Just Back

[picktails]

It was madness!
We arrived at HRH on July 4, and knew to wait until evening to head into WWoHP. It was GREAT! Went straight to FJ, 45 min. wait (not bad!) Actually took an hour because the ride went down twice (then again when we were on it - missed the quidditch scene.) Got a frozen butterbeer in the pub after the ride, SO delicious! Then checked out the shops; only line was for Olivander's.
Went back for early admission next morning, 15 min. for FJ. Rode Flight of the Hippogriph after, quickest ride ever! Line for Olivander's was INSANE - the line snaked around everywhere. Left and used Express for rest of the park.
On our 3rd (& last) day, arrived just after 8 for early access but it was crazy! Already 30 min. at FJ when we got to it, 60 min. after! By the time we left WWoHP section just after 9am they had a line to get IN to the section and FJ was at 120 min.!! This was July 6, it was CRAZY!

 

[Purseval]

Sounds like once you've been on FJ you should make Ollivanders the first stop. Glad you enjoyed your visit, we'll be there the 17-24th, 3 days of onsite access so I don't anticipate not seeing everything we want to see without much fuss.

 

[Albytaps]

Surprizingly the 3 days I went (July 2, 3, 4) weren't as crowded as I thought they would be. July 4th was the most crowded but it didn't seem like it was at capacity.

 

[ChevyNat]

Unfortunatly, I am not staying on site, so I bought express passes with my tickets, does that include anything in WWoHP? I just don't want to wait over an hour for FJ. Oh! and I'm going in Oct, and we chose week days to do Universal and IOA, so hopefully tha will help!

 

[damo]

Unfortunatly, I am not staying on site, so I bought express passes with my tickets, does that include anything in WWoHP? I just don't want to wait over an hour for FJ. Oh! and I'm going in Oct, and we chose week days to do Universal and IOA, so hopefully tha will help!

It does not include Forbidden Journey. However, the singles line is usually around 10 minutes long.

 

[picktails]

I agree the weekend of July 4 was less crowded than expected. We were in Disney until the 4th, but checking the line times for FJ using the Universal Orlando app. I think the rainy weather had alot to do with it.
I forgot to mention there is also a line for Dervish & Banges, where they sell the robes and other memorabilia. But not nearly as long as the one for Olivander's.
No, there is not an Express line for FJ, but single rider is available once you enter the dungeon. Also if you have a bag, use the lockers down by the Hogwarts Express train so you can get in FJ quicker. This helped ALOT when we got to the FJ line and staff told us to go around everyone because they were lined up outside the entrance for the lockers!

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

How crowded were the rest of the areas of the park?

 

[Albytaps]

How crowded were the rest of the areas of the park?

On July 4th there were lines at about every ride. We didn't have to deal with them since we were staying on site (definately worth it) but on Spiderman the express line was longer than I had hoped and didn't wait and got off.

 

[Planogirl]

Odd because people were commenting that the WDW parks seemed quiet too. Where was everyone?

I'm so excited to try the butterbeer.

 

[picktails]

We found the lines reasonable in the rest of the park, but even with Express some things took longer than they should (The Simpsons for example.) We were at WDW July 1 - 4 and it was MUCH less crowded than expected. The rain was a blessing!