential.

gringotts, FJ, Ollivanders do not have express lines.
but the ep is valuable for the other rides in the parks.
dragon challenge, hippograpf/sp have express for those parry hotter rides.

you have better kids than i ever did.
4 boys and none of them would ever share a bed.
so a couple of them slept on a pallet on the floor to solve that problem.

 

[kbelle8995]

I think staying at Cabana Bay is an excellent idea. It is a really nice resort and you will get early entry. However there is no express pass offered with that hotel but you won't be able to use it for most of Harry Potter anyway.

 

[johde]

You may also want to check the Annual Pass Holder (APH) rate for your dates. Doing a quick check Universal is offering a decent discount for Annual Passholders for Suites at Cabana Bay in May.

 

[Disney Khi]

My family loves Cabana Bay. We've stayed at RPR but like CB better. There are only three of us, but we get a family suite. We love having the kitchenette and living room. EP is not a big deal to us as DD and I don't ride most things, and DH just uses single rider lines. In February we stayed a week, and with AP rates our room cost average was $106/night. It is making it really hard for me to stomach the price of rooms at WDW.

I bet you'll love CB. The pools are great, and the food court restaurant is actually surprisingly good. And if you have AAA, you get a 10% discount (as you do at most restaurants at Universal).

Have fun!

 

[bcbmommy]

violet, a poster described in another thread their experience in a family suite at Cbay.
take a look at it and notice the op talked about room size for them.

use the search button in the forum to locate the comments.

Oh boy, this worries me. We are a family of 6, and are staying there for 4 days, after staying at Portofino for 2 days. I have a feeling I may need to find another room, just depends on how my teenage dd is feeling at the moment. I think everyone else would be fine with it. Hmmm..

 

[Kivara]

Hey Violet,
Just a little head's up, if you don't know...there isn't much SpongeBob...there's a neat shop & sometimes SpongeBob and/or Patrick are there to get pics with; but that's it.
Over in IoA, there is a whole Dr Seuss area though, my kids (9-13) all still love Seuss-land
Have a great trip!