Just back! Glad I knew the "secrets" to not waiting in those long lines for FJ

[drinkme]

We just got back tonight. We were there Wed 8/18 to today (Monday) 8/23. Today was the most crowded it's been.

1. Thanks for the heads up on getting to the FJ lockers through Filch's! Otherwise they are making people stand in those crazy long lines just to get to the lockers.

2. We did the single rider lines for around a dozen rides. Most of the time there was no one in that line, or just about 5 people in that line.

3. We did the early morning entry for resort guests, and it was such a waste of time! The lines were probable longer during that time, than after 3pm. If you wait until right before closing, then you can walk through the regular queue (not the single rider) with like a 5 minute wait.

Today, at around 3pm, the line for FJ was through Jurassic Park and started at the Discovery Center. But, since we are smart Dis'ers (lol...), we walked right into Filch's, headed left for the lockers, got our stuff in the lockers, walked to the single rider line, and got onto the ride within minutes. I felt so bad for those people waiting in that long line which would probably be 2 hours in the awful heat.

Also, we did Ollivanders about 6 times (it took that long for dd to get picked!). We were there one morning at 7:45am and that was a long line. The other morning we got to the line at 8am, and it was probably the longest line we experienced. Two nights ago, we got there at around 1 hour before closing and waited about 15 minutes (shortest line I've seen).

So, don't even bother with the early entry. Just sleep in.

Oh, and the other rides had no waits with the express pass. What a great thing to have! It was wonderful doing the Mummy over and over, and the water rides, and Spiderman, etc. I wish there was some way Disney could do this.

 

[Planogirl]

We did pretty well with early entry but we were offsite and they were letting us in at about 8:30. We only waited 45 minutes one day (with FJ broken down for a bit) and about 30 minutes another day. It was all inside too and not hot yet.

Interesting that your Monday was so busy. Ours a week prior was insanely busy.

 

[Virgderon]

So, don't even bother with the early entry. Just sleep in.

I disagree on this one. We did the early entry and were in the 2nd group for Ollivanders, and looking in the stores was a pleasure at this time. We were almost alone in the stores. We also got our Butterbeer with no wait, and even had time to chat with the cast members.

The early entry might not be worth it for FJ (debatable) , but it is worth it .

 

[francie57]

Agree with pp, the early entry is really a great thing. We did the ride in about 5 min. and you could walk in all the stores without lines and wall to wall people. Also will say that you don't always have a 5 min. wait at closing. Our first night we went to IOA at 8:00 and the line for HP was 75 min.

 

[Deb in IA]

So, don't even bother with the early entry. Just sleep in.

I disagree too. We are early risers, and for me, the most breathtaking thing was seeing Hogsmeade for the first time with no crowds, no other people, and having the cast members calling, "Welcome, Muggles!" as we went by.

It was spectacular!!

Being able to get on and done with FJ before 8 am.

Then going to Ollivander's with only a 10 minute wait, and getting through all the stores easily was worth getting up early.

 

[Dollyrar]

We are on-site this coming October. Is the general concensus still that it is better to hit Ollivanders first and then FJ, or would anyone recommend a different strategy?

 

[mdb78]

We are on-site this coming October. Is the general concensus still that it is better to hit Ollivanders first and then FJ, or would anyone recommend a different strategy?

We are also on-site this October and been thinking about this too. I'm thinking to go to Ollivanders first and then FJ. I don't think the line for FJ will be 75 min. by the time we get to it, but at least the detail in the different rooms throughout the que will keep us entertained if there is a wait. With Ollivanders you're just standing outside staring at the same surroundings. I'd rather do that for 15-30 min. rather than an hour or more.

 

[Virgderon]

We would not have done Ollivanders if we did not have early entry, and that would have been a shame. It is a cute little show, and it feels like a very "Harry Potter" authentic experience.

Having said that, I would have been quite upset to stand in line on a hot summer day for 60+ minutes to do a 3 minute cute show.

If you have early entry, I would do Ollivanders first, then the stores, and keep an eye on the clock. Get in line for FJ about 10 minutes before they open the area to the general public.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

We did pretty well with early entry but we were offsite and they were letting us in at about 8:30. We only waited 45 minutes one day (with FJ broken down for a bit) and about 30 minutes another day. It was all inside too and not hot yet.

Interesting that your Monday was so busy. Ours a week prior was insanely busy.

Mondays are usually busier than Sundays or Tuesdays. Don't ask why, but that seems to be the Nature of it...

 

[drinkme]

OP here. I'm still standing by my original comment of not getting up for early entry. It's funny how people can have different opinions of the crowds. We thought the crowds in the lines for Ollivanders and FJ weren't light enough at Early Entry to warrant getting up early. And we got to the HP section at 7:45am one morning.

Anyway, the trick to getting the lockers thru Filch's, and then heading into the single rider line worked liked a charm anytime of the day.

 

[disneyandme]

What's the secret way through Filches'?

 

[damo]

What's the secret way through Filches'?

Go in through the door to Filches and then turn left to go into the locker bay.