How long is the wait for Hagrid's now with the virtual line?

[ruthies12]

Anybody been recently know about how long you spend in line getting on the ride now that Hagrid's is using the virtual line? Are they doing the preshow on Hagrids or still skipping it?

 

[ShadeDK]

Generally 5 to 20 minutes in line - it’s possible to get in the queue and never really stop until the boarding area. Usually a few stops and starts in the line, but never for very long - most of the wait simply is the time needed to walk the queue. The line still goes through the preshow room, but it’s not playing - only a “screen saver” that has Hagrid’s dog walking around. The length of the queue can vary as the configuration changes - sometimes the switchbacks (in the external queue by Hagrid’s hut, as well as in the internal queue in the egg room) are open, sometimes you’ll skip them entirely.

The biggest bottleneck usually is around the entry corridor in front of the Hogsmeade station where they check/scan VQ codes before the lockers. Occasionally they will have someone scanning codes directly in front of the ride entrance for riders without bags, but that’s not consistent and they’ll usually send everyone down to the entry point at the train station whether they need a locker or not.

 

[Monykalyn]

Generally 5 to 20 minutes in line - it’s possible to get in the queue and never really stop until the boarding area. Usually a few stops and starts in the line, but never for very long - most of the wait simply is the time needed to walk the queue. The line still goes through the preshow room, but it’s not playing - only a “screen saver” that has Hagrid’s dog walking around. The length of the queue can vary as the configuration changes - sometimes the switchbacks (in the external queue by Hagrid’s hut, as well as in the internal queue in the egg room) are open, sometimes you’ll skip them entirely.

The biggest bottleneck usually is around the entry corridor in front of the Hogsmeade station where they check/scan VQ codes before the lockers. Occasionally they will have someone scanning codes directly in front of the ride entrance for riders without bags, but that’s not consistent and they’ll usually send everyone down to the entry point at the train station whether they need a locker or not.

This was exactly our experience on Wednesday. Got a VQ time of 920-940 before park official open although we were in the park at 8:50, 2nd riders on Dr Doom, then did Spider-Man, got a pretzel for breakfast, sat and ate it then wandered towards Hagrids. After the locker drop we did t stop walking until we got on the train- we were the only ones on our train!

 

[HashberryOTG]

Just got back from universal. 100% agree with ShadeDK.

 

[yorkieteacher]

We finally got a VQ code yesterday for the end of the day, 540-6. They let us enter the line at 530 and we were off by 545. Great way to end our day.

 

[SweetestHoney86]

I was thinking about going to Gringotts for early opening, getting a Virtual for Hagrid's and taking the train over at 9am. Good plan or no? (July 8th)

 

[ruthies12]

I was thinking about going to Gringotts for early opening, getting a Virtual for Hagrid's and taking the train over at 9am. Good plan or no? (July 8th)

Will you have express pass? The train can get long waits now that they are only seating one traveling party per car so you will risk not making it over to IOA in time if the wait for the train takes too long and depending on what time slot you end up with in the virtual line. If you have express and can get on the train relatively quickly then it is less of a risk I think. Or if you can be waiting at the train station right as it opens however sometimes it can have a delayed opening and doesn't always open right at 9.

 

[SweetestHoney86]

Will you have express pass? The train can get long waits now that they are only seating one traveling party per car so you will risk not making it over to IOA in time if the wait for the train takes too long and depending on what time slot you end up with in the virtual line. If you have express and can get on the train relatively quickly then it is less of a risk I think. Or if you can be waiting at the train station right as it opens however sometimes it can have a delayed opening and doesn't always open right at 9.

Good Point. I may do Gringotts and then check the train queue. I can walk to Hagrid's from Gringott's shockingly fast. Or I may not pick a 9 am time slot and give myself more time.

 

[GabrielMom]

We have been here 5 days. The first 4 the line was as long as stated above, about 10 minutes or the time it takes you to walk the queue. Today it took 40 minutes, there were a lot more people in queue. I think it may have been technical difficulties cause there were periods of just standing and not moving.

 

[yorkieteacher]

When we were there Fathers Day they didn’t open virtual queue selection or let us use express pass until 9.

 

[miksilver]

On Sunday (Father's Day) when we rode in the evening it was a walk on. On Monday with a morning ride time we waited 30min with more time than I liked waiting in the direct sun in the queue after the lockers. That 30min. wait on Monday was the longest we waited for any ride the 2 days we were at the parks.