Just Returned--Thanks, Tips, and Successful Itineraries

[EmJ]

We just returned from our trip, and I would first like to say THANK YOU to everyone on this message board. Our days at Universal went off without a hitch, largely in part to the very helpful tips, tricks, and heads-up that I received from you. My parents both remarked (multiple times), "I'm so glad you read that website!" So, to give back, I am posting a few of my own tips and observations, as well as our itinerary for each day. These are not necessarily suggested itineraries, but because so many people ask whether their planned itinerary is realistic or how much can be accomplished in a day or two, I thought it might be helpful to see what we managed.

First, a few key facts: (1) Our group had between 2-4 adults on each day; (2) we stayed offsite; (3) we used valet parking; and (4) we are complete, insane Potter-heads who were determined to see and do everything in WWoHP (except Dragon Challenge).

Now, some tips:

(1) No running! One day, we arrived at IOA early in the hope of getting to WWoHP before the worst of the crowds. However, the crowds had the same idea, and we were routed through the park through a series of "stop points" (TMs with a rope holding us back). Each time they opened up the stop point, the TMs would call out that ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING was allowed. Some teenage boys disregarded this rule, and took off running for WWoHP. Just before they got to the entrance, other TMs stopped them and made them wait to the side as others passed becaused they broke the no running rule.

(2) Don't take bags. Not even that fanny pack. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided not to take anything that could not be attached to our clothing. This turned out to be a very good idea; it was very nice to breeze right past the TMs directing people with bags into a very long FJ locker line More to the point, I saw two people get aaaalllll the way through the FJ line (they were almost to the Sorting Hat), when they were pulled out of the line and made to leave because they had bags. Granted, they had a souvenier shop bag and a purse, but I would hate the stress of wondering whether my fanny pack would be allowed on as I walk through a 90 minute line! Members of our group purchased these "hikers wallets": http://www.amazon.com/Granite-Gear-Hiker-Wallet-Colors/dp/B0028Y4GCY . They will hold a credit card, ID, room card, car key, chapstick, and some cash. Using this, a camera case that attached to my belt, and a pair of cargo shorts, I was able to carry everything I needed.

(3) You aren't missing anything at Ollivander's. I say this as someone who wouldn't have believed me and wouldn't have listed to me, either. But really, Ollivanders was a cute, but very short, show, which is probably not worth missing other rides, Hogsmeade shops, and attractions. If you have time for only a few things at WWoHP, this should be toward the bottom of your list.

(4) Use the single rider line. I was skeptical about the single rider line because part of the experience is doing things with your party, and I didn't know how "alone" we would be. However, we quickly learned that you are not really aware of who you are riding with anyway, and everyone in our party was usually in consecutive cars, or 1 or 2 cars away at most. The single rider line chopped hours off of our waits on the busiest day.

(5) Do the Castle Tour, then ride FJ using the single rider line. We did this on accident. The TM erroneously assumed we were with a group going on the Castle Tour, and we got ushered right through. It turned out to be really nice. We got to walk at our own pace, stand and watch Dumbledore, the Fat Lady, and Harry/Hermione/Ron as long as we wanted, and we got through the whole castle in about 20 minutes. Then we waited in a 20 minute single rider line for FJ. The posted time for FJ through the "regular line" during this time was 90 minutes.

(6) Save Universal Studios for last. I don't know if it's always like this, but we went to US on two days, and it was practically deserted compared to IOA. We found the lack of crowds, short lines (anywhere from walk-on to 15 minutes), and "sit down" theater-style shows to be refreshing toward the end of our trip when we were tired and had sore feet. Whenever you go to US, do Shrek early. We had a 15-minute wait at 9:30, but later in the day, when all the kiddos showed up, the line hit upward of 60 minutes.

Finally, our itineraries. As I said earlier, I hope that these might give others an idea of what it is possible to do in a day, but I am not suggesting what they should do. Also, we did not rush though these rides militant-style. We stopped throughout the day to watch other rides, take photos, and rest, and browsed the gift shops after the rides.

Sunday--moderate crowds
Arrive 10:15
Forbidden Journey
Cat in the Hat
Lunch at Mythos 1:30
JP River Adventure
Spiderman twice (the ride glitched our first time through, and we were sent directly to the front of the line for another try--very nice!)
Hulk/Storm Force Accelatron (our party split up)
Leave 5:30

Monday--very heavy crowds
Arrive 8:00
Gates opened 9:00
Ollivander's
Look through Hogsmeade shops
Flight of the Hippogriff
Lunch at Three Broomsticks 11:00
Forbidden Journey (single rider)
JP River Adventure
Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges
Get time-entry ticket for WWoHP
Drinks at the Backwater Bar
Spiderman (single rider)
Return to WWoHP 3:00
Shop in Hogsmeade shops
Leave 5:00

Wednesday--heavy crowds
Universal Studios
Arrive 9:30
Simpsons
Men in Black
T2-3D
Twister
Islands of Adventure
Lunch at Three Broomsticks 12:30
Spiderman (single rider)
JP River Adventure
Flight of the Hippogriff
Castle Tour
Forbidden Journey (single rider)
Shop in Hogsmeade shops
Drinks and the Hog's Head
Leave 6:00

Thursday--heavy crowds
Univeral Studios
Arrive 9:30
Shrek
Revenge of the Mummy twice
Coffee at Starbucks
Simpsons
Jaws
Men in Black
Lunch at Louie's Italian Restaurant 12:30
Horror Make-Up Show (hilarious!)
T2-3D
Islands of Adventure
Shop in Marvel Superhero Island
Shop in Hogsmeade shops
Drinks and the Hog's Head
Leave 5:15

Please let me know if you have any specific questions I can try to answer over the weekend. HAVE FUN to those whose trips are coming up; we had a blast and were very sad to leave!

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for posting. What a great trip report!

 

[sassyredhead]

Thank you for the tips! We are heading to Universal for the first time, so it was very helpful to read about your experience!

 

[msp2mco]

Thanks so much! We are going in a couple of days, and I haven't spent as much time as I would have liked figuring out what to do.

 

[mamabearof4]

thanks for the info. we leave in less than a week and any/all tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[christophfam]

Thanks for posting!! Sounds like you had a great trip!

How were you're dining experiences? Would love a dining review!

 

[lovebug33]

Thanks! We only have one day to spend with my beloved Harry, so this gives me hope. It truly is okay to skip the Ollivander's show? I was thinking of waiting until the end of the day, so I guess I will do that!

 

[damo]

Thanks! We only have one day to spend with my beloved Harry, so this gives me hope. It truly is okay to skip the Ollivander's show? I was thinking of waiting until the end of the day, so I guess I will do that!

If you don't get to see it, you can watch it on youtube. There are many videos of it there. You don't get the same charm, but you do get the idea.

 

[baileygirlsmom]

Great tips, we are going to IOA for the first time sometime during the week before Easter. We are staying at CSR and driving our van. We were thinking of doing valet parking too. On the Universal website it lists valet parking for $25 and red carpet valet parking for $35, any idea what the difference is? It didn't say! Thanks so much!

 

[EmJ]

Thanks for posting!! Sounds like you had a great trip!

How were you're dining experiences? Would love a dining review!

No problem!

We had one meal at Mythos. The ambiance was great and the food quite good. We had a reservation for 1:30 which was fortunate, because the wait at that time was one hour. If you go, order the Chocolate Banana Gooey Cake for desert--yum! The portion is small, but it was perfect for four people to taste after lunch.

We had one meal at Louie's Italian Restaurant at Universal Studios. This was a general theme park fast-food style restaurant, and I'd say the food was "theme park" good. Our group had the spaghetti, meatball sub, and pizza, and all thought it was fine. This is probably a great place for kids.

Due to our complete Potter obsession, we ate the remainder of our meals at the Three Broomsticks, so I'll focus my response here If you are a Potter fan you must eat at the Three Broomsticks at least once. The architecture and detail inside the building is amazing, and if you watch closely, you will see the shadows of delivery owls, house elves, and enchanted brooms on the wall as you eat. Over the course of three days, we ate the shepherd's pie (okay, but I probably wouldn't order it again), cornish pasties (better than the shepherd's pie), spare ribs platter (reported by my hubbie to be "really good!"); and fish and chips (also good). The fruit cup comes with watermelon, cantelope, honey dew, grapes, and oranges, and was very fresh in a big cup. Definately worth $3. The side salad was also good, but between the two, I like the fruit cup better. Also, the Three Broomsticks staff is very good at moving the line and getting you in quickly. Our first day, we walked right in at 11:00, but on the second day--at 12:30--there was a line out the door. We decided to stick it out, and were pleased to find ourselves seated with food twenty minutes later.

Have fun!

 

[EmJ]

Thanks! We only have one day to spend with my beloved Harry, so this gives me hope. It truly is okay to skip the Ollivander's show? I was thinking of waiting until the end of the day, so I guess I will do that!

I will say that, although I thought Ollivander's was cute, I liked everything else in Hogsmeade a lot better and would hate to miss something else on account of Ollivander's. However, if you are planning an entire day at WWoHP, you probably will have a chance to see Ollivander's and everything else too. I would guess that we spent a total of 8 or so hours in Hogsmeade over four days, and we got to see everything we wanted more than once. I think your plan to save Ollivander's for last is a good one--that way you don't miss out on anything else if you run out of time.

 

[EmJ]

Great tips, we are going to IOA for the first time sometime during the week before Easter. We are staying at CSR and driving our van. We were thinking of doing valet parking too. On the Universal website it lists valet parking for $25 and red carpet valet parking for $35, any idea what the difference is? It didn't say! Thanks so much!

How funny! We spent much of the trip wondering the same thing! The valet attendant suggested that we would get our car back "a lot faster" if we did the red carpet valet, but as we always got our car back in 5 minutes or less, I'm not sure how much faster it coud have been We did the "regular" $25 valet, and I was completely satisfied. I would definately suggest saving the $10 for snacks or souveniers.

 

[Seeker615]

Thanks for all the great info. On that wallet...would a small digital camera fit in it?

Did you have breakfast at the Three Broomsticks? We are signed up for it.

 

[jaminmd]

Due to our complete Potter obsession, we ate the remainder of our meals at the Three Broomsticks, so I'll focus my response here If you are a Potter fan you must eat at the Three Broomsticks at least once. The architecture and detail inside the building is amazing, and if you watch closely, you will see the shadows of delivery owls, house elves, and enchanted brooms on the wall as you eat. Over the course of three days, we ate the shepherd's pie (okay, but I probably wouldn't order it again), cornish pasties (better than the shepherd's pie), spare ribs platter (reported by my hubbie to be "really good!"); and fish and chips (also good). The fruit cup comes with watermelon, cantelope, honey dew, grapes, and oranges, and was very fresh in a big cup. Definately worth $3. The side salad was also good, but between the two, I like the fruit cup better. Also, the Three Broomsticks staff is very good at moving the line and getting you in quickly. Our first day, we walked right in at 11:00, but on the second day--at 12:30--there was a line out the door. We decided to stick it out, and were pleased to find ourselves seated with food twenty minutes later.

Have fun!

Is the Three Broomsticks a sit down restaurant or do you order at the counter & bring it to the table?

Thanks for the great details. I can't wait - I need a vacation!

 

[EmJ]

Thanks for all the great info. On that wallet...would a small digital camera fit in it?

Did you have breakfast at the Three Broomsticks? We are signed up for it.

A camera would not fit in the wallet, unfortunately. I have a small Canon point-and-shoot with a case like this: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Leather...LS4C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301181014&sr=8-3

There is a stitched belt loop on the back, so you can thread your belt through it. My mother has exactly the same thing, and we both wore our camera cases throughout the trip. No one so much as glanced at it, and we were allowed with it on every ride.

As to your second question, we didn't have breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, but I did see a family eating the "American" breakfast (scrambled eggs and bacon). It looked good!

 

[EmJ]

Is the Three Broomsticks a sit down restaurant or do you order at the counter & bring it to the table?

Thanks for the great details. I can't wait - I need a vacation!

You will have fun! The Three Broomsticks is closer to cafeteria style than sit down restaurant, but it is sort of a combination of the two. As you walk in, one TM will direct you to a specific line at the ordering counter to order your food. After you order, you will be directed to a specific line at a different counter to pick up your food. After you pick up your food and walk toward the seating area, another TM will ask how many you have in your party, and will escort you to an available table. It sounds a little complicated, but I found it to be a very efficient and civilized system! Also, the TMs are dressed as (very well heeled) house elves, which is fun.

On the subject of the Three Broomsticks--we found that late in the day almost every table had a "RESERVED" sign on it, even though the restaurant was mostly empty. We asked the barkeep at the Hog's Head about this, and he said they put out the "RESERVED" signs for the lunch crowd, but that we could sit there anyway. If you see these signs but it doesn't seem crowded, you might want to ask--it doesn't mean you're out of luck!

 

[Seeker615]

A camera would not fit in the wallet, unfortunately. I have a small Canon point-and-shoot with a case like this: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Leather...LS4C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301181014&sr=8-3

There is a stitched belt loop on the back, so you can thread your belt through it. My mother has exactly the same thing, and we both wore our camera cases throughout the trip. No one so much as glanced at it, and we were allowed with it on every ride.

As to your second question, we didn't have breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, but I did see a family eating the "American" breakfast (scrambled eggs and bacon). It looked good!

Thank you for all the great advice!

 

[shellbelle]

Can you give me some details about the time entry ticket for WWoHP?

We are planning a trip next summer and I am starting to collect information.

Thanks!

 

[KellyW]

Just came back and wanted to report that I was able to ride Harry Potter Forbidden Journey with room to spare. I am 5'8 3/4" and about 255. I wear a size 22 or 24 pant and a size 22 top ( 42D bra). I had been very worried about fitting the ride and had searched the web for info. I had told my husband and young children that I might not be able to go on the ride but I would go through the line. I never tried a test seat. The end seats (4 seats per group--2 ends 2 middle)were the modified seats and had ample room eve for me. Hope this helps future park goers.

 

[mesaboy2]

Can you give me some details about the time entry ticket for WWoHP?

We are planning a trip next summer and I am starting to collect information.

Thanks!

If you are familiar with FastPass at Disney, it is the same concept. However, this "time entry ticket" is only to get into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter itself--analogous to needing a FP to get into Tomorrowland. It does not cost money, it is only a means for Universal to control access into the relatively small and insanely popular place called WWoHP. You will find a TM handing out tickets (no machines like FP), which have a printed one-hour window on them. Then be there or be square.

Once inside, the "TET" is worthless and you must rely on the Universal Express pass (which you either pay for or comes as part of an on-site hotel stay) to get preferred entry to the two attractions there that accept it: Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff. Forbidden Journey is the new headliner attraction and does not accept it. The other major attraction in WWoHP is Ollivander's, which is a short show that recreates Harry's wand-picking scene from the first movie--it also does not accept Express and is very popular. Most here will tell you O's is not worth a prolonged wait. You can also expect waits to enter into the shops, which are also very small.

The TET is implemented during peak seasons, so I would look for it to be there when you are in the summer.