Plans Gone Awry

[SDT1434]

We are staying onsite and are having a friend who is an employee escort into the parks.

Our original plan was to have her meet us at 7 so that we could get early entry into WWoHP. But now, she can't meet us until 10.

So, for those of you in the know, what is the best strategy for WWoHP? The undercover tourist app says that there is only a 70 minute wait right now (7/20 3:50 pm EDT) which isn't too bad, if it is accurate.

What about Olivanders, though? And the other shops/restaurants.

Any ideas would appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JessicaR]

I would get there 15 minutes prior to early open time do the ollivander show and head right to FJ. You will be fine. By staying on-site you have early entry.

 

[SDT1434]

But that's the thing...I have early entry, but I can't get unto the park until I am escorted at 10. I don't have a ticket.

 

[JessicaR]

But that's the thing...I have early entry, but I can't get unto the park until I am escorted at 10. I don't have a ticket.

You didn't say that. So basically you do what you can. When you enter see how bad the area is when you do and if it's horrendous return before closing and hope the crowds have lessened. You could always consider buying a ticket.

 

[macraven]

But that's the thing...I have early entry, but I can't get unto the park until I am escorted at 10. I don't have a ticket.

i didn't know some hotel guests could get in free.........
new one to me.

buy a ticket so you can enter with the rest of us at early entry.

 

[SDT1434]

Lol...so clearly, I need to read, then reread and rereread my posts before I hit submit.

Hotel guests don't get in for free. I have a friend who is a Universal Employee who is getting us in. Some employees have the option of either leaving comps for you, or escorting you into the park...We are being escorted in.

Also, there are 5 of us, so buying a ticket gets a bit expensive, especially when it wasn't planned on.

I guess I am just asking when do the lines die down...or do they? And from what I understand, the answer is "It Depends!"

Thanks

 

[JessicaR]

When are you going?

 

[SDT1434]

On Thursday (July 26)

 

[JessicaR]

Probably going to be quite busy. Play it by ear.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Lol...so clearly, I need to read, then reread and rereread my posts before I hit submit.

Hotel guests don't get in for free. I have a friend who is a Universal Employee who is getting us in. Some employees have the option of either leaving comps for you, or escorting you into the park...We are being escorted in.

Also, there are 5 of us, so buying a ticket gets a bit expensive, especially when it wasn't planned on.

I guess I am just asking when do the lines die down...or do they? And from what I understand, the answer is "It Depends!"

Thanks

Could you just ask your friend if you could pick up the comp tickets at the gate, and then meet up at 10? Unless the person is getting you in using some sort of executive pass, regular employee comp passes are distributed via the internet.

 

[RMulieri]

Ollivanders has long waits pretty much most of the day, and is often long or longer waits then Forbidden Journey.Simply because the shop for the show is SMALL and they only take in 15-20 people at a time.Each show is approx 10 mins or so..You can try WWoHP late in the day and closer to park closing for lesser amount of wait,sometimes it dies down.It can not be guaranteed,and it is still going to be busy.You are going to have some significant waits for things.

 

[lovin'fl]

Sorry to hijack, but my question is along the lines of the OP's. We will be going to WWoHP at the end of August (going into the parks the 23rd and 24th)...without staying on site (staying at a Disney Vacation Club resort). What should our game plan be...one of the days we'll do Universal and the other day we'll do IofA. The 23rd, we will be coming from checking out at Vero Beach and won't get there right at park opening (probably), so probably the day to do US and then do IofA the next day and go at opening (but that will be a Friday...is that busier than Thursday)?

 

[lovin'fl]

Well, I solved our problem by booking us at the Hard Rock at Universal to get the early park admission and then cancelled/added our DVC points onto our January trip to get a 2BR at Beach Club Villas. Yay all around . Now I need to research all things Universal...like where to eat. We have done many WDW trips, but only visited Universal 1 day during our very 1st trip that was about 10 years ago and the kids were little.

 

[2girlsmom]

So is the employee using their comp passes or a blue card entry where they need to escort you? If comp passes, they can order them online and you can pick them up at the park without the employee being there. Otherwise, they would have to be with you, and staying at the hotel doesn't help you.

 

[SDT1434]

Blue Card...she will be with us and walking us in. I assume that I can still use the on-site hotel for FOTL, but not for early entry

 

[pixeegrl]

yes, your key cards will still get you Express...is she going to be escorting you both days so you get full use of staying onsite? Your Express Pass is good for check in and check out days.

 

[2girlsmom]

With Blue card, you get the same as unlimited express for 6 guests anyway, so yes you will still get your FOTL, but you would without the hotel stay too in that circumstance.