How will Hagrids coaster affect crowds opening week?

[Jennygt]

We are checking in the 16, excited for the hagrid coaster but I wonder how the crowds will be, I feel like hogsmead will be packed but perhaps it will open up other parts of the park? Thoughts?

 

[macraven]

When a new ride opens, we all want to try it ASAP !

Waits can be long the first week or so for it

 

[schumigirl]

It’ll bring crowds......

 

[Disxuni]

I hope it's an on-site hotel so you get EE. Also, if you want to chance to not stand in the queue for too long, I'd get to the gate well before EE and sit. Then once you're in and if it's Universal for EE, to head straight to Kings Cross, go through the queue, and sit in line to wait for them to allow you to go to Hogsmeade, since that's where the Hagrid coaster will be.

OR if in the chance it is IoA for EE, I'd get to the gate an hour, or so before EE and sit in line, then when it opened, bolt towards Hogsmeade.

If I had to do the waiting, I'd rather sit for most of it, except for standing for hours. I'm sure there will be plenty of people that might be ahead still, but I think using this method will lessen the chances of waiting longer than you would, if you got there just at EE, or after EE.

Also, *knock on wood* rides are unpredictable at this period, so for all we know even after the official opening date, they might delay openings, or wait in line longer due to it being down during the day. So, if you truly want to go on that ride, you'll have to be patient.

 

[Beer Me]

Then once you're in and if it's Universal for EE, to head straight to Kings Cross, go through the queue, and sit in line to wait for them to allow you to go to Hogsmeade, since that's where the Hagrid coaster will be.

Out of curiosity, on a Universal EE day when would they start running Hogwart express? Would it be definitely faster than waiting at IoA gate for the open?

 

[Blue32]

Out of curiosity, on a Universal EE day when would they start running Hogwart express? Would it be definitely faster than waiting at IoA gate for the open?

By most people’s accounts, no, the train usually arrives after the RD crowds arrive into Hogsmeade.

 

[Disxuni]

Out of curiosity, on a Universal EE day when would they start running Hogwart express? Would it be definitely faster than waiting at IoA gate for the open?

I believe they start it a little before opening so you can get there by 9am. If that is the case, then technically taking HE over to IoA would be the best bet. As you've already be in the area in which the attraction is in, while everyone at the IoA gate is running through the park to get to Hogsmeade.

However, can someone confirm whether that's true, or not? It's been awhile since I've done it myself and I've heard mixed stories on what has occurred. I've gotten reports of running just before 9am so you get over to IoA just in time to running a half hour before official park opening (8:30), which I believe is the case.

EDIT: Nevermind, Blue32 kind of already answered what I asked to confirm.

 

[Blue32]

I also believe there will be EE at IOA this summer. It would seem strange to me if they didn’t.

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

I also believe there will be EE at IOA this summer. It would seem strange to me if they didn’t.

But they don't, based on my experience last week, allow EE for early hours, they just run one line. We got to Diagon Alley fairly early and got on Gringotts within about 15 minutes or less, but by the time we got done, which was still within early hours, the wait time was 45 minutes. Seemed better to wait a while and then use the EE line.


***MY bad - ignore post, I misread the post I was quoting

 

[Disxuni]

We shall see, but it's been ages. They would make EE at IOA if they want to make it more convenient for the guests. Won't know until at least a month away. As it looks like they post EE only a couple of months in advance.

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

This was my first trip to either park since Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley opened. The one thing that I can say that I was truly disappointed with, with both areas, is traffic flow, its horrendous. I'm not sure where Hagrids ride opening will be, but you have the bridge in front of the Castle, the entrance/exit to Forbidden Journey and also entrance/exit to Flight of the Hypogryff all in one very condensed area. Traffic flow from the entrance to Hogsmeade is already tight, this ride will definitely make it a lot worse in that area.

 

[Jennygt]

This was my first trip to either park since Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley opened. The one thing that I can say that I was truly disappointed with, with both areas, is traffic flow, its horrendous. I'm not sure where Hagrids ride opening will be, but you have the bridge in front of the Castle, the entrance/exit to Forbidden Journey and also entrance/exit to Flight of the Hypogryff all in one very condensed area. Traffic flow from the entrance to Hogsmeade is already tight, this ride will definitely make it a lot worse in that area.

I was at hogsmead the year it opened and I remember how horrible the traffic flow was, I can only imagine what a bottleneck this will be now.

 

[Blue32]

I was at hogsmead the year it opened and I remember how horrible the traffic flow was, I can only imagine what a bottleneck this will be now.

I think this queue is probably going to hold a lot of people though

 

[Disxuni]

I think this queue is probably going to hold a lot of people though

I would imagine the queue will be. The original queue itself was insanely long itself. I do not know if it was the longest for a fact, but it definitely seemed and felt like it. When DC (DD) would first open in the morning and it was a five minute wait, I'd always joke that it takes five minutes just to get through the queue.

On the topic of Hogsmeade being horrible with traffic, I definitely concur. Which is why if I want to do anything in Hogsmeade, I normally do that first thing, then go to DA. At least with DA, you have multiple shops to go in, Ollivanders is massive compared to Hogsmeade (I don't think they realized the massive demand it would be), and you have different directions to go into and even Knockturn Alley to escape to if you need to.

In the beginning, it's going to be impossible to get to anything other than Hagrid's coaster, since the ride will be on the right, near the entrance of Hogsmeade.