Park Hours and Ollivander’s Question

[Tinkerbell21]

Hello!

We are headed to US/IOA for our first time early next year (yes, I know I am ridiculously early to be asking this question but I am so excited I can’t help myself)….anyways…I have 2 questions:

1) How far out does Universal typically release park hours?

2) We are arriving at Orlando airport at 5 pm and will be renting a car (anticipated closing time according to Touring Plans is 9 pm). We are staying at the Hard Rock Hotel and I was thinking that we would just pop over to Ollivanders that first evening to get the kids wands rather than doing it on our first morning. We are likely going to be getting annual passes so not worried about the cost of an extra day/ticket. Is the evening an ok time to get the wands? Would we be better off getting them during early morning admission? Just thinking we would like to get them as early as possible in our trip so the kids have lots of time to use them.

Thank you!

 

[Bethany10]

We are arriving at Orlando airport at 5 pm and will be renting a car (anticipated closing time according to Touring Plans is 9 pm). We are staying at the Hard Rock Hotel and I was thinking that we would just pop over to Ollivanders that first evening to get the kids wands rather than doing it on our first morning.

Well, as someone who has rented a car in Orlando recently, my only concern is time. Even taking into account lower lines for a car rental, airport to hotel time. Once you arrive at citywalk there's a decent walk through citywalk to Studios. Then Olivanders is at the very back of the park. One thing I didn't understand before seeing it is how long it takes to navigate citywalk and the parks, even with a single destination in mind. Now we're also low energy people who came off our flight in June starving and hangry only to hit the huge lines for car rental and everything else. This could be coloring my opinion.

I'd make sure you have an hour before park close to navigate citywalk, get into the park and get the wand.

 

[Tinkerbell21]

Well, as someone who has rented a car in Orlando recently, my only concern is time. Even taking into account lower lines for a car rental, airport to hotel time. Once you arrive at citywalk there's a decent walk through citywalk to Studios. Then Olivanders is at the very back of the park. One thing I didn't understand before seeing it is how long it takes to navigate citywalk and the parks, even with a single destination in mind. Now we're also low energy people who came off our flight in June starving and hangry only to hit the huge lines for car rental and everything else. This could be coloring my opinion.

I'd make sure you have an hour before park close to navigate citywalk, get into the park and get the wand.

Thank you, I really appreciate the response. It seems like so much time…but…in reality I think it’s very possible to underestimate how long everything takes!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

If timing works out, evening is a great time to visit Ollivanders and do spells. Everyone hits Ollivanders in the morning, so by evening there is minimal wait. And fewer people crushed into the Wizarding World areas makes it easier to do spells.

 

[mamamelody2]

If timing works out, evening is a great time to visit Ollivanders and do spells. Everyone hits Ollivanders in the morning, so by evening there is minimal wait. And fewer people crushed into the Wizarding World areas makes it easier to do spells.

Ooh, this is great info! We are going in October and my daughter really wants to visit Ollivanders and do spells. We arrive 1:30 and will have APs, so popping in to do Ollivanders that evening seems like a great idea!

 

[TommyJK]

Ooh, this is great info! We are going in October and my daughter really wants to visit Ollivanders and do spells. We arrive 1:30 and will have APs, so popping in to do Ollivanders that evening seems like a great idea!

In October Studios closes early most days for Halloween Horror Nights. That being said there is an Ollivanders in Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade) too.

 

[sparky68]

Hello!

We are headed to US/IOA for our first time early next year (yes, I know I am ridiculously early to be asking this question but I am so excited I can’t help myself)….anyways…I have 2 questions:

1) How far out does Universal typically release park hours?

2) We are arriving at Orlando airport at 5 pm and will be renting a car (anticipated closing time according to Touring Plans is 9 pm). We are staying at the Hard Rock Hotel and I was thinking that we would just pop over to Ollivanders that first evening to get the kids wands rather than doing it on our first morning. We are likely going to be getting annual passes so not worried about the cost of an extra day/ticket. Is the evening an ok time to get the wands? Would we be better off getting them during early morning admission? Just thinking we would like to get them as early as possible in our trip so the kids have lots of time to use them.

Thank you!

You know universal charges a lot for hotel parking. Is hard rock going to be where you stay the whole trip? If it is I would maybe reconsider renting a car. You won't need it to get around universal property, and the parking charges alone will buy your kid's wands