Not staying on site...what time should I get there

[Brit_Jude]

I will not be staying on site at Universal. We will be visiting IOA on 27 Jul and want to tour the WWoHP as well as the rest of IOA. We will be on a shuttle so we do not have to worry about parking. Please give me some advice on what time to get there. I know they frequently let the general public in before the official park opening time.

Thanks

 

[Purseval]

It sounds more like you are at the mercy of whoever is driving your shuttle. If you were determined to visit WWOHP I would be on the first one, even if it gets you there at 7. Official opening is 9am. Before WWOHP we would get there between 8-8:30 and be right near the front. I would check the Harry Potter crowd thread and see if anyone has reported how the regular lines were at opening and take it from there.

 

[Brit_Jude]

Thanks - there are 8 of us so we are getting a private mini-van shuttle from Disney. It is $90 vs. $144 ($18 x 8) for the round trip shuttle. So I can dictate what time we get there.

 

[Purseval]

Then I would get there at 7. Remember, when they say they will get you to the park at 7 that's the dropoff. You still have to get to the gate. There will be a few places along the way where you could pick up a quick bite to eat if you are hungry. If it was me I'd let the folks look over the menu, keep going to the turnstiles and have one person stay behind to pick up the orders. Munching will keep you occupied while you are waiting for the gates to open.

 

[inkkognito]

Go back at night if you get there early and gets too crazy crowded. As a local I love going to WWoHP after dark when the crowds have all dropped like flies from the FL summer heat. There will still be a fair number of people, but not like the day time. It looks so much neater at night too. Have dinner at 3 Broomsticks (which might still have a wait), then enjoy the last hour or two riding FJ or just soaking up the ambiance.

 

[Planogirl]

I was considering getting to the parks at rope drop, and enjoying the shops, the other queues and Three Broomsticks (if open) first thing in the morning. We might save Forbidden Journey until the evening unless the line isn't too bad for some reason. I wonder if that would work?

 

[diberry]

As a local I love going to WWoHP after dark when the crowds have all dropped like flies from the FL summer heat.

What time would you recommend?

 

[inkkognito]

I generally do the last two hours, or a little earlier than that if I want to have dinner in 3 Broomsticks. Lately everything has been cutting down except the Ollivanders and FJ lines. Get in the FJ line last because they will run it out as long as you are in it by closing time. They cut the Ollivanders line early.

I took some videos of the night crowd last night so will post a link when I get them online.