One day for HP?

[vicky33006]

Hi everyone!
We are going to WDW in July (hot I know...) and will be heading to US/IOA for just one day. We won't be staying on site, though I did consider it. Here's what we are hoping to get done... Is is possible?

Diagon Alley- Gringott's, interactive wands, any shows, just taking in the area

Train to Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade- any interactive wand stuff, possible castle tour without riding FJ (DS hated it).

Besides Harry Potter we might like some of the more tame rides in either park. DS is a ride chicken so even Spiderman was too much for him last time, but I'm hoping he likes Gringott's.

So is this all possible? Will it be too mobbed for him to enjoy the interactive wands at all? We went during February break last year and found crowds to be completely manageable, but I worry the new HP area may be insane. Just want to make sure the trip is worth all that we will spend! DS is HP obsessed though so that in itself makes it worth it as long as there will be at least room to move in those areas. TIA!

 

[snoopboop]

It'll be busy in July, and without early entry or Express Pass, I'd be pretty hesitant to try it. Granted, you can't use EP on most HP attractions anyway, but it at least would save time for the other attractions you'd like to do. The early entry REALLY helps during busy times... Consider getting a room at Cabana Bay (not necessarily even actually staying in it, but just purchasing it) as long as they're still offering early entry as a CB perk for next July?

 

[sharona]

If your only must dos are HP areas, the train and Gringotts ride you can definitely do that in one day but be prepared to wait for everything. It will be insanely crowded. I don't know if it makes a difference weekend vs. weekday in the summer, maybe someone else can chime in on that, but try to choose your day based on some crowd logic. If it were me I'd get there and be in line before US opens and head straight to Gringotts. Ride first, then take the train to Hogsmeade and do your wand stuff explore and have lunch. Take the train back and then explore Diagon Alley/wand stuff there. If your DS liked Gringotts, go again using the single rider line. After that, anything else you get done is gravy.

 

[vicky33006]

It'll be busy in July, and without early entry or Express Pass, I'd be pretty hesitant to try it. Granted, you can't use EP on most HP attractions anyway, but it at least would save time for the other attractions you'd like to do. The early entry REALLY helps during busy times... Consider getting a room at Cabana Bay (not necessarily even actually staying in it, but just purchasing it) as long as they're still offering early entry as a CB perk for next July?

This is what I was afraid of. I don't mind spending the money, but I'm afraid it won't be worth it. That will be the most expensive day of our entire trip and I would hate for it to be miserable. I would definitely consider buying the EP, but I know it doesn't work for any of the HP stuff, so I'm not sure that's worth it either. I figured we could decide that if we had time to go to see the other rides at all. I'm very hesitant to buy a night at Cabana Bay...that just feels like SUCH a waste since we have our WDW hotel as well for the night. This is a tough decision. DS really really loved Hogsmeade last trip, but he didn't enjoy anything else at IOA. I think he might like some of the other rides at US... I just don't know what to do now.

 

[vicky33006]

If your only must dos are HP areas, the train and Gringotts ride you can definitely do that in one day but be prepared to wait for everything. It will be insanely crowded. I don't know if it makes a difference weekend vs. weekday in the summer, maybe someone else can chime in on that, but try to choose your day based on some crowd logic. If it were me I'd get there and be in line before US opens and head straight to Gringotts. Ride first, then take the train to Hogsmeade and do your wand stuff explore and have lunch. Take the train back and then explore Diagon Alley/wand stuff there. If your DS liked Gringotts, go again using the single rider line. After that, anything else you get done is gravy.

Insanely crowded just sounds....well not so fun. We might skip it all together if it's really going to be that awful. We went during February break last year and thought the crowds were fine, but that was before Diagon Alley. That was also during a nice cool time of the year. In Disney I can control how much waiting we really do. It seems we are doomed to wait hours and hours at US and that would be OK if we would enjoy what we get to do. The thing is all he really wants to do is see everything and do the interactive wand thing. I thought he might like Gringotts so I suggested that to him...but he doesn't really care about that. He loves to shop and buy unique HP stuff and just look at everything. If it's going to be that packed maybe it isn't worth it. I'm sad for DS though who was really looking forward to it. Thanks for your help.

 

[sharona]

I think Diagon Alley is amazing and we loved it but we were there in November and it was manageable. We had express pass for all the other stuff and used early entry to do Gringotts and the train. Your original post asked if you could do HP in one day and you can but in July and without early entry you will wait for it all and the HP areas will be packed.

 

[LizEN]

If you go directly to Gringotts, it might not be an impossible wait and not too hot out yet. I've heard the wait for the train is not too bad, generally. I'd bail out of the area from noon until 5pm and do your wand fun then. If you're willing to take a big break during crazy time, it might be doable for you.
Here's my suggestion (FWIW)--IF they are not on a wait. Because it's a small area, they do sometimes reach capacity and hand out return time passes.
Gringotts
Train to Hogsmead
Castle Tour
Grab a butterbeer at the bar off the Three Broomsticks, you can look around without dealing with the lunch crowd lines.
Get outta there by noonish
Buy a wand if you don't have one outside of the HP area, if like the regular wands, you can get them in any of the shops.
Back by 4:30 or 5, go to Hogsmead to ride the train back to Diagon Alley
Do wand stuff
I'd peek in at the Leaky Cauldron but I wouldn't actually eat there
Single Rider for Gringotts as late as you can

I found Orlando Insider's site key for judging crowd levels and taking the best route to get to the attractions. They also have a great section on dealing with return passes and how to get them. Best of luck!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

The Express Pass will work for Flight of the Hypogrif [however you spell it] and Dragon Challenge. The Hypogrif is a kid friendly roller coaster - very mild. Dragon Challenge is pretty intense though. If you only focus on Harry Potter stuff you probably wont need an Express Pass....if you want to do other non harry Potter ride you will need it. But it you only havve one day, Id get there asap / super duper early and startin Diagon Ally and ride Gringotts. Then head to Olivanders in that same park. Then take the train to the Hogsmead side. The wait time for Forbiddedn Journey - even just to walk through - will probably be long...but its inside so it wont be super hot......I hope....have fun!

 

[vicky33006]

I think Diagon Alley is amazing and we loved it but we were there in November and it was manageable. We had express pass for all the other stuff and used early entry to do Gringotts and the train. Your original post asked if you could do HP in one day and you can but in July and without early entry you will wait for it all and the HP areas will be packed.

That's what worries me. We don't mind waits.. I know it will happen. I worry we'll wit for hours in the heat and it will just be miserable. DS really really wants to see Diagon Alley, so I'm going to do my best to make it work!

 

[vicky33006]

If you go directly to Gringotts, it might not be an impossible wait and not too hot out yet. I've heard the wait for the train is not too bad, generally. I'd bail out of the area from noon until 5pm and do your wand fun then. If you're willing to take a big break during crazy time, it might be doable for you.
Here's my suggestion (FWIW)--IF they are not on a wait. Because it's a small area, they do sometimes reach capacity and hand out return time passes.
Gringotts
Train to Hogsmead
Castle Tour
Grab a butterbeer at the bar off the Three Broomsticks, you can look around without dealing with the lunch crowd lines.
Get outta there by noonish
Buy a wand if you don't have one outside of the HP area, if like the regular wands, you can get them in any of the shops.
Back by 4:30 or 5, go to Hogsmead to ride the train back to Diagon Alley
Do wand stuff
I'd peek in at the Leaky Cauldron but I wouldn't actually eat there
Single Rider for Gringotts as late as you can

I found Orlando Insider's site key for judging crowd levels and taking the best route to get to the attractions. They also have a great section on dealing with return passes and how to get them. Best of luck!

I think you just gave me my first shred of hope in all of this. I'm thinking during the worst heat of the day when it will be insanely busy (that noon to 5ish time) we might buy the EP and see what we can do around the park...and maybe grab an early dinner to take a break. I think this could actually work. My only worry is that we aren't generally all day park people. When we do Disney parks we get up late and head over to the parks in the afternoon at some point. After that can stay late into the night without becoming too tired. I know this won't work for US... I just don't want to get too too tired. IF we do though....we leave. It won't be the end of the world if he's at least seen Diagon Alley and had a chance to shop a bit. THANK YOU sooo much for this reply!

 

[vicky33006]

The Express Pass will work for Flight of the Hypogrif [however you spell it] and Dragon Challenge. The Hypogrif is a kid friendly roller coaster - very mild. Dragon Challenge is pretty intense though. If you only focus on Harry Potter stuff you probably wont need an Express Pass....if you want to do other non harry Potter ride you will need it. But it you only havve one day, Id get there asap / super duper early and startin Diagon Ally and ride Gringotts. Then head to Olivanders in that same park. Then take the train to the Hogsmead side. The wait time for Forbiddedn Journey - even just to walk through - will probably be long...but its inside so it wont be super hot......I hope....have fun!

Thanks so much! I appreciate all of these replies! We won't ride Dragon Challenge for sure (ride chicken DS), but we might do Flight of the Hippogrif (sp?). We might just do the EP while we leave the HP part of the park to let the crowds be insane there. Can I buy it in the middle of the day if I want? We will be there when the park opens, but without early entry I'm sure it will still be insane. This is so frustrating, but I asked DS and he said he wants to do this more than anything on this trip...so it's worth it. I'm so crazy I'm partially considering getting a room at one of the US resorts..but it seems like such a waste, and they are pricey!

 

[macraven]

you can buy the ep any time you are in the parks.
they are park and date related so.......do most of the one park using the single rider line and stand by lines.
when you switch to the other park and lines are long, consider buying the ep for that park.

 

[vicky33006]

you can buy the ep any time you are in the parks.
they are park and date related so.......do most of the one park using the single rider line and stand by lines.
when you switch to the other park and lines are long, consider buying the ep for that park.

This is so good to know! Thank you! I think we would only want an EP for US since there was really nothing for him to ride at IOA I think. IOA has Hogsmeade right? From what I've seen there seems to be a few more rides for him in the park with Diagon Alley...so mayne that might be an idea.

 

[macraven]

at IOA do hit the parry hotter section and hopefully, the crowds will be at the studio side.
seuss is fun for all ages and the jurassic park discovery center is liked by a lot of kids and families.

you could do both of those sections in the morning when you arrive and end up at the potter section.
with the park to park pass, you could ride to diagon alley on HE at IOA.

do what you can in potter once you get off of HE.
you can buy the express pass for the studios in one of the shops.

have your son look at the rides and descriptions at the website, www.universalorlando.com
decide which rides you both want to hit after you finish up at potter.

ET, Animal actors show, MIB, blues brothers out door show by finnegans, DE, daily parade, might be some things you would enjoy together.

catch some of the characters that hang out around the Lucy tribute.
marilyn monroe, lucy and desi, etc.
also look for the mini parade/float shows that are done in front of Mel's and horror show corner.
it's lively and entertaining.

shaggy, scoobydo also in the area from lucy to down the street at staggered times of the day.
you'll see their van and the characters will come out and greet you.
simpsons can be on that street also at times.

 

[vicky33006]

at IOA do hit the parry hotter section and hopefully, the crowds will be at the studio side.
seuss is fun for all ages and the jurassic park discovery center is liked by a lot of kids and families.

you could do both of those sections in the morning when you arrive and end up at the potter section.
with the park to park pass, you could ride to diagon alley on HE at IOA.

do what you can in potter once you get off of HE.
you can buy the express pass for the studios in one of the shops.

have your son look at the rides and descriptions at the website, www.universalorlando.com
decide which rides you both want to hit after you finish up at potter.

ET, Animal actors show, MIB, blues brothers out door show by finnegans, DE, daily parade, might be some things you would enjoy together.

catch some of the characters that hang out around the Lucy tribute.
marilyn monroe, lucy and desi, etc.
also look for the mini parade/float shows that are done in front of Mel's and horror show corner.
it's lively and entertaining.

shaggy, scoobydo also in the area from lucy to down the street at staggered times of the day.
you'll see their van and the characters will come out and greet you.
simpsons can be on that street also at times.

This is great and exactly what I was looking for! Thank you! Now I feel like it's possible for us to make a plan and that we can still have fun even if the HP area is mobbed. I really want him to enjoy this since he was looking forward to it sooo much!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I have a ride chicken, too, though he loved MIB and Spiderman. You can do Shrek and Terminator shows in the a/c during the middle of the day. Since they are shows, the wait shouldn't be too bad. They have non-moving seats if your kiddo is at all sensitive (like my ride chicken).

 

[CyndiLooWho]

And something I discovered during our snow week this week, not only does Orlando Informer have a ride calendar, they actually have the expected wait time for every ride for each of their categories (slow, moderate, busy, really busy).

 

[Runnergal]

When we were there over Columbus Day, it was only the US side that had early entry. So if you get there for rope drop at IOA you are no worse off than those staying at the resorts. Head straight for Hogsmeade and ride forbidden journey. Then you can explore Hogsmeade(my ds was particularly interested in honeydukes. You can buy the interactive wand at Ollivanders in Hogsmeade so ds can use it there, but if he wants to do the show the wait is shorter at the one in Diagon Alley). But I would definitely explore some of IOA before you go to US. I do think express pass is worth it to do some rides in addition to the HP areas. The Jurassic park area is close to Hogsmeade, and my kids loved pteranodon flyers, Jurassic park river adventure, and the play area. They also loved Dudley do-right ripsaw falls and the bilge rat barges(both good ways to cool off!). Then take the HE to Diagon Alley and see what you can. It will be busy but totally doable. Have fun!!

 

[nkereina]

I would start at IOA and do the rides in Hogsmeade, then take HE over to Diagon Alley. By that time, Gringotts may have a long wait but you can do it single rider which wouldn't be terrible. I also find there's more to do at US, if you want to check out other rides besides the Potter stuff.

 

[Alliedoodah]

I would definitley try to follow LizEN's plan and go as early as you can!