Need advice re: Wizarding World plan

[las3888]

Hi all,

We have decided to make a day trip over to IOA mostly to see Harry Potter. DS is only 6, and I'm not even totally sure we will get him on the big ride (as you can see I am a newbie to this - not sure of the names and acronyms for everything)!

First, would you recommend going on a week day - this would be mid June, Monday, June 13 (still kinda early in the summer season - some kids may even still be in school or just getting out but probably not) OR a weekend day just prior, probably Saturday, BUT during Star Wars weekend at HS so maybe there would be a little less crowds at IOA due to that (???).

Also, is it feasible to skip the morning and just go sometime later in the afternoon? I was reading in a guide that the evening in the wizarding world while still crowded, is a lot less of a crush of crowds than the AM???

We can't do single rider lines because DS is only 6. Can anybody tell us in general what to expect for crowds around this time? If it's hours and hours to wait for anything, we might just skip it altogether.

Sorry - I'm a newbie re: this!

 

[2tink4u]

There are mixed answers on this question. If the park happens to be really busy, they start giving out times for later entry to WWOHP and you can't even get in that section until your time and it's wired and lines are long. If you go first thing in morning you can ride the rides with what appears lines less than 20 minutes. Now some say you can return at like 6 or 7 and now it's slow but others have tried and it's been a zoo.

Be aware of the line to store your items in the lockers. It's long and small and trouble. Advice is take nothing that doesn't fit in your pocket.

I find that the later it gets the more stuff I accumulate, like drink cups ect., so first thing in the morning is best for us anyway.

So currently my plan is to arrive for opening my first day and do what I can, go back in the evening and try again. If it's a zoo, then go back first thing in the am on my next trip. I have three day tickets with WWoHP being at the top of our "to do list". I intend to give it a whirl twice a day for three days.

It appears that Tuesday thru Thursday are the slowest days. My first day is a Monday also the 13th before all schools are out. However, we have bought VIP tickets to skip lines at other attractions.

We know we'll be using our valuable, arrive at opening, time all up with WWOHP so we thought we can at least see the other attractions without long lines.

I would normally not buy VIP tickets and I would normally only use two days. We have been able to successfully complete the parks in this time in the past. However, with Harry being so popular and making the park quiet busy we've changed our strategy.

Don't skip it. It is the premiere theme park ride at this time and most people feel it's pretty darn amazing.

Good luck to you!

 

[Badge]

While I have never arrived at opening for IOA, I have arrived about an hour after the park opened and there was already a wait to get into the area.

From my past experince, the evening has always been the best. Not only do you get to see that area of the park at its best (the lighting around the area is AMAZING!) but you also get to wait outside without the sun right on top of you. Since most of the line for the main HP ride is outside, going when the sun is down is nice. Going the last few hours before park closes has been the best since I never have to wait to get into the area. It can still be busy, but crowds die down as the evening goes on. The longest time I have ever waited for the HP ride has been 60 minutes.

My suggestion, go and make a day out of it! Since you are spending the money, you might as well see some of the other stuff at the parks. Get there in the morning and if there is no wait for the HP area, great! Go and enjoy. However, if there is a wait you can get a return time (works just like a Fastpass) and go and explore the Dr. Suess area of the park. You 6 yr old will love it! Also, if you can handle rides like Star Tours, Spiderman is a MUST. They also have two really fun family water rides (popeye and dudley).

The park is open till 9pm on both Sat. and Mon. so it does not matter what day you really pick. The summer crowds will already be arriving. If you are totally flexible, go with the weather. Since you are only going to have one day, you are going to want to go on the best weather day as possible. Of course, this is Fl. so daily rain is almost 100% going to happen, but still.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[las3888]

Thanks all for the good advice. This is probably a stupid question, but what time does the park open 9? What time do non-hotel guests line up? If we got there right at park opening, approx what would the wait time to be to get into the area-1 hour? 2? Once you are in, is it lines for everything then? Other than the 'big ride' what are some of the highlights for a 6 y/o?

How much is a VIP pass? Do you need to buy that in advance or do they sell them at the parks? We have been to both US and IOA before and would like to 'get our money's worth.'

Finally, there isn't really a 1 day park hopper ticket, is there?

Many thanks again. I know WDW like the back of my hand, but now I feel like a fish out of water!!!

 

[las3888]

I just answered my last question about the tickets. I checked out Mousesavers and see that there is a park hopper but quite a bit more $....yikes - have to weigh that one and see if it's worth it.

 

[gkrykewy]

Be aware of the line to store your items in the lockers. It's long and small and trouble. Advice is take nothing that doesn't fit in your pocket.

Why are lockers a big deal? I presume I'll be able to carry around my camera bag and drawstring backpack, or will this be a problem at IOA?

We're looking at going on monday 6/6 as well - will be cabbing it from WDW. Looking at express/VIP options now, and trying to decide if they'll be worthwhile if we're mainly interested in HP.

 

[damo]

Why are lockers a big deal? I presume I'll be able to carry around my camera bag and drawstring backpack, or will this be a problem at IOA?

We're looking at going on monday 6/6 as well - will be cabbing it from WDW. Looking at express/VIP options now, and trying to decide if they'll be worthwhile if we're mainly interested in HP.

There are many rides that won't allow you to take any loose articles...your camera bag and backpack included. Mummy, Dragon Challenge, Forbidden Journey are all rides where you will need to put your things in a locker at IOA.

 

[gkrykewy]

There are many rides that won't allow you to take any loose articles...your camera bag and backpack included. Mummy, Dragon Challenge, Forbidden Journey are all rides where you will need to put your things in a locker at IOA.

Thanks for the heads-up. Do you have any thoughts on whether the express or VIP passes would be worthwhile that time of year?

 

[damo]

Thanks for the heads-up. Do you have any thoughts on whether the express or VIP passes would be worthwhile that time of year?

I would think that Monday June 6 would still be pretty manageable crowds. The VIP pass is pretty expensive. Personally I would just buy the normal pass and then if lines seem long, just get the express pass plus once you are inside the parks.

 

[dtum]

Thanks all for the good advice. This is probably a stupid question, but what time does the park open 9? What time do non-hotel guests line up? If we got there right at park opening, approx what would the wait time to be to get into the area-1 hour? 2? Once you are in, is it lines for everything then? Other than the 'big ride' what are some of the highlights for a 6 y/o?

How much is a VIP pass? Do you need to buy that in advance or do they sell them at the parks? We have been to both US and IOA before and would like to 'get our money's worth.'

Finally, there isn't really a 1 day park hopper ticket, is there?

Many thanks again. I know WDW like the back of my hand, but now I feel like a fish out of water!!!

Ditto on how early to arrive if staying off-site.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We're looking into this for July, so I thought I'd chime in with a few thoughts on what (I think) we're doing:

We know DS5 won't be tall enough, so he and I will carry the backpack and do Hippogriff while DH does WWoHP with the older three. We may do a baby swap, so I can ride it, once.

We have the 14-day, 5 park passes. Although we currently plan on 1 day at IoA, we may go back (we'll be there for 2 weeks). I'm hoping to do the mid-day nap thing, then go back and do WWoHP again in the evening--this may not be feasible, but it's my current plan.

DH wears the cargo shorts with multiple, velcro-close pockets. He likes these anyways, and I get them at Wal-Mart. It might be worth investing in a pair and ditching the backpack. Or, stuff the drawstring backpack into a pocket for the ride, then you have it with you for later. These might not be to yoru taste on a regular day, but they sure do come in handy for WDW/Universal.

We are sort-of considering getting a room at a Universal hotel for 1 night, just for the FOTL and Early Entry privileges. However, this is $300 and would only cover 5 of us. While DS5 wouldn't be riding WWoHP anyway, I would have to entertain him outside the park while everyone else went in. And he wouldn't have FOTL privileges, either. But, it's an option. And I think it's cheaper/better than the VIP passes (for a family of 5).

 

[Tim_Jones]

Many good answers precede me and I just wanted to add to those considering the "big ride" -- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey for kids in the 5-7 range....it gets pretty scary in parts. My son (was 6 when the park opened and 7, now) is tall enough to ride it and has been since the park opened, but I would never let him go because of the fright factor. I don't need the late nights with nightmares, nor do I want him to experience that...just my .02.

Also, most people are unaware that Universal offers tours of Hogwarts Castle, so even if you don't want the little ones to ride the ride or if they're not tall enough, the castle tour is a lot of fun and a good compromise.

On the evening vs. morning discussion, I can tell you I've been to the WWoHP multiple times in different seasons etc. and evening is always best. I've even been on days when they were turning people away (giving out return time tickets) in the morning and by 5PM, I was walking onto Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey with a 5 minute wait. Plus, it's usually much cooler in the evening.

Hope this helps and you have a great time!

Tim
http://wizardingworldpark.com

 

[PoohJen]

Another question re: day of week/crowds....
We are going to Universal for the first time in August - just one day, and primarily to see HP. I had planned on a Monday (we will stay onsite on Sunday). I can switch this to a Tuesday, if there is a huge difference (I try to avoid crowds; alas, DH is a teacher, so summer it is!), but would prefer Monday due to need to return to work.

Any insight would be appreciated!!!